'36 Chrysler headlight bucket repair

[David Strieb]

I spent several months doing some mechanical, wiring, and cosmetic repairs to the '36 before I bought it from my mom in 2005. One task was a damaged headlight bucket and both the ARROW brand sealed beam adaptors. I decided to repair rather than to replace. I straightened the damaged bucket, repaired the adaptors with some stainless steel strip, and made two tension rings from some 16 ga. galvanized steel and some springs to hold the headlights in the buckets. Worked great so I thought I'd share, the pics tell the story.

[TodFitch]

Not sure I'd use wire nuts in an automotive application for anything other than to get me home where I could fix it correctly, but the rest looks pretty sweet.

[Don Coatney]

I agree with not using wire nuts.

[David Strieb]

Not sure I'd use wire nuts in an automotive application for anything other than to get me home where I could fix it correctly, but the rest looks pretty sweet.

These repairs were made to make the car drivable and get the windshield replaced, it was then put back into storage till mom decided what to do with it. She basically had two choices, to sell it to an outside party or keep it in the family, my dad bought it in 1957 from his brother and I learned to drive in the '36 in 1966 when I was 14. Mom was worried there would be a family battle between her 5 sons about the car. We had a family meeting Christmas 2006 which resulted in me making her an offer for the car which was accepted. It stayed in storage till feb. 2007 when it went to a body shop for more repairs and paint, at which time the wiring was redone correctly. With a 57 yr. family history, I'm honored by being the owner and hopefully it will stay in the family for years to come.

[desoto1939]

Glad that your mom decided to keep it in the family. Would hate to see it go to an outsider since your dad had the car so long and alos that you learned to drive on this car.

 

My father inlaw has a model a four door phaeton that he has owned for over 40+ years so there are three sons inthe family and then me with the 39 Desoto.  We are determined to keep the car inthe family somehow. I have driven this car many times and also learned how to drive the old cars when he would tak eme out to car show with him.  A family owned car is very special and needs to be kept there. 

 

Rich HArtung

[David Strieb]

It's true that a car can become a member of the family, for what ever reason. I remember waiting at the end of the alley waiting for dad  to come home from work, then riding on the running board of the Chrysler into the driveway. I also went to all the swap meets I could with him when I was young. He also had a 1919 Essex speedster that my youngest brother now has and is putting it back together, and a 1921 Essex touring that my oldest brother has and is working on getting that running, also. Dad had the '21 before he enlisted in WWII and always claimed it was a pretty fast car.

 

 

Dad and the Chrysler early '80's

 

 

My two older brothers and me leaning on a '53 Desoto in 1957, The Chrysler is in the background.