nearchoclatetown Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Matt, you did this in one Australian day, but that would be six months in US time. Just so we keep the translation/ conversion going so everyone can understand what you are saying. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 2 hours ago, Minibago said: Lunchtime must have been very educational for you based on the skills exhibited here. I actually have 3 men in my life that have given me great opportunities to learn. My Dad had us around cars since as long as I can remember and was an a grade mechanic in his day. Tuned and repaired police cars on the northern beaches of Sydney. My boss that taught me my trade of cabinet making he was an extremely skilled Kiwi. He taught me the old way of furniture manufacturing. Lastly a tremendous fella that I have a huge amount of respect for still to this day. I started working with him at the age of 12 every spare moment I had. We did everything from mowing lawns, landscaping, working on boats, fixing and driving earthmoving equipment, working on million acre cattle farms in North Queensland and everything in between. He gave me opportunities of 3 lifetimes but it was up to me to take it all on board if you know what I mean. They were 3 of the hardest old blokes to work for and by Christ you had to earn your keep otherwise you had your ass kicked. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat. They are no longer with us and I miss them tremendously but I kinda think of all of them with the different things I do each day. I’m very lucky to of had such great men give me the opportunities and skills I have learned over my 51 years. I can’t thank them enough. sorry bit of topic there but anyway that’s what I did at lunchtime. 😂🤣 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Great car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichBad Posted October 16, 2021 Author Share Posted October 16, 2021 Well this lockdown has really slowed progress on Docs Dodge but a few little bits and pieces still going. Managed to pick up the chrome last week, looks really good. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichBad Posted October 30, 2021 Author Share Posted October 30, 2021 (edited) Finally, the Melbourne lockdown is over and work has started again on Doc's Dodge - and what a lot of progress in just a week by Trevor, John & Lindsay! Fitted front & rear bumpers Fitted the bonnet (hood) Made new rubbers for the windscreen pillars and fitted the windscreen Fitted 2 new tyres on rear wheel and mounted the spare tyre carrier and spare. Fitted the freshly nickled dash controls Fitted the re-chromed door handles and fittings Fitted the hood (top) - fits nicely (which is great considering how long it's been folded up in storage) Fitted/adjusted the side screens/windows Fitted the rear gaurds and fuel/gas tank cover New front bumper fitted Rear bumper, gaurds and top fitted Bonnet fitted New rubbers for the screen pillars Dash control cables re-fitted Door handles back on Side screens fit well Spare tyre fitted Not too many jobs left to do now, she'll be off to the trimmers soon to have the interior done. Brakes are being a bit of a pain to bleed - the pedal pumps up nice and hard but leave it a bit and it goes straight to the floow. Had multiple attempts at bleeding and still no luck (also been re-sleeved and had a new seal kit fitted). Edited October 30, 2021 by RichBad (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jari12 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 It looks wonderful. What an awesome group effort with a beautiful result. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 Sounds like another brake shoe adjustment is in order prior to re-bleeding. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I suggested to John that the small hole may not of been drilled or could be blocked in the sleeve. He’s going to check that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 Hey, I just noticed the Richco badge on the bumper. Pretty cool! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichBad Posted November 6, 2021 Author Share Posted November 6, 2021 (edited) Some more progress this week thanks to Trevor, Lindsay and John - she’s getting really close! Cut and glued rubber to the LH running board, fitted the aluminium trim and mounted on the car. Loosely fitted the LH front guard. Still some alignment /bolting to be done plus the piping, but it is going together well Finished off the seat bases and the back of the rear seat ready for trimming. Fitted the bonnet catch fittings /handles etc. Wired up the wiper Added labels for dash knobs. Edited November 6, 2021 by RichBad (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted November 6, 2021 Share Posted November 6, 2021 Coming along well. Great work fellas. