|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
Hello everyone. I purchsed a 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster last year from ebay and confess that i dont know much about it at all. It is right hand drive, a 4 door sedan, blue flame 6 cyclinder motor, 3 speed column manual and it used to be a wedding car and i am about to use it as a wedding car/hobby car again.
In the engine compartment it has a metal tag saying it was manufactured by general motors canada and apart from that, i have no idea whether it was assembled in australia or imported and at some stage converted to right hand drive. I know that chevrolets were exported world wide in the 1940's but confess i havent heard of the "stylemaster" although i have heard of a seen "fleetmaster" which look almost idenitcal.
I paid australian $9,000 for mine and spent another few thousand gettting it put back on the road and registered.
Does anyone know much about my car at all?
Thanks for any advice....
garry from australia
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 765
ChatMaster - 750
|
|
ChatMaster - 750
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 765 |
I recall watching on eBay last year the sale of two of these cars. If I recall correctly there was a red one and a blue one. The body line were very nice. Great looking cars!
Sorry I can't help with facts and figures. I'm sure someone will come to the rescue. It may take a week as there are several regulars at the VCCA Central Meet this week.
Member 45+ years, been around since the beginning !
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
|
|
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
If the car is Australian it will have a Holden body which is slightly different from a Fisher Body that was used in the rest of the world...The chassis,etc. would have been made in Canada and the body in Australia.
The Stylemaster was the lower priced line of cars.The Fleetmaster had more trim and equipment....such as chrome trim around the windows,a horn blowing ring,clock etc.
Gene Schneider
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
|
|
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
In looking thru the info. that I have for Australian 1947 Chevrolets...the Holden body has the front door hinged at the front edge and the rear door hinged at the rear...Fisher Body cars have the rear door hinged at the front-which would be at the center pillar.
Australian Holden bodies had slightly different lines also.They produced only a 4 door in either the Fleetmaster or Stylemaster series.The "Blue Flame" name was not used on the engine-that came in 1953...Someone put the decal on your engine.
If you have the correct engine it will have the small 8MM spark plugs......
Will be back home on Sunday-by then your locals will have some additional info for you :)
Gene Schneider
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
vcca son....your memory serves you correct! I bought the red one as it looked great and needed no body or interior work and saw the other blue one. He also had a black one that wasnt listed on ebay. Both the black and blue cars were fleetmasters and were totally orignal and worn out! The blue one sold for around $7000 (australian dollars or around $5,000 us...one aussie dollar buys around 75 cents in american currency)
I have had to replace the master cylinder and steering box in order to get it back on the road. I now need a set of 4 tyres but they cost around $300 us each here as not many suppliers are around. I would order tyres from the us but i dont know if they meet australian standards for registration and could make my car technically not roadworthy.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
chev nut...thanks for the information...my car has "suicide doors" that open in opposite directions to each other so it must be the Holden bodied chev. I'll be regulary watching this forum as it is by far the best one that i have come across!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408
Backyard Mechanic
|
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408 |
I reently sold my 1948 Fletmaster here in Sydney. It had good tyres on it but they were old and we found that they were split inside. Bought new tyres through Antique Tyre Co for $100 Aust each. My friend who now owns the car is happy with them. I also have a 1938 roadster and will be putting new tyres on it. I want to put on 600x16 with fixed whitewalls which will set me back about $300 ea or $400 ea for witewall radials.
Terry Hicks
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
terry...i rang antique tyrestoday and they want $191 for black tyres, $25 per tube and $10 fitting amounting to $226 per tyre. For white walled tyres they are asking $301 plus tube plus fitting. This is for 600X16 tyres. On the web site chevs of the 1940's, whitewalls are us $135, black are around $105 plus tubes plus shipping. The only problem with importing the tyres from the us seems to be whether they comply with the australian design rules.....
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408
Backyard Mechanic
|
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408 |
Styler,
Perhaps tyres are cheaper in Sydney. I will check with my friend and get the details; i.e make etc. I will also have a friend here tomorrow night for a Chev club meeting who imports tyres etc from the US. He would know about compliance as well as freight costs.
