sidevalvepete

Wishing you all the best from down in the shakey isles. Given the age of a lot of us, a fair few of us have probably had various joint replacements - I have had three hips done in the last 16 years and aren't quite 64 yet. Am good to go in that department now and hope to be for some time yet. A number of people were having knees done when I while I was getting worked on. They were more painful than hips but they all had it way better as time passed. Wishing you well with your recovery...Pete

Certainly something you can be proud of Andy. It oozes your passion and is an Aussie machine through and through...

An update and probably the time to wind up this thread. Have largely finished this long project except locating or making some door sill plates and getting a bit of crackle out of the valve radio. Have put another cylinder head on the car, from a '36 truck 201 engine. Seems all good at the moment. Have done some 400 miles since then over mostly flat terrain with distance covered being between 20 to 40 miles each time. The car starts from cold with a few turns of the starter motor before coming to life and quickly settling at it's idle. Purrs really, if you could say a mopar sidevalve purrs...perhaps not...but it does have a very satisfying, mopar distinctive rumble. A couple of hundred more miles and then a recheck of all the nuts and bolts, tappets, seals etc and oil change. Some more pics... On the back lawn... Export version of the cloisonne badge...with the USA detail With the replacement head... Front end details... Local paper, 1981... Still have Alick's '70s travel rug... Hope to have a few travel adventures now. Maybe call on a few of the folks that have contributed to this project to show the end result. Maybe that could be a good topic for another thread...

I agree Andy...that Woody looks beautiful.

The relevant parts book will provide the answer to that question. If parts applicable to the indicator option are in there then they were an option. The 1938 Dodge Export Division parts book has all the relevant parts included; extra taillight body, a red/yellow split lens option and the appropriate wiring loom for the system. I believe indicators weren't compulsory in the US then, nor were they in NZ. They must have been in at least one of the export markets though for them to be available as an option.

Good advice above...a further example of what I think is good quality work shown in a real situation is the Cold War Motors guys doing the rebuild of a 1960 Plymouth Fury. Excellent vids of a whole range of restoration work including panel work, painting, upholstery and stainless trim panel beating. Lots of videos but they are well indexed to pick and choose from. Check it out on you tube.

A photo might help. And maybe @JBNealcan help or point you in the right direction. He's the expert on these old filter assemblies as far as I can see...he has some ads in the technical and for sale parts of the forum.

Welcome to the forum. Am glad this car has found a home interested in bringing it back to life. I certainly remember Keith's postings about it. It is well worth preserving and I wish you all the best in your project. Apparently some bits are rare and hard to come by but by connecting with this forum and no doubt others familiar to some of the folks here you will give yourself the best chance of doing a fine job. I look forward to seeing your progress....

1938 version, right hand drive to boot...

When you think a little about what you have here, looking at your picture, there is a cast iron wheel cylinder with brake line screwed into it that is steel. Without the brass fitting, the steel and cast together will in short order rust and seize. The brass keeps it all serviceable. I can imagine in our throwaway world today that this sort of consideration would not be given....

Treat yourself to one of these Marc. A trickle charger that can auto flip to maintenance charge when battery is fully recharged...sounds as though it would come in handy in your project...?

A good functional addition with a bit of style to boot....I think I will look at doing something similar. Thanks for posting...

Such a nice original. Am glad you have found the forum and shared the story and pictures. Have never seen one of those trucks but seeing yours has me interested in finding out if any made their way to NZ. Thanks for posting.

This could also be why your car has somewhat heavy duty springs. If purchased new with the intention of being a taxi, or even if adapted later, the mopar dealership could have equipped it in this manner. The seven passenger models had heavier duty springs too. I doubt that this is the origin of the lowering block though...

I have had a few conversations with Arthur via pm over the last eighteen months or so. Haven't heard from him lately. In fact I don't even know his surname...if someone could enlighten me I would be grateful. We are on the other side of the world from each other but I care enough to at least want to know what's happened. Anyone else out there with more info?

I agree with Andy here about finding the best condition bits. Generally, the inside pieces aren't too bad as they have avoided the elements. I found that the inside trim was a mix of the diecast and pressed tin/metal. All interior trim was plated a nickel finish, slightly yellower than chrome. Outside trim was chrome if diecast, or stainless if pressed thin steel...but my car is a '38. Yours may be different. My horn button is different again. It is a satin finished chrome. Not sure if that was original finish or not. I picked it up on epay and didn't replate it...

Welcome aboard from down under. I too have a soft spot for these era mopars. I endorse Keith's advice on the books. They aren't hard to acquire as they are traded often on the various online platforms. Keith's videos are also outstanding. Courtesy of the forum you will be able to find various sources of parts for the things you need. Sometimes takes a while but with your choice of project I think you will be able to track down anything you need. I did the same over a long period of time. Can be very satisfying and the journey is a lot of fun. Good luck and keep us up to date how you are doing. ?

Well said...the deeper I got into my rebuild, the more respect I developed for the team behind Chrysler Corp.

You're on the right track Steve. 'Honey wagons' in a rural sense Downunder are large tractor drawn tanks that are used to transport and spray cow muck onto pasture. Welcome aboard from me too. I am a fan of the '38 model year too. Look forward to seeing your progress and some more pics. I have learnt lots here.?

This is mine, so far. Still a few days to go I suppose but I don't think I will top this. Date is today. I have just driven legally for the first time since 1983. Car is now roadworthy, certified, registered and warranted ( certificate of fitness or WOF in NZ ) I drove from the vehicle testing station around to one of our local cemeteries. The car has Alick's grave in front. He bought the car new in 38. I am the second owner. A cool thing to be able to do...

Welcome aboard from down in NZ. Looks like a good project. Through lurking around here on the truck side of the forum I see some knowledgeable people and lots of good projects. Am keen on finding a mopar truck to be my next project now that my car is all but done. Have memories of the old trucks that did the work servicing the farm when I was a nipper...I like the big ones...look forward to seeing your progress.

Sad to hear. Wayne was a genuine bloke to deal with in my experience. Made a few 4.00am NZ time calls to him and he was able to help with advice and a few parts for my rebuild. We are all getting older I suppose... Thanks for posting Rich.

Check out JB's excellent contribution here...

That's a great find. Look forward to seeing your progress.

I have dealt with Ed from afar. He is a genuine bloke who was fair to do business with. Got a few nos things that made my day. He's worth contacting if you are after quality old genuine parts.