VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum 1934 Standard 3 Window Coupe - My New Car

I just acquired this coupe last week. It is all original with lots of patina but its mechanical systems have been rebuilt while carefully retaining its outside appearance. It runs and drives very nicely but desperately needs new tires. The only issue is a very grabby clutch but I am getting used to that. I'm a complete newb with prewar chevies so I am looking forward to hearing from the experts as I get into it.

What a nice original car. Would like to see some egine and interior pictures also.

Welcome to Chatter
Looks like you have a winner there, but as Gene said more pics would be nice.
You say the tires are the major issue so I see no problem with replacing them and drive as is only repairing what needs to be done when it needs it.
Tony

You bought a car like I want.

Nice car, congratulations, enjoy!!!

Here you are:

I'm already working on tires, I would be interested in recommendations for the 525/550-17 size.

Instruments are from a 1935 Standard. Should be black with white lettering. Nice car.
If you want black walls I recommend Excelsior Stahl Sport Radials.

Being in Australia I cannot advise you on what tires are available in the US. I got a shock at the price of 600.16 for my 38 (in excess of $1000) so that will be waiting for a while.
Tony

Like these? They were in one of the spare part boxes. I was told all the gauges had been rebuilt but the original (35?) faces were left alone.
So are you using radial tires on the original stock wheels?

Oops, forgot the photo...

I have been looking at Lucas Olympic blackwall tires, I like the price, tread and sidewall appearance, and the fact they are NOT made by Coker. Has anyone used these? If so I'd appreciate your positive or negative comments. (Please send a PM if you don't want to share here.)

The gauges in the box appear to be the correct ones for your car. I run the Stahl radials on one of my 1935 Standards and have used Firestones in the past. Both have been good wearing but I like the appearance of the Stahl better than the Firestone and feel the steering is a little better. I guess like all things you get what you pay for, On the other hand it depends on how much and how far you may intend to use the car. The Olympics do have a good appearance.

Don, I have a pair of the Lucas tires on my '33 they are 18" tires. I am very satisfied with them and the price was reasonable.
Beautiful car, pretty hard to find an original that old in great shape!

I bought Firestones from Coker. I was looking for the tallest tire I could find. I don't remember seeing the Lucas tire, it is 1-1/2 inches shorter than the Firestone. That amounts to only about 2-3/8 inches in additional circumference, which is not much. The bigger tire looks a little better to me.
The Lucas looks better and is substantially lower in price. The Firestones have an ugly ridge on the sidewall that does not appear in the Coker photos.

Mike

Great looking car! It would be fun to tour with it.

Tires are a tricky choice. I would suggest the largest diameter you can find to help reduce engine speed for a given road speed.

Is there an auxiliary temperature sending unit in the upper radiator hose?

Thanks Mike, I am leaning heavily toward the Lucas Olympics.

Thanks Rusty. That radiator hose is quite a construction, it does include the sender for a modern temp gauge plus what appears to be a period adjustable thermostat. Could that be a Chevy part or 1930s aftermarket?

I use Universal Tire from the internet for my blackwall tires. I haven't had any trouble with them.

What specific brand of tires and tubes do you get from them?

I found these Michelin heavy duty tubes for my tire size at Universal, they say they are a "heavy duty anti-chafe design for european cars". Has anyone used these? Why would european cars need a heavier duty tube than US cars?

Update: I just ordered five Lucas Olympic tires, their standard tubes and rim strips. I will hang onto my old tubes just in case.

Don,

A beautiful car, and in great original condition. You will get lots of attention at car shows and Cruising nights.

Most importantly "Welcome" to the VCCA.

Clint

Thanks Clint,
I'm still in the preliminary education mode as I've never owned a prewar Chevy before. Hoping to find some experts willing to listen to many questions! I did receive my new tires and tubes yesterday and hope to get them mounted early next week.