VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1917-1923 - Models D, F, FA, and FB Only. Repais and pictures

Good morning.
I’m Melvin I bought kens car , Bruce tells me that there is about 5 of us that are either repairing or restoring. Thought I would try to meet some of you and maybe we all can share some of what we are doing. Get some interest going.

I’m currently putting my transmission back in after replacing the clutch and bearings in the transmission. Also cleaning and detailing the bottom of the car while I’m under it

[img]https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/15497/]Here’s a few pictures of the engine. I have been cleaning and detailing it

Not a very talkative bunch. I thought I would get some kind of reply or something

I would love to have a Model D but doesn't fit in the Boss's budget. Looks like you are doing a first class job reconditioning the engine.

Melvin are we going to get to see it on a tour? Looking great.

Denny

There are very few model D owners and also not a lot of VCCA members that are regularly on chat. In the 25+ years I have been a member I have only seen one and that was at an Anniversary Meet . If you are planning on being at the Anniversary Meet in 2022 I would sure like to see yours.

I suggest searching the membership database to find the model D owners that are in the VCCA and create an email distribution list so you can reach out to all those folks via email.

To get a bunch of those cars in one place would be a phenomenal event. If you get any of these guys together, please takes photos and do a write up for the G&D!

Dean

A replay of the Springfield IL Anniversary Meet with seven (7) Model D cars in on field would be great.

Yes I plan on taking it on a tour and also to the anniversary meet. Just dropped off all the windshield pieces and several other parts to be nickel plated.

Great looking car, and glad to see it's still in the VCCA family! Hope to see you in Bowling Green!

I will try to post pictures and what I’m doing to the 18. Radiator arrived at the brass works in California today. Hoping to get the rear axle detailed and installed this week. I have it out of the car currently

Hi Mel,

Glad to see that you are having fun with Ken's old car, Tom Meleo and Ken Kaufmann were responsible for collecting my Model D before it came to Australia. When I purchased my Model D that was the trigger for Ken to purchase his V8 and the Little. I had the joy of driving Ken's car on one of the tours at Springfield. That meet was the first and last time so many Model D5 and one D4 V8's were together, along with the cars on display there was an unrestored D5 car in a trailer for sale and another 4 VCCA members at the meet who were also Model D owners. The D owners club is a very small group with only about 20 cars left world wide. Ken,Tom and Myself assembled the then known list of owners at the time and the condition, engine numbers, car numbers and other features. The updated list is now with Bruce Deford and we have been trying to keep it up to date and add further information about each cars history and features etc.

Most of the remaining Model Ds have already been restored and are in Museums or private collections and there are only a few that are under restoration soon to be completed.
Keep up the good work and enjoy being a fellow DV8.
Twin 4

Congratulations for getting one of my dream cars. Each of my dollars already have names assigned to them.
I remember numerous conversations with Glenn Honeyman and Pat McGowen about working on these cars.

I'm glad to see the car stay in the VCCA and I hope you have fun with the car.
I look forward to seeing it again in Bowling Green.

As I mentioned your car was owned before Ken Kaufmann by Clyde and Ruby Hale of Sterling Michigan. Ken bought both the Model D and Little from them. As you know Pat McGowen did a lot of work on it. The 1918 V-8 once owned by Glenn Honeyman is in the Arbaugh collection in Ankany Iowa next to the 1919 FB that I restored.

Glad I’m getting some response. I’m going to keep posting pictures of the progress. Hope people enjoy seeing what I’m doing. My intention is to make the car very dependable and as close to original as I possibly can. And really nice to

Please keep the pictures coming, Mel.

Putting the transmission back in tonight. That’s one of the hardest transmission I’ve ever put in. Tail of it has to go up over the cross member. Not really enough room to get the front up and in. But I finally got it

When I started taking the clutch out. Boy did I learn. The rear axle has to come out to get the drive shaft out. Then you can take the transmission out then the clutch.

Getting my radiator re-cored after it gave up the ghost. Cant wait to get it back on the road.

Got the bolts for the windshield frame and the hood hold down brackets back from being made at the local Mechine shop today. Going Saturday to pick up all the other parts from the plater. I will drop these off with him. Should have some good pictures Saturday. But for now here’s the parts I had made

Dropped off the parts I had made and picked up all the parts I had plated. Hope people are enjoying the pictures.

Wow, Looks like the plater did a great job.

Indeed, enjoying pictures very much. Thank you for posting.

I was getting worried that no one was interested in the pictures thank you for replying
Tomorrow night I’m going to make a new shaft for the clutch and brake pedal I already have them sandblasted and repainted
Saturday a good friend of mine is going to help me cut out the new mahogany windshield frame. The old one was cracked and split and the corners were loose was letting the glass fall out

Next I’m going to detail the driveshaft and the rear differential clean and repaint them

Just been looking through your photos. Great to see the old girl getting such good attention.

