VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Worth restoring?

Hello everyone, need to get an honest opinion on a possible restoration project... Car is a 1928 Chevy National A/B Coupe (at least that is what I was told). now one of the big things on the car is it has some interesting history... current owner (elderly gentleman named Bob, family friend) is second owner of vehicle. the car was originally purchased new by a salesman who lived next door to Bob, Bob (being a young boy, loved the car and vowed to own it one day). The first owner was involved with sales/marketing for some large companies and used the car in several advertising capaigns, mostly pics of the car with his girlfriend either next to the car or getting in or out of it. Pictures were used in some automotive calendars and postcards back in the late 20's early 30's, have even seen some of the postcards for sale on Ebay. the first owner eventually purchased a newer vehicle and at some point he decided to turn the coupe into a pickup which I guess was popular back then, he proceeded to cut the rear quarters then lost interest. Fast forward to the late 50's when Bob hears the car is for sale, purchases the car and stuffs it into a barn where it was forgotten until this summer. Bob has several barns full of vintage cars he decides to sell of due to failing health, during the process the 28 is uncovered under a pile in the corner of one of the barns (even have pics of what it looked like in the barn...) Bob has all of the parts two put it back together (quarters) plus extra doors, fenders, trunk lids, bumpers, 2 extra sets of disc wheels, extra radiators and grills, you name it. Frame is MINT, little splotches of surface rust on corners but no pitting anywhere on frame. Only pieces missing are the metal strip behind cab that deck lid closes on and trunk floor. Now for the big question, is this worth trying to restore or is it better left for parts?

Hi fjleiter,

It all depends on how much money they are willing to pay YOU to take it.

Looks like one of those arched holes in the wall that you pour money down.

Seriously, if you want a closed car, find one already finished.

You never mentioned what he is asking for the car and that would have a major bearing as well. However, you cannot restore a car for what you can buy one already done, so I would go with a car that is already restored, especially if you want to have some driving and touring fun instantly. Sounds like the car that you are looking at would be good for parts.....but here again, it all depends upon the asking price. If the price is too high, then the car wouldn't even be good for parts for resale.

Let me give another perspective. If you like the storied past and feel that you want to preserve the vehicle and be able to show it with some of the photographs or if you enjoy a challenge or if you like to work with your hands and have wood working tools and skills or you need a diversion from your normal routing or ???, then it may be a good project for you. It can either be therapy or a ticket to depression. I can personally attest to the pride you can have in bringing back a piece of automotive history and having someone compliment the job done. How much pride can you have if someone else restored it? Anyone can plunk down a few dollars but very few can restore a basket case.

Per my friends above, do not do this if you are mistakenly thinking that it will be a profitable venture. It never is. And they are saying (reading between the lines), that a 1928 closed car is not highly valuable.

HOWEVER, if you want to have fun, and (also as above), if you enjoy such a project, then do it. From the only picture, the car looks pretty sound to me, which is a major improvement over what one usually finds to start with on such a project. Having a known history like this since it was new is pretty cool, I agree.

Go for it. It will change your life! (really)

I feel better already, Chey Chip. Hope I can keep a positive attitude for the next couple of years or so. :p

To answer a few questions...
1)I can get it and all of the extra parts probably around $350 or so.
2) I am in it to restore it to drive, always
wanted a late 20's early 30's chevy coupe
(and I am only 34 and DON"T want to hot-rod
it!) If I have my way it would remain in
my family until at least after my death
(hopefully of old-age)
3) This will never be a concourse restoration,
I will restore it as close as possible but
don't count on me pulling paint chips to match
up engine paint. See above, it's going to be
a driver, we have a local restaurant that has
a cruise night every wed. in summer, A couple
hundred cars and no judging etc... Just people
that love old cars...

I want something I can drive and enjoy, not something that will give me a nervous breakdown the first time I get a chip in the paint...
Also truly believe If I walk away from it, the parts will be sold off, body will sit and rot and
one more vintage car is lost.

as an aside, here's the way it sat up until this summer when it was pulled from the barn...



Heres a view from another angle, pile of parts and cowl in foreground are some of the extra parts that go with it, frame is leaned up against post directly behind car

Hi fjleiter,

Please do not take me wrong. One of the most difficult restorations is the "basket case". If you are not the one who took the item apart and the parts are not individually labeled, backed up with way too many pictures, diagrams, and notes, it is a challenge even for the talented. A complete basket case just doesn't exist.

I don't have a clue about your talents, but it is obvious you have a strong desire. All I was attempting to do was provide a cause for deep thought.

Be assured that if you accept the challenge you will receive overwhelming support from this forum. You will be amazed at the knowledge that is available to solve your most minute problems or questions.

Ray,
There a few "complete" basket cases that I know of. One is a '35 coupe not too far from my house. It 'came home' in two pickup trucks and one trailer. Many of the small parts were in baby food jars. A few Model A and other car parts were included to add to the confusion.

I have personally completed two basket cases. One had parts from ~15 states. In some cases the re-restoration of an amateur restoration is equal to or worse than a basket case restoration 'cause you don't know what is not right and must discover the mistakes and not just find the missing stuff. I do not like to have to correct someone elses mistakes.

I have a couple of others that I have put together from pieces obtained at swap meets, junque yards, by mail order and made ~100% complete. They still await restoration. It takes a lot of time to understand what parts go where and what is missing but can be done. It also can take a lot of $$$$ to replace missing parts.

I agree that not everybody can tackle such a project but it is not rocket science and takes dedication. Experience is valuable but perserverence can get you there. We all had to start somewhere. It is also a fact than most basket cases will remain basket cases until someone makes a rod out of it.

fjleiter: At $350 go for it!!! You can't go wrong, even if you part the car out.

