Introducing my new 1937 Terraplane Sedan

[Deleted User]

The journey from Kentucky to New York is complete. The drama subsided and now it is time to get a good night's sleep with my new Terraplane safely in my driveway. Thought I would share a few pics for those of you who's brains I have been picking for the last few weeks. There are a few oopsies and dents, old bondo on the driver's side front fender and rear (where it looks like she had been hit quite some time ago). A mousie hole in the back seat and engine work that needs to be done, but I think she is a beauty! I am proud of her just the way she is, but am looking forward to turning this chunk of coal into a diamond!

hudsonsplasher1

Congrats. Looks like a very nice car. Thanks for sharing. Good luck.

hudsonsplasher1

Congrats. Looks like a very nice car. Thanks for sharing. Good luck.

Jon B

Looks like a very presentable "original" car that you can be proud to drive to car shows as-is. The great thing about a car like this is that you can enjoy it even as you (bit by bit) improve it. As opposed to tearing it apart for a "ground up" restoration that will take you a decade, and will deprive you of something to drive around and enjoy until you're finished.

Don't forget that the AACA has a class they call "HPOF" which is for cars that are totally original and have never been restored. I'm not sure if yours falls in this category but if so, you should definitely take it to your nearest AACA meet and enter it in that class. They don't give 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies, just an award for entering the class (after they have certified your car as being totally original). With these HPOF "survivors" you want to do as much as you can to spiff it up without actually restoring any part of it. So, you could for example compound the paint if it's not shiny, go over the rubber with Lexol or other rubber renewer, and de-rust and polish the chrome. The upholstery may be able to be cleaned as well, and minor rips could be sewn up.

Hope you have great fun with your new toy!

[Deleted User]

Straight and rust-free for sure, original she is not. For sure evidence of old bondo and interior work i.e. headliner and upholstery - I believe in the 1970's as glovebox receipts would suggest. Dash and trim original for sure. My plan is to work on her as $$$ allows, no hurry aside from the engine issue (probably a rod). I have never actually restored any of the antique cars I have had over the years, merely improved upon them in order to make them dependable drivers. For me, the joy comes in the driving, the discovering and the conversations I have with folks I encounter. If I did a ground up resto, the vehicle would never see daylight and never be shared with the world. So, no car with mirrors under it for me (no disrespect to the folks who back them off trailers without even starting them...) I'm jealous for sure, but I like mine a bit crunchy, I am not afraid of a few blemishes that speak of a life she had before entering mine. That being said, my plan is to restore her as best as I am able. ;;)

faustmb

Looks like great car. A 37 should be a really nice driver. Keep us posted

Browniepetersen

The old timers would council you to Get it to run, get it to stop and then make it pretty. This is one sweet find. Very nice car.....

[Deleted User]

Thanks. The added bonus was that it was a featured item on the tv show Auction Kings, a little fact that was revealed after the deal was struck. Funny thing is that I saw that episode when it aired originally and was so covetous of her - funny how life works out!

hudsontech

What everybody else said - and I'll second the "fix the engine and leave as is" motion. I know several cars that are "as is". They don't look really pretty, but they are, in their own way, beautiful. An original car, to me, is much more fun than an "over-restored" car that you have to worry about getting a dent in. But that's me.

Quick story - friend of mine got his hands on a 1941 Chevy business coupe. In pieces in boxes. Took him 3 years to put it all together. He called me to come look at it. And he did a beautiful job on it. We stood there in his driveway admiring his car and he said he had one more thing to do. He walked into his garage and came back out with a hammer in his hand. Crawled under the car and I heard a big bang. He crawled out from under with a smile on his face and said "Now I can enjoy it - it's got a dent in it!!" LOL

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

[Deleted User]

Lucky thing for me, mine came pre-dented )

[Deleted User]

So thoughtful... :P

ArkieJazz

Drop the gas tank. Have it cleaned. Replace the fuel lines and filter.Order a set of gaskets from Dale Cooper. Drain the oil. Drop the oil pan so you can access the oil tray and get all the sludge cleaned out. Be sure to put oil in the tray before you button it all back up. Then fill with fresh 30 weight oil. Go through the juice brakes. Hopefully the electrics are good enough to then try starting the old gal. Keep in mind that unless the radiator has been recored or replaced, it's 75 years old and WILL go bad on you. Might as well recore it now. Your car is a model 71 and doesn't have some of the extra trim pieces found on the fancier models, but that doesn't mean you can't add a few if you wish. Imagine the car with a set of skirts and front fender emblems. Maybe a grill guard and exposed horns. '37's are top notch in my book. And your car should be a lot of fun for you. Congratulations and good luck!

[Deleted User]

Besides Ebay and swap meets, what are the best sources for Terraplane parts - mechanical and otherwise? I know I need the rubber for the running boards and the corner pieces for the bonnet. The carpet is orangey and needs to go (eventually). Who knows what I am gonna need under the hood at this point. Looking at pics of other '37s it seems like she is close to complete. I have four of the little bumper "thingys" and a side view mirror to re-attach. The pic I posted does not show it, but I do have the air cleaner as well. She also came with her original jack. What I did notice is that I am missing the chrome fins that go on the hood ornament - does someone make repros?

Jon B

Joyce, a few suggestions:

First, if your wiring looks frayed it may be original (or replaced a long time ago) so be very careful and always disconnect the battery when parking the car for any length of time. A number of disconnect devices are out there, or you can just remove the cable. Do buy a battery terminal cleaner and clean all the cable / ground strap connectors as well as the battery terminals, well. If your battery cable (the one from the (-) terminal to the starter) is significantly less than 3/4" thick, go find the correct cable for a 6-volt car.

Second: one electrical problem in these old cars is the headlights. Of course you'll want to make sure the wiring to them is good, but even so you may find problems. Be aware that 6 volt halogen bulbs are being made which will be brighter than the original bulbs and will go right in the socket. Also, consider adding a headlight relay to both the high and low beam circuits, so that the actual power to the bulbs comes directly to the bulbs from the car and not through miles of old wiring and questionable switches. Consider having your reflectors re-silvered. And ground the socket with a wire that goes right to the frame.

Third, it's true that both the radiators and gas tanks do eventually go bad in these cars, but let me advise you that both of these are original to my 1937 and I've had no problem whatsoever....yet. Have your radiator flushed out (this doesn't require removal) if you want to do something constructive. But don't go out and buy a new stuff because it might wear out! You'll spend enough on all the other things, don't spend more than you need to!

[Deleted User]

Always grateful for good advice. thx.

ArkieJazz

Excuse me, I obviously don't know what I'm talking about. Go ahead and run a 75 year old radiator core until it leaves you on the side of the road in mid August somewhere.That should be loads of fun

[Deleted User]

:-t

[Deleted User]

Congradulations on your purchase, looks great.

I couldn't agree more with your statement "For me, the joy comes in the driving, the discovering and the conversations I have with folks I encounter."

Have fun!!