ClassicCar

StillOutThere

Yes, "converted" by Briggs would be a more accurate way of stating it. One would think that if new coupe bodies were being trucked over to Briggs that they would have had primer only and there would be no point, especially during the Depression, of adding the $1 (at the time) nickel plated brass "Hudson" tag.
My '34 T conv was given a light restoration back some 50 years ago (when standards were much lower!). Pretty much has a known history post-WWII. It has had recent engine rebuilt and fresh convertible top and tires but body is still the last restoration. Oh, and new Canadian runningboard mats.
Most cars of any make in those years had very limited colors available relative to body styles. My Terra was originally monotone Steel Dust (sort of a blue/green-toned silver). Some manufacturer's paint chip charts from the era will relate colors to body styles. Sometimes mentioned in factory sales literature as well. But yes, in Depression years, if they could make a sale of a car by painting it special order color, they certainly were going to do so.

ra4jumb

That would make sense as I am sure that the plates were added post paint therefore no holes drilled until installation. I am sure they would have taken any cost savings step they could have as they were not making money per say. This is the only unrestored Conv I have really looked at, I should have looked at the bottom of the cowl for holes as well. That tag was in a baby wipes box inside the car (which is a real mess) so I cleaned it up. The original sedan I parted for the frame (floors were bad) had the tag of course, and the 34 T sedan (orig paint), and my dad's original paint 34 H all had the tags, but that is apples to oranges. My Uncle was explaining to me the Briggs tags on the firewall and that so far no one has figured out how the numbering worked. Speculation was that is was a "job" number and could have been mixed in with several other makes or jobs so therefore it may have no true way of comparison with other cars. I will be reconverting the car as the firewall front has been chopped up, and I want the 34 windshield arrangement, so the cowl will be a hybrid of the two cars that make up most of this project.

StillOutThere

Should be no problem to splice the two cowls. In fact one side of my windsheld uprights the paint has cracked showing where the original joint is done. You do know that N Carolina industries has absolutely perfect new windshield frames for these cars, right?
Has anyone ever done a registry with the Briggs tag #s to see if there is anything meaningful to be learned? Hint, hint.

ra4jumb

I think Jim compiled some and asked around and there seemed to be no corresponding relevance to serial number or time the vehicle was built, the numbers were up and down like a roller coaster. I do know that they make a frame, I have not gotten far enough nor are my finances ready for that plunge. The next big one will be tires and motor overhaul, it is a low mi motor that runs but I will be opening and inspecting prior to refiring, looking for cracks in #7-8 piston as that seems to be an issue. Sorting through parking lights this afternoon. Perhaps either me or Jim can try and decode or register the Briggs tags. I figure when I un channel the florr pan mess it would be a good time to do a full cowl swap and I can be just like Briggs and convert this cowl! If it was just all as easy as writing it down.

ra4jumb

Today I am going to fabricate some pins for the reflectors that I have for my parking lights. I only have one that is complete.

ra4jumb

Built the pins and reassembled the set for the project, now I have to put my dad's back together that are on the top side.

ra4jumb

painted the pan earlier and pulled the rear drums to start on the rear axle. dug out another trans as I think that one is not going to get the nod, front shaft spent too many years exposed.

ra4jumb

Learned about pulling axles and cleaning up backing plates and drums today, next springs have to be removed and gone through, center chuck has to come out, reline rear shoes and clean hardware. I also have 2 springs that are broken, found them rattling around in there so I have to find some replacements.

ra4jumb

Well replaced the axle bearings and seals, inner and outer, finished cleaning up the bell housing and began on the trans. Have some questions on that but I will start a separate thread on that. I will post some pic when I have something that looks decent to throw on here.

ra4jumb

Here is my latest progress, been on the road a bit so not as much to show. I have the bearings, seals and all of that done, turned the drums, relined the shoes, new brake cables (they seem to fit and better work for the $) new perch rubbers ETC. So far coming along, now back to the trans and the interlock puzzle!

ra4jumb

A couple of more pictures with some progress to the project.

faustmb

Great progress! At this rate it will look like a car again in no time.

ra4jumb

Well it is going to take a while, that much I know but a bit gets done every week. I am truly eating the elephant one bite at a time.

ra4jumb

Just brought the motor home to start working on it, I got this one a long time ago, came from a very original 35 coupe that was rodded down in TN. John Mann saved all of the unused drive line from being scrapped and I got it from him. The other side has factory asbestos wraps still on the headpipe.

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