Saving a Car LOST for 60 YEARS - 1940 Keller Super Chief Woodie 1 of 4 | Episode 1
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Every so often I walk around a tow yard that's close buy to see if there is anything that I would want to buy. I decided to buy a car that I thought looked really cool and come to find out it is a missing link to a 60 year search.
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David Nenno
When I saw you hook the battery cables up backwards, and ran the starter backwards, it broke my heart!
Any car that old is POSITIVE GROUND!
Back when I was young before I lost both hands I was a mechanic.. My first car was a 57 Chevy. Any time I hear of a car being found n brought back to it’s Original Show room condition I get very excited. I want to follow your Restoration of this very rare vehicle. Am also excited to see you want to make it as Original as you can make it. Awesome job.
Thank you for saving this piece of automotive history!
Definitely was a must 👌
I see Dave doesn’t know how to pick a easy project. It will definitely be a blast to watch you bring this car back to life.
Easy isn't in my vocabulary I'm German lol
Wow! This is going to be epic. I'm guessing the level of fabrication and creative use of parts from other cars will test everyone's brain power and ingenuity.
So proud that you're willing to tackle this !
It will be some work but definitely be nice when done
Wow, this will be quite an undertaking but given the rarity it'll definitely worth it! Thank you for saving this piece of automotive history!
Wow, that’s what I would call mission impossible, now I’m very interested how this restoration will go without any parts available on the market.
It will be good because everything will just be made
Parts, Hell, that car was about two thirds wood bodied and what of that wood that remain is in worst than rought shape I hope that there are some factory paterns Good luck
given how original and short of a run the car had, any "replacement" parts would have already been made to order back in the day. to put it briefly, the only difference between restoring it now vs then would be the tools used to make the parts if that even
Oh dude that’s where I left it thanks for finding it I’ll be over tonight to pick it up
I am amazed the car wasn't scrapped for the aluminum like the only other Dymaxion. I'm guessing it didn't look like it was made of aluminum so no one bothered to give it a second look. In spite of her ragged appearance, the car is in remarkably good condition and perhaps the most intact, undamaged and unmolested junk yard car I have ever seen. It reminds me of a Crosley which was a good idea but badly out of step with the American sensibility that bigger was better. I pulled out my book "The Complete Book of Collectible Cars 1930 - 1980" by Richard M. Langworth and Graham Robson to see if there was a review, but even though there are cars listed with build runs as low as 20 - 30, the Keller Super-Chief was not among them. That's how rare it is. Your discovery is truly the stuff of legends.
Im surprised it wasn't worse off than it is cant wait to start pulling it apart
hey dave, that car is possibly positive earth, give it a try again the other way around
As a historical car, it should be restored to absolute stock condition, including 6Volt system
He did say 100% original, but then......12v system, LED LIGHTS?? Nope, needs to be original.
Given that it is not only a truly rare (1 of 4 remaining) car, but also a "historical" car with a verifiable back story, I would have to agree that you don't convert anything. 100% true to it's last running / driving condition, or release it to someone who can/will. Not holding true to that given the circumstances, you might as well be converting the Wright Flyer to fly to Mars.
There's plenty of old, rare, cool cars to convert / customize without ruining what has the potential to be a museum quality example.
But, I digress, it's his car to do what he wants. Throw some wire spokes and whitewalls on it, bag it, wedge a SBC in it and paint flames on it if you want. The internet is going to talk smack no matter what you do, because it's "what the internet do"....
A 12 volts system Is more convenient to reliably use the car and no problem, but LEDS would look like crap on that car in fact ruining It, i cant stands LEDS on Classics
Absolutely
This is the wrong guy to do the job!!
As an ex mechanic, and someone that has done some pretty insane restorations ill give you a huge bit of advice.
Hydroblasting is great, it'll make all the engine parts etc look new. And yes cars did have clean engines that even had some shine to them when new. It's just some cars are so old that we don't have good colour photos of a new engine bay for them, or underbody.
Edit: for very delicate parts use dry ice blasting. Seriously check out videos on both it's almost cheating in the restoration process. I've built/restored a couple of show cars using hydroblasting, not as often in dry ice blasting but it was just becoming a thing when I became disabled so only got to use it maybe 3 times.
This car is older myself by almost two years!.This deserves full restoration and kept in a museum rather than for daily use!.
I love building woody cars. I have built seven over the years. My 51 Studebaker 2R10 Pickup is now a woody. And I plan to drive it towing my Reproduction 1901 Curved Dash Oldsmobile to Missouri with it on a trailer and my Old's is also wood. I also built wood Race Cars and won several trophies.
