VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1930 Radiator shell

Hi
You can tell I am a newbie by the number of questions.
This time I am asking about the radiator shell on my 1930 S.R.
The bottom part of the shell (more or less below the headlamps), has black, for want of a better word, reinforcement. I have trolled through dozens of pictures of various Chevys and found a 1930 Phaeton just the same.
Does any one know if this was normal, I have not seen anything like this on other years. I am wondering if I need to find a new shell!

The 1930 passenger radiator shell should be chrome plated brass all the way to the radiator apron (cow catcher). The truck shell was black painted steel. Maybe a previous owner painted the bottom half of the shell because he liked it better that way.

The 1931 radiator shell had a black panel "reinforcement" down in the area around the crankhole. Can you be more specific in the description regarding your 1930 radiator shell?

If he has the "cow catcher" splash apron it would cover up the bottom of a '31 shell where the black cover would attach. I was also thinking that there might have been a repair that resulted in painting the bottom half of the shell and that was the location of the reinforcement.

If there is a question whether it is a '30 or '31 shell that is a different matter. The '30 shell has the top inside edge horizontal (flat except for the center where the emblem is located). The '31 top inside has a gentle arc. Also has two holes in the drivers side for headlight and horn wire while the '30 only has a single hole for the headlight as the horn is mounted on the frame rail not under the headlight.

Right.....that is why I asked Peterw to give us more specifics regarding his description of the "reinforcement".

I have a photo, but not sure how to upload it (I have looked in the FAQs, but do not have a website). Is that the only way?
The inside top edge of the radiator is straight apart from around the emblem. The black 'reinforcement' extends up from the apron for about 6-9 ".
This car has been seriously 'bodged' (if this is understood) it seems that for several years running repairs have been made as was expedient, without worrying about doing it right. I am keen to bring it back to originality, hence all the questions (Chevys are in short supply in the UK), so I am relying on you guys.

The bottom mounting bracket which is a U shape under the radiator, normally is attached at the bottom by 4 rivets either side.(about 3-4" up) If the rivets have broken and the shell is cracked , then they may have repaired the shell by adding longer steel straps on the inside.

Peter, if you know how to email a picture, send it to me eldredjamesatattdotnet replacing at and dot with the symbols and i will post it for you.

Ok, I have sent a picture, thanks for helping

got it...working on it

OK, I surrender. I cannot upload the file to my Earthlink web site.

I'm sure you could email the file to chipper or JYD.

Photo is now in the photo section...

Just had to make it smaller.

Shell looks to be a 1930. Can't tell from the photo why it was partially painted black or what repairs might have been made.

I can't tell from the photo either because there is absolutely no detail especially with the black on black.

Sorry guys that was the best photo I had. The car is away for engine work, but I will try to get a more detailed photo later this week. If I do, what is the best way to handle it?

What you need to do is check for repairs. If none are found then it just might be that a previous owner just liked it that way. If repairs are found then, Can the shell be returned to its original appearance? If not a replacement needs to be found or you just live with it.

Hi,
Been to look at the radiator and there is definitely some metal riveted to it, so not a good shell. If anyone is interested I took close up photos, but I have no website to upload from

Managed to post a picture via the gallery.

Looks to me like someone cut 3-5 inches off an original rad shell (perhaps to a point just above the rivets) perhaps to use for a hotrod, and later someone tried crudely to add back the required height by splicing pieces on, perhaps from a different shell. 1930 rad shells are sold on eBay all the time in decent complete shape, so I wouldn't spend too much time trying to sort this one, just look for a repacement.

Yep, the radiator shell is definitely toast. And, it appears that someone has added a metal reinforcement to the center section of the headlight bar as well. Also, both chrome plated headlight supports are missing.

Sorry to keep this going, but what exactly are the headlamp supports. Does the filling station have them?

The headlight supports are the chrome plated vertical stanchions that go between the bottom of the headlight bar (under the headlights), and the top of the radiator splash apron skirt. There is one per side. The Filling Station has them shown in their catalog (part number RW-45) but they are "temp. out" which means that they may not have them for a very long time. Check with Stanley's Parts in Forth Worth, Texas. He makes the headlight supports (stanchions).

Thanks, I've asked him to quote with shipping to England.

I may have a line on a 1930 shell. I got my 1931 roadster back from a "restorer" with a 30 shell. I replaced it with a correct 31 shell, and I traded the 30 shell to a friend. I may be able to get it back.

My 1931 Chevy radiator shroud needs to be rechromed. How is is it removed? Does the radiator have to come off?

Thanks
Johns31