61polara

Those are stress cracks in the plastic lens. We may be able to recast that for you in modern UV resistant resin. Contact me to discuss. www.DandDAutomobilia.com

1952 was the first year Buick offered power steering.

Most of these early systems used a bypass valve that routed a portion of the refrigerant away from the evaporator to control temperature.

Brian, what are you willing to do to promote an AACA National or AACA Tour in the Western Division? Not being critical of you, but a "why don't we" will go further than a "why don't you". I think AACA National is truly interested in more Western activities, but people need to step up. If you or your region can't, try to encourage others in the West to step up.

Vacu-matic was pre-war only Chrysler and DeSoto. Keithb7's info is great.

In many earlier years, Cadillac would not use a new feature or option until it was proven in another line. In the 1940-1960's Oldsmobile or Buick got the option a year before Cadillac for field testing of a new accessory so there would be no problem on a Cadillac.

You have said several times that the electric door locks don't work and you can't unlock the doors. Have you tried the manual lock on each door located at the door handle? It's my understanding that this will unlock the rear doors even with the child lock set.

I see where the confusion is coming from. The wording of the article is confusing and is actually discussing two different things. 1) Plymouth offered the vacuum assisted gear shift in 1941 as a $6.50 option. 2) The author of the article should have started a new paragraph for the next sentence, because he is now stating that for 1941, all Plymouth cars had a lower second gear ratio and a lower rear end ratio, unrelated to the "Powermatic" vacuum assisted gear shift. The lower second gear and rear end gear would permit the driver to start in second gear more often but limited highway speed. The Powermatic vacuum assist gear shift did nothing automatic but only gave a light touch to moving the gearshift leaver when shifting. You still needed to manually shift between gears. Hope this clears up things.

Chevrolet introduced the vacuum shift in 1938 as an option and made it standard in 1940-1948. Chrysler only offered it in 1941 on the Dodge and Plymouth lines which did not have the semi-automatic transmission available. With the Chevrolet vacuum shift, the distance the gear shift leaver moved was greatly reduced and the vacuum assist made the shifting light enough that one finger could move the gear shift leaver. I assume that the Chrysler unit also shortened the shift leaver throw. This unit is a vacuum assist unit that only assists in the effort to move the gear shift leaver. You are thinking of the action of the fluid coupling (Fluid Drive) that was available on Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler that would allow you to stay in third gear (or second), come to a stop without using the clutch and then pull off in the same gear. The fluid coupling was never offered on Plymouth. You still needed to manually shift the gears. No shifting was done by the Fluid Drive unit without the semi-automatic transmission. The prewar Fluid Drive semi-automatic transmissions were vacuum shifted, but that unit is on the top side of the transmission and is different from this unit.

I believe that it is the optional vacuum shift (like Chevrolet) that Chrysler offered in 1941. I've never seen one, but it's in the parts manual.

Excellent article Ed. Thank you for sharing your AACA experience with other clubs.

I tend to agree that it is a transmission internal problem. I think it's time to visit a transmission shop and have it pressure tested. Your pump may have low pressure when cold and builds as the fluid heats up. Low pressure will keep the bands and clutches from engaging tightly and thus the slipping.

You can call National and they will give you your number and PIN over the phone.

I'm not sure what you mean by "the transmission doesn't seem to fully engage". If you mean that it doesn't seem to want to pull the hill, which Drive range are you driving in? The drive position next to Neutral starts in second gear and shifts to third gear. The Drive position with the green dot, next to Low, starts in First gear, shifts to Second and then Third. You should be driving in the Drive position next to Low.

Phillip is correct. Steve's son has the collection now. Mel Carson is the Director of the Hornets Nest Region AACA where Steve was a member. The Hornets Nest Region phone number is 704-841-1990

I agree that this is aftermarket, but confused about what it may be. It looks like it is attached to the fuel inlet on the carburetor with no fuel line going to it. It also, looks like it has a vacuum diaphragm which actuates the switch, but again, it looks like it is screwed into the fuel inlet, which would have no vacuum. The semi-automatic transmission on the '41 and '42 Chryslers were vacuum shifted. The only function of the carburetor switch was to momentarily kill the ignition to permit the transmission to be downshifted for additional acceleration. It was actuated by the throttle linkage.

PM sent

For Class Judging it would be 27Q (1986-87 Production Cars) or HPOF to seek a HPOF Certification. The HPOF Class is for unrestored vehicles. I have seen original, unrestored vehicles do very well in Class Judging with significant detailing. It's really your choice.

The original tire size for the 1928 Chrysler 72 was 30x6 (18 inch rim with 6 inch sidewalls). In 1929 the Model 70 used 6.00 x 18.

It's a mechanical fuel pump that only operates while the engine is running or turning over.

Also post this on the Maxwell forum below.

Blue-black is a very dark blue which almost appears black (ie black with a blue tint) until viewed next to black. I think you will need to find a color sample of what you want to use and have your paint jobber custom mix it. You can start by going through your paint suppliers chip books. Look at the commercial colors.

In 1921, Maxwells were blue-black with black fenders. Little changed until the end of Maxwell. What particular colors are you looking for?

I have molds to reproduce both the Chrysler lens and the LaSalle lens in plastic. Contact me if you need either. danddautomobilia.com

It's a '48 four door sedan and may be a Roadmaster or Super. The model names appeared in two places on the '48's, on the front fender just above the stainless molding and in the round circle in the center of the bumper guard. I can't tell if there is a name above the molding on this car or not. The 1947 Buicks did not have a model name in this location. Also I can't read the round plate in the center of the bumper guard. The Roadmaster name is stamped on a diagonal on two lines Road Master. The Super is stamped "Super" in one line on the diagonal. It's clearly a four door sedan as you can see the shape of the rear side window on the drivers side. The Sedanet is the two door sedan with a fastback rear end. This car has the 1948 hood ornament that has the cross bar in it. The 1947 ornament does not have the cross bar. Also, in 1947 the steering wheel was ivory and changed to black for 1948. Dynaflow was first available in 1948 and standard on the Roadmasters.