I've got a chance to buy a '36 Chevrolet 3-window coupe. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm told that it was hot-rodded in the '70s, which could be very bad. Anyway, the only one I've seen is in a recent "Street Rod Builder" magazine, and it is a modern build, but with all the stock lines and trim - and it has an amazing shape. That's what got the ball rolling on me looking for one. I'm just looking for some HAMB-style builds, and maybe some things to watch out for on mid-30s GM products. Were they all-metal by this time? Thanks in advance. This is not the car, but the only picture I could locate of one.
I always go to CarNut.com when someone asks for pics. They have 27 shots of a 3 window. I'm guessing 85-90% of them will be hideous, but it should give you some ideas (of what not to do) I can't post a link, the way they do the site, links just go to the main page...
Thank you, 35. Good idea, I had not looked there. Here is the link: http://www.carnut.com/photo/list/chev/_chev36.html And you're right, this is pretty much EXACTLY what I would never do to one. http://www.carnut.com/show/04/spf/nat0176.jpg Does anyone know much about these cars? From what I've seen, the early '30s cars get hotrodded on occ***ion, and the late '30s cars make great g***ers and kustoms, but the mid-30s cars seem to get ignored. Are they junk? And I believe this is the car from the magazine. With the right rolling stock it would be righteous. http://www.carnut.com/show/05/okc/nat0900.jpg
In '36 they started to get rid of the wood, but some body styles still had the it some didn't. I have heard of the 36 refered to as the ugly duckling of the '30s Chevy line.
Here's the text written for the '36 Chevy 3-window, from Sixty Years Of Chevrolet, by George H. Dammann: "Chevrolet's only closed rumble seat model, and only 3-window design, was the Master DeLuxe Sport Coupe. It cost $610 and weighed 2900#. Production was 10,985. As did the Coupe, the Sport Coupe offered a parcel space behind the front seat. The chrome-rimmed spare tire cover was standard euipment in both series" IMHO, it's a bee-yoot-ti-ful body style !!
IMHO, it's a bee-yoot-ti-ful body style !![/quote] I have to agree with Tag, this is a very under rated car, and has great lines. Good luck on getting it.-MIKE
Gotgas...i Feel 20 Again. This Is My First Car. I Was Dreaming Of A Coupe, But Couldnt Afford On. So I Bought A Sedan, Cut Of The Roof And Build Me A 3w. I Never Finished The Car And Sold It 13 Years Ago. But 6 Months Ago I Found It Again... Untouched. And Iam Just About Making A Deal With The Guy That Owns It. I Like The Model, And Agree Its Very Under Rated. Buy It! Palle
I have a 36 sedan. They changed the doors from wood to steel in the middle of the year. Mine are steel but someone cut out all the inside long ago for race car construction. Hope you have the later ones.
They're like baby Buicks, which can't be bad... 36 Chevies still had some wood framing but were the second year for the so-called turret-top, which was an all steel roof. I think a lot of people ignore mid-30s rides because they're stylistically transitional. You still see a lot of the earlier proportions, but also the beginnings of the fat fender look. I think people just don't know what to do with them...
Heres a pic of my 35 chev master sport coupe, the 35 has the doors hung on *** backwards compared to the 36. And has a rumble seat.
I have a '35 Olds 3window- basically the same car with suicide doors and nicer trim. . . ha, ha, . . . anyway, lots of wood. . . i think that's why you don't see too many. replacing all of the wood with metal is a big job. . and nobody will pay for the time it takes to do that work when you sell it. . . it's a labor of love kinda car. the sedans and four doors are 99% restored as lowrider bombs. ugly duckling? man, i think this body style is one of the best. . the most streamlined american car with running boards. . they really flow nice from front to back, the grill is sort of teardrop shaped and they don't have that "double chin" beltline that the 36 fords have. whatever, i just love mine..
I didn't say that it was an ugly duckling. I was repeating what I have heard others say about them, that being the reason you don't see to many of them around.
Looks cool. I would have to build fender less though. With big a$$ whitwall slicks on some Torg Thrust on the back.
I have a 36 chevy 3 window master deluxe I'm tring to find a home for. Body is rough but strong running boards fenders, no rumble seat or hood or grill. It is a beautiful car when done right but not sure it would look good fender less. I wanted to build it up and have a lineup on a 5 window to steel parts from but my back is real bad and it's too much of a project for me. I would love to have a 30's ford coupe and would do a trade. I don't want to sell it but I don't want to deny her a good home.
Almost bought one 25 years ago, but ended up leaving the country instead. I sure didn't think it was ugly. Would make a nice rod. I'm presently in process of buying a 37, so I still must like them.
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