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Help Identifying speedster chassis

 

(@prewar)
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Joined: 3 weeks ago
Posts: 2
Topic starter  

I've acquired a Chevy Speedster that definitely has a a 1928 engine that doesn't look original to the frame, the title says 1930 but may have just been what someone used. As I start to restore this, is there a way to identify the year and model of the chassis so I can get the right parts? Also what year would the wheels that's on it be from? Thanks for any help.

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IMG 20240218 200815996
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IMG 20240218 200942849 MP
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IMG 20240218 201307088

 


   
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Tiny
 Tiny
(@tiny)
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Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 615
 

What a fun project! I have no experience so I can't offer advise but someone will be along soon to help. Good luck.

7046 old site posts
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet
1938 Master Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan


   
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Kenneth A Naber
(@kenneth-a-naber)
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Joined: 16 years ago
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wow !! what a beauty


   
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35mike
(@35mike)
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Joined: 14 years ago
Posts: 155
 

What size are your tires? That will tell us about your wheels.

 

Mike

Many Miles of Happy Motoring
3469 Posts on Old VCCA Chat


   
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(@bruce-bugay)
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Joined: 37 years ago
Posts: 15
 

Front brakes are either 1928 or 29 .   rear brakes look like 29  ???


   
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(@prewar)
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Joined: 3 weeks ago
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Topic starter  

@35mike Wheels are 18".


   
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Stovblt
(@ole-olson)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 219
 

@prewar 

It would appear to me that much of your chassis is definitely NOT 1930, but probably 1929 as Bruce suggests.

In 1930, the front brakes were cable operated... yours are the lever style as in 1929.

And your front springs have the short "shock absorber" leaves on top of them that were used in 1929 but eliminated (I believe) in 1930 when Chev added actual shock absorbers to the car.

Hope that helps.  🙂

Ole S Olson
Saskatoon, Sask, Canada
1139 old site posts


   
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Rustoholic
(@rustoholic)
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Joined: 33 years ago
Posts: 74
 

Here's more info from Lou MacMillan:

Speedsters are frequently made from spare parts so there's
a lot of Chevy parts that interchange thru out the years.

From the photos, the front axle is 1928 or 29. (1927 had no
front brakes and 1930 had cable brakes.)
The rear axle could be 1926 - 29 passenger and half ton.
The frame appears to have been sectioned together.

The wire wheels can be determined by their size.
1928 = 21" Most wheels were wood spoke or metal discs.
1929 = 20" Most were disc. Holden still had wood spoke.
1930 & 31 = 19" Wire wheels were popular.
1932 & 33 = 18" Wire wheels were popular.
1934 - 36 = 17" Artillery and Wire wheels were popular.

Hope this helps.  Dean

Dean "Rustoholic" Meltz
San Leandro, CA
3511 posts on vccachat.org
1927 LM one ton truck - tinyurl.com/Lurch-VCCACHAT-Gallery
1928 AB Canopy Express (1/2 ton truck) - tinyurl.com/Justin-Stovebolt-Gallery


   
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35mike
(@35mike)
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Joined: 14 years ago
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@prewar I think 1932 was the only year Chevy used an 18" wheel. This information, of course, is not related to the year of your chassis. The Chevy 6 bolt pattern was unchanged for decades.

 

Mike

Many Miles of Happy Motoring
3469 Posts on Old VCCA Chat


   
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Rustoholic
(@rustoholic)
ChatMaster Moderator
Joined: 33 years ago
Posts: 74
 

Hi again,

I suggest that you send an email to the 1926 - 1934 Technical Advisors, asking them to offer their opinions about what is what on your speedster.

The Technical Advisors (and their contact info) are listed in the G&D magazine, right before the classified ads.

Having access to these volunteer advisors is one of the great benefits of belonging to the VCCA!  😉

Cheers, Dean

Dean "Rustoholic" Meltz
San Leandro, CA
3511 posts on vccachat.org
1927 LM one ton truck - tinyurl.com/Lurch-VCCACHAT-Gallery
1928 AB Canopy Express (1/2 ton truck) - tinyurl.com/Justin-Stovebolt-Gallery


   
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Chip
 Chip
(@chip)
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Joined: 55 years ago
Posts: 120
 

Based on the photos I am of the opinion that it was a 1928 chassis and drive train that was used for the construction. I am not an expert on 1929 as I have never owned one. I do have three 1928s. The two years are very similar with only a few obvious changes from 1928 to 1929. The most obvious is the engine 4 cylinder for 1928 and six 1929. Transmissions are basically the same. One of the most noticeable differences on the frame is the bumper mounts. In 1929 the front bumper bolts to the cast spring mount. The 1928 has a bracket that bolts to the side of the frame rail. I believe the rear bumpers mount the same. The 1928 transmission mounts with a plate that attaches to U shaped brackets like shown in one of the photos. The wheelbase for the two years is the same 107". Both use similar looking axles, transmissions, brake setups. There may be minor differences of which I am not aware. The 18" wire wheels are 1932 or 1933 (Master).

Therefore, my best guess based on the photos is a 1928 was used as the basis for the project.

How sweet the roar of a Chevy four
Participant on Chatter since 11/22/2001
19758 posts on the former Chatter site


   
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