Register now to get rid of these ads!

History The "Natural Hot Rod"...1937-39 Chevrolet...

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by LOU WELLS, Feb 20, 2021.

  1. proartguy
    Joined: Apr 13, 2009
    Posts: 657

    proartguy
    Member
    from Sparks, NV

    When I bought my '37 sedan delivery in 1990 an acquaintance asked me what I was going to do with it. My response was I was going to hot rod it. His response was "only Fords are hot rods". He grew up in SoCal in the '40s and '50s and considered Chevys only low rider material. Nonetheless, I have had four '37s since 1964 and all were hot rodded to some degree and still my favorite model.

    37 Chev s:d.JPG
     
    swade41, rc57, alfin32 and 13 others like this.
  2. Dan Haines
    Joined: Feb 2, 2021
    Posts: 13

    Dan Haines

    Have to agree. 37 cool, but 39 has grills class of their own also.

    Sent from my SM-N950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    LOU WELLS, Hamtown Al and Stogy like this.
  3. Penetrator
    Joined: Aug 25, 2011
    Posts: 514

    Penetrator
    Member
    from SK CAN

    If you're not aware of the fact, Chevrolet marketed the feature as "Diamond Crown Speedline".

    1937 dc speedline1.jpg
    .
     
  4. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,128

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    No, I had no idea Chevy marketed that.
    Not sure if that makes me brilliant for figuring that out on my own...or just plain clueless for not knowing...probably the later;)
     
  5. modagger
    Joined: Jul 2, 2013
    Posts: 333

    modagger
    Member

    Thanks Stogy
    I was scanning the complete thread before I posted any photos of my uncle’s American Graffiti Coupe.

    Jeff
     
  6. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Wow this your Uncles Coupe...too cool!!...small world...I loved that Hotrod ever since I saw in back in the 70s or 80s...please do share more Jeff...

    Pictures suddenly take on an elevated greatness when they are connected to the Hamb in some way...and, I didn't recall a connection to AG...thanks for the History on this favorite of mine...is it still as we see it?
     
    hotrodharry2 and Ron Funkhouser like this.
  7. David Gersic
    Joined: Feb 15, 2015
    Posts: 2,730

    David Gersic
    Member
    from DeKalb, IL

    blowby, quick85, oneratfink57 and 9 others like this.
  8. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,605

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Not a hot rod, but my very young memories of a late 30s Chevy Business Coupe that influenced me.

    From 1962 when I was 5, through 1969, we lived across the street from a very elderly couple. They owned a pristine, dove gray, late 30s GM Business Coupe. I'm pretty sure it was a 37 Chevy. Their house was on the corner. Our house was second from the corner, on the other side of the street, but their tiny old one car garage was situated directly across from us. They never drove the car except on Sundays. I'd hang out on our front porch to watch them leave whenever I could. They'd walk down the sidewalk to the garage real slow. They were always dressed real nice. She would wait on the sidewalk while he wrestled open the big heavy wooden doors. This is the part that I always waited for. With the doors open, I could see the smooth lines of the rear of the shiny gray roof and trunk and rear fenders. So smooth. So understated. The old guy would go inside, start the car, and back it out, situating the car over the sidewalk, with the rear tires at the low spot near the curb to keep the car from moving as it sat there idling in neutral. He'd get out, wrestle the garage doors closed, and get his wife in the car. Then walk back around the car and get in. All this time, the car was sitting there running... warming up. Funny thing is, I could see a little bit of smoke coming out the tailpipe, but I really couldn't hear the engine running. The paint wasn't the only thing that was smooth... so was the engine... smooth and quiet. They'd finally back off the sidewalk onto the street, he'd slip 'er into 1st, and let the clutch out easy.
    And the only sound I could hear as they began down the street, was something I didn't understand until years later... it was the very light whir of the transmission's straight cut gears. Just momentarily... through 1st gear. Then it was quiet again as he banged 2nd.
    I mean, shifted into 2nd.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2021
  9. modagger
    Joined: Jul 2, 2013
    Posts: 333

    modagger
    Member

    Here’s some info I posted a while back. I hope the link works. If you have any questions for me, fire away!

    American Graffiti Cars
     
    Stogy likes this.
  10. modagger
    Joined: Jul 2, 2013
    Posts: 333

    modagger
    Member

    Great memory! Thanks for sharing Ricky.
     
    hotrodharry2 and Rickybop like this.
  11. jnaki
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 9,290

    jnaki

    upload_2021-3-8_3-58-18.png
    2020 digital edition scanned from a 50 year old Ektachrome color slide

    Hello,

    This 1939 Chevy sedan had all of the current acceptable build techniques for inclusion into any hot rod or custom car magazines. A nice green color, great looking wheels, slightly sitting in a Cal Rake Stance, contrasting pinstriping all over the ridges, door panels and trunk areas, as well as some pinstriping flames over the front fenders and grille.


    So, where are the rest of the photos? It was one of those submissions that did not agree with the editors and they said it was not hot rod material, in their eyes. So, in feeling sorry for the owner, I gave him most of the prime photos and color slides for his own use. It is hard to tell the owner that his hot rod got rejected in the nicest terms possible. But getting over a couple of hundreds of dollars in film, photos, mounted prints and color slides made up for it.

