VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1927/28 Chevy Wanted for Museum

I normally don't follow this forum since I own a 1920 490. But I have a topic that belongs here. I'm on a temporary consulting job in Michigan, and while here, I'm volunteering at the F@%d Piquette plant in Detroit. If you're not familiar with Piquette, it's F@%d's original plant (ca. 1904) where the Model T was developed and first built. It's now open as a museum. Piquette's collection specializes in cars that were built in the Milwaukee Junction area of Detroit where the U.S. auto industry began: F@%d, Cadillac, Dodge, Hupmobile, E-M-F/Studebaker, Maxwell, etc. They normally don't display Chevys. But they are looking for a 1927/28 model because that's the car that finally overtook the Model T in sales. If anybody is willing to offer a car for display, let me know. It could be temporary or permanent, and the cars are available for owners to drive as needed.

If they don't mind a little peeling paint I might put mine up there for a year or two till I get more land and a bigger barn built. Deal is with the peeling paint was it had a lousy paint job put over nice original paint and I am hoping it will all come off and leave the original paint intact. Right now there is just some places here and there that peeled and the cruddy paint is cracking in more places.It looks like it wasn't sanded and no primer put down and possibly painted over old wax residue. I was thinking about getting a couple rolls of tape and start lifting it off, but I better wait to do that till I hear back. I also have a 1924 Oldsmobile touring (Very Rare car) with some peeling paint in the rear on one side and the dash but still looks decent overall if they would be interested in displaying it also. I have asked the R.E. Olds transportation museum in Lansing several times, but they don't have a lot of room and have to be choosy about what years to display to fit the current themes. The Hurst/Olds and 442 guys get a lot of floor room there.

Gidday Bob,

I would get your car "Aqua blasted" to remove the old paint.
I just completed a signboard for a new business in our area over here in Oz that does this, and yes he said that he can remove different layers of paint from a vehicles surface..

My ears [bleeped] up when he was telling me this so I mentioned my chev with it's original (very thin) grey paintwork and also the "red-lead" primer 2 tone body work colour combination and my idea to remove the red-lead primer, he came in a had a look but my original grey is to thin and patchy and the aqua-blasting would most likely remove all paint from the body, not what I had in mind, but a pathcy grey patina looking chev would be so cool.....




Only a thought mate and good luck with the peeling....

Bob - It's not clear from your post what condition your car is in. Is it original except for the poor repaint? The museum might consider an original car but most of the museum's collection is restored cars. One exception is my favorite - a totally unrestored 1907 Cadillac 1-cyl with varnished wood body. Send along a few photos.

I know they wouldn't want the Olds. No connection to Milwaukee Junction or even Detroit. I might be interested though if you ever want to sell it...I spent 12 years working in Lansing for GM.

Interior was redone also and is not the right color. supposed to be a dark green corderoy but it is a light green corderoy. Car is mostly original outside of the color changing. It has 38K miles on it. I will email some pics from my other computer.

I discussed displaying a Chevy with Dick Rubens, director of the F%#d Piquette plant, again yesterday. He is very interested in finding a '27 Chevy to represent the car that finally outsold the Model T. I've only heard from Bob Kerr so far. Unfortunately, Bob's car isn't in historically accurate condition. Anybody else willing to loan their car for a good cause? It will really help out the museum and puts your car on display in the most historic automotive building in the world.[color:#000066][/color]

And please hurry, as I may be visiting the T-plex this Saturday!

-Dave

Dave - I hope you got to visit T-Plex yesterday. It's remarkable building. I was there until 2 AM this morning for a wedding. It's become an "in" place for Detroiters to get married amidst the antique "Made In Detroit" vehicles.

Unfortunately I haven't found a willing 1927 Chevy owner to display their "Model T Beater" there.

There's still time! Our tour guide was ill and we decided to reschedule for the 4th of June. A friend and I (and possibly our wives) are going to be going on Preservation Wayne's Auto Heritage Tour, which covers not only the T-Plex but other parts of Milwaukee Junction also.

-Dave

Don,

You may not be receiving resposnes to your request for a '27 or '28 Chevrolet because many of us are committed to activities surrounding the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet this year. A year ago a Lower Michigan Region couple did loan their 1927 Sedan to the Piquette Plant museum for the majority of the summer season. That particular '27 is committed for display in the Sloan Museum for the month of July this year as are many over Region members vehicles.

Just wanted you to know that we're not ignoring you, we may just not be able to accommodate that type request at this time.

Dave - Sorry I didn't read your post until today. I would guess you were on Mike Skinner's tour at 10 AM yesterday. I tagged along too because my son stopped by with a friend. I was the tall guy from Colorado with the white Piquette T-shirt. Hope you enjoyed the tour. And I hope you got to take the Preservation Wayne tour too. The first time I ever visited Piquette was on that tour, and it was so interesting, I've been returning to help out whenever I get a chance.

BTW: Edsel Ford II once said that Mike Skinner knows more about Ford than the Ford family.

Don

Oldie - Thanks for the background. I wasn't aware of the '27 Chevy loaned to Piquette last year since I've been living in Colorado and don't normally monitor this forum. I might be looking for a '27 Chevy that I can loan to Piquette for permanent display. I used to keep my '21 Model T there before I sold it.

I hope to make it to Sloan before I head back to Colorado. It's been years since I visited there.

That's one beauty of a car you got there.