Hot Rods 37/38 Chevy Gasser and I’ve got the Pink Slip!

Does anybody know if the front vent window assembly on a 37/38 Chevy Coupe is the same as on a 37-39 Chevy 2 door Sedan? Are they interchangeable? It looks to me that the car body, the front of the doors, the dash, firewall, windshield, cowl and front sheet metal on these cars are the same, the car changes as you move past the middle of the body. I want to be able to have roll up door windows in my car and Jeffer 35 in Oklahoma has a pair of 39 sedan doors he has said he’ll sell me. I’m thinking that the 37-39 Chevys were a lot like 67-69 Camaros, 67/68 almost the same, 69 kinda the same but outside sheet metal different, if you get my drift. Would the 39 Sedan vent window and door glass mechanism work in my 37 Coupe doors? Hope I’m clear as mud, thanks!

 

'37-'39 vent glass is listed as all the same for all models, except Cabriolet in Chevs of the 40's catalog. So sedan will work fine in a coupe.

 

Great to know as I’m new to these cars. My car will have plexiglass window just like a gasser should, I just need opening windows or the wife won’t go for a ride! Also makes it easier to pickup time slips!

 

I have all glass in mine, but it was cheaper to go real glass than to go plexiglass. Mine was $350 for all 9 pieces with a light tint shipped to me door. I'd go glass before I'd go plexiglass for a street gasser. It's a PITA to keep plexiglass clear, and especially for the windshield or side glass where vision is so important!

 

Windshield will still be safety glass, side and back window will be plexiglass. I’ve had a Shelby GT350R clone with the R Model back window for almost 25 years and it’s still nice and clear. I’m just careful how I clean it and use Maguire’s aircraft window polish.

 

This is true, the only difference is the 39 vent frames have a small slide latch on the bottom. Also, other small body GM from 37-39 will interchange

 

That's a great find. I bought my 38 a year ago and have been doing a lot of rust repair. Normal for a mid west car. There are minor differances between 37 and 38. Out side door handles and defrost vents are two that I have found.

 

Plexiglass sucks go with Lexan

 

Yes, those will do very nicely! I.M.O., the originals, cleaned up as well as they will, would look much better on that ol' warrior than re-chromed or new ones. Man what a jack-pot you hit with that lil' Chevy!!!

 

Out working in the garage today and was looking at the radiator that was in my 37/38...


The original builder had the radiator modified to use two AN lines from the block water pump outlets to the top tank. Then an electric pump was used to circulate coolant thru the lower tank back thru the intake manifold. Or maybe the other way around! But on the top of the radiator was a tag....

and on the tag is a job number! The odds of this shop even being in business still are slim, and for them to know who had this radiator modified even slimmer, but then the original builder would be found!

 

...wonder what that radiator was from?...doesn't look like a 37-8 Chevy...
doesn't really matter I guess.

 

Reseda Automotive Air Conditioning and Radiators is still around in the exact same address.
The radiator appears to be set up for racing use, and likely may not flow well enough with the line sizes to allow much street use on hot days. But I'd have it checked out and use it, and see how well it does.
Bet the same shop could at least tell you what it originally fit, and how well it might work.

 

I’m thinking it looks a lot like a early Ford Falcon radiator or some other early 60’s Ford car because of the tank design. I’m not even considering using it, it’s definitely a drag race only unit. I just think it would be cool to find out who built the car originally.

 

Maybe big Ford - Falcon's were really small....

 

Just watched the final round of the first SEGA race @ Holt, Fl, what a race! I’m gonna be at Shady Side! Woo Hoo! Can Not Wait!

 

I measured the radiator tonight, 17” wide at the top tank and 20” tall. Definitely not a big Ford, I’m thinking a small 6 something, because I don’t think Ford had a 4 cylinder engine in anything until the Pinto and they came out in 1970?

 

Ford caps were mostly centered . I’m thinking a Jeep of some type . But that’s just me 2 cents worth . Early Bronco , possibility ? I had mine built many years ago , Camaro core stock tanks , worked like a champ

 

Moving stuff around tonight and was putting the wheels up out of the way and saw my shipping scale, so, why not.....

15x4, 5 on 5.5 B/C

15x10, 5 on 4 3/4 B/C
Now I just need to find the time to make them shine!

 

...here's an old gasser I bought that sit in a pole barn for 40+ years,...sold it to a friend who's getting it back together as a street car...

 

Amazing! The same guy that cut my car up must have done this one too, and he still probably has some of that paint left over still!

 

Look what I got in the mail today! Between SEGA and the SCTA, I’ve got a full plate! Going to Shady Side on the 17th and then ElMo on the 1st of May. Only in America!

 

Made it! Only 2800 miles so far with all the side stops seeing friends and family!

 

Takes me about five minutes to get to shady side can hear the cars run in my kitchen with the window open.
Going to be there tomorrow in the 48 olds to spectate.
Glad you made it!


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Would like to talk to you about the 38 gasser.


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Had an absolute blast at Shady Side, Gasser Racing at it’s best! These Southern Boys are serious about their cars too, some look like they get some “MoonLighting” NASCAR guys to work on their cars, amazing workmanship on most of them.

Check out the headers and plumbing on this car! Anybody know what wheels these are?

 

Aluminum slot mags painted grey. Could be 4" wide Ansen or US Indy..im betting Ansen

 

Lugs look too short (not enough threads showing) for most Drag Racing organizations.

 

Ansen or Fenton slots just painted to look like something else.

 

Cool car! Pretty sure i spoke with you and your wife for a while at the race. I own the 31 model A, the southern flyer. Hope you enjoyed the race!

 

We did have a great time, it was nice talking to you too. I think I’ve bored all my friends telling them how great SEGA racing is, they roll their eyes and shake their heads, but I’m a believer! They just haven’t been to a drag race where two cars that are so different yet on the same level as close as Quain can get them go head to head, first one to the finish line wins!
You posted this picture on your build thread, my wife and I are just to the right of the VP banner trying to get as close to the action as we can get! Thanks for the great show!