VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 clock

I was looking at a clock on ebay, I donot see any streiling name or a chevy sign What do you think

What year clock are you looking for?

The accessory Chevrolet clock has the bow tie and the electric clock also says "Sterling" for 1931 and 1932.

Is the clock a electric dash clock or a windup mirror clock?

The clock on ebay at the moment is the sterling electric dash clock for 1931 and 1932 , but is missing the bowtie. It has the original accessory chevrolet box to go with it. It may be the plain jane clock which can have the face changed , which are also available on ebay at the present time. But it is the correct 1931-2 clock minus the bowtie.

The clock with the steel bezel and Bow Tie was available in August 1930 and is correct for the 1930.

Sterling electric made automobile clocks and they also made the accessory electric clock for Chevrolet. Their standard electric clock was identical the the Chevrolet version except that it didn't have the Chevrolet bow-tie. The clock on eBay appears to be an aftermarket Sterling clock with a Chevrolet box.

Where did you find that information?

The literature that I have indicates that the electric clock came out mid-1931. The clock is first listed as a "New" accessory in the June, 1931 issue of the Chevrolet Service News. The clock is not listed in the February, 1931 edition of the Chevrolet parts book but it is listed in the August, 1931 edition of the Chevrolet parts book. Also, the Sterling electric clock is not listed as part of the accessory line for 1930, therefore, it is not a correct accessory for 1930. However, it can be installed in a 1930 Chevrolet if so desired, but it would be a retro-fit item.

Here is the add for the replacement faces.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1931...arts_Accessories&hash=item255fc50d11

It's referenced in the June 1930 Chevrolet Dealers News (Chicago vol.5). The cost of the clock is listed as $11.00 black luminous dial, $10.00 rich silvered metal dial.

Bob (the fella that lists the service on eBay) was introduced to the Sterling clocks about a year ago. He was the only one that seemed to be able to install new glass in the bezels. He does great work. Has been working on clocks for many years so knows what he is doing. Reasonably priced too.

David Lee in Delanson, NY also does super repair on those clocks and he has hundreds (if not thousands) of vintage car clocks. He's at most northeast car flea markets. His phone number is (518) 872-2407

Do the two clock dials listed above have the Chevrolet bow-tie on them? The above definitely sounds like the afermarket clock, mainly because of the types of dial faces used. I have seen several items listed by Chevrolet for their dealers that were aftermarket and not genuine Chevrolet accessories. Chevrolet dealers even sold aftermarket accessories as well but they are not correct for judging purposes since they are not genuine Chevrolet accessories. The genuine Chevrolet Sterling electric clock accessory sold for $8.75.

Can you post a copy of the information in the Dealer's News here with a photo?

Neither clock has the Bow-Tie logo, You're probably right that this was offered as an after market item to Dealers.
I had trouble trying to post an image of the bulletin so I sent you an e-mail.
The hardest part of installing the clock is building the courage to drill a hole in the dash.

Received your email. Yep, I have seen that piece of literature before and, without a doubt, that is definitely a generic aftermarket Sterling electric clock. It is not correct for the 1931-32 models, and no clock would be correct for the 1930 models since a clock was not a genuine accessory offered by Chevrolet in 1930.

Ya, I would not like drilling a hole in the instrument panel either.....especially since a Sterling electric clock would not be correct for 1930 anyway.

Thanks for sending the email. I appreciate it!

Does anyone have an email address for David Lee?
Thanks

Just an FYI for anyone wanting clock respire. I sent David Lee my 1933 Chevy dash clock to get it running, we talked on the phone and he seamed like a real nice guy. I mailed it to him a few weeks ago. I have tried calling him over 20 times with now response. He is either dead or collects car clocks. At this point my recommendation is not to use him
Dale

He has Hundreds of clocks???Hopefully yours will not stay in his collection!!!

Clock update.
Two weeks ago I wrote a letter to David explaining that I have tried calling him over a dozen times and no answer and asked him to return my clock. About 4 days later I got a call on my cell phone and it was David. He said he had not gotten any messages and his phone was in working order. He gave the phone number again thinking I had the wrong one. He has caller ID blocking so I couldn't see it on my cell phone. Anyway I checked and it was the same phone number I had to begin with. I'm not sure if it was some kind of AA&T cell phone issue or what but I couldn't connect with that number. Bottom line is I got my clock in the mail today and it is hooked up on the bench, it's keeping perfect time. I'm a happy camper. So David is a valid clock repair and service, just hope you have better phone luck than I did.