VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Lazy Daisy - my new 41 Special Deluxe

Hello. New member and first time classic car owner/restorer here. I picked up this 41 Special Deluxe last week. It's 98% original, and the engine runs with some temporary wiring and temporary fuel source. The tranny shifts and the wheels turn.

My intention is to restore it to as close to original as possible. I am considering preserving the rust patina though. But eventually I think it will go back to its original color which I think is black, but I'm not sure.

I'll take all the advice I can get as I've read most of this forum and it's amazing how knowledgeable folks are here.

Priority list for me is getting it reliably driveable (not necessarily completely roadworthyy at first. Just reliable enough to back in and out of the garage).

The interior is a disaster as you'd expect, but everything is there, although a lot of the knobs and some trim have pretty much disintegrated. I'm sure most of the rubber is shot in the window seals etc. I'd like to go ahead and get it cleaned out, painted (or primered???) an get the sound deadening insulation in. I know you're supposed to do paint then interior but since I might just stabilize and clearcoat the rust patina I think I can go ahead and do interior work. I intend to reproduce the faux wood grain finish and upholster with accurate reproduction of the original design.

I'm debating frame-off resto, but I think the car deserves as good a resto as possible.

The seller is going to put me in touch with a mechanic that is familiar with the car.

I'm not completely familiar with the VCCA competition and judging, but my intention for restoration would be with an eye toward being a top candidate in said judging. Not because I want to necessarily be competitive with it, but because that is a standard to set for historically accurate restoration.

So again, I'm open to any and all advice, and if anyone interested is in Austin, I could use a mentor/advisor.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

So it begins...

And here's the original keys and key fob from the dealer "Pete and Joe's Auto Sales", Schulenburg TX. Love the 3 digit phone number.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Dndf8mTh.jpg?1[/img]

The filling station is going to love you....nice project by the way..I'm thinking if you are going to restore everything else, the outside is going to look a bit odd with that patina..if the inside was original and serviceable then maybe ok ??
Just my opinion though.

thank you for keeping another one alive

Ollie

You're probably right, but the rust patinas I've seen that have been stabilized and clearcoated look pretty slick to me. I could forego the wood panel paint job and stick with interior patina as well, but no matter what, the upholstery, headliner and panels have to be replaced. They are a disaster and have been picked apart by critters.

I love the seat upholstery and hope I can reproduce it faithfully.

And yeah, I already have a wish list going over at the filling station.

I would guess that the seat upholstery is actually seat covers, both front and back. The question would be what they are covering. With a little luck, you may have good original upholstery underneath. I like the covers too. Mine has a similar cover in the back over the original upholstery, but the cover in front was shot and I removed it. I wouldn't mind finding another such good-fitting seat cover for my front seat.
Karl

Jeff_ATX,
Welcome to the VCCA. Chevy Chatter is just one of the benefits the club provides. A few to non-members and many more to members. We are dedicated to the preservation and restoration of old Chevrolets.

The car looks like a great start, very solid and complete. Getting it running reliably and safely would be my suggestion to be your second option. First is to decontaminate, removing the remains of infestation. Looks like most of that has already been done. We have found that "Odoban" does an excellent job of counteracting the residual vapors, making things garage (spouse) acceptable. Removing the seat covers will also be part of the process.

There are a bunch of knowledgeable '41 Chevy owners in Texas. Depending on where you live one or more may be close by and can help with your project.

Jeff,

Welcome.

And thanks for choosing a 41. You have good taste. Oops, I shouldn't say that, should I.

Owing to the paint in the piece above the grille, I would guess that the car was black. You can check the code on the data plate on the firewall to be sure.

It appears to need a lot of stuff and work but you will get there bye and bye. It looks to be rather and relatively solid. That's good.

You can buy an upholstery kit from LeBarron and Behoney (sp) that adequately resembles the original interior. Pricey though.

As to parts, before you spend a lot of money from vendors, I would suggest you let us know what you need. Some of us have a lot of parts that we'd be willing to give you for shipping only or at a small price.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Charlie

BTW: I would like to say that I hope you follow the motto of the club through the "restoration and preservation" theme but to do so might offend some folks so I'll just shut up.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody.

They very well might br seat covers, Organbuilder. I still haven't taken possession so I'll check later.

Chipper, yes, decontamination will be first. The previous owner had it cleaned out, but I think it re-crittered a bit since then. I'll try the Odoban. Thanks for the suggestion. What city are you in?

41SpecialDeluxe (good name), I'll definitely solicit for parts here first. Where in NC? I lived in Charlotte before moving to TX.

Jeff,

I'm in Fayetteville.

Charlie

I live next to the Gulf of Mexico south of Houston.

I'm finishing a 41 right now. I hope you got deep pockets...your about to go for a ride:)

Restoring a 41 is a lot of fun, especially if you know the history of the car. There will be times of excitement and times of discouragement. But in the end, it will all be worth it.

Jeff, 'looks like you got a good, complete '41 MD. (That shade of brown is quite common these days.)

I like 'em all (some better than others) but I think '41 was one of Chevrolet's finest.

Good luck with yours.

Gaither

Gaither,

I think you meant SD rather than MD.

Charlie

Welcome Jeff! Looks like your '41 is in good solid shape. I hope you find the VCCA a true resource for your Chevrolet. Take care, and keep in touch!

Charlie, you're right! SD! (I'll be OK in a day or so!)

That's terriffic. I have the exact opposite of that. What could go wrong?