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichBad Posted November 12, 2021 Author Share Posted November 12, 2021 (edited) Lots more progress this week with John, Lindsay and Trevor - ready to head off to the trimmers on Monday (thanks to a little help from Matt;)). I dropped in yesterday and she’s looking fantastic! Finished fitting RH guard and running board. Fitted headlight bar and headlights. Wired up all the lights and got working. Edited November 12, 2021 by RichBad (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 Gee Rich the head lights are brighter than I am 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 Still a bit dim though Ronny 😂🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 Probably not as dim as someone throwing a drop sheet into an engine to stop it though I suppose. 😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 The work done to date has been to keep the car as close to original as is possible. Firstly determining the car was originally painted Blue was a start. The cam profile has been reground which gives a little better breathing with higher lift and taking advantage of the modern fuel which is quite different to that available in 1929 in Australia. The engine fully rebuilt. The cable operated starter switch has been replaced with a foot operated switch as was common in most vintage vehicles. All globes will be replaced with LED substitutes available here in Australia that fit straight into the original globe sockets. They are up to 100% brighter drawing around 10% of the original current. ( LED globes available in pos or neg earth, head, stop/tail and single options) The tail shaft trunnions have been discarded and replaced with Hardie Spicer universals. The differential has been replaced with a fast four differential giving a far superior ratio of around 4.2 to 1. This should allow the car to cruise comfortably at 50 + MPH with the RPM of the motor kept to a sensible level. Apart from the above all switches, instruments, door handles, latches and controls are original and functional. The only issue seems to be the brakes not holding adequate pedal pressure. Now lets see what has been done. The brake shoes have been adjusted twice now starting at the pivot points then to the cam adjustments. The same as my Chrysler 65 and Lindsay's Desoto and Plymouth. Steel tubing replaces the old copper and flexible lines are all new, double flairs to all tubing. Vacuum and pressure bleeding together with manual pedal pumping undertaken. The master cylinder has been Stainless Steel sleeved with new rebuild kit and new aluminum seating washer. (Machined to suit original design) But still the pedal does not retain residual pressure. Will try to undertake a reverse bleeding i.e. pressurising fluid into the slave cylinders back to the reservoir. Apparently this is a common procedure with motor cycles. As indicated above, the car is now ready to get the interior work done. The hood and side curtains had been previously remade before we got the car. (A grate saving indeed). The interior will be professionally done and should be complete in a couple of weeks. Once complete there will be the final detailing work touching up all the bolt heads and the few minor scratches and chips etc. Then to get a Road Worthy Certificate and Registration. For overseas readers that will see the car legal for use on the road. It has been quite a job with Matt doing all that wonderful paint work with some assistance in preparation and other miscellaneous tasks by club members. Trevor, Lindsay and myself have done the final assembly, fitting, machining parts and getting the car to its current state. All that achieved in 8 months work. Eleven months since we picked the car up but with three months of Covid lock down. A rough estimate is there has been around 1000 hours put into the project. The fact that the work has been done by people with trade backgrounds and with previous restoration experience has halved the normal duration of restoration. I hope it goes as good as it looks and there is no reason why it shouldn't. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 JohnJ, the crew you have had working on this DA has done a fine job. By 1929 very few touring cars were produced in the US, most were closed cars. You are lucky to have one as it is a good looking body style. Your modifications will help make it safe for anyone to drive. Not sure why you went to a foot switch for the starter, but the cable switch is available here in new parts if you wish to go back to it. It is quite dependable, I have never had trouble with mine. It's good to see a project come together, especially as quickly as you Aussies do. As to your brake problem did you use silicone fluid? I have known guys here having trouble getting a good peddle because of it. I am sure you will figure it out. I used cunifer lines which is a copper nickle alloy and is very easy to work with and looks original. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 We got Docs’s Dodge up to Grant whites today and he is going to do all the seats and trim for the car. The colour picked is a nice Brown colour, so it should look great with the blue. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McC Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 3 minutes ago, John McC said: A big thanks to you John for having the car at your house during the restoration. You can push your old gem back into the middle of the garage for a while now. 👍👍 Must be nice having your garage back. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichBad Posted November 26, 2021 Author Share Posted November 26, 2021 So close! Grant has finished the trim work and the team picked her up and are now just finishing the last few details. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Looks fantastic Grant has done a very nice job of all the upholstery work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aunty norm Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 All the work Grant has done for me has always been too class! And looking at the photos nothing has changed! Great job Grant! