VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 New Life for 28 tourer

Hi Chevguroo,
I've been working on my door hinges this weekend and as usual the job's turned out to be bigger than originally anticipated.
I've removed the seat upholstery on the side panel (the panel the rear door is hinged off) and started to remove the outside metal skin, I got all the nails out of the top and sides of the metal panel but it seems to be stuck or nailed to the under side of the timber frame. Does anyone know if the Holden body 28 tourer had the metal skins nailed on before the frame was fixed to the car or was the timber frame installed then sheeted with metal skins. Knowing my car the previous restro probably took a short cut nailed the skin to the frame then fixed the sheeted frame in position. I plan to reinforce/brace the timber frame whilst i have access to this area. any comments re door hinges and stiffening the timber frame would be most welcome.

Now that most of my mechanical work is nearing completion (until the old girl decides she wants more attention) I thought I would look over the list of works that Chevguroo compiled in April 2008 when he came over to my place and inspected my recent purchase.

#1 tourer had no rear brakes at all. Thanks Antique Mechanic for the photo you posted. rear brake drums,linings, linkages and rods etc installed.
#2 Wiring was shot . new wiring harness installed.
#3 Wrong carbie,no flexible pipe to hot box,no hot box. correct carbie installed.
#4 No split pins to any of the steering etc. re conditioned steering, balls, springs etc.
#5 no cotter pins in king pins. new king pins and cotter pins installed.
#6 New shackle bolts/pins installed.
#7 new tyres and tubes
#8 set of new wooden spokes correct fellows (had a 27 fellows on rear and 28 on front)
#9 Connect hand brake and install spring.
#10 connect horn
#11 stop light and number plate holder
#12 New radiator

That's part of the list of works required before I could get it on the road, there was heaps of other little bits and pieces.

Thanks to friends in the local chev clubs, C.H.E.V.s and VVCAA and this site for their help.

Thanks to Richard in C.H.E.V.S for the excellent motor re build.

In hind sight I could of purchased a restored car but I have learnt so much and there is so much more to learn.

My car will never win any prizes but she is out there and running sweet. Thanks again....

cheers Peter

Gidday Pete,

I would say they were nailed onto the frame off the chassis looking at what I removed over the last couple of weeks, I cannot see how anyone could hit in the small nails along the underside edge of the rear tub and my chev body had never been off before and yes I have nails right around all edges....

best of luck with the project

You are one busy, talented and dedicated dude.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It really helps us newbies out here!! Since my retirement, I am trying to learn to do stuff myself rather than hiring shops. Have to do something to afford this hobby now that income is gone. Would rather not have to sell it all....

Thanks again,

Bodies were assembled on a separate line (mostly in a separate factory) and then lowered onto the chassis on the final assembly line. The body panels were all fully attached to the wood framing when the body was assembled.

Looks like you are doing a proper job. It will pay off when you don't have to do something again, or take things back apart to fix a part that was thought to be okay. Do it right the first time or be prepared to do it again.

The complete body was assembled at Woodville South Australia (HOLDEN'S MOTOR BODY BUILDERS) including the trimming, and then shipped to General Motors (AUSTRALIA) assembly plants in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.Perth (Adelaide? I will have to check and see if they had a seperate Assembly plant) The chassis was assembled and running gear fitted , followed by the Body and then the hood and fenders.

Gidday fellas,

Jack - I knew the complete bodies were assembled at Woodville South Australia but I did not know they were then transported to other cities for installation onto the running gear interetesting and many thanks for that.

BTW I am planning to drive over to the plant site in SA when my chevy reaches 100yrs old and I will click over 60yrs young myself in 2028 along with "1928isgreat" who is a starter also, I have the swag and billy ready now to throw in on the back seat.

"Chevy Come Home" road trip followed then by a nice meander/pub crawl back home along the "Great Ocean Road" to Queenscliff, jump on the ferry over to Sorrento and then zig zag back over through the hills to Gippsland..

Mark up on your diary folks..

Hi all thanks for the replys, with that information I can work out my next move.
Bob D i'm not talented just determined to have the tourer on the road and surrounded by club members willing to help out . I haven't done a full restro just what was required to get her running. Bob don't give up keep asking questions do one item at a time. cheers peter..

Gidday Peter,

Mate they are the best kind of all, people look them over and can hear a good yarn without a word spoken and thats what I love about them, they ooze character so give me a rough diamond anyday... Best of luck Pete

Hi Peter,

Its a great feeling to be on the road in a convoy of 10 or 20 Chevs surrounded by a virtual wealth of knowledge.

Cheers

Ray