    Jnaki

    Not only that, but that 39 Chevy was just a cool car. The December morning was cool and crisp. The background, outstanding… but in the critical eye of the editors, not for publications in color.
     
  12. modagger
    Joined: Jul 2, 2013
    Posts: 333

    modagger
    Member

     
    Stogy likes this.
  13. I'm really digging the 37's lately and think I need to keep my eyes out for a coupe project. I have been wanting to build a traditional gasser for a while now and think a 37 fits my vision. It might be a while before I could get to it, but some of the projects here on the HAMB lately have given me the itch to look for one.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  14. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    @jnaki that's a 38 I believe...and going vintage on the tailights...kinda risque these days, heck 2 is barely enough...:eek:

    Thanks for sharing it...

    My first venture into Hotrod was a 39 Chev Tudor...I did a fair amount of work to it but failed to complete it...:oops:
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2021
  15. Blake 27
    Joined: Apr 10, 2016
    Posts: 1,504

    Blake 27

  16. RatPwrd
    Joined: Apr 15, 2019
    Posts: 235

    RatPwrd
    Member
    1. 37-38 Chevys

    1969-6 BRYON  and the 37 CHEVY COUP.rescan-crop.a .jpg
    My Dads, with me leaning against it in June of 69:D
     
  17. RatPwrd
    Joined: Apr 15, 2019
    Posts: 235

    RatPwrd
    Member
    1. 37-38 Chevys

    14303.jpeg
    After wanting a 37 coupe for years, I finally found one! Going to build a 60s style Hot Rod/Gasser tribute to my Dads.
    Very straight, rust free, except for the dash was cut for gauges, and the rear tail pan has some damage like all of them. Has a 9.3 Olds/Pont rear, and old traction bars already.
     
  18. ...37 &8's are so cool, I've had a few over the years...
    38 cpe 5-18-12 081.jpg
     
  19. David Gersic
    Joined: Feb 15, 2015
    Posts: 2,730

    David Gersic
    Member
    from DeKalb, IL

    I don’t think you can tell a 38 from a 39 from the back.

    I read somewhere that one tail light was a Master. Two tail lights was a Master Deluxe.



    Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Stogy likes this.
  20. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The Tailight offering(1 versus 2) seem somewhat like the 39/40 Fords the times they were a changing...accessorizing and safety...

    Fenders are actually quite different...its 37/38 rears are very similar maybe even interchangeable...

    I did a search and compared 37 and 38 and trunk emblems and gas filler locations are different...39 has tailights on the side of the body up high near the beltline....
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2021
  21. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    1939-chevrolet-master-deluxe-2-door-sedan-6.jpg

    1939 Chevrolet...rear and front fenders squared at Rear to more pointed 37/8 rears, cap location, tailights...yes there are Master 85 and Deluxe with some differences but not a lot...Pontiac vs Chev...some body shared

    Another biggee was the departure of the body crease/speed line...
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2021
  22. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER


    9dc40c6a63427a3a732f772c49e16fdf.jpg

    Street Coupe

    :rolleyes:...Connection to the Hotrod/Custom past in youth is something discussed here at the Hamb...Somebody generated this 3D knockout...and they may have been the younger crowd...good job, a natural for a classy Go Fast...and Hamb Friendly...;)

    Credit to Artist, Owner
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2021
  23. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER


    18-vi.jpg

    :rolleyes:...6 Banger...no Slouch the Blue Flames...oh yeah!!

    A GMC 6 would have blasted these around the the old Roundy Round back in the 40s 50s...I think I'd Go Big 6...with 3x2s...in a 39 Sedan or Coupe...if I sold the Ole Hotrod...

    Credit to Photographer, Owner
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2021
  24. A23
    Joined: May 15, 2010
    Posts: 120

    A23
    Member
    from Hollywood

    37/38 Chevy's are great platforms...custom. gasser, hot rod.

    Had this one for 23 years now...still ain't done... :confused:

    [​IMG]
     
  25. Eisenmann
    Joined: Feb 3, 2018
    Posts: 68

    Eisenmann

  26. Eisenmann
    Joined: Feb 3, 2018
    Posts: 68

    Eisenmann

  27. Speed Gems
    Joined: Jul 17, 2012
    Posts: 6,433

    Speed Gems
    Member

    @LOU WELLS I cropped and straightened those a bit for you.;)
    Scan0001 (1).jpg
    Scan0003.jpg
     
  28. I posted pictures of my old 38 Chevy coupe before. I bought it as an original driver for $600. I was still in high school at the time. Later Hot Rodded it, and drove it all over the east coast, Even down to the Turkey run in Daytona beach Fl. etc. 138.jpg 402.jpg 150.jpg
     
  29. Todd553
    Joined: Feb 16, 2005
    Posts: 534

    Todd553
    Member

    My all time favorite. Ralph Porier owned this one. Injected Olds, hydro and steel wheels. Perfect!
    1_47_orig.jpg
     
  30. maybe a bit OT but a slick 37...292 power
    cordova 08 071.jpg cordova 08 073.jpg cordova 08 075.jpg
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.