1959 Chevy Kingswood project

Thanks for the update. It's really a fun project to follow.

 

This is fantastic. I've just spent the last hour reading through and have been fascinated.

 

Skink, I'm so glad you like the thread. I hope to have some more updates soon.

 

Huh - didn't even notice until I got home and looked at the pics that the windshield had been removed.

Also forgot to mention that we'll have to make a decision about the instrument/gauge cluster. Try to fix the existing gauges, or get reproduction ones? I'm leaning toward repairing the originals if possible.

 

for everything but the speedo you can use a 2" aftermarket gauge ,my car came withiut anything but gas and speedo. went to have my speedo redone when it flew apart and it was gonna be something like $500 with a 90 day warranty . went with dakota digital analog gauges as at least they have a lifetime warranty

 

It is a fun project because she is making progress...I'm jealous.

 

Naw! They just cleaned it good with Windex.
I'd check on rebuilt original gauges first. Nothing like the stock look. Digital guages are for Honda's and Prius'.

 

Aw, thanks, guys.

I went to the shop today to pick up the instruments/gauges. Hubs and I are taking them apart now. Here are a few pics, and a question for you: where can I get a new odometer wheel? Just this piece: (I know I can get new tape with the numbers on it, but can't find the wheel)



Getting ready to take the gauges apart...







Had to pry little tabs to get the tops off.





Box of goodies the gauges came in... we'll clean them up and get them ready for repainting.



Just two little screws to come out... I can do this.





See those three circles on the back of the speedometer face? Those are the back sides of the turn signal indicators and a little Chevrolet logo.



And here are little colored plastic discs that fit inside them; two green and one red:



Needs a new coat of paint. All of the gauge needles seemed to be red at one time, and all are faded to a yellow.

 

I tend to agree... I think we can get the existing ones fixed up just fine.

 

You are off to a good start. Reminds me when I did a few sets of 55 Chevy guages. Don't remember where, but in California there are a few guage rebuilding companies. Maybe you can get whatever parts you need from them or a classic Chevy club.
I also spotted the Windex someone cleaned that nice clear windshield with.

 

Windex is my hubs' favorite cleaner. That and 409. He's going to test the gauges and see what works and what doesn't, including the clock. He has a few new-old stock clock motors laying around; maybe one will fit. The date on the back of the clock (made by Westclox) is June, 1959.

 

As far as the needles go, Testers makes a color of paint that looks like the stock color, available at hobby shops.......little bottle, little brush..........like new.

 

Funny, I just got back from the hobby store with two little bottles of Testor's - one flat red, one flat yellow. The original color is red-orange, and I'll try to get close to that by mixing the colors.

 

Our friend John, the previous owner of the car, came by this evening with some of the original papers that came with the car. So cool that these have remained with the vehicle all these years.

 

Whoa - look at this. I looked up the Dallas address where the first owners lived. Here is the house. Can you imagine the Kingswood pulling up into that drive?