VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum New in town with a 1927 Chevy Restoration

Hello! Our family recently purchased what we were told was a 1927 1-ton Chevy Capitol Pickup (tow truck). The owner we purchased it from did none of the restoration and from internet searches, it looks like the restoration was done by the 2x previous owner and completed in the 1980’s.

Some of the things we noted which seemed “contrary to” was the battery being wired positive to chassis (ground). This has since been changed.

We noted no place on the dash for a horn, however how found the wires for the horn retired in place in lower engine area (driver’s side) under the alternator.

We also noted the exhaust pipe currently ends under the passenger seat, vs going the length of the vehicle (currently ends at the muffler).

We found some restoration pics of a 1928 where the look of the vehicle and the location of the horn wiring and where the exhaust pipe (should be) is. None of the 1927 Capitol restorations we have looked at online have the horn wiring where ours is.

So we are wondering- do we really have a 1927, or is this old girl a 1928?

Plate on the interior says “21L0 1207”

Thank you in advance for any and all help.

Hi SCJohnson,

Welcome to the VCCA's forums website and to the wonderful world of old Chevys!

If you haven't yet purchased a shop manual, I highly suggest that you get one. They are very informative and will help you keep the old gal running right. ;-) There are reprints available on ebay and also from vendors like the Filling Station.

According to the Car Number plate number you provided, you do indeed have a '28! The LO (not L zero) means it was produced in the first half of 1928. If it were a '27, the letters would be LM. The trucks produced in the last half of 1928 were model LP with four wheel brakes.

The 21 means that the truck was built in the Janesville, WI plant. The 1207 means that it was the 206th vehicle off that assembly line for that year (the first vehicle would be number 1001).

Your truck should have a horn button in the middle of the steering wheel. I cannot help you with the wiring because my '27 is not correct and the wiring is functional, but does not reflect the original.

Same with the exhaust pipe length. There are other experts on this site, however that can answer those questions.

Since this is the New User Forum, I suggest that you pose your technical questions in the 1912-1928 forum or for the wiring, in the 6V electrical forum.

The more information that you can provide about your truck, the clearer the answers will be.

We'd LOVE to see some photos! If the photos reside online somewhere, you can insert an image in your post using the Full Editor and clicking on the Insert Image icon.

Cheers, Dean