The Jalopy Journal

**Jive-Bomber** · 05-01-2012, 07:39 AM

When someone mentions they're building a "killer 36 three window", most of us just assume it's a Ford they're talking about. Why is that? In 1936 Chevrolet and the other GM cars had hydraulic brakes, independent front suspension and full steel turret...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

ScottyVenture · 05-01-2012, 07:47 AM

And the best part is that you can easily drop in a hot newer Chevy straight-6 for even more fun.

SmokinBill · 05-01-2012, 07:55 AM

Yep, Miss my '36,

STEPHEN FIELDS · 05-01-2012, 07:59 AM

always thought the chevy's were stodgy, not to say they didnt have grafefull lines, but still alittle dull...Ive seen some nice chevy Kustoms from that era though. The Ford just has better lines in my opinion, plus it had that hot new flat head v8.

nmbuellist · 05-01-2012, 08:04 AM

First car I built was a 36 Olds--was very different at the time--always liked cars other than Fords

praisethelowered · 05-01-2012, 08:18 AM

I can safely say I would build the olds with a 324 rocket V8.

**Stutz** · 05-01-2012, 08:28 AM

I'll buy the Buick Special... but I'm bias.

Bugsy · 05-01-2012, 08:29 AM

I never realized that GM produced that many coupes from their different lines. Very cool to see the examples for comparison. I wouldn't pass on any of them but the little , Chevy Master Deluxe, 3 window would be really slick with a dressed up 235 or bigger GMC inline 6. A 265 or even 283 wouldn't be too shabby either!!

The Olds would be slick too with a Rocket!!!

thunderball · 05-01-2012, 08:42 AM

My red one

flamingokid · 05-01-2012, 09:04 AM

The Buick is my favorite.

**Bigcheese327** · 05-01-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stutz

I'll buy the Buick Special... but I'm bias.

I'll take the Special as well, wait for a Roadmaster to show up in the junkyard, and build my own Century. Hang on a couple more years and I can even buy a compound-carburetion manifold from the Buick dealer and a pair of 97s from the Ford dealer.

I'll be 35 when the war starts. Think I'll get drafted?

**ThirdGen** · 05-01-2012, 10:01 AM

I feel like '35 was a better year for Chevy. The master series would be the same as a '36, except the grills looked better (not so "bubbly"), and they had factory suicide doors. It was a nice blend between the '33-'34 models and what was to come, the '36 models.

That being said, I like Pontiac's lineup the best for '36. I dig that waterfall grill coming from the windshield.

Road Runner · 05-01-2012, 10:02 AM

During 1936 Fisher/GM bodies also began phasing out wood in favor of all steel construction.
Chevy's Standard and Master Deluxe lines now both had the styling of the previous year Master Deluxe.
This helped making them the best selling cars again in 1936, after Ford briefly sold more cars for one year in 1935.

Here is a 1936 film of a Chevy made at the GM factory from scratch:

"Master Hands"

Complete with Richard Wagner film score!

In 4 parts:

http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936

http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936_2

http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936_3

http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936_4

Bearing Burner · 05-01-2012, 12:20 PM

All metal roof in '36

Rickybop · 05-01-2012, 01:29 PM

Love the '36, '37, '38 GM coupes...esp the Buicks...esp the Century and Roadmaster.

Billy54 · 05-01-2012, 02:05 PM

Butt Ugly...

Jack Luther · 05-01-2012, 03:07 PM

I believe Chevrolet actually did build a 3-window coupe in 1936. Pretty rare, though.

Crusty Chevy · 05-01-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Runner

During 1936 Fisher/GM bodies also began phasing out wood in favor of all steel construction.
Chevy's Standard and Master Deluxe lines now both had the styling of the previous year Master Deluxe.
This helped making them the best selling cars again in 1936, after Ford briefly sold more cars for one year in 1935.

Here is a 1936 film of a Chevy made at the GM factory from scratch:

"Master Hands"

Complete with Richard Wagner film score!

In 4 parts:

http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936

http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936_2

http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936_3

http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936_4

Wow what a cool movie, man I am glad I went to college and did not have to do hard labor, I would have never lasted those were real men

**plumbid** · 05-01-2012, 04:16 PM

I thought I was the only one that was gonna go "negative nelly". I do try to keep positive but those cars suck. I can speak from experience, I owned a 36 chev coupe before I bought my plymouth. The frame on that chevy was paper thin / poorly designed. Most likely OK for the original engine, but thin non the less. Then you got the wood issue - plymouth was all steel since 1930. And finally, they are too long in the "nose". 1937 got alot better for GM, although I think the frames stayed thin until 39? Bitchin and whinein, what can I say, I'm good at it!

Cubby · 05-01-2012, 05:44 PM

Love that Pontiac "Silver Streak" ad, but this era of GM cars is definitely not my favorite

05-01-2012, 07:39 AM	#1
Jive-Bomber Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Moraga, Ca Posts: 2,420	Fine GM cars for 1936... When someone mentions they're building a "killer 36 three window", most of us just assume it's a Ford they're talking about. Why is that? In 1936 Chevrolet and the other GM cars had hydraulic brakes, independent front suspension and full steel turret... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

05-01-2012, 07:47 AM	#2
ScottyVenture Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 104	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... And the best part is that you can easily drop in a hot newer Chevy straight-6 for even more fun.

