I have a friend that runs a small business specialising in metal and plastic moulding and fabrication. He makes some specialty items for our company. I can't say enough about his artistic and technical abilities and his meticulous work and, believe me, I'm a perfectionist - a royal pain in that regard according to those who know me.
Bottom line? My friend is looking for some small parts to reproduce such as hood ornaments, tail lamp housings - anything that can be cast, moulded or fabricated. If he makes jigs or moulds, he will amortise the cost based on any reasonable indication he can get as to likely numbers required over a couple of years.
I will appreciate any and all suggestions, including number required (if at all possible).
Thanks very much.
Brian
Reproducing the 1935-36 plymouth hubcaps would probably be of great interest since they are so scarce and in good condition.
The originals were comprised of very thin stamped chrome plated sheet (mine are brass) crimped over a steel core shell and prone to dings, etc.
LR
dash board kobs, window handle cranks, shifter knobs. Dome light lenses. vacuum windshield wiper knobs.
There are several parts for the open cars, (convertibles) that were originally cast out of pot metal, and are very prone to breakage, that are impossible to find. There was a guy in the eastern US that was casting corner braces for the top irons out of a stainless steel. however he is no longer around. Bronze would be a good metal to use to cast up the corner brackets.
The difficult part to starting a business making/supplying parts for old cars is the difficulty of getting a good pattern. I know that Bob Drake, who has done a very good job in making replacement parts for FORDS, started out by talking people with original cars/parts into loaning them to him so he could make dies and/or molds from unmolested parts in lieu of badly deteriorated parts.
Jay Fisher, the founder of the POC, does a very good job of making mirror brackets, hood ornaments, etc; which are cast in bronze and triple chrome plated, maybe there is room in that field for another supplier.....Bill
The 1936 Plymouth door striker/ latch plates.
lew
Your right on with the striker. I just broke one on my pass. side. Someone on e-pay is selling one for almost $200.00. Wow!
Thanks for the information to date. I am passing it on to my buddy for his consideration.
Striker plate for $200! Someone's in the rip off business. Will the 36 fit other vehicles and years? I don't have crossover information but iI would expect at least Plymouth and Dodge are the same. Also, as long as the tongue locks are used, I cannot see why a striker plate would need to change. I have a 36 D2, so if Plym/Dodge are the same, I can easily get a price to make the first one and probably a price for succeeding ones.
Brian
After checking the parts books, the '36 Plymouth and Dodge striker is the same.
There are 2 parts numbers 711918 for the coupes and 4 doors, 711919 for the 2 door. They look the same but
not quite sure as the pictures are the same in the book.
The striker dovetail is composed of a main body with sliding bearing pads that are prone to breakage when not constantly lubed and from age,etc.
I'm not able to post a picture for some reason, but can email one if an address is provided.
Thanks for checking if this part can be reproduced..
LR
Lew:
Thanks for the information. I have a 36 D2 myself, so no problem having an example to work from. I haven't had a chance to go further yet, but I will and i'll post iformation as it develops.
Brian