VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1938 Chevrolet Sedan Master DeLuxe

Hello everyone I thought I would introduce myself. My father in law just got a 1938 Chevrolet. It was restored in the 70s or 80s and has been back east until now. It has a 350 engine and a rear end out of a Impala. I found this site looking for answers to some restoreration questions.

I was hoping some of you folks could help me out. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I have found the following information:
Style 38-1011 = 1938 Series 1000
Body J11225 = Made in Janeville Fisher Body
Trim 70 = Interior uphlolstery, Tan Mohair Material
Paint 231 = Black
Car No: 21HA0118891 = Which I found HA= 122 1/4" Wheel Base Passenger(Master DeLuxe) With Knee Action Enclosed Type
Built in January.
I would like to know more if there is anything else to add.

Welcome to Chatter
Looks like your father in law has a good start in the restoration. There are original diveline components advertised here on a fairly regular basis.
While I dont know the details myself they do look familiar to several other requests that I have seen.
Tony

You need to look at some streetrod forums. 90 percent of 38 chevrolet owners are going the streetrod route. You're the first i've seen in a while that wants to go BACK to the orginal driveline. The good news is that you can find the old driveline complete for cheap. Look on ebay or many other forums. The problem will be ,how bad did they butcher the frame to convert the orginal to a streetrod. Good luck. I'm glad more and more guys are interested in the orginal type 38 than the streetrod. Streetrods have to be updated every few years, once it's more or less orginal it's a keeper. Glad you're on this forum, keep us posted with the progess.

Steve...Do you realise what you are saying???? I cant believe that "Mr Chrome" is having a senior moment and reverting back to reality!...ThatABoy send him some pictures and show this guy how a "ORIGINAL" should look....Just Kid'n....ED

" I'm glad more and more guys are interested in the orginal type 38 than the streetrod. "

Orginal TYPE, not a 100% correct point car. I'm going out on a limb but I'll guess that 99% of old antique cars are not correct point cars. Only 1 % are focused on points and being able to score more points by not adding ANYTHING that might become a judgement factor concerning points.A dull finish and basic car may be the way to get points but most guys are eager to add accessories and have a shiney car. Even some that say they are interested in having a CORRECT car break the points logic by adding something attractive but clearly is not a correct part. A coupe with carpet,a fulton Visor,radial tires ,going 12volt, the list is to long to keep going.
I say enjoy the car keep it "MOSTLY" of that time period if you're going to say you have a antique.Either that or go streetrod and drive into the sunset.

OKAY...I'm digging in and expecting heavy fire from some guys on that statement. Just remember I'm the guy who traded a 57 corvette for a Corvair spyder convert. (even) So I could be wrong about everything...grin ...It's happened before.

I can't even guess what decade this happened in to be remotely close to a fair deal!! Good to see you're able to have a laugh about it now!

1966..The Corvair was like new and the Corvette had some issues. Seemed like a fair deal, I bet the salesman is still telling that story.

http://lansing.craigslist.org/pts/3116846421.html

http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/3044624723.html


L@@K

Thanks for the replies. I don't know how much orginal equipment my father in law is wanting to put back in. I know he has a new 350 crate engine and is wanting to keep the suspension that is in it curretly. He doesn't want to do any body modifcations except paint. For anyone that might be from Minnesota, this car used to be owned by Brad Steiger of Thief River Falls, Minnestoa.

I hope that this doesn't change your opinion of me being part of this site, because this car isn't going to become 100% factory restored.

I will still post up pictures of the rebuild if that is fine with everyone. Could anyone tell me what Plant this car was built in? Also how did you folks deal with restoring chrome?

The assembly plant was number 21 or Janesville, WI. That is determined from the serial number.

There will likely be some who won't or can't help since the VCCA's mission is the preservation and restoration of 'original' Chevys. If you're looking for detailed hot rodding info you'll likely get better info over on the HAMB. Good luck with your project.

Pretty much any help I need will be about how it was when it was build. I have found this site to be very helpful with finding out the orginal specs of this car. Also looking for tips on restoring things like the chrome. And possible places to get door seals, window seals and other parts we might need along the way that aren't "hotrod" parts.
Once again thanks very much for all the help. If it was my car I would restore to factory but since it isn't mine I am just helping find information for my father inlaw about what all the numbers are for the car.

Good places to get parts are:

The Filling Station

Chevs of the '40s

Obsolete Chevy Parts

Steele Rubber

There are others as well. Let Google be your friend.