VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1938 Chevrolet Cabriolet

Ok guys, I'm back. I now have someone doing a frame off restoration. I want it a 99 point car when done. My first question is was there a turn signal option in 1938. I see other pictures of 38's with the switch mounted on the steering column but mine didn't have it. Next I'm still looking for the metal spare tire cover, Does anyone know of any body that would have one. I bought one on the internet but it ended up being one for a 35-36. I thought that I had my e-mail address on my profile but here it is anyway. jschildberg3@yahoo.com I look forward to hearing from you' thanks.

Ask somebody on here who has a correct one to send you pictures of it , so you do not get the wrong one again.
Place wanted ad on here in the WANTED SECTION.
place wanted advert on Hemmings motor news with a **call you collect ** if you have one.

mike lynch

1940 was the first year for Chevrolet to offer accessory turn signals.
The 1939 Buick was the first car to have turn signals. They were on the trunk lid only and had arrows that lit-up.

Thank you Gene. That is what I thought since mine didn't have them. My 38 is all original just as it came out of the factory. I did see that there was an accessory of small lights that sit on top of the fenders that I thought were used for turn signals. Am I right on that? I also think there was high beam indicators that fit in the headlight bezel, buy mine didn't have either of those accessories so I'm not sure if I should put them on.

.Thanks for the info Mike. I will try that

If you're referring to the lights shown below, they were usually used to replace the park lights. I use mine as driving lights. Some use them as turn signal lights and use back-up lights as turn signal lights on the rear. The high beam indicator was a small triangle light that mounted under the lip of the dash board. Mine is shown below. Mine was broken as you can see and also from an earlier year. I've been told it's from '36 but don't know that for a fact.

The accessory fender lights were sold for 1937-1938 and 1939 models. They were more or less ornamental. With the original 3 candle power bulb and heavy milk glass lens it was hard to tell if they were on during daylight. I tried a 21 candle power bulb for my 1939 but still too dim for turn signal lights Next I wired my correct Guide 6 11/16" fog lights for directionals.
The above mentioned fog lights were used from 1937-1939 and have a dual filament bulb soocket the same as a head light but only one filament is used for the fogs. Made a very bright turn signal light and stil could be used as a fog light. For the rear the existing stop light bulbs are used.
The 1939 was the first to have the high beam indicator light in the speedometer cluster. In 1938 it was an add on accessory as shown.

To make this car 100% corect I would suggest buying all the 1938 literature that you can find. It will also prove valuable later for proving what is on your car is correct in event you have it judged. The Filling Station has a lot of reprint literature available at a resonable cost.

I learn something every time I check this forum!

I always wondered about the high beam indicator light on my '37. It looked like an add-on in a hole drilled to the left of the instrument panel.

Now I know that it is!

I hadn't thought about the fender lights being dim. Make sense. I'm prepping and painting a set just in case governing bodies make me install signals someday so glad I read this. Are you using signals or waving your arms in the air Rusty?

That is an aftermarket piolet light.

My turn signals are separate aftermarket lights. I am not completely satisfied with the positioning of either.

The rear ones are so low that the view of them gets blocked by the bumper for drivers in sedans and smaller SUV's.



The front ones are too far inboard and low also.



The problem is that mounting each one of them required drilling 3 holes. So moving them means I have to somehow cover those holes. I am thinking I will just make some type of round plate, paint it black, and stick them it with emblem tape.

Rusty the Filling Station has LED 6V rear tail lights Link: https://www.fillingstation.com/detail/17564/Chevrolet_193139_LED_TAIL_LIGHTLEFT_SIDE6_VOLT.html
Or this Link: https://www.fillingstation.com/detail/10438/193753_LED_TAIL_LIGHT_CONVERSION6_VOLT.html
As far as the fronts turn signals you might try to add the turn signals inside the head lights!
Rory
1934 Chevrolet Standard Holden Roadster under new rebuild
1933 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1934 Ford 4 Door Sedan rolling under construction

Assuming the '37 is the same as the '38, the parking light socket inside the housing is only a BA9. I'm not aware of any BA9 bulb that's bright enough to be seen with the headlights on.

You are correct. Would not even see it in the daylight and would not draw enough current to flash.

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately the light in the first link to the Filling Station parts will not fit the '37 coupe taillight housing. The coupe light is rectangular, not oval. The second light (if it really fits the housing) does not include a license plate light so you have to deal with that. Plus with LED lights you have to deal with the load resistor issue to make things work correctly (hopefully!!). And we won't even begin to guess on availability.

I would consider converting to a dual filament bulb or 2 bulbs like Tiny did for the rear lights. Except that requires a different switch on the steering column so things connect correctly with the brake light circuit. Even the LED conversion would require that new switch.

As for the front, my car has the sealed beam conversion so that eliminates the opportunity to use the second bulb as a turn signal. Plus that is a very small and dim bulb as Gene and Tiny have noted.

I've just convinced myself that the easy way is to simply move what I have and cover the holes!

I had the same lower rear lights Rusty. They look identical. I'm welding the holes. Want some spares?

Just flash the whole headlight and keep the others as running lights lol. Most newish Dodge vehicles shut off the headlight so you can see the turn signal on that side better.

You understand electricity well Rusty - I always figure when I get to this point I will buy a LOT of small discrete LED's and stuff the tail light socket with them in a combo of series and parallel so it's really bright. Or find some 6v LED motorcycle headlamp bulbs and stuff those in the tail lights. Lots of options out there that you could wire to the correct lamp base so no butchering...

Hi Tim,

We definitely managed to get this thread off track but still developing new ideas!

Brightness is not an issue with the Yankee 975 lights as turn signals. I installed 1029 bulbs which are rated at 21 cp. That bulb is way too large to fit into the tail light housing. Otherwise I would use them for the brake lights.

The visibility issue is simply due to location. The front ones are so close to the center of the car and actually behind the front edge of the fenders as well as fairly low. I laugh because there are 3 dimensions to consider when locating a turn signal and the fronts miss on all 3!

In the rear they are just a little low and further from the tail lights than people are used to seeing. I could fabricate a small bracket and mount them on the tail light stanchions and below the tail lights.

I think the ideal solution is to make some small brackets to somehow mount them outboard using the bumper brackets front and rear. I have seen other cars with them like that. It is not as aesthetically pleasing because the light is just hanging out there and you have this visible wire. But the location really works well for visibility.

Rusty, you can use 21cp 1129 bulb in your housing. You just need to put a slight bend in the bracket holding the bulbs. Below are a few pics showing the bend. The pics show the 1129 in the upper socket but it will fit either. Use a #81 for the tail light, spritz a bit of gloss white paint on the inside of the housing and you'll have very bright tail/brake lights. You don't need no steenking LEDs.

Hi
I am new to this forum and can not find out how to post a new question so I am intruding on this post . I have recently acquired a 37 sedan and would like to know what the engine block color should be . I will have more questions but right now just working on getting it running well and getting brakes in good shape . Also , if someone tell an idiot how to start a new post , I would be appreciative .Thanks in advance for your help in advance .
Michael

Welcome to Chat Michael. To start your own thread go to the main forum page HERE. Then click on the forum you want to post in. Then, at the top left you'll see a box that says "New Thread Forum Options". That's actually two buttons but appears to be one. Click on New Thread and ask away. Don't feel bad. Idiots are those who have a chance to learn but refuse to. If you're wanting to learn you're not an idiot.

The engine was completely assembled before it was painted. This includes the oil pan, valve cover, flywheel housing and under pan, water pump, and balancer.
The color was a darker blue gray color and is available from various vedors such as the Filling Station.

THANKS GUYS