The Restoration of old cars and trucks and the type of shop that does that work

The Restoration of
Old Cars and Trucks
And the type of shop
that does the work

So you are thinking about restoring an old car or truck.
When we decide to take on a project to restore an old car or truck we have many things to consider.
One of the main considerations is how far down the scale do we wish to start. All cars can be found
in most any condition. Some that don't require much more the a good cleaning and maybe a coat of paint and others that will need a ground up total restoration and then there are cars that we find
that are good for not much else except parts.


It looks like mostly everything is there.	Some trim and paint would go a long way here

But it also depends on what you plan on doing with the finished car	A good cleaning would go a long way here

Old cars can be found in many different places	There is quite a collection in this yard

Scrap yards can also prove interesting	You just don't know what you might find

Many people are opting for a truck restoration with panel vans	and even larger work trucks getting a lot of attention

When you get down to this level you are looking at a lot of work	If the car is a rare find it could be worth it

With a lot of the hardtop models already restored sedans are becoming popular	But a long hard look has to be taken before we tackle something like this one

They may just be parts cars	But this Gran Turismo might be worth the effort

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After we have decided which way we are going go the work begins

First we will look at what was accompolished with a 1939 Cadillac Town Limousine

These pictures were submitted by Michael Litvack, Montreal, PQ

Michael Litvack, Montreal, PQ


Showing the 1939 Cadillac as it looked when bought, and dismantling .The paint, a dark blue, acts as a perfect mirror. There are only 5 of these in the world.The car was purchased at the Hershey Flea Market as a hedge against falling real estate and equity markets.

A few other cars that are in the shop or about to be brought in.


1941 Chrysler New Yorker convertible	1941 Chrysler New Yorker convertible





Cleaned engine from Chrysler New Yorker	Cleaned engine from Chrysler New Yorker

Cleaned electrical details plate	Preparing the repair of the rear seat and roof

Serial number on the block	View of New Yorker with cleaned up engine

1941 Chrysler New Yorker convertible	1941 Chrysler New Yorker convertible
The Chrysler, after being stripped of the interior, and most of the sheet metal,is being prepared for he primer. All controls and trim have been carefully marked, and put aside for a later time. When I first saw the New Yorker, it looked terrific. Now it is being worked on by an expert, using the exact manual that was used in Detroit 63 years ago. Keep watching for the finished product !

1941 Chrysler New Yorker convertible
	Preparing the final body work on the New Yorker convertible. After filling in any depressions with Bondo, the body is dry sanded with straight edges. This process will take several days...then painting will begin. Gradually all the components will be put back in, work that will take until September. The car, when first seen, appeared to be perfect, but it wasn’t good enough to be entered in a Concours, so off to the shop it went.


Pierce-Arrow	Pierce-Arrow

Pierce-Arrow	Pierce-Arrow









Volvo P1800	Volvo P1800

1963 Imperial Crown Ghia	1963 Imperial Crown Ghia
One of very few hand-built by the Ghia factory in Italy. Chrysler at this time, mid 50’s to mid 60’s, was working on joint Italo-American ventures: the mechanicals were American, the styling, Italian. Free standing head-lamps were a throw-back to styling of the 1930’s. Chrome is everywhere on this extra long Limousine. Jump seats complete the seating arrangements.

1963 Imperial Crown Ghia	1963 Imperial Crown Ghia
A full shot of the Italian beauty, showing the beautiful privacy rear window, and the tremendous length.

1963 Imperial Crown Ghia	1963 Imperial Crown Ghia

1947 Formal Cadillac Limousine	1947 Formal Cadillac Limousine
Continuing with the pre-war styling, the 1947 FORMAL CADILLAC LIMOUSINE features the ornate “S” bars on the large rear side roof, a feature that was not a standard option, but was available upon special request. The rear passenger compartment was exceedingly large, with comfort being the key. The bench seat looks like a fine piece of furniture.

1947 Formal Cadillac Limousine



Starting work on the 1947 Chrysler Limo	It looked great, but I guess perfection is wanted.


Chrysler Limo having a mechanical check

1947 Chrysler view of unrestored engine compartment...6 volt battery	Just put gas in, and off you go !

The inside of the Chrysler Limo before it is restored	The button to the left of the steering wheel was the push starter, before the era of the turn key starter. Doesn’t Nissan use the same system on their new cars ?

The jump seats are still in place, as are the foot rests. Nothing was too good for la Madame or le Monsieur !



1956 Chevrolet Nomad	New door for the Chevrolet Nomad. The other parts are from a donor 1956 4 door sedan

Rear fender has been repaired	Tail clip for the Nomad 1956 Chevrolet

A new windshield being prepared for installation on the Nomad wagon

	A Pierce-Arrow 2 door biding its time in the winter snow waiting for its time in the shop

Links

	John's Old Car and Truck Pictures
	Where we live and what we do
	Have a look and see how a Jeep can get really stuck
	Historic Aircraft Pictures
	The Early Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
	The Model T Ford
	The Model A Ford
	The Chevy Tri-Five 55, 56 and 57 Chevrolets
	The Chevrolet Corvette From 1963 to 1970
	The Early American Sporty Cars
	The Oshkosh The Truck of Trucks
	The Divco Truck America's Milk Truck
	The 1952 cars of The World
	The Old Cars of the Netherlands
	1937 Chrysler Convertible with a Swiss Tusher Body
	1925 British Humber 8/18 Chummy This page shows the complete frame off rebuild
	The Ford Mustang
The Cars Dreams are made of	Those Old Classic Convertibles Cadillac, Duesenberg, Cords and many more
	The Cars of the Chrysler Corporation
	The Studebaker
If you remember it, could you ever forget it ?
	The Packard
	The Nash and Hudson
	Anthony Hazelaar's Model T Trucks and Cars
	The Old Cars of Australia
	That wonderful Pickup Truck
	The Volkswagen From 1932 to the end of thre Beetle
	The Kaiser and the Frazer
	The Henry J
	The Stanley Steamer
	The cars of IKA Argentina Kaiser's Jeeps and American Motors that were built in Argentina in the 1950's and 60's and 70's
	The Chevrolet from 1916 to 1970
	The Corvair 1960 to 1969
	Don Pate's 1947 Chevy Aero Sedan View the rebuilding of this car from the bullet holes to the trophy winning
	The Pontiac
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	The Cadillac
	Wouldn't you rather have a Buick
	The Ford Motor Company from 1908 to 1969
	The Jeep from 1940 to the presen t
	Eric Gordon's Kaiser Rebuild There are many pictures showing the details of this rebuild
	Eric Gordon's 1954 Kaiser Convertible Convertion
	"Coming Home" The story of Eric Gordon finding and bringing his Kaiser Convertible Home after searching for it for 20 years
	Eric Gordon's First Kaiser A 1951 Deluxe which comes to a startling end
	WW II Jeeps
	View some of John' Evan's Auto Artwork
	That Cute Little Crosley
	The Chrysler Airflow

	The Tucker '48'
	Tour the 64 remaining Covered Bridges of New Brunswick
	The Covered Bridges that once dotted Nova Scotia.
	If any one is interested in Microsoft's Flight Simulator I have written some scenery files for Summerville. Maitland, Windsor and Hantsport. Summerville now has an Airport
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