Michael's 1928 Chevrolet, National AB Tourer
Original Colour: Brown body, Black guards, Black
roof.
Engine: 4 cyl, 2.8 litre rated at 23 hp - developed 15bhp at
the wheels at last dyno day !
Transmission: 3 Speed Manual, floor shift - NO synchro on any
gears!
Interior: Brown, Black carpet (not the original I suspect !
).
Other Options: Turn indicators, Electric wiper (driver side
only) (note: non-original parts !)
Known History
Has been to Ayers Rock and over the Sydney harbour bridge
by previous owners. Current owner has taken it many times to the Victorian
central highlands over bush tracks that a 4WD would have trouble over,
mainly due to the wheels (21x4.5) giving huge ground clearance, and
un-stoppable traction due to the skinny tyres ability to sink into
the mud and find the hard stuff below (unlike "modern" 4wds
that slide all over the place floating on top of the mud with their
ridiculously wide tyres).
This was the last Chev 4-cylinder and the first with 4-wheel brakes.
It has an OHV, cross-flow head, twin exhaust manifold, shrouded fan,
and many features that were well ahead of Ford of the day and are
basically much the same as on modern cars today - for instance, 1975
Torana points fit in the distributor !
It has a very long stroke (5-1/4") and timing is 25 degrees btdc,
so it subsequently needs to be retarded on starting else it trys to
run backwards ! The long stroke gives it tractor torque at low speed,
and it can climb any hill, it does however start loosing power quite
noticeably around 40mph. The clutch has the most smoothest action
of any car I have ever driven (including modern), probably because
it is the size of some truck clutches.
Electricals are still on 6 volts, which have interesting characteristics
in wet conditions.
Fuel is pumped from the fuel tank via a vacuum system with basically
only one moving part.
Brakes are a somewhat interesting concept (mechanical rods and linkages),
as is handling corners at anything more than 35 mph, as there are
no shock absorbers. Steering is a one finger affair, almost like power
steering, it is so highly geared.
Airconditioning: who needs it ? as it is drafty enough with the side
curtains rattling in the wind !
Heating: who needs it ? as the heat from the engine wafting through
the wooden floorboards toasts the feet !
Trouble is that these "creature comforts" work against you,
it is too hot in summer from the engine, and too cold in winter from
the window drafts !
How much? -it's not for sale, there is to much nostalgia in the trips
it's been on !