Terry Hicks
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,578
ChatMaster - 3,000
|
|
ChatMaster - 3,000
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,578 |
You can get 600/16 tires from Coker tire in the US cheaper..I am very interested what differences are required with your tires v.s.the US,chef- 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
terry...that would be terrific if you do that for me. I am a member of the chev club in victoria but the members on the list are very difficult to contact...
garry
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408
Backyard Mechanic
|
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408 |
Garry there is not a problem with putting imported tyres on the car. Most of the old cars have to run on imported tyres unless you go to radial which is not always a good idea.
A couple of options. Dave Stuart who runs Antique Tyre Supplies in Sydney will supply MRF Twin Tread 6.00x16 6 ply blackwalls for $95 ea. They are made in India and my friend who has them on my old "48 Fleetmaster" is very happy with them.Ph one Dave on 02-96182788.
Another is a "Columbia" tyre which appears to be fine. Also 6.00x16 blackwall (not sure whether they are 4 or 6 ply). They cost $165 each and are available from John Debrincat Ph 02-96802723.
While I am here. What do you know about the 1947 Aero that is for sale on E-bay in Melbourne? I think that it is at the same place where you bought your car.
Regards
Terry
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
Terry, thanks a heap for the pricing and phone numbers. I dont know about the aero, but it is only 50 kilometres from where i live and i would be happy to have a look at it for you if you are interested in it....
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
terry, i had a look at ebay, if its the green 2 door chev in dingley, it is about a 10 minute drive from my home....give me an email or a call on 0403 303 561 and i would be more than happy to check it out for you and try and find out the asking price.....
garry
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408
Backyard Mechanic
|
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408 |
Garry,
Thank you. I tried to call (Sat 9.10 am). I am intrigued as to why this car has had no bids. It is a rare RH drive Fisher bodied coupe which normally would sell for about $4000 Aus in the US .Add to that about $4000 transport plus about $6000 to convert to RH drive. It should sell for about $12000.
I am avoiding the temptation to fly down and look at it, I have too many cars at the moment. Are they the same people that you bought your car from? If so they may be prepared to tell you what it is worth.
I wouldn't ask you to go and look at it but if you could give them a call that would be great.
Thanks
Terry
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
Terry...i purchased my 48 from a motor car dealer in flemington, "bernie smith motors". The advert on e-bay seems to be from a dealer operating from out of a padddock or in his back yard. I cant look at it today (saturday) as it is raining heavily but i can look at it tomorrow and post a reply..
P.s. I contacted the guy you suggested and he only sells american imports at around $170 each...
garry
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408
Backyard Mechanic
|
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408 |
Garry,
Thanks. Don't worry if it isn't convenient. Just has me intrigued.
Who did you ring? John or Dave? I spoke to both of them and Dave said $95 for MRF and John was here and said $165 for Columbia. The latter are American I think.
Regards
Terry
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
terry, could you ask dave to contact me re the $95 tyres. My email is jimscarcleaning@hotmail.com or garrysmith1959@hotmail.com. The other guy only said he sold the american tyres...... garry 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34 |
Terry...i have since spoken to dave, his price was $98 per tyre plus around $10 each for delivery...a saving to me of around $100 per tyre!
I am a member of the chev car club of victoria and will mention this guy and your support at the next meeting i go to. Thanks a heap!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408
Backyard Mechanic
|
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 408 |
Garry,
I have been away for a couple of days. Pleased that you made contact with Dave. I can't quite figure it all out. I assumed that Dave was the Sydney agent for Antique Tyres of Melbourne and as such those tyres would be available down there but apparently not.
Anyway I am happy that it all worked out. The tyres by all accounts are good. I have a set of 6.00x16 Olympic Air-rides on my 38 Roadster that I am restoring. They were put on the car some 15 years ago and are "new" but I know that as soon as I start driving the car they may well split simply because of their age.
Regards
Terry
|
|
|
|
|
