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1928 Chrysler roadster ID


3Eagles

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I have a 1928 Chrysler roadster. How do I identify the model? The book with the car says is for a model 65 but I don't know the differences. It has an art deco wing looking instrument cluster, fendermount spares and the windshield will tilt down flat to the hood. Has aluminum steps on the bumper and fender for rumble seat access. The headlight stands have a formed area on the cowl tray where they mount. Where can I find the serial/vin numbers for this car? Thanks, Chuck in NH

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Guest 1929model75

Hi Chuck judging by your photo of the dash it is a 1928 model 72 The 65 is a 29 model Judging by the steering column it is a street rod. The fedco id should be on the dash right hand side of the instrument cluster the engine number should be on a raised area toward the front on the driver side right below the head if the motor is original. hope this helps Chris

Edited by 1929model75 (see edit history)
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Thanks for the response. I guess the model 72 makes since. Yes it is a street rod. The grandson of the first owner built it. I bought it from him. He actualy signed the origional title over to me. So I guess I'm the second legal owner of the car. I was looking for a replacement windshield frame and the company I found in PA wanted to know what model it was. Apparently the tilt forward windshield is throwing them a curve. Their patterns show the windshield curved at the bottom and fitting down to the cowl.

Are there any sources for parts and/or information on these cars? I need most of the soft rubber items and can't seem to find them. Steele has some but I'm looking for the door stop and rumble seat rest rubber etc. Seems, once again I've got a hard to find parts for car. (:

I'm also looking for top irons. I have a set but they are terribly pitted. Thanks again, Chuck in NH

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Guest martylum

Hi-I wondering if the windshield has been modified to adapted to this car since the glass frame does not reach down to the cowl as I would have expected. If you send NC Industries your frame, they can duplicate probably.

Steele should have the door bumpers and the normal t-shaped rubber gasket to slide in the edge of the windshield frame to seal against the posts and cowl.but you will probably need to make the rumble door rubbers.

Top irons might be hard to find for a 72 as they have a low survival rate as compared to slightly newer Chryslers. What wrong with sandblasting and filling the pits?

If you want easy in this era you probably should have taken the Ford Model A turnoff.

Martin Lum Early chrysler owner

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Thanks for your response. The bottom of the windshield has metal inserts in it. It's like the windshield on the Lemans roadster. Folds flat forward but has no top tilt mechanism. I been looking a pictures and there seem to be several different windshield styles on cars listed at model 72 roadsters. It seems Chrysler used several suppliers for parts back then. My bumpers are straight flat pieces with curled ends and about a 1" gap between the bars. The rumble seat steps are square while most I've seen in pictures are round.

Do you have the contact info for NC? As far as the top bows I have considered cleaning them and metal filling the pits. I can powder coat them chrome and they should look fine. I think some of the pieces have been replaced or modified but can work that out as I go. This car was suprisingly complete. The gentleman that bought it new drove the wheels off it and parked it behind his barn. In the 60's his grandson decided to make a street rod. Other than changing the drive line the worst thing he did was to heat and de-arch the springs to get the car low. Rides like a milk truck!

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I've attached some more pictures of my 28. The wiper motor at the bottom of the windshield is a 12v add on. The holes for the original wiper were at the top. Other than painting the grill shell etc. the body appears to be untouched. It has fendermount spare setups on the front fenders. Chuck in NH

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That car that you have is surprisingly uncut and original looking (mostly). A rod such as that would be fun, but I would be looking for the original components to put it back to original.

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I'm starting to think it was a real mistake when the hot rod was built. But we do what we can with what we have. I actually had a frame and complete running gear a few years back. A gentleman in California wanted the running gear and I wanted the frame to do a suspension update. I did the disassembly and shipping, he paid for it all and I got the frame in exchange for my labor. Chuck

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Oh...I wanted to add that the "72" designation is the top speed it was supposed to attain (and probably did). That is the numbering designation system W.P.Chrysler used for most of his cars in that era. If you already knew this, that's good....if not, that's better!

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If the winter project goes as planned (That would be a first) I hope to update the suspension to 4 link and coil overs on my spare frame. At the same time I want to install the 1700 mile 360 Magnum engine and overdrive tranny thats been taking up room in my garage for way too long. I think a Chrysler should have a Chrysler engine! Would love to go early Hemi but they are way too expensive and really down on power without a lot of expensive vintage speed equipment. Would look great but I'd have to sell the house!

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Here is some of the information you first asked for. The FEDCO plate looks to be directly over the dash instruments and painted red , by the look of the dash photo. If you look at the plate at an angle, you will see "Walter P. Chrysler". If you look at it on at a different angle, you will see some letters and numbers combination. With this chart, you should be able to locate your car's serial number. Here is an example of the FEDCO plate, also.

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I had looked everywhere for the FEDCO number. Noticed the nice look Walter P. Plaque but never noticed the numbers on it. Darn, been right in front of me all this time. I'll get them later. I'm taking the car to storage this afternoon so it will be locked away until spring. Thanks for that information. It's too bad that there isn't a one stop location for all the early Chrysler information. It seems to be scattered all over the web. I did make the trip to the WPC Museum in Detroit a couple of years ago. Found their series 72 very interesting but with slight differences. Now I know why! Thanks! Chuck in NH

(any one else out here in New England?)

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Did you get a copy of the "build sheet" for your car while you were at the museum? It should tell you how it came originally. YES!!! By all means, if you are going to put a bigger motor in, go with a Chrysler motor.

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I want to thank everyone on the site for your help. The assistance and information provided is priceless. I wasn't sure what the reaction to my "hot rod" would be but now look forward to chatting with you all. I am in touch with the Museum to see about getting a build sheet and blueprint copies of the roadster top. Never would have thought of that one if not for Chris! I'll keep the site up to date on my progress, albeit very slow. Chuck in NH

I am also a member of the Y-Blocks Forever site. My second car is a 56 Ford Victoria done in the early 60's style. All Ford, 292 Y-Block and McCullouch supercharger. Its the high school car I couldn't afford at the time. Chuck

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Edited by 3Eagles (see edit history)
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