Actually I have a reasonable idea of what the big things are going to cost (paint, chrome, upholstery etc) and am not shocked.

It's the little things I think that are going to have me losing hair and sleep.

I just checked into rubber trim, seals, grommets, step plates etc. and holy crapola!

IMHO, regretable, these days you can buy a nice one cheaper than you can restore one.

I'm still itchin' to get Daisy home. She's still 180 miles away from me.

In the meantime, I've been researching everything I can about her.

I have the title issued in 1949 to the primary owner of the vehicle. Found a county record of a man with that name dying in 1972, I'm not sure if he is the original owner since the title is 1949 and Daisy is a 41. Could this car have sat out during the war? No idea.

Anyhoo, it was sold by "Pete and Joe Auto Sales" in Schulenburg TX (polka capitol of Texas), Phone number: 398 (I called and there was no answer).
He could be the 2nd owner since "Pete and Joe" sounds more like a used car outfit than a Chevy dealership. I could be wrong. Gonna research that later. The internet was not helpful.

VIN indicates it was manufactured in February in Kansas City. Last registered in 1966.

I will attempt to register it eventually in a way where I don't have to surrender this paperwork since it is a big part of the car's history. Bought it on a bill of sale and will have to game the TX DOT to keep it.

This kind of history is a big reason I want a project like this. I'd love to track down family members of the original owner, show them the car and see if they have any pictures/memories of it.

Hey Jeff...It all sounds good and I have been trying to do the same as you with tracking the history of my `40 SD. I actually have the original sales receipt from the dealership. I went to Ancestry.com and located the Lady who owned it ...no children and she died in 1967. Some very interesting stuff ..maybe try that web site if you haven't done so already.. GOOD LUCK on your project .....I`tll keep ya busy for awhile and outta trouble! David

It took me a lot of years to restore my 41. I had spells I worked hard on it and spells I didn't touch it for a year. Over that time, I searched long and hard for new parts, NOS parts on Ebay, and just general information about the car. I used to shop parts between www.obschevy.com, www.fillingstation.com, and www.chevsofthe40s.com. They all offer about the same basic parts but some offer more specialty and hard to find items. I used to see who was the cheapest on certain things then add a few more items I needed to the order also. That made the shipping worth while to shop between 3 different places. www.fillingstation.com had the most reasonable shipping prices since they ship 2-day priority mail through the post office when they can...that made them the quickest also.

Just remember also, the parts cost what they cost and sometimes you just have to give in and pay it. My dad couldn't understand why I paid $600 for a new wiring harness. I ordered it from Ynz's in California. It was cloth braided, custom wired with signal lights, and was numbered. The numbering system and installation info they sent with it made installation simple. I wanted the best and that's what Ynz provided me. There's not but one or two shops that can replicate a 1941 cloth braided wiring harness.

Some specialty parts can be ordered directly from the manufacturer also which is slightly cheaper. For example, a parts store was selling a specialty part for $450 but you could buy it direct from the manufacturer for $400. In the end, the parts place was ordering from the manufacturer also. This usually only occurs on specialty items.

As for engine stuff, you'll be surprised at what you can buy at NAPA Auto Parts. You can search the item online at www.napaautoparts.com. You can then place the order online and have it shipped to your house or pick it up at the shop. Keep in mind also that some parts stores have databases that stop at 1946. A few items are the same on 41 as they are for 46-48. So when dealing with mondern day parts stores, look at other models if a 41 is not listed.

If you ever need help, want to ask question, vent a little about a problem, or need advice on how to properly pull your hair out, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to hear about your accomplishments also. I've had my 41 off the frame, changed almost every bolt, and have been through all the systems. I love talking with friends about our 41s.

BTW, keep your interior panels in tack when you remove them and hang on to them. You can save money with a local upholstering shop if they have a pattern to go by and know how to transfer the stainless pieces.

Thanks for the info BH41. I will definitely take you up on the advisory offer.

I may be walking back from intentions to go frame-off for now. I know stuff this old comes apart a lot easier than it goes back together. I really don't want to be re-fabricating mounting points etc. yet.

My first priority is over all else...

The parking brake.

It should all be downhill from there.

Daisy made it home a couple of nights ago. She is capable of 80 mph (on the trailer).

Here's what I got off the ID plate (with notes on what they mean):

--------------------

Style # 41-1019 Special DeLuxe 4dr. Sport Sedan, 5 Pass., 116"W.B. Model: AH Style:1019 6 cyl.

Body # K717

Trim # 116 Tan Pile Fabric 1227B-27P

Paint # 297 Body: Black Duco # 246-2048 Ditzler Code: DAL-9001  
Wheels: Black Duco #93-005
Top [ } ACC [ ]

Body by Fisher

--------------------------

I couldn't find info on the Body # significance K717. Anybody know?

Also, "top" and "ACC" appeared to be blank. I'm guessing top was maybe for the cabriolets and ACC was optional accessory packages or something.

The VIN# indicates it was made in Kansas City in February.

And also, now that the car is here...

I'm out of money.

Jeff
Having the car home is a good start.
By the pic it looks like you have a good start for restoration but there is probably a lot of work the pic doesnt show.
I know the money situation, I either have the money and no time or the time and no money rarely both together.
Have fun just the same.
Tony

"Now it begins"!!!

Have fun and lots of good luck.

my 40' has been a driving project for many years. and, i'll expect it will be a driving project for who ever has it after i'm passed on. but at least it is a safe driving car and is a blast driving around waving at the people who comes up to get a closer look.


good luck on your project. i'm sure you will be smiling too!!