VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1930 dash knobs

How many months into the production year in 1930 were the pot metal knobs with the brass inserts used. Spark, Lights, Throttle and Choke? I have had two Oakland built cars and both had them. And they were Nickel plated as were the gage rings. I do not remember the ID numbers. :)

From what information I have in my library, it was around April or May of 1930 when the switch was made to the Bakelite knobs. And, each factory could have made the switch differently, depending upon when their supply of the pot metal knobs ran out. :eek: :eek:

My 1930, made in late Augest from all we can tell, has Bakelite knobs.

http://www.stoolhead.com/30chevy/30July02-7.jpg

Both of my '30s originally had the metal knobs, but neither had a complete set. Now I've collected enough knobs with intact cables to have a complete set for the next restoration, but I'm wondering how to prep them for replating. I'm thinking that it's best to give the platers the existing knob with shaft and inner wire and get them to plate the knob in place rather than trying to remove the knob from the shaft. I assume that the pot metal is very brittle and easily broken, so the idea of removing them isn't very attractive.

Does anybody have experience with this?

All the Best,

Chip

That would be the correct way to have the pot metal knobs plated. However, to avoid build up of copper and nickel plating on the shaft and wire, the plater should avoid putting any plating on either the shaft or the wire since they have to move in and out of the casing.

:) :grin:

Thanks! I'll do it that way then. Appreciate the help.

All the Best,

Chip.

my 30 coach has bakelite knobs. which are worn but i don`t want to get repo. i can`t even read the knobs.