1933 Chrysler Six

[JBSix]

First post!

Hey guys...

Up until now I have always been a "new car" kinda person. But I saw this car at an estate sale and had to have it. I tried to find out all I could before I bought the car, but came up almost emtpy before I had to make a move. So I went in pretty much blind (yeh I know, possible huge mistake). But was confident in a couple things, there is hardly ANY good info on the web about this model but I know it isn't one of the "it" models. There aren't many around, in any condition. I know this because there is a decided lack of photo's of the car. The popular/more common/super-valueble models all have a ton of pictures from fans/onwners all over the web. Rarity can be a blessing or a curse...we will see.

The good-

This car has a ton of charisma/character. It's is so Gangster or Elliot Ness (depending on your disposition I guess) it's unreal. People have a real, emotional reaction when they see the car in person.

Very few parts are missing. Radiator cap, horns, shift knob are the obvious ones right now.

Sold panels.

Interior is in good shape.

The unknown-

I have a very reputable shop going over the mechanicals right now. At this moment we are going to get it to the point where it will not kill me, or strand me out on the road. I don't have the money or the intent to do a "concours" restoration. That's as of right now anyway.

I am posting here to get some opinions. What do you guy think? Buyers? Value? What should I do with it? Criticisms?

Here is a photo of the car on a trailer- http://i279.photobuc...et/4F93A42B.jpg

Thanks in advance!

[keiser31]

Very nice car! Looks to be a Model CO. I would clean it up and drive it just like it is. Here you go....

[ply33]

Good looking car. But I am partial to 1933 Chrysler product vehicles.

One possible source for the radiator cap could be American Arrow Don Sommer Decades ago Sherwood Kalenberg was also making replica caps but I don't know if he or successors are around.

You'll probably want to check out a club more focused on Chryslers for access to information and parts specific to your car. The WPC club might be one to consider.

[stephen48]

I really like the authentic original look it has. Nice car !

[Landman]

JB,

I support Keiser. That looks like an amazingly complete and solid car which you can use and work on as you go.

[28 Chrysler]

Welcome to the form.
It looks like you have a winner , nice car.

[Bill Harmatuk]

NICE Car!!
Get it safe and dependable. Clean it up. Enjoy it. I think they are beautiful as is.

Its easier to take it apart than to put it back together. Believe me I know. Work on what needs the most attention and leave it alone.

More people will look at your unmolested surviver than the pristine cars at the shows. Bet you anything. Count the lookers.

Bill H

[mopar4evr]

Hi, I have a 1934 chrysler CB and the radiator cap is the same and the trumpet horns are also. If you want some information contact me and I can get you what information I have gotten over the last 12 years. I've restored mine from the ground up.
Mike

[JBSix]

Thanks for the replies! Mopar4evr I will take you up
on that for sure.

So the car is running now. Oil was changed, plugs gapped, distributor cleaned up and she fired right off and runs strong. Brakes need work and are being sent off to a pro. There is an exhaust hole that is being addressed. Fuel pump works too. Steering and suspension are next for the once over.

I went to my first swap meet/show today (without the Six) to look for horns/radiator cap/shift knob but struck out. I did find a "tune up" card though so that was cool. I also saw a 1931 "chassis" for almost as much as my running and pretty complete car. That made my wife happy! Of course asking price isn't always getting price.

[SparkEE]

Good looking car. But I am partial to 1933 Chrysler product vehicles.

One possible source for the radiator cap could be American Arrow Don Sommer Decades ago Sherwood Kalenberg was also making replica caps but I don't know if he or successors are around.

You'll probably want to check out a club more focused on Chryslers for access to information and parts specific to your car. The WPC club might be one to consider.

If you go this route (I did) make sure to let them know the cap is going on a car, otherwise you might find that it won't fit. I was very pleased with the final result, btw.

Beautiful car.

[33chrysler]

I know the guy(Cecil Nuxol) that re manufactures the horns. I have bought probably a dozen sets from him over the years. He makes them in 12v and 6v. They also come with 2 different lengths of trumpets. The short is correct for the CO and the long is correct for the CT. His nephew has been selling them on ebay for 6 hundred something. He also sells them at the Portland swap meet. I can get a better price than the ebay price so if your interested just shoot me a pm.

[JBSix]

Score!

I just got done looking through an original manual I scored for my car. 98 pages and a couple inserts of info, holy moly...

