Besides my two beloved Model-A's, I also own a 1929 Chevrolet 2-dr coach. It is mostly original except for paint (belt mouldings have original paint & stripping) and tires. The honeycomb radiator core was replaced at one time with a regular core, but the original top/bottom tanks were used.
The cars' odometer shows approx. 23K and does not work. However, due
to the condition of the car I beleive that not many more miles have been added since it broke. The car cruise's effortlessly at 55 mph (speedo still works) and when I come to a stop. Occassionaly I will gun the motor just
to make sure it is still running, it is that quiet! The original interior is a corduroy that when new was a beautiful plush dark royal blue. I found one spot showing this on the side of the passenger front seat. All the rest of the interior has faded to a dirty green. "Old Tenn", I found her
in Tennessee about 10 years ago has been well cared for her entire life.
At one time the underside of the car was competely under-coated. Which I'm sure has helped in her preservation. She is a great car and is just like the one dad bought for us to play with back in 1966, when I was 15. I
learned how to drive in that car and even took my driving test in her when I turned 16.
One of the reasons Chevy's of the late 20's/early 30's are notorious for breaking rear axles. Is because the rear ends were virtually the same as the 1925-28 4-cylinder rear ends. The more powerful 6-cylinder motors
were just a little to much for the axles. And, yes, "Old Tenn" has a spare
axle under her back seat!
The '29 Chevy brake system, especially the front, most have been designed by a physics major with a bad hangover! There are "two" cross
shafts under the car for the service brakes so you can adjust the amount of breaking between the front and rear wheels. Which can be a real guessing game if you are not careful. The rear service brakes
are external contracting while the parking brakes are internal expanding.
Lots of rods and levers like the Model-A, but I feel the Ford system was/is a better more positive one. The '28 Chevy (last of the 4-cylinders) brake system is pretty much the same as the '29. In 1930 Chevy went to cable operated brakes and that is something I am unfamiliar with.
Yep, Model-A people don't know how
lucky they are in the availability of
spare parts department. But, like die-hard "Cast Iron Wonder" guys tell me: "It don't matter, we don't need the spare parts like the
Fix Or Repair
Daily guys!"
Me, I love'm both...................
Bob-A