I found three NOS head gaskets. I bought two of them they came in Saturday. I also know where to get them made if anybody need them.
They are Mcord 33

They look very good for ancient stock gaskets.

Got a good friend to paint my fenders. Decided to repaint the green also. It’s several years old and has several flaws that would be hard to fix and make look good.
Thought I was going to have to repaint the body. Who ever painted it in the 80s put enough paint on that I could sand and buff out the scratches. They were pretty bad. Got the passenger side done. Hope the drivers side will buff out

Took the front fenders off now. A good friend has a body shop he is painting the fenders for me while I do other things to the car. A huge help
The last two pictures showed the deep scratches and after I was able to block sand them out

I finally got to the point of going back together. Finished sanding and painting the bottom of the car

My oldest granddaughter was helping me put the rear fenders on. She was wiping the dust off

Looks like you are doing a first class job.

It's lookin' great. Can't wait to se it in person sometime.

Mike

Got the radiator back from the brass Works yesterday almost have all of the pieces back.
I got everything painted and the rear fenders on. So now I can put the rear axle in next
Got the new tires yesterday after. Now to mount them went with black wall tires Bruce Deford and a good friend talked me into doing away with the white walls

When I got the car the starter was off. It had to be rewound. When I put it on it still wouldn’t start It would turn over but not start. I could push start it and it ran good. I figured out what was wrong last night,it needs a ground wire to the motor.
I put a temporary one on and it started right up

So now today I going to finish up a couple things and then start sanding the fenders so I can buff them. Then the best part. I can put them back on

Nice to see it coming together. Good choice on the blackwalls.

Looking good even better in person. Looks like you will make the debut at the June Petit Jean show.

Great to see the pics. Thought Tom Meleo was the only person with a model D

There’s actually 20 of them around the world. Not all of them are running and several are in museums

Getting the wood refinish and the new windshield frame put together. Then take it apart and finish the wood. Hopefully get the new glass cut Wednesday. Still trying to make the show the 19
You can also see the new tires I still have to mount

Loving your work and progress!!!! Awesome car

Melvin,
You will make it with the car. I have confidence.

Probably going to be several late nights. Sure do want to show it

Hi Melvin,

Nice to see the progress pictures. Lots of time to achieve the result but the finished job will make it all worth while. Looking forward to the finished result.

Finally got the windshield frame and new glass installed. Plus the new radiator is ready for coolant.
Only one week left tell the 63 Annual Petit Jean car show going to show it there for the first time if I can get it finished

Got the new tires on the headlights and off the lift. It’s been on it for seven or eight months. Buffing the hood and finishing up some small stuff.
Then wash and load it up. YEA

Got it together. Still a few things I want to make better. But looking pretty good
See what y’all think

All I can write is WOW! Looking better than the Homecoming Queen at halftime. You have done a fabulous job getting it ready for the Big Dance.

Wow! That is beautiful!

I have enjoyed your posts of the build up. The outcome is excellent

Excellent refurbishing job to an older restoration. Enjoyed your pictures.

Very nice job, I’m sure you are very happy with the result. Mike

Congratulations your car looks great, the most desirable veteran Chevrolet you could have.
I hope you enjoy many miles of pleasure.
Michael.

Thanks everyone. I’m showing it today At the 63 Peti Jean car show. It’s judged on a points system and they have Multiple classes. They also have a prewar best of show. That’s the one I would like to win. I will post pictures from the show today later.
Thanks everyone hope you enjoy the pictures

Won first in my class. Plus it made a senior. Meaning it scored over 90 points out of a possible 100.
Everyone seemed to really like the car and lots of people didn’t know that they Exist

Congratulations, looks like your awards were well deserved.

Mike

Good going Melvin. Knew it would do well.

Melvin, I am so happy to see all of the progress that was done with this car! You did a wonderful job! I know my dad is smiling from above! Thank you for continuing his dream.

Erik

Took pictures of the V8 and my 1918 H model

Always had a soft spot for the V8s. Glad yours is back in shape. Thanks for the pictures.

In my family archive there is a photo with a similar car. As for the fate of the car, it was sold due to lack of money to pay for the land.
True, I do not quite understand what years exactly that car is in the photo. you can tell, maybe someone knows.
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This is a 1918 Chevy v8. With my unrestored 1916 H model

Beautiful! It looks nice!

Had a little fun with it today. Took it to a local drag strip for old timers day. Just couldn’t resist running it through. I was easy starting off then run as fast as it would.

I’m almost done with the car. Lots of work new top and seats. Witch caused me too repair extra holes in the body and repaint the green. But by the time the top and seats were done I had less than a week to get done.