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Looking for light historical restoration work in Southern California for a 1931 Chevy Special

 
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 cruisingjtown
(@cruisingjtown)
New Member Registered
Joined: 2 months ago
Posts: 2
Topic starter September 24, 2024 10:50 am  
I’m Oliver Wang, a curator at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, working on an exhibition about Japanese American car culture in Southern California. We were contacted by a Museum member who has a 1931 Chevrolet Special sedan that's in need of some light restoration just to make it safe for display.

The history behind the car is that it was originally owned by the Marumoto family of south Los Angeles. In early 1942, after FDR issued EO 9066, mandating the forced removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast, the Marumoto family drove this car from L.A. to Utah, thus avoiding being sent to one of the WRA incarceration camps that most Japanese Americans were forced into. 
 
Most of the Marumoto family stayed in Utah after the end of WWII but one son did come back to L.A. for school and resettled here. He eventually brought this family car back from Utah to L.A. with the intent to restore it but never got around to it. The car has been sitting in a garage since the 1980s. 

As  you can see, it's in need of some very basic restoration just to make it safe for people to be around (broken glass, broken interior frames, etc.). I'm trying to help the family find someone in SoCal who'd be able to assist with a conservation process that meets with "Historical Preservation of Original Features" guidelines. They had spoken with Jim Karass previously but as the Karass family is preparing to leave the area to move elsewhere, they're not available to help.

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Rustoholic
 Rustoholic
(@rustoholic)
ChatMaster Moderator
Joined: 33 years ago
Posts: 94
September 25, 2024 10:37 am  

Hi Oliver. Welcome to the VCCA's website!

Very interesting story and a very cool car!

I have two suggestions of who to contact for leads to a restorer:

1. The VCCA has quite a few local chapters (we call them regions) in the LA area. Here is a list of all our regions, along with their contact info: https://vcca.org/regions-chapters/

2. Contact Jay Leno's Garage and hopefully they can refer you to a good shop. Their contact info is

info@lenosgarage.com

(888) 930-8743

P.O Box 7458
Burbank California
91510 United States

Good luck and keep us posted!

Best regards, 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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 cruisingjtown
(@cruisingjtown)
New Member Registered
Joined: 2 months ago
Posts: 2
Topic starter September 26, 2024 10:53 am  

@rustoholic Thanks Dean, appreciate the suggestions. 

I had spoken with Jim Karass of the Southern California Region (Area 1) but as I mentioned, he's leaving the area so he's not available. I did write the main folks behind Orange County Area 1 and Foothill Region Area 1 as well. I'll try the Jay Leno Garage meanwhile, thanks!


   
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Rustoholic
 Rustoholic
(@rustoholic)
ChatMaster Moderator
Joined: 33 years ago
Posts: 94
September 27, 2024 5:49 pm  

One other suggestion came to mind. One of the car fix/restore/modify TV shows that I enjoy is FantomWorks on the MotorTrend network. They are located in Norfolk, VA and have showcased projects like yours on their show. Their phone number is (757) 216-1745.

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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