An update on the "restoration" progess. Well...not so good. I can't go into detail at this point, but I will say I had to retrieve my car from the shop that was working on it.

With help from here, I found a place that does repo's of the Gazelle hood ornament, for $750, ouch. I haven't looked into things any further because of the cost, so I still don't know if the hood ornament and radiator cap are one unit. I would be happy to just have a radiator cap at this point, but even that has proven to be a challenge.

Still no luck on a shift knob either. I may just make one out of oak and the appropriate threaded adaptor and keep looking.

I think I will be "adapting" modern air horn or bicycle bulb horn trumpets to replace my missing trumpets.

Definately some minor highs and significant lows in the process so far.

[33chrysler]

Either email the guy on ebay selling the horns or I will pick up a set of trumpets next time I talk to him. Should see him at the all original car show in the next few weeks. Those stainless reproduction hood ornaments are the radiator caps. There much less likely to get the horns broken and can only be identified by the most discerning expert unless its removed. My avatar is a picture of a stainless repo. I haven't seen many winged non gazelle ornaments but haven't been looking for one. You could get a black shift knob and have it painted woodgrain by hydro-graphic printing. I found a glass door handle that has a cool woodgrained effect.

[JBSix]

I couldn't find the horns guy on eBay. I hate to trouble you, but you link the item please or PM his email?. Searching on eBay can be a bit wonky at times. Great news on the repro hood ornaments, maybe I will bite the bullet and order one up. Good call on the knob...ty.

[33chrysler]

One of the listings is item #290750321514

Or you can call them directly CALL MONDAY - FRIDAY 8 AM TO 5-PM 1-509-489-7445 TOM OR CONTACT ME THUR THIS POSTING

Russ

[JBSix]

Found it, thanks.... I can see why I didn't find that with my other search terms! 32-34 PLYMOUTH/DODGE/CHRYS NEW HORNS 6 VT KLAXON, is a bit cryptic.

[JBSix]

After almost a year of ownership, work at two different resto shops, a couple dollars (cough) and one lawsuit, she is home!

We test drove it last week and got it up to 42 mph (if we can trust the speedo), it ran great, stops straight and steers…well it steers like a boat.

The start-up procedure is sure something I am not used to. Turn the key, pull throttle cable, pull choke, push on gas pedal, pull more on throttle cable for a bit, then wait until you can press on the gas pedal without once again engaging the starter!

We have had a great response to the car from almost everyone who has seen it. Even grizzled old car-guys are just amazed at how much is intact, original and the good condition it’s in.

I listened to the advice here and really only did work that will make the car safe and reasonable to drive, including but not limited to:

Rebuild kingpins, rebuild entire brake system, flush engine block, rebuild water pump, repair radiator neck, rebuild starter, rebuild carburetor, lube all fittings etc., rebuild gas tank and replace fuel line, electrical once over, replace exhaust from manifold back, rework heat riser valve, (another) full tune up and compression test, replace one window. I found a correct radiator cap on eBay. It’s not perfect, but the condition kinda mirrors the rest of the car if you get what I mean. I have been unable to find a correct shift knob yet, but I have one that "fits" and will just use it while I continue my search. I am "mocking up" horn trumpets for now, using old generic ones I found on eBay. I just can’t justify the cost of those beautiful ones that the other poster mentioned. Maybe at some point, when/if I do a "real" restoration I will get those. I have to put the back window in too. I decided to save a bit of cash and do that myself since its just scraping out old rubber and popping the stuff back in.

In the fall I hope to get it back in the shop for a more thorough electrical replacement program. Maybe with a gauge rebuild? The speedo appears to work pretty well and I will be verifying the gas gauge as I drive it. The water temp gauge does not appear to work, but testing shows the cars’ cooling system is working very well with the work that I mentioned above.

It has been a real roller coaster ride for us. From the decision to buy and keep it, to the troubles we had with the first shop. Driving this car on the road is a real trip. I consider myself a car guy for sure, but I like modern cars, Asian and German mostly.

The test/demo ride at the resto shop that did most the work was scary as hell at first. The mechanic, my wife, and I were in the car and all that’s going through my head is "OMG is this thing just going to snap in half or catch on fire?" But it didn’t, they did a great job. The car doesn’t even rattle!

I plan on taking her out for a drive around town this Sunday. If all goes as planned I will be offering rides too. She is already booked for a charity event near the end of April!!!

[JACK M]

As long as you are having fun is what I always say...Nice car !!!