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Anyone should be proud that had a hand is this tourer. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichBad Posted December 1, 2021 Author Share Posted December 1, 2021 Few more finishing jobs completed by the team this week and she's pretty much done - roadworthy test booked for a little over a week and then we'll be able to get her registered and legally driving on the roads again! Amazing work by everyone involved given that it was just under a year ago when we picked up the car and there's been ~3+months of lock-downs that prevented any work on her. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 Excellent. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenendcindyc Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 That is one beautiful car. Great job. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichBad Posted December 28, 2021 Author Share Posted December 28, 2021 One more update, Doc's Dodge sailed through the roadworthy test and is booked in for registration tomorrow - as soon as that's done we'll have some number plates and be able to take her out on the roads! Few more finishing jobs done by the team to make sure she's safe and reliable. Fitted boards for mounting the number plate and fabricated an additional light bracket to there are tail lights on both sides. Also added some advertising for our car club. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichBad Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 Doc's Dodge is now finished - well at least the restoration is. She's fully registered, insured and ready to go. Here are some photos - the team have done an amaing job in such a short space of time. Huge thanks to everyone who has contributed, advice, parts, work, information, energy - I won't name everyone here (as some may not want to be in the limelight) but it couldn't have been done with out you. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 She has come up wonderfull. It’s been a great project for the club to do. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichBad Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 Doc's Dodge was officially unveiled at the Vintage Drivers Club presentation night yesterday where we had a great turnout including Doc's Son which was fantastic. There was a huge amount of interest in the car and we're looking forward to seeing her out and about and getting used as much as possible on club events and hopefully encouraging many others to get involved with Vintage cars. A few photos from the event below and press release attached for anyone who is interested. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 I take my hat off to the people that gave their time to complete the restoration that Doc started. It will be a fantastic testimony to a man that loved and shared his knowledge of these old Bodge Brothers Cars. Give yourselves a big pat on the back fellas. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72caddy Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 I really like the gear knob treatment. Nice detail to make it even more special. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 The DA and DD were one of the last DBs that still looked old but had modern mechanicals like hydraulic brakes. The touring car even has more of the old car look. We only have a few DA touring cars in the US and some of those were converted RHD cars from elsewhere. You guys have done an excellent job on this one. Good choice for a club car to further promote DBs. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 Love the fact that they routed everything so cleanly in the engine compartment. Has a look of longevity I'm not aware of who Doc was but I'm sure he is very proud from his garage in the sky. Incredible workmanship on everyone's part. Stunning. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 An update on Doc's Dodge. It has just completed an event run by the VDC which is our "Spirit of the Twenties" touring rally run every two years. This event covered up to 1,200 miles over highways and lesser roads around the western district of the state of Victoria over a ten day period. Some 45 vehicles attended this mild competitive event. Whilst there were some that did not finish; Doc's Dodge did. It was driven by a very capable young lady member of our club whose own car was not ready. So the Dodge fulfilled one of the purposes for which the club had intended when a Club Car was first considered. Were there any problems with the Dodge? The water pump gland became problematic due to the shaft being worn. The pump was already fitted to the overhauled motor so was not disassembled and checked during our restoration. Just needed a little extra attention to maintain the water level. It is now being fully overhauled. Otherwise the Dodge performed perfectly, being test driven by other club members who were surprised and pleased with its performance. So the Dodge is now having a very close going over, checking for anything loose and making any adjustments. Basically the first 1000 mile service. Engine oil will be drained and examined and replaced. All chassis and suspension components fixings re-torqued. Ready for the next adventure. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now