05-01-2012, 07:55 AM	#3
SmokinBill Grenade Inspector Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: sacramento Posts: 379	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... Yep, Miss my '36,

05-01-2012, 07:59 AM	#4
STEPHEN FIELDS Old School HAMBer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Gem City Posts: 2,775	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... always thought the chevy's were stodgy, not to say they didnt have grafefull lines, but still alittle dull...Ive seen some nice chevy Kustoms from that era though. The Ford just has better lines in my opinion, plus it had that hot new flat head v8. __________________ Say Why-And

05-01-2012, 08:04 AM	#5
nmbuellist Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Luz, New Mexico Posts: 460	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... First car I built was a 36 Olds--was very different at the time--always liked cars other than Fords

05-01-2012, 08:18 AM	#6
praisethelowered Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,036	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... I can safely say I would build the olds with a 324 rocket V8. __________________ praisethelowered

05-01-2012, 08:28 AM	#7
Stutz Alliance Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 307 Wyoming Posts: 1,723	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... I'll buy the Buick Special... but I'm bias. __________________ The "Captain" 1930 Model A Build Need E&J Type 20's...

05-01-2012, 08:29 AM	#8
Bugsy Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 820	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... I never realized that GM produced that many coupes from their different lines. Very cool to see the examples for comparison. I wouldn't pass on any of them but the little , Chevy Master Deluxe, 3 window would be really slick with a dressed up 235 or bigger GMC inline 6. A 265 or even 283 wouldn't be too shabby either!! The Olds would be slick too with a Rocket!!! __________________ The "Dust Bowl Spl." http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=681152

05-01-2012, 08:42 AM	#9
thunderball FNG Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... My red one Attached Thumbnails

05-01-2012, 09:04 AM	#10
flamingokid Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Olathe,Kansas Posts: 1,052	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... The Buick is my favorite.

05-01-2012, 10:01 AM	#12
ThirdGen Alliance Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wales, ME Posts: 453	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... I feel like '35 was a better year for Chevy. The master series would be the same as a '36, except the grills looked better (not so "bubbly"), and they had factory suicide doors. It was a nice blend between the '33-'34 models and what was to come, the '36 models. That being said, I like Pontiac's lineup the best for '36. I dig that waterfall grill coming from the windshield. __________________ WANTED: '37 LaSalle Headlights! pm me

05-01-2012, 10:02 AM	#13
Road Runner Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CA Mountain Desert Posts: 1,010	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... During 1936 Fisher/GM bodies also began phasing out wood in favor of all steel construction. Chevy's Standard and Master Deluxe lines now both had the styling of the previous year Master Deluxe. This helped making them the best selling cars again in 1936, after Ford briefly sold more cars for one year in 1935. Here is a 1936 film of a Chevy made at the GM factory from scratch: "Master Hands" Complete with Richard Wagner film score! In 4 parts: http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936 http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936_2 http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936_3 http://www.archive.org/details/MasterHa1936_4 __________________ On the road every day... 1948 Chevy Coupe - 261 1952 Chevy Truck - 235

05-01-2012, 12:20 PM	#14
Bearing Burner Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: W. MA Posts: 445	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... All metal roof in '36

05-01-2012, 01:29 PM	#15
Rickybop Old School HAMBer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,784	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... Love the '36, '37, '38 GM coupes...esp the Buicks...esp the Century and Roadmaster. __________________ Garage Sale Vintage Parts Priced To Sell! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=801976

05-01-2012, 02:05 PM	#16
Billy54 Grenade Inspector Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 257	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... Butt Ugly...

05-01-2012, 03:07 PM	#17
Jack Luther Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kansas City Posts: 562	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... I believe Chevrolet actually did build a 3-window coupe in 1936. Pretty rare, though. __________________ "Back in the day" is now.

05-01-2012, 04:16 PM	#19
plumbid Alliance Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: minnesota Posts: 993	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... I thought I was the only one that was gonna go "negative nelly". I do try to keep positive but those cars suck. I can speak from experience, I owned a 36 chev coupe before I bought my plymouth. The frame on that chevy was paper thin / poorly designed. Most likely OK for the original engine, but thin non the less. Then you got the wood issue - plymouth was all steel since 1930. And finally, they are too long in the "nose". 1937 got alot better for GM, although I think the frames stayed thin until 39? Bitchin and whinein, what can I say, I'm good at it!

05-01-2012, 05:44 PM	#20
Cubby Grenade Inspector Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ozark, Missouri Posts: 244	Re: Fine GM cars for 1936... Love that Pontiac "Silver Streak" ad, but this era of GM cars is definitely not my favorite __________________ Me & Gramps' '51 GMC 5 Window A good landing is one you walk away from. A great landing is one where you can use the helicopter again.

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