Dim Lights Bright Lights
 

Hi all

When I first started restoring Chevrolet instrument panels, as usual, I obtained the best NOS speedometer and instrument faces to replicate. My first speedometer face just happened to be a “Bright Light” face and several old panels I obtained were all the same. Lately though the ones I have been obtaining have a “Dim Light” face. Of course I didn’t discover this immediately until I was comparing instrument serial numbers and found that I had two different numbers for the speedometer face. Shock, horror, where did this “Dim Light” come from and what was its history.

I consulted one of my guru contacts who told me the following. Prior to about 1938 there was basically no beam indication in a speedometer. In about that year Pontiac and Chevrolet built in a low beam indicator and that was described on the speedometer face. In the late 1940s, apparently after many complaints from army drivers, the wiring was changed to allow a high beam indication and that was reflected on the new speedometer face. I do not doubt the veracity of this story but would be interested for any corroboration. As an aside apparently the British were high beam indicators right from the start.

Apart from having to create new artwork to cater for this new face I now also have to create the odometer numerals that marry up with the “Dim Light” speedometer. So those of you who are waiting for a restored Chevrolet panel, we now have to wait for the new decals.

Murphy strikes again.

Bob

Waiting patiently ...
 

Bob,

Here is a picture of where I am thus far. I suspect that you will be done before I am ...



Stewart

Boy you sure did manage to do lots didn't you. I guess getting the truck to face the other way in the garage is quite a chore :dh: Also did the CMP boogy man scare:eek: you, cause your shorts are rather "SCC2" colour in a certain area. :p

What are you looking for????
 

.... did you misplace the engine.......

Me think youse gong backward.... it ran when you got it....look at it now......sounds like you got my "maladie"........

Must watch my French now that I know the Aussies get all excited when they see French....... a mon cher!!!!!

To Monsieur Bob W......... I am puzzled... did Cab 11 circa May 40 have high beams.....???? ..... I have a few civvy 40 instrument clusters and they have the high beam dot/bar but not sure about my cab 11........

Am considering getting an Aussie overhaul on my dash..... from what I have seen quality wise ahem!!!! and if any one of you question Bob's fees check out Chevy Bow Tie rebuild clusters... I believe he uses real Gold paint to the lettering but charges around $500 US buckaroos......

BooBee
Ps..... I am prepared to wait for the new decals....hahaha

Still Not Ready for the Dash
 

Bob,

I got bored yesterday and decided to get going on that shop in the backyard. My brother came over to help, so we got a lot done yesterday. I am still a few days away from putting a truck in there to fit the dash.

I will give myself a short break to venture up to Ottawa for a burger. I better try to get that cable out also!


Stewart


Jordan will note that I got my best 'Sunday go to church' short pants on for this photo. :)

24" centers
 

Stew...
Are those studs on 24"centers...???
If so, don't be in there if it snows...

Cab 11 Instruments
 

Bonjour Monsieur Bob C

Unfortunately most old panels I obtain are ex. truck so I don't have any idea of their origin or year of manufacture. I don't know whether there is a difinitive answer to which type of panel fitted where as most would have come off the shelf from their manufacturers and Ford & GM would have taken what they could get. It's one of those areas where I need to take a lot more notice of Blitzs I come across and also to ensure that the panel is original to the truck. Quite often the GM panels still have the manufacturing details stenciled on the rear of the speedometer but you would have to remove the panel to obtain those details.

Maybe Keefy can come up with an answer.

Bob

One heck of a Gin palace....
 

First..... yes thanks Bob....will follow on the PM...... hard to tell what they had to work with back inthe 40s when parts were hard to come by.....

Stew....... couldn't you guys afford a proper scaffolding????? with my poor eyesight I think one of you guys is not wearing any pants and just a tool belt......

Alex.... he is building a garage not a CMP he doesn't a safety factor of 50++...... seriously a lot will dpend on the outer skin and how ridig.... if Stew plans on using pressure treated screwed in 3/4 inch plywood he might get by......

Strange when all the comment come from people not with STew helpin him with the "erection"...... sorry couldn't help myself...better not revert toFrench now or we will get all the Aussies aroused!!!!!

BooBee

Re: One heck of a Gin palace....
 

Bob,

'Scaffolding'? - because it was so hot here last week the concrete guys would not pour the cement for me - you should have heard the carpenters moan about having to put the ladders up on the crushed stone 'floor'. Then to hear that my brother and I were going to "help" - I just about had a wildcat on my hands! You will notice that my one hand on the header does not actually count as 'helping' so I don't have to get into the union. And the photographer caught my brother with his hands out of his pockets ...

The zoning on my property has just changed to residential - so the studs are 24" apart - just like residential construction here. If I were smart enough to figure out how to be a farmer, and the land was zoned 'agricultural' the studs could be spaced every 4 feet apart!

The walls and roof get strapped with 2x4s and then a layer of steel "BarnMaster' style siding gets screwed on. All of the various tradesfolks ( foundation formers, wood delivery guy, truss crane operator, etc.) all have super-duper ideas on insulating, heated floors, insulated mezzanine storage, radiant tube heaters, etc., etc., etc.

But it is just a CMP garage. ;) If I behave, I may be allowed to BBQ and drink beer with my CMP friends when it is done.



Stewart

Bare essentials.....
 

Stew

Make sure you have at least one dedicated electrical outlet for the BEER fridge.....

See you soon