VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Purchase advice

Hello Chevy Chatter gentlemen. I’ve been away for a while since selling the 1929 coupe. Been looking at getting another but desire an older model. I have a car I would appreciate your advice on, it’s in Hemmings. Unfortunately it’s in California and I’m in New York. If it seems like a good car I will take the next step and get a PPI done. So let me know what you think
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/chevrolet/capitol/2291794.html

It is a beautiful car with all the right trim and brass. I am not sure of the price but sounds reasonable considering the quality. The paint is an original color. The underside in immaculate.

The differential housing rear cover is installed upside down,as the filler plug is too high,and the diff may have been overfilled.

Great catch ! Very sharp eyes. Thanks For the input.

Very good looking car and reasonable price, looks loved.

Looks like a nicely restored car. Not sure if you know but there is not a lot of driver room in the two door sedan cars. The jump seats don’t really move back that far. If you’re 5’9” or less, you will be fine. If you’re taller, there are a couple modifications I normally do to help with driver comfort. I am 6’1” and find these cars miserable to drive in stock configuration. The lower seat mounts can be flipped and the shifter bent some to the upper right. Makes a huge difference and can’t even be detected as far as the shifter goes. Every customer I’ve done it for has loved the change.

Thanks for the insight ChatMaster. I am right at 5-10”. I was comfortable in my 29 coupe as I recall. Is there much difference between the two ?

Another question, are the wood spoke wheels correct for 1927? I read that disk wheels are standard on all models for 1927. So are these an option ? Thanks

The seat is deeper on the coupe models so I would suspect there is more legroom. I don’t know for sure on a 29 coupe vs. the sedan as I haven’t worked on a 29’ coupe but I’m willing to bet that’s the case.

The 29/30 coupe was marketed as a "big mans car" and has a fair amount more room than a sedan.
There is 10" between my stomach and the steering wheel on my coupe. I have not measured it but there is a lot less on Mikes 29 conv. land sedan, it is maybe 7", 8". I am 6'2" and still can fit comfortably in either car. I think Mike was 6'3". I have always wanted a pickup. Duirng one of the customer appreciation picnics at The Filling Station I got behind the wheel of Steve K's 31 and there was maybe 2" between my stomach and the wheel. I guess a standard early pickup is not for me.

So I should try to find a 27 2 door sedan in the northeast, if possible, to see how the fit is.

I think like everything else, some 27's had spoke wheels that were early...when the line ran out they went to dish wheels , which mine has.

Everyone but Kevin please skip this. At best, It will waste your time. There is nothing to be gained by reading it. You have been warned.

Kevin,

I assume that you like those roaring twenties era cars so this comment is purely meant in jest or in hopes that you will come to your senses and do the right thing. You'll thank me later.

You can tie up that much money and do all the hand cranking you need to relieve the frustration when you need such mental therapy. And it appears you're overdue.

I have posted a picture of a relative modern car that can be had for about the same price. With this car you will merely drive to your psychiatrist rather than take the bus. They charge by the hour and being late in that old critter will cost you mucho bucks. yep!

To get more modern will enable you to keep up with traffic, benefit from two rear lights, plenty of leg-room and whistle by any other older critters out there. You won't have to hide your face as you drive in the neighborhood either. The missus may even go with you as opposed to having a headache. Headaches are used as an excuse for more than only one thing. Are too!

The car pictured is an example of the most beautiful ever built. (The first one built that such a statement can be made about.) It would be a source of happiness instead of shame for a long, long time. Well, not shame but I'm at loss for a more approbate word as of this writing. Sorry.

As to the car you are considering:

a. Looks right nice and well restored/maintained.

b. Upholstery, looks nice.

c. Undercarriage looks neat and right.

d. Engine, transmission and differntial, etc, I suppose is okay and not a draw on the rest of the car..

e. For the era a nice example of what Chevrolet manufactured that year.

I hope you do your due diligence and that, if possible, you find as good example closer to where you live.

Best wishes and I hope you get the car that will ensure many happy days into the future.

Charlie

BTW: I'm just kidding you about the old critter stuff. The plusses will more than make up for the negative issues such as space, etc. The 41 is just an expression of my favorite car of the forties. Nothing more. I have no connection to the seller or other interest in the car.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1941-Chevrolet-Other-SPECIAL-DELUX/223588413565?hash=item340ee8707d:g:6nMAAOSwCW9dGWtX

Charlie, I love the “ I warned you” story for my interest in getting back into old cars. I do have some concern for the limitations of this vintage. However I live in very rural New York, where we still have dirt roads around and little traffic. I had some 4 years running around in my 29 Chevy with no issues, but this will be a slower car for sure. I wish I could test drive this car for a day then decide. I have a nice car show tomorrow that usually brings out the old iron, maybe I will get inspired

I don't want to deride (specifically selected word) Charlie. The truth of the matter is what he says or writes should have absolutely nothing to do with anything relevant to your purchase. As illogical as it might seem my Misses would rather ride in our '28 Canopy Express than any other vehicle we own when when just out for a drive or on a VCCA Tour. I don't own a '41 and have no intentions on buying one or even cleaning out a space for one to park. Not that they are not fine vehicles. So my advise is to do what you want. I agree finding one of a similar year and body style to test sit and maybe drive is recommended.

Sorry, I wasn’t trying to open a can of worms when I mentioned the legroom but just tried to make you aware of the difference in driver room between models. I have found by personal experience, the 4 dr sedans offer the most, then the coupes and roadsters with the two door closed cars having the least. Don’t know about the two door open cars but I think the seat layout is the same as the closed cars. Even my 32 Olds roadster has less room than my 31’ Chevy special sedan mainly when in first and I have to apply brake. All the other gears are fine and forward leg room is very good. I also have my steering mast adjusted up as high as it can go, something you cannot do with the Chevy. I haven’t driven every years models and my experience is based on cars of different years but all are fisher bodied.