Thread: 1938 chevy business coupe

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I think I suggested on another forum to drop in a hopped up 235 to make it more highway friendly.

I will say that I have fooled around with stock original cars and they are really not at all practical for even limited use beyond local jaunts. Cars from the late 50's can be used fine, but the the older cars just don't work well on modern roads.

I wrench a stock model A for a local guy and it frustrates me to no end when I have to drive it. No power and weak brakes are the 2 things that I hate the most. The first thing I would do if it was mine is rod it in some way. We also have to wait days for parts for anything.

I knew a fellow that had a 46 Chevy that was bone stock. He was adamant that it wasn't going to be ruined by hot rodding it. Interstates scared him to death and he went everywhere on 2-lane back roads. Needless to say, he wasn't ever able to get in a hurry. He finally got tired of babying it and driving on old roads. He swapped in a Vortec V6/700R4, S10 front clip and proceeded to drive the wheels off of it.

The same thing happened with a another local that had a 40 coupe with a warmed over flat head. Beautiful engine, but that killer looking engine didn't make it fun to drive. He swapped in a new Fatman chassis and late model power and enjoys the car much more. He kept the original chassis and engine so that the car could be returned to original if someone wanted to.

If you have the room to store and keep up an original that gets very limited use, then keep it as it is. I vote to rod it and use it.

I drove it to work today that was cool.
My dad is 76 and still can drive and do things with me so I would hate to tear it apart
And have him miss out enjoying it with me
If I do it will take some time to do it the way I would want.. So I have been asking advise
On keeping this old 216 going for awhile. If I was going to change motor don't think I would do anything other than a 350 or 383 Chevy the guy I bought the car from offered me a 235 out of a 51 Chevy I think. He got that from a friend of mine that took it out and put in a 327.
He thinks i Will only last a couple of months driving it with the 6cyl. And then switch who knows. Thanks everyone for your comments. I got excepted to classic & Chrome indoor car show May 6-7 bringing both my cars they were more excited about the 38 than the camaro.
They just don't see a lot of 38's that are left alone.