Violation of Chets personal and private space!

[Don Coatney]

Today Jim Yergin and I paid a visit to the home of the master of weekend update fame Chet to pay homage to his early (1927-28-29-30 you choose as the year is somewhat unknown) Plymouth. We arrived and found Chet intensively (sweating and cursing under his breath) attempting to simulate a roadside (1927-28-29-30 you choose as the year is somewhat unknown) tire repair. We should all be grateful in the advancements that have evolved in flat tire repair. Jim and I jumped in and soon found ourselves (sweating and cursing under our breath) same as Chet. The rim on this wooden spoke wheel is split but not user friendly. After much physical manipulation and a slight blood drawing ceremony the install was completed.

Then we went on to inspect the car.

Chet soon attempted to fire up the engine. While spinning the engine with the starter I did not observe any differential in cranking speed as each of the 4 cylinders hit the compression stroke. After a few seconds of cranking Chet remembered to turn on the ignition switch. She fired right up and sounded great! I told Chet that (were it me) I would not go any further into this engine as it really runs and sounds great.

One thing I found of interest is the amount of wood (this car should be called a woody) used as body supports.

Chet is working on getting working brakes on this car. The brake setup should not be difficult to repair.

Very enjoyable visits by Jim and I and topped off with a good brew.

Thanks Chet.

[Chester Brzostowski]

Hay Don & Jim,

Thanks for stopping by. I got the other tire on using Jim’s suggestion; I used a jack to get the rim back into position. I have the owners manual and they put everything you can think of in there with great explanations and pictures but no where in the book does it tell you how to get the tire on that split rim. I guess they put the important stuff in the book and figured any moron can replace a tire. Don maybe you are not suppose to take that pin out and maybe there is a tool that folds the rim assembly back. Well anyway 5 good tires now, two bleeding knuckles and one aching back.

PS.. It’s a 29. Can’t be a 27 Plymouth didn’t make cars until June 28. Can’t be a 30 because in 1930 they started welding the frames together and mine is bolted. It has 29 wheel caps and motor. The serial number appears to fall in Q1 – 1929 with a 28 radiator emblem. It seems to quack like a 29 but I don’t think I will fight with the DMV. To them it will stay a 28.

Chet…

[Rodney Bullock]

Oh man, I could have really helped you guys I have been changing wood spoke tires since I was a kid takes me 10 min with the right tools, I guess I will have to help[ you guy's when those tires wear out. I know Don was doing all he could to help. Jim would have put modern era stuff on there and would have been done with it. Just kidding you guy's must have had great fun sorry I missed it. I had a guy press wheel studs into my studebaker front hub and he bent my drum. now I can't drive my stude until I get another now I wish I had went with you guy's, it's always something ain't it, DAM!

[Jim Yergin]

Chet,

Glad to hear you were successful with the second wheel. It was good to see you and Don and your impressive "new" car. I think it is neat that it has real running "boards" as in actual wood. I guess over time we forget the origin of certain terms.

With a little bit of luck maybe we both can get our cars to Sully next June.

Jim

[Chester Brzostowski]

Chet,

Glad to hear you were successful with the second wheel. It was good to see you and Don and your impressive "new" car. I think it is neat that it has real running "boards" as in actual wood. I guess over time we forget the origin of certain terms.

With a little bit of luck maybe we both can get our cars to Sully next June.

Jim

Origins of words are interesting. Take for instance the word tire. The tire as we know is a lot different then its original purpose. The word started from the building of wagon wheels. The tire was the heated metal band that was placed around the wood spooks and held the wheel together. Thus the word tire, because it tied things together. Of course if you needed your tire replaced you probably would have paid 2 bucks for the job. That is two buckskins in trade.

Going to sully would be great I will work toward that goal.

Chet…

PS… Rodney.., I have three more that I will do eventually. I will be calling on your expertise.

[Chester Brzostowski]

Interesting how those wheels and rims go together. I picked up a pair of them in the early 90's at a swap meet. Had them outside in the garden ever since as yard art. Moved them from the front of the house to the garden next to the garage about a year ago. The wooden spokes are now starting to rot away at the rim so I'll have to make some new spokes soon. Have no idea what year or make the wheels fit. The guy had about 50 of them when I bought these two.

Norm,

For them that need them, they can demand some pretty good cash.

Chet...