Richardjohn54 Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 Hello from New Zealand. I am about to start a full ground up restoration on a 1920 Model 51 Davis Phaeton / Tourer which was completely dismantled and then placed in storage over 50 years ago. The previous owner had many other restoration projects underway , so this project just sat in the garage gathering dust for all that time . Unfortunately , he has now passed on and his collection was part of a deceased estate sale. I managed to purchase the vehicle , and have spent many hours sorting through all the crates that held a wide variety of parts from the car , in no particular order , and just randomly packed away. Amazingly , it appears that everything from the car is in storage - just needs a lot of tender care , refurbishment , rebuilding and reconstruction. Looks like I am going to busy for a number of years ! ( pictures attached ) Only one other in NZ that I know of and that has been fully restored some years ago.( 1925 Davis Tourer ) I would really like to hear from any other Davis owners in the US. I am also the proud owner of a fully restored rare 1920 Oakland 34C Cabriolet Roadster ( pictures attached ) John Lynn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 Welcome to the forum! Cool cars you have there. I am excited to see this Davis come together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Wrench Posted June 14, 2018 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Excellent project!!! Can't wait to watch you work through this, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 (edited) Ironically,we have a 15 Davis,similar shape,about ready to get it out of storage.also have a 19 Oakland touring car,our Oakland is a older restoration,but still presents well. Edited June 15, 2018 by old car fan (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 Amazing to find another Davis owner.the other car's front to back.Oakland Mitchell and Studebaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardjohn54 Posted June 15, 2018 Author Share Posted June 15, 2018 Hi The cars look great. Any photos of the Davis ? i have also been contacted by a guy in New York who has a 1920 and a 1922 Davis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 I will post pics this weekend..it is in a basement next door.has been for years,got it about 5 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardjohn54 Posted June 18, 2018 Author Share Posted June 18, 2018 Hi Did you manage to take some photos of the 1915 Davis ? I have also been talking to a Davis owner in New York - he has a 1920 and a 1922 Davis. Interestingly , he is looking for a 1915 Davis to purchase ! Google 1920 Davis auto - it brings up a picture of the two Davis cars. Scroll down to images , click on the first picture,click Visit and you can read the article from Hemmings Classic Car magazine in June 2014 - a good read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardjohn54 Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share Posted June 25, 2018 Hi Still no photos of your 1915 Davis ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 I will send pictures ,been very busy.it's in a basement which I have no access unless he is home.not a scammer or nothing,I will get pics,stay tuned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardjohn54 Posted June 26, 2018 Author Share Posted June 26, 2018 All good and I appreciate your contact and comments. As a matter of interest , my Davis has 25" rims which has really limited my tire options ( 34"x4 1/2' or 35" x 5" are my on;y options). The other 1920 Davis owner I have been in touch with in the US has 21" rims. Now checking to see if my car is an earlier model. When you get into the basement can you check the rim size on your Davis. Would appreciate it. Best Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Does it have a continential engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardjohn54 Posted June 27, 2018 Author Share Posted June 27, 2018 Yes. Straight six model 7R motor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Very similar to my 23 Moon with a 6/40 engine. Pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lynn Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 21 hours ago, jan arnett (2) said: Very similar to my 23 Moon with a 6/40 engine. Pictures. Hi Jan. no photos attached ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 John I was looking for your pictures. Here are several of mine. 6Y engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lynn Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Hi Jan. No nice looking photos of my engine. Yet to start on mine but can show a photo of the engine in its current state. All pistons have been removed but all are in great condition as they have been in storage bins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JV Puleo Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Right side up and straightened... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Finally some pics,tires are 34x4 ,wood wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Trying again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Two more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lynn Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Wow. Looks like you have the same challenge as I do with my big jigsaw of parts to re-assembel. Good Luck and keep those photos coming. I am getting my car out of storage in two weeks and will get my restoration underway. Willow keep in touch on progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Made arrangement s to pull it out Wednesday..the first thing we Will do is a running car.it drove to the basement,many years ago,better pics later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 The parts or there,metal is awesome.it all started with we needed more land,he had it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lynn Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Keep those photos coming ! Same for me - metal really good but wood frame will all need replacement. Radiator will also need a complete rebuild as it has been punctured and leaks badly. Not prepared to just do a patch repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Just found a great radiator shop,walked in ,was not a radiator above a 40,s vehicle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lynn Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 I don’t suppose they have a radiator for a 1920 Davis !!! good chatting to you but u don’t know your name apart from old car fan. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardjohn54 Posted July 3, 2018 Author Share Posted July 3, 2018 Oops. I mean I don’t know your name ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 My name is Tim,hopefully pull it out tomorrow and sort it.better pics then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge1934 Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 On 6/14/2018 at 6:04 PM, old car fan said: Ironically,we have a 15 Davis,similar shape,about ready to get it out of storage.also have a 19 Oakland touring car,our Oakland is a older restoration,but still presents well. Does the 1919 Oakland have a Northway engine? I have a 1919 McLaughlin with a Northway which is under restoration. There used to be a Northway engine registry but that was years ago and I was never able to find anyone that knew anything about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 Yes it does,not sure of the registry,our first as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lynn Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Hi Tim. Restoration is underway with chassis now ready for sand blast and painting. Just dismantled the differential and found both crown wheel and pinion are in terrible condition with badly chipped gears. Both will need replacing. My differential is a Salisbury. Going to advertise on the parts forum for possible replacements. Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge1934 Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Interesting. I have a 1919 McLaughlin with a Northway demand a related drive train I went through 3 rear ends before I found an intact crown and pinion . There was an adjustment available for this. I think many folks misadjusted the setting which caused damage to the system FYI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 5 hours ago, John Lynn said: Restoration is underway with chassis now ready for sand blast and painting. Just dismantled the differential and found both crown wheel and pinion are in terrible condition with badly chipped gears. Both will need replacing. My differential is a Salisbury. Going to advertise on the parts forum for possible replacements. Just to let you know, we like pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Tate Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lynn Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Hi How is the Davis restoration coming along. I have had a mould made for Davis grease caps( from original caps ) and can have them cast in two different sizes. Do you need any for your Davis ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 1 hour ago, John Lynn said: Hi How is the Davis restoration coming along. I have had a mould made for Davis grease caps( from original caps ) and can have them cast in two different sizes. Do you need any for your Davis ? Just to let you know the OP hasn't visited since 3 July. You might like to p.m. him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lynn Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Hi Yes , realised my error and have sent email to the right person. Cheers PS - I am also in NZ - do you have a contact telephone number ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lynn Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 (edited) Thought I should provide an update. Restoration process has been slow due to major issues with differential, however , have now managed to replace the crown wheel and pinion from a 1919 Case Car differential. Almost the perfect match , and with some good old Kiwi ingenuity , I have a fully functional differential with a much better gearing ratio as well ! Chassis has now been stripped completely , cleaned and painted. New set of tires to make mobility of chassis easier. Gearbox stripped, checked and re-assembled. Brakes all stripped , hubs machined and cleaned up , new brake linings etc. Newly cast Davis hubs and I have been experimenting with a colour for the wheels. Fatman steering wheel restored and back on car with overhauled steering box also in place. Radiator will need replacement. Engine rebuild about to commence. I have attached some photos. Edited May 16, 2019 by John Lynn Spelling error (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 (edited) It is good to see the steering wheel on the "right" right side of the car! Please keep us updated. The OP seems to have fallen by the wayside. ......Whoops. I see you have changed your handle! Edited May 16, 2019 by Spinneyhill (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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