Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks
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Already did a rundown of "things I've done so far" in the intro general discussion. Still waiting for the engine sheetmetal and intake/exhaust. I originally said they were getting a porcelain coating but it was actually ceramic. They're supposedly going to be done early next week. Guess we'll see.
To anyone who actually has sat in a 37/38 Chevy, he/or she will surely tell you that the seating area is tight to say the least. So... after making the rack for the bucket seats AND fitting the seats in as far back as I can scrunch them, I'm coming to the realization that I'm going to have to trim the rear wood that's directly behind the seats. I hate too, but if I do it gracefully maybe it won't look too terribly hacked on. I'm thinking maybe trim it like the way an early corvette looks. Rounded to fit the bucket then leathered to clean it all up.
If you don't already know, the wood behind the seats has a vertical plate from side to side that extends up from the floor about 6-8". Then a second piece slopes from there toward the rear and tucks up under the horizontal plate that sets under the rear windows and holds all the roofing material in place. The horizontal plate sticks forward past the sloping plate previously mentioned and hangs over (forward) about 2". And it's that 2" hangover that's keeping the seats from reclining enough to reduce the Parade Rest positioning when it's slid fully back. And for those of us above 6' tall, fully back is a necessity. And this trim might be just enough to get a more tolerable recline. I'm thinking use an angled jigsaw and cut just around the shape of the seats. And yes I really really hate to cut on the woodwork but damn... did I mention TIGHT? My other option is to open the cab completely to the trunk area. It's not like this hasn't been done in many a modern car. In fact it might be kinda nice to have access to whatever you have placed just behind the seat and in arms reach. But that brings us back to not wanting to hack and cut if we can help it. So this is my next venture, aside from putting the engine and components all back together when everything EVENTUALLY comes in. I'll post pictures.
Oh, and Merry Christmas everyone. It's just around the corner. And it's Cars and Coffee for me in the morning. Bright and way too early. Cheers
My 38 has plenty of leg and head room once I'm in. Getting my size 16s through the small gap between the A pillar and seat can be a chore. Width wise it's a bit tight but people weren't my size in 1938 (6'4" & north of 300lbs.). The vertical plate you mention is the front of the gas tank box so that will be a chore to move, most likely requiring relocating the tank. I don't recall much of an overhang at the top but it's been a while since I've messed with that area.
7046 old site posts
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet
1938 Master Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
Yes the vertical plate lays right up against the front of the tank. And in fact the forward part of the trunk floor covers the tank and butts nicely to the top of that vertical plate. And again I really hope it doesn't come to this but removing the slanted plate that connects to the top horizontal would expose a reasonably clean transition from behind the seat into the trunk area. I'm still toying with what exactly to do. There's no going back once I start cutting so it'll be me kicking and screaming to make myself actually pull the sawzall trigger.
As a non vertically or horizontally challenged individual who has plenty of room in my 38 with the stock seat, my recommendation is to use the original seat. When I go to shows there are any number of 38 Chevys there. All of them but one has been hotrodded or restomodded. Guess which one consistently draws the crowd? With the exception of colors, all the rest are the same with small block V8s tied to modern running gear and bucket seats. The only 38 that approaches the way it was "born" is the one belonging to the fat kid. I even let the kids sit in it and honk the horn. The only "room" issue is the narrow gap between the A pillar and seat. That's easily solved by turning my foot sideways when entering or exiting. Keep the stock seat and any need for moving, or removing the trunk divider is gone.
7046 old site posts
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet
1938 Master Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
And now we know how you got the name "Tiny".
Which begs the question, why don't little guys ever get nicknames like "Mondo" or "Large" or "4x"?
Just an observation.
Cheers
We had a small-statured cat once that we named Sweetums, after the Muppets character:
😉 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
Dean, I'm embarrassed FOR ya. 😆
And are you sure that's not a Fraggel Rock character?
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