Well I jumped in with both feet- I lucked across a nice '31 Chevy Sport Coupe project last week. it will be my first car of this era and my first car with a wood structure; I've had a few 49-52 Chevy's (I'm in the middle of a 1950 Fleetline build right now) and some muscle cars, never thought I'd find an early car like this (that I could afford, lol). The car is in excellent condition; all metal work is done except the fenders, there are only the wood is all new with only a few pieces left to install. The goal is a traditional hot rod and I plan on staying with a Chevy six cylinder (I've been saving a nice 230 for just this kind of project). Still undecided on a transmission- waffling between a 4 or 5 speed or a Powerglide that I already have. No chop, I like the look as is but I will be adding juice brakes (53-54 Chevy front drums and rear drums (leaning toward an S-10 rear end to keep the "all Chevy" theme going. As the ***le of the thread says, it is going to a learning experience but I'm psyched to dig in. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions- hopefully there are some early Chevy guys around here .
Great project car. Remember to bite your lip when duce owners are bemoaning new parts for their car are getting harder to find.
I would definitely do the T5 five speed, or possibly a 700R4 if you plan on much highway driving. You'll love having that overdrive gear when you hit the highway with the little 230 six!
The car looks really good. Back in the 70's I bought a 29 Chevy four door.........I had it for awhile and then figured out that there was no way I could bring the wooden glory back.....far above my skill sets Shortly after I purchased the IKEA (it was dis***embled) 38 Chevy coupe, much more suited to my limited skills, good luck, that will be a good looking car
I helped a fellow club member build a 1930 Chevy sedan, the wood was a big job, thankfully yours is in good shape, the early Chevys make good looking hot rods. HRP
The closed bodies were built by Fisher. There are plans and repair manuals out there. The open bodies were not Fisher the other roadster owners and I have never found anything in the open bodies. I hope yours is as solid as it looks. If it needs a little repair maybe we can help, at least shout encouragement.
With a 6 cyl engine, the choice of a transmission is much more important than when using a larger V8. It can be the difference in whether or not you actually enjoy driving the car . You pickup both low end and cruise. There are quite a few guys that have/and are upgrading their cars these days. I don't know of anyone who ever wanted to go back to a 3 speed after having a 5 speed..........but there is probably someone somewhere.
For guys who really enjoy the vintage feel there are thousands of 3 speeds out there with Borg Warner OD. It is a learning process to build & learn to use them but are a pure joy to drive. They are pretty versatile and turn a 3 speed into a useable 5 speed and a 6 if you tinker with it. The advantage of a V8 is you can get more inches in a shorter space. The advantage of a six is you can get more bottom end torque without having to feed all those inches all the time. If you ever have to rebuild your 230 make it a 250 (crank, rods, pistons) you'll enjoy the extra 20".
These a really wooden cars with a metal skin. I p***ed on a 35 Chevy because there was rust through from the moisture that p***ed from the wood door frames thru to skin Joe
A really anemic 350 SBC makes the same torque as a 230 six, and about 50% more HP. And add just some mild cam, intake, headers, etc., and it's well above the 230 six in both HP and torque. And a lot cheaper to buy performance parts for too.
It also has 120 more CI to feed. It is not always about Cheaper & easier. Find a 230 inch V8 and we''ll talk.
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