New owner of a '37 Terraplane, Questions

Hudsonrules
Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
:)I just purchased a '37 Terraplane Sedan. It looks good in pictures but is far away. Hopefully it will be picked up next week and will be here in Nevada a week or so later. I need to ask some questions from experienced Terraplane owners. Anything special when starting the engine? Type and grade of engine oil? How is night driving with electric headlights? How often should the car be serviced? Answers to the above questions will be appreciated. I will probably have more later. Thanks, Arnie M.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Arnie, I would suggest if you don't already have one, get a service manuel for your car. They are on sell on ebay all the time. Good reading if nothing else. Mine contains a handy chart with all the lubercation points.

    The choke on your carb is temperature sensitive with a thermo device to the manifold so it should choke itself automatically when cold. Just pump the gas pedal once or twice and give it a go.

    You'll get as many opinions on motor oil as guys that reply, but just about any modern oil is better than the stuff they had when the car was new. Most guys will suggest adding a zink additive.

    My 36 has been converted to seal beam headlights and they function quite well at night.

    Good luck, and prepare yourself for a barrel of fun...
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Welcome to the wild world of '37 Terraplanes!



    If you're unsure what oil has been used in the car, it's safest to use a non-detergent oil (the only viscosity you'll find is a straight 30-weight).



    Nothing special about starting the engine, if it's in reasonable condition. Don't race it, or start to drive immediately if it's cold outside. The oil needs to splash around a bit.



    Night driving can be unpleasant with older headlights.



    1. Try to find some of the original 50 candlepower tungsten lamps (most were 21 or 32 cp), OR get yourself a pair of the new 6-volt halogen lamps, they fit right in the origial sockets but are a bit pricey ($25 each).



    2. Check the ground on each light, better yet solder a separate ground wire to the socket and run it to the frame.



    3. Use a relay for both low and high beam; you can leave the original wiring in, but the two lines from the hi beam switch should control the relay, and the relay is fed right from the hot wire on the voltage regulator.



    4. Re-silver the reflectors if they're dull; you can get this done for as little as about $60 per pair.



    Servicing: follow your owner's manual. Buy an owners manual and a service manual (the H-E-T Club Store has service manual reprints. Be sure to lube the clutch throwout bearing and the rear wheel bearings.
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    FYI

    The '37's were a stout performing car used by some State Police Agencies to run down bandits. The '37 body was widened over previous years and is sure to bring you a lot of looks... Follow basic maintenance proceedures and Enjoy...
  • 37 CTS
    37 CTS Senior Contributor
    Another item to check its the brake system.

    ck all lines for rust, hoses for bulges, wheel cylinders for leakage or crud in them. Stopping is more important than going! Whenever I obtain another car I check every system and its worthwhile to know you are safe and reliable.

    We welcome you to join the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Hudsonrules wrote:
    :)I just purchased a '37 Terraplane Sedan. It looks good in pictures but is far away. Hopefully it will be picked up next week and will be here in Nevada a week or so later. I need to ask some questions from experienced Terraplane owners. Anything special when starting the engine? Type and grade of engine oil? How is night driving with electric headlights? How often should the car be serviced? Answers to the above questions will be appreciated. I will probably have more later. Thanks, Arnie M.
    Hi Arnie---I would suggest dropping the oil pans & cleaning them out before starting the engine. And you will need to pour in a quart of oil in the upper pan before reattaching it. Club member Dale will have your new pan gaskets. You will need to join the Hudson, Essex & Terraplane Club which will include a roster of members with their addresses & phone numbers & even e-mail for some. Welcome to the world of Hudson.---Cliff Minard.
  • hudsonsplasher1
    hudsonsplasher1 Senior Contributor
    Welcome Arnie;

    There are a number of us 37 owners out here, so don't be afraid to ask questions. Is it a running car? Any accessories on it, like electric hand, fender shirts? I drove mine to the national last year, and it's a great handling car. You'll enjoy it. Please post some pictures when you get the car.

    Gene Birdsall.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Arnie,

    Where are you picking up the car from?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    There are a few of us here with '37 cars.
  • barrysweet52
    barrysweet52 Expert Adviser
    Yes the 1937 Terra's are a great car. I know of at least 10 here is Australia. You will enjoy driving your car and the new friends you will make in the HET club. Regards, Barry.
  • Hudsonrules
    Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
    :)I want to than everyone for their replies and comments. The Terraplane that I puchased belonged to Kelly Hinegardner who passed away a while back. from what I understand, he took very good care of the car and drove it to many meets. The car is located in Arkansas and is awaiting pick up to be shipped here to Nevada. With the cost of fuel and time, it is cheaper to have the car shipped. Anyone familier with this car? Again thanks in advance. Arnie M.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Not intimately familiar, but Kelly was a legend in the Club and many people would remember the car. He undoubtedly kept it in excellent running condition though I ratehr suspect that he modified it here and there so that it would run with the best of them! (Many of us '37 owners have "tweaked" our cars here and there, preferring to keep with the "spirit, if not the letter" of authenticity in the interest of being able to drive our cars in comfort and for long distances, dependably. I'm sure, for example, that he replaced the troublesome fiber timing gear with a later aluminum one, and you may even discover that your 'new' car has overdrive (not available originally in the '37 models). And you'll probably discover a bunch of other "tweaks" as well.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I remember that '37. Kelly was certainly a man with personality, and he was a walking encyclopedia of Hudson and Mopar knowledge.



    And it does have a few little mods on it - you will really like this car! Good score on your part!
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Last I saw of Kelly's 37 it was still running like a clock.



    http://www.hudsonterraplane.com/tech/tech_index.htm



    There's also a 37 Terraplane owners manual over there - until you find an original - and a neat little 1937 Terraplane Mechanical and Tune-Up Specifications booklet.

    All this is downloadable.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    HudsonTech

    Memphis, TN

    www.freewebs.com/hudsontech
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