VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1930's cars

I am new to vintage cars but have been gear head some 60 years. I purchased my 30 standard coupe in May and I have been having the time of my life with it. I purchased it from a chevrolet dealers collection and it had been in storage since 1967. It is a complete car and runs great. Like all cars with age need to replace the electrical harness from front to back. No rust top or bottom but a shitty repaint which I plan on having done over this winter. I want to drive it as long as can until putting it up for the winter.
The real question I have is that there seems to be a general lack of part suppliers for the 29 to 31 cars other than filling station and handful of others. Is it because the number iof cars that survived that period is not as many as others, production numbers or any other factors. I love my coupe and is my intention to keep it as original and use it as a driver and not a trail or queen.

It is all about supply and demand. If there isn't much demand then the supply will be limited. As the years go by, the older dudes that are interested in these cars are dying off and the younger generation (as well as some of the older fellows) are more into later muscle cars and street rods because they can be driven at highway speeds, and they have a lot of "creature comforts". The more popular a car is the more parts are being reproduced since "money" also plays a big factor in the availability of parts.

One of the best sources of parts can be found by joining the VCCA, and checking out the classifieds that are free to our over 8000 members world wide in our club magazine, The G&D.

Brewster, one of the smartest things I did was to join VCCA. I was making a general statement of my observations since I joined.
On another note where in the hell did Rat Rods come from?

Rats!

The story of Rat Rods:

http://www.rodauthority.com/feature...is-a-rat-rod-and-where-did-it-all-begin/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_rod

Genem,
Welcome to our group. We all get a thrill out of driving and showing our vintage Chevrolets.

One lesson that I learned a long time ago about parts -- if you see something for sale, especially a reproduction part, BUY IT!!!! Eventually the supply will run out. I have waited over 10 years for some parts to show up again on the market.

And I have been "smart" enough to purchase some things LONG BEFORE I ever needed them. Recently I unwrapped some new 1931-32 (reproduction) stainless hubcap rings that were wrapped in newspapers dated 1986. That was one of the best parts that I ever bought since they've NEVER been reproduced since then.

So -- a word to the wise -- if you see it now, and MAY someday want it, then BUY IT NOW.

---Bill B

PS. Thanks Skipper. I had never thought about the definition that rat rods are made to be driven, not trailered. And that this hobby-extension is just a simple reaction to the high- (over-) priced polished hot rods. Said like that, it all made sense.

Thanks for the History Lesson JY Dog good info in there

and I agree will Bill, nothing wrong with a SPARE part, or Back-Up. I pick up parts here and there that I need or may need for my 1929 when i see them. Especially parts that I know are hard to find or come by.

Thanks Dog, I can always count on some one answering what ever crazy question.
Sorry Rat Car fans, not for me. You can get a vintage car and make it a driver without having to sell your first born. My joy is seeing a vintage car that is a vintage car with no changes( other than something that improves safety or reliability). I would never consider changing anything in my coupe. I want it as close to original so I can get the feel of what it was like to drive these cars when they were new. I was driving and racing all the cars in the 60's turning in the low 13's and 106 in my 64 GTO so I know what that felt like. Now it's time for a different kind of ride

I agree....my 65 GTO ran in the high 12s...12.70 at 116.65 I still have the slip!!!

Mac

Exactly! That is what the old cars are all about!!

Genem needs to be happy he has a Chevrolet. Only one other make, and we will not go there, has more parts available for that time period.