VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1928 National AB tags and tree parts

Hey guys,
Starting a build on a 1928 Sedan.My car is missing the Body tag, but there is a numbered steel tag under the rear seat bottom... is this the body number as well or just a random tag? Was told that I need this to buy the body wood. Also does anyone still have any old wood from a national laying around to make patterns off of? The wife and I were going to do most of it our selves before having to buy from the wood suppliers. And lastly, is there anywhere that has reproduction wood spokes? Can't seam to find any on the net, only fully rebuilt ones. Any advise will help,
Thank you very much in advance!!

Looks like you have a challenge on your hands, but don't give up, the problems can be solved.

You need the services of a wheelwright to respoke your wheels. Wheels are something you don't want to take chances on.

As you work your way through the restoration, don't hesitate to come back here and ask questions or help.

Most parts are available, it is just the fun of the hunt. Post your questions and someone will answer them for you.

Welcome to Chevy Chat,

That looks like fun. My father has a 1928 sedan with lots of wear and abuse. His unrestored car pulls more attention than most of our restored cars. Take your time. Learn all you can. Ask many questions. Make lots of friends.

Good luck!

Yes, definitely looks like fun!

I agree with cufrcp that the beat up survivors cause LOTS of attention at gatherings. One option you have is to replace the wood structure and reassemble the car with the original patina on the outside sheet metal.

Here's a guy who did just that: http://montythe1928chevrolet.blogspot.com/

Cheers, Dean

Thanks guys! and for the good luck, I may need it!!
We like the old original look but may restore most of it. Defiantly not show but a driver for sure. Not the first classic we have done but it is the first "wood structure" I have worked on to this depth. I have read the blog article and it has a ton of info on it. Have a wood carpenter friend who is into helping but not much to go by. And buying the "kit" seems a little out of reach $6800 us is 10k up here right now. Doors have enough to use but a-b-c pillars and rocker boards are gone...
So any help is good help, and a few have already started reading school is in session and gathering a few spares that fit it.

Do you know of any wheelwrights in the North West??

If your spokes are in good shape, you can soak them in a tub with boiled lind seed oil and thinner 50/50. I soaked each wheel of my '28 truck for one week and they came out in great shape.

Although not in the northwest, but not in the southwest.

George Garrigan has been at swap meets with wheels that he has redone and they look really good. Here is his contact info from his business card.

The Vintage Wheel Shop
George Garrigan
19842 Redonda
Sonora, CA 95370
1-209-533-0468

I have not used him, so cannot comment on his work.
Cheers, Dean

No worries thanks!!

Hi Steve,

I helped Grant with the resto of http://montythe1928chevrolet.blogspot.com/ and as Dean said its basically a restored chassis, running gear and timber work, but keeping the original "patina" look.

Even though I am not a fan of this look, at least it ensures what's under the skin is safe and will last. And as I said to Grant at the time, in a few years when you come to your senses, most of the prep work for a fully restored car has been done.

Regards, and best of luck with your project.

Ray

I've seen two wheelwrights at a swap meet - both in Saskatchewan.

http://anderprop.com Anderson Propeller in Prince Albert, Sask., is a wheelwright.

http://business.accesscomm.ca/wow/index.html
Wheels of Wood in Regina

This is a photo of the 1928 Chevrolet "Jalopy" my son referred to. It gathers a lot of attention at car shows and cruise ins. This picture was taken at the 52nd Central Meet in northeastern Ohio in 2015.

This is a Canadian car that was "decorated" in Canada many years ago. It was exported from the Winnipeg area in 2007 for a short stay Louisiana. It now resides in northwestern Ohio.

Have fun with your car. Enjoy it.
!

Absolutely gorgeous!!

Dean

I agree with you Ray Monty is a great build and I might build back to that stage just to get it registered and on the road. But ICBC doesn't like the patina style to them they aren't worth much yet you are charged full rates for insurance because it is not considered a classic/vintage/or antique car unless its "show condition". I think they should attend a few shows we have a patina 55 monarch and 47 style master that we take. They do wicked at the shows but the insurance company will not recognize them as collectors.
Thanks Arend I'm going to contact them right after this!!
36dlc, that's a sweet ride. This is also a Canadian assembled one and we are going to enjoy the hell out of it!! Just hope the wife can handle the wood costs. everything else we can pretty much do in house.

Steve, I sent you a PM regarding the ID plate. Click on the flashing envelope.

Cheers, Dean

Thanks dean!

This one looks nothing like the tag from my front seat, Does anyone Know if the Canadian assembled cars did or did not use the same plates as the American one's?

We had a fellow here in Vancouver WA rebuild the wheels for our 28 Chrysler. He sandblasted and primed everything. My wife varnished the wood and painted the rims/hubs. Came out absolutely gorgeous. He machines the wood (hickory) at a 4 to 6% moisture content so in the normal world they are extremely tight. This is a HEAVY car and the old rear wheels flexed. When wood wheels fail it is very catastrophic, you don't want to fool around with old brittle wheels at 50 mph. $1200 us for all 4.

That's not a bad price at all. Waiting to hear back from Anderprop to se what there price is. so far looks to be starting at $200 CAD each. But that doesn't include sandblasting or painting.

Getting asked a lot what body number this car would be.. The tag on the firewall is missing. Anybody know what the job number should be for this body style?
Thanks!!!

Give us a clue as to the body, ie Roadster, Coupe, or Sedan?

Its a sedan, Pic is the one at the very top of the Thread. Can try and take pics of specific things if needed for further identification. Thank you!

What is the feelings here about the stock brakes? As in upgrading to Hydraulic or not, replacing the rear diff/ transmission or just resealing and running. Also if you are going to a show and are being judged do these things go against you. On a side note Due to laws here I am putting lap belts into this car, so if we go all stock would these be marked against it as well?

1928 stock brakes with the proper linings and adjustment will slide all four wheels on dry pavement with only a moderate pedal pressure. That is essentially the same as other brake options. The tires are the major limitation. An advantage of mechanical brakes is they don't leak.

I like the option of keeping it stock! It also may be the cheaper route. Will they hold for "close to" todays speeds? 45-50mph? Given I understand a 200+' stopping distance would be acceptable. Coker tires don't hold up? That's not what I have but I believe its pretty much my only option.

The only "problem" with the mechanical brakes can be overheating. It is not a problem with a single stop but can be on long downgrades or multiple high speed stops in a short period. The lining is not the major problem but thin steel drum lack of heat capacity and rejection is!

There are plenty of us on the four cylinder tours that have negotiated mountain roads successfully with stock brakes. Understanding the limitations of these old cars is important for us and our passengers to be safe. That includes wet conditions with external brake lining. Keeping the linings dry is a technique that should be learned and practiced.

With respect to the tires being a limiting factor, it's not that the tires are or poor quality. The tires are skinny and therefore does not have a lot of traction for stopping.

As for Coker being the only choice, not so. Check out http://www.lucasclassictires.com/ . I bought my tires from them about 5 years ago (for my '28 truck) and have driven around 1000 miles on them. I have no complaints about them.

Cheers, Dean