I have a friend who has what I consider the "Basket case of all time"! He found a cowl, a windshield frame and two rocker panels to a 1937 Chevrolet cabriolet in a field and brought the parts home to Oregon. He actually restored the car into one of the finest 1937 Chevrolet cabriolets in the United States and it is a constant show winner, which was his goal. So with only a few pieces it is possible to build a complete car, if you have the time and the money to do so.

At any rate, you will have lots of fun working on the car, and when you are driving it you will be thinking back on what it took to get the car to that point, and you will be smiling because you did it yourself!

Well.... Call me crazy, silly, stupid, dumber than a box of rocks etc.. (just don't call me late to dinner)... But I took the plunge and bought It. Received 13 meg of pictures detailing all the extra parts that came with it (no idea where I am going to keep half of it) but figure I can use the extras as trade bait at swapmeets to get the parts I need or if worst comes to worst I can parts it out and walk away with a little money in my pocket. Now I just have to wait to get it moved from Virginia to my home in Upstate NY... the itch begins.

Congratulations on your purchase. If you're not already a VCCA member, you'll want to join:

http://www.vcca.org/forms/application_form.htm

Plan on joining the VCCA but have questions on some of the others, I've been referred to several but don't know which are worth joining and which aren't
ie: VCCA, AACA, Classic Chevy, Old Chevy 4 Cylinder Club etc... are there a couple core clubs basically, basically looking to find the clubs that will give me most bang for the buck ie: Knowledgeable members, large following and so on.

With reference to the "NEW" car you have just acquired, the VCCA is your best bet for sources of parts and information. I'm sure the other choices also have their "high" sides.

The VCCA and the AACA are the two that have my votes as the best groups to join. Lots of experience and history and expertise in both.

I got "...flood protection..." when I tried to post and then when I "refreshed" as per the instructions it doubled posted.

????? What happened ????/

New questions to the thread (bear with me, it's all new to me)

1) what are the differences in coupe models, car
has a bunch of paperwork stating it's a
cabriolet, but have seen ref. to standard
coupe, Landau, Business etc.. car has the
Leather looking top with Black scrolls on side.

2) Engine, previous owner had the original engine
rebuilt by Chevy (yes, the company, not a
dealership). It's been sitting wrapped, in a
dry covered barn for 40+ years, never installed
or run. Will it need to be rebuilt from sitting
so long? What are the chances of it being ready
to run as is. My only experience is with 50's
and later cars and I know if they sit for any
amount of time the seals dry out, internal
surface rust forms etc...

I think that Gator stepped up and purchased the "good stuff" anti-freeze from Walgreens instead. Yum, yum! I like it myself! :eek:

In '28 a Sport Cabriolet (green-gray color), essentially a soft top coupe, with a stationary top and a Convertible Cabriolet (burgundy) color), top folds down, were produced. The Sport cabriolet and Convertible Cabriolet both have a rumble seat and coupe a trunk.

I would at least remove the head and oil pan to double check condition and part fit. Likely everything will be ok. The valves may need lapping. I would also lubricate all moving parts by hand prior to moving any parts and prior to reassembly. You will likely need to refresh the pan gasket, valve cover gaskets and maybe the waterpump gasket. Would expect the head gasket would be ok.

Hi Fjleiter,

Congrats!! Way to go!! Good for you!! You will have a blast! I just completed removing the body, trans and motor of my 28 national AB sedan. I replaced some of the wood BEFORE I took it off the frame so I knew it would fit correctly. I made all the wood parts in my own hobby woodshop. It took time. Hammer and chisel and sander to make the wood fit correctly. I used oak and some treated pieces. Was not going to pay big bucks for pre cut wood frame. NO NEED TO. I plan on removing the rest of the suspension and rear this weekend, then off to have it sandblasted and powder coated semi gloss color. I will then top coat the frame and start to put it back together. I use Gary Wallace for most of my parts. He will be at Hershey in a couple weeks. You don't live that far and i suggest you make the trip there. I would be willing to share everything I do in my resotration process with you. Hampton coach has the WRONG material but it is the best anyone can do. The codoury pattern for the seats is incorrect. (I found the real stuff when I took my interior apart.) You can still find lacquer paint here on the east coast. If you make a mistake, wait till it dries, sand it down and start again. I live in the Pocono Mts of PA so if you want to share stories, hints, errors, or whatever just get in touch with me. I will be working on this all winter. maybe I can help you NOT make the same mistakes i did when I previously restored this car. This time i willdo it right, and it willnot look as perfect as most do today, but then again, the General did not ship them from the factory that way!
Good luck in your project.
mike romano
romano@enter.net

Don't suppose you have any pics of it all apart and during rebuild?

Hey guys- I've been so moved by your testimonials that I too, have decided to get off the fence and add a car to my garage. I guess I'll buy that 1919 that I've had my eye on. PansyJane (my 1930) will soon have a sister!(Now, I know why I have no money!!!) As for which club fjleiter should join- there is no question. Take it from someone as new to the hobby as you are- the VCCA is the only way to go. Not only have I driven Junkyard Dog crazy with all my late night telephone calls from California, the rest of the gang is very SUPPORTIVE and totally understand your afliction for old cars. Ya get a great magazine (with JYD's landline in it) and so much information you can't help but learn something. And they will also help you spend all of your money in the right place for right amount- steering you clear of hazards, etc. PansyJane's rubber is about to hit the road- so see ya in the funny papers...

Is the '19 a 490 or a FB? You know that you now have a fatal disease? True most of us will never recover to normalcy. But that is ok as long as we don't spend too many $$$ that we don't yet have and make sure we have a few beers (or diet drinks) in the fridge for our buddies. Oh, ya keep the support team (family) in the "accepting" category. It would be better if they were "supporting" but it is asking a lot for those not also infected.