VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1940 Blue Whale

While in Germany, on a senior bus tour organized by our local university, I met up with germanchevy (Stefan). I brought him some car parts and saw the Blue Whale (one of 4 1940 4-door sedans in Germany). He lives only 15 miles from Salzburg, Austria, where our tour spent 2 days. We had a nice dinner and caught up on our lives since I last brought him parts in Munich in 2011.

His car is in excellent condition and he does drive it on the Autobahn. He was very proud of having it pass his mandated two year inspection. For safety reasons it is updated to a 12 volt system, with lighting issues being the primary concern (brake lights and headlights).





Stefan is always smiling, and full of kindness. He speaks in passable English much like I do, so Carol (my wife) is quick to serve as our translator.





A set of old 12 volt Volkswagen headlights were a must for night-time driving.







Stefan always hangs a tag from his radiator support to remind him of his service dates. He has a piece of aluminum under his carburetor to help with gas boiling issues.



Stefan has an outstanding background in electronics (repairs, reconditions antique radios) so updating his wire harness to 12 volts was something he did himself. He is looking forward to retirement so he can purchase a home with a garage to continue restoring the Blue Whale to like new condition. He is a professional musician, a driver for the Red Cross, and an ambassador for our wonderful hobby.

Thanks, Mike

Very cool!

Good evening,

I had asked Mike after dinner to do me a favor: To drive and turn the blue whale from the parking lot, so I could get off without having a complicate turn before. For me it was a great pleasure to see a professional chevy driver in my car. I had a very good feeling just to let him drive my car. Mike really enjoyed it and maybe it was a bit of a sense of homeland so far away from home and his own chevy.

Mike, thank you very much for your visit and for the spare parts you did bring for my car and of course for the wonderful dinner we had together.

During last days I did use my chevy as a wedding car. Imagine: I did arrive in front of the town hall and nobody did look at bride and groom, all people were only watching my old car. What a funny situation!

All the Best

Stefan

Nice! Great to see you Stefan!

All the Best, Chip

Hi All,

While visiting with Stefan he did say that he was going to use the car for a third wedding. He lemented that the previous weddings had ended in divorce and hope that this one would work out. Perhaps the Blue Whale has decided she doesn't want to share her notoriety with wedding couples, but wants all the attention for herself!

Best wishes, Mike

P.S. I was surprised how easy the car shifted. I quess I should install vacuum assist on mine.

Hi Mike, Hi Stefan,
nice to hear that you had much Fun. Will hope my car will drive next year again.

Greetings from another 1 of 4 in Germany ;-)