VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1938 Chevy Coupe.

Just got a 1938 Coupe and it is in pieces. Lot of work. Started on the frame and have it ready to paint. Need to know what the luster was on the original black paint. Gloss or Semigloss ?
Also for the axles and springs

Original frames were dipped with an inexpensive enamel so the surface most resembled the modern semi-gloss and not the high gloss.

I have a '38 coupe and may be able to help some. Is your a straight axle or knee action?

That's one beautiful chevy that you have. This one originally came out of a barn in Idaho, was driven for awhile then torn down. Its been sitting for many years before I acquired it.
I plan to bring it back up and use it as a secondary vehicle to replace my pickup around town.

To answer your question; The axles are straight and the shocks are knee action.

Thanks; BC

Thanks for the response. I am glad it is semi gloss, this will make the job easier.

Your picture seems to show a military 1 1/2 ton chevy. I am a member of the MVPA ( Military Vehicle Preservation Association )
Have a WWII MB Jeep. There are quite a few of the 1 1/2 ton chevy's around. They make a good choice because they are economical to operate compared to the CCKW.
I also have a 1941 Chevy AL series 3/4 ton that I use for hauling trash to the dump on my desert property.

Thanks; BC

To prevent confusion, if you have a straight axle the shocks are 'lever action'. The term "knee action" refers to Chevys early attempt at IFS. In other terms 'straight axle' and 'knee action' don't go together. In '38 the Master had a straight axle and the Master Deluxe had knee action. If you mix the terms when asking for information you might not get the answer(s) you need. Do you have pictures of your car?

Yes that is a 1 1/2 ton Chevy born in September 1943 in Norwood, Ohio. It has a humongous winch and power take-off shaft running to the back of the bed which would have powered an auger. Not 100% sure which body was originally installed. Would like to return it to its original condition.

Thor38......Welcome aboard....We are trying to find out if you have a MASTER COUPE ???? ..OR A MASTER DELUX COUPE????.
This will help us help you if you have any ???? about your car.
Good Luck.....Ed1938

I think he has a Master straight axle car. The rear shocks are SORTA lever action or someone could say a knee action type.

OK; Now I know what you mean. According to my Master Parts Catalog 1929 to 1951, the designation for this coupe with a 6HB preface on the serial number is that it is a Master not a Master Deluxe.
All I have are photographs of it is on the trailer when it arrived.

BC

Yep, HB is a Master with the straight axle and lever action shocks. If you're not sure about what a part is the old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words is true and can help us help you.

Unless they've been converted like yours and mine so are the front shocks Steve.

I've never seen the orginal lever shocks on the front of a 38 coupe (not knee action). Photo? As you know,mine are aftermarket. I thought master coupes had NO front shocks.

Oh, come on Steve...Just 'cause your came with none...grin

No sign of front shocks ever been on my old coupe,it did have aftermarket modern type front shocks which were worn out and soon got replaced.. Maybe they fell off...grin Believe it or not..I've never seen a photo of a master front shock (orginal). The 38 manual doesn't show a photo of one but does list a part which is 1&1/4 inch in dia... Photos? I've googled and can't seem to find one. There are a million photos of knee action. Curious to know where they bolted on the car.

Here's a link talking about 38 shocks but no photo.

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/172189/Re_38_Master_Front_Shock_Conve

Steve, the fronts on a master are just like the rear except the lever is shorter than the rear. You will find two big holes through the frame for each.

I believe it but would like to see a photo. I guess the previous owner of my old coupe discarded the orginal front shocks when he decided to go with modern tube shocks. I owned a 38 coupe when I was 15 but it was a Deluxe. If I ever see a orginal 38 master I'm going to look closely at the front end. Most of the ones I see are either streetrods or have been converted to modern tube shocks or are Deluxe models. Live and learn...grin

This isn't really a good picture, it was taken when my kingpins were being replaced. If you look at the top of the picture you can see the end of the lever (the drop light is hanging from the lever) and the link connecting the lever to the axle. The link is right next to the brake hose. I'll check my archive and see if I have a better picture.



Here we go. This was taken when they were fabricating a new front crossmember. It shows the same shock as the top picture but you can see the whole thing.



This one shows the completed crossmember and you can see both front shocks.

The second photo works...You can see where to two bolt holes should be, too. One lines up with the hammer-head .

...What is that cross member all about...?

Thanks Tiny. First photo I've seen. Interesting. That's not the location I was expecting.

Air bags...sorry Tiny, I had to...

WHAT???????? With all the 38 car's you seen and posted pictures of, come on...Next thing you will be saying that there are no UFO'S
...Or no Santa Claus, Give me a break~~**##%%**ED

That's where you put your air bags...?

Most have been redone ,one way or the other. I can do better that that..I have a 235 replacement engine,which is pretty common due to the better oil system,and I've asked 235 owners on this forum and other forums for a photo of the rear crossbrace that the rear motor mounts attach to. The reason I want this photo is to see how others MODIFIED the brace to accomadate the larger oilpan that a 56 /235 engine has. My crossbrace has been butchered and I THINK this is a major cause of clutch chatter. So far still no photos. I'm afraid to remove the crossbrace and have a stronger brace made for fear that the shop won't get the motormount angles correct since they are critical to clutch chatter.

I guess I'll quit complaining and try and figue out something. I wish some vendor had one for sale , I know there are hundreds of 235s in 38 chevys.



The above photo is almost three years old, the car looks much better now.. Really.

Just kidding.