Thread: 1938 chevy business coupe

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In 1962 I drove a stock 40 Ford 2 dr sedan from Camp Pendleton, Ca. to Dayton, Ohio on leave from the Marine Corps. It was all Route 66 until Illinois where bits and pieces of Interstate 70 were open and I almost got blown off the road by an 18 wheeler who was in some kind of a hurry. I wouldn't want to do it today with the same car as it was then, absolutely too dangerous.
Two years later I drove a sbc powered 36 Ford 5 window coupe from Dayton to Camp Pendleton, much more enjoyable trip and even though it was all old school I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I still had the car.
Your car do as you wish, but I doubt you will drive it very long bone stock.

Use it, definitely. Enjoy it.

My dodge and it's quiet companion the Indian just sit in the car port lately.

I drove it to work today that was cool.
My dad is 76 and still can drive and do things with me so I would hate to tear it apart
And have him miss out enjoying it with me
If I do it will take some time to do it the way I would want.. So I have been asking advise
On keeping this old 216 going for awhile. If I was going to change motor don't think I would do anything other than a 350 or 383 Chevy the guy I bought the car from offered me a 235 out of a 51 Chevy I think. He got that from a friend of mine that took it out and put in a 327.
He thinks i Will only last a couple of months driving it with the 6cyl. And then switch who knows. Thanks everyone for your comments. I got excepted to classic & Chrome indoor car show May 6-7 bringing both my cars they were more excited about the 38 than the camaro.
They just don't see a lot of 38's that are left alone.

Congrats on getting in the show. I took my Corvette to world of wheels when they still did it in Des Moines. The promoter was highly irritated it was not a big block in it even though I disclosed what engine and trans were in the car when I sent the registration info in. Oh well. It was still good exposure for the car.

I put a new fuel sender in now the fuel gauge works.
I have put 300 miles on it so far quite the workout. My dad finally drove it what a grin.
He said he felt like he was 15 again when his grampa taught him to drive. He can't get over the sound of first gear and how it is a way back machine .I did order a new 4 bolt Chevy from summit and some fun stuff not that its going in the 38 but if I do it doesn't hurt to start collecting and building.

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Congrats on getting in the show. I took my Corvette to world of wheels when they still did it in Des Moines. The promoter was highly irritated it was not a big block in it even though I disclosed what engine and trans were in the car when I sent the registration info in. Oh well. It was still good exposure for the car.

That's kinda dumb that they were irritated over that. I would be happy it wasn't another big block Vette.

Originally Posted by Jematt

I put a new fuel sender in now the fuel gauge works.
I have put 300 miles on it so far quite the workout. My dad finally drove it what a grin.
He said he felt like he was 15 again when his grampa taught him to drive. He can't get over the sound of first gear and how it is a way back machine .I did order a new 4 bolt Chevy from summit and some fun stuff not that its going in the 38 but if I do it doesn't hurt to start collecting and building.

300 miles, I'll bet it used to take 6 months to put that many miles on back in the day, Is it fun to drive the way it is or a chore?

It is a chore but is very fun it definitely takes the hurry out of the equation.
I had to order a LED tail light for safety the original looks like a candle
Not bright enough. It was appreciate your antique day heard on the radio so I drove all over
Even took it to a WW1 exhibition show the look on people's faces is priceless.

The led should be brighter and I imagine your headlights are also dim and go dimmer at an idle. That's because it's running a 6 volt system with a generator which to be quite honest makes you a hazard at night, be careful.

The headlights are real bright I was surprised it has high beams .
I keep reaching for turn signals but none I don't think these days many people know what hand signals are. Right turn Clyde.

You'll need that bumper sticker up front that says, "Horn is broke, watch for finger."

Well I have put 1000 miles on the 38 so far won 1 best in class original UN restored its been a blast. 95% of car guys at the car shows say leave it as is. Power tour just around the corner now its time for the camaro its ready and leaving June 6th for arrowhead stadium.
Life is good.

If you're satisfied with the way it is then leave it as is and have fun with it.

I'll look for your Camaro in Newton. That's the only stop I'm going to make this year unfortunately.

Cool some is better then none i will look for yours also