I’m pretty excited for this restoration because it’s such a different car.
I love the fact this car is being saved, there is absolutely nothing really special about it other then there was a few made. But it belongs in a museum or back on the road. Not being scrapped and turned into budlight cans, thank you for preserving this historic artifact.
Thats sweet and it looks like a lot of it is still there.
Check with FRAM, get a new oil cartridge, maybe a new air filter if they have one. Might need to retrofit new air filter and oil filter housing and filter. You'll probably need a new rotor, points, possibly distributor... DO NOT throw anything away, keep it on hand because you may find yourself 2D/3D/CNC making replacements.
Wow so so rare restoration a definite. A special car it has historically value. Could be worth thousands when finished. Can’t wait for more pics and videos. So neat.
This is great for you to save such a nice car and preserve history. Also, when are you going to release new videos on the Charger Wagon?
Monday I should have a video
Wow, when I first saw you pics of this car in the yard, I was so sad. Definitely needs to be saved.
Don't forget your wagon, we want to see that one finished as well as the Durango. Hope you have time for all these interesting projects!
She's getting worked on too
the reason they made woodies was because of WW2 and thats also why pre-war survivors are so rare, there was a big steel shortage, recyclers were paying top dollar for steel, no used car was safe because the steel it was made out of was worth more than the car. I can also volunteer that mechanics and assemblers were not involved as much as you may think, mechanics and assemblers were on aircraft lines at ford and tank lines at chevrolet. Carpenters built the woodies and no two were exactly alike. they were made of hardwood, mostly maple, birch, mahogany or gum wood panels, that's why they rot, they were never supposed to get wet,
Awesome Discovery of a Very Car .. Restore it with passion
With your talent and workmanship, I'm sure that car will comeout awesome. God bless
Wow that's a really interesting car dave
Its pretty cool and has a lot of interesting history behind it
WOW!!! So far so good!!! Can't wait for the finished restoration. This should be amazing!!! Thanks!!!🌞
That project looks like a ton of money and hard work. Run!
I was going to say I know a guy on UA-cam that could do all the metal work lol. Awesome fine 👌😎
Y3ah definitely want it fixed correctly
The oil filter is just dirty. Its full of bearing material/Babbitt and lead from the fuel and zinc from the oil. They sell new filters for those fram aftermarket filters. That’s probably a continental 4 or some other small engine company.
That's a fantastic project, and hunting down parts for it can be a real thrill.😁
There was a few things used from other vehicles of the time
@@Junkyard_Dave In the worst case scenario, you may have to make the parts yourself.
@@FreeWheeler554 that's the plan
Commendable project. I'll be watching.
24:15 , all spark plugs out "sounds like she has great compression" made me laugh
The oil filter looked like a bypass type, not a full flow, only a very slow flow through them but very fine filtration. Not sure I would use LED lights but despite the critics I woud go with making it 12v negative earth. Easy to convert back to 6v if needed.
Holley has some oe looking led replacements that have a much nicer light output
This is something some people get to do Once in their life.
looking forward to following this rebuild
So neat to discover another rare motor vehicle marque out there...
I live about 4 miles from where the car was built and my 91 year old mother-in-law remembers them.
I would suspect the crud in the oil filter is congealed paraffin from traditional 60 year old oil.
theres a guy that still makes woody wagon wood parts for the woody Fords. i wonder if theres anything usable he makes. maybe with slight modifications. That said im super excited for this build.
Yeah wood is out of my realm I've done house stuff but I'll probably need to do alot of research
Just came across your video...verrrryy interesting, I have subscribed to see how this old Keller pans out...but shoot if this thing was put out to junk in the early 50's,then it's more like 70yrs.old
that its been sitting..not 50.
Yes, go 12v and change it to a negative ground if you can to save yourself from headaches when you rewire it...
At first glance, I thought it was a Crosley.
Looks really cool...
You're washing away all the barn find dirt. That's worth an extra $20,000 on Bring A Trailer.
It was Alabama dirt lol
@@Junkyard_Dave That dirt is worthless than dirt? 😁
Looking forward to this rebuild
Thanks
Astounded the chassis rolled so easily!
Just subscribed as this potentially could be the best automobile restoration I've ever followed on UA-cam. Good luck 👍
I can not wait to see you work on this classic car and put it back on the road.
This is going to be amazing project
Thanks
I think that filter is replaceable? Try to find the Fram number and check
It’s going to require a Fram C 4 or C 4P2. I don’t know what the difference between the two is but that’s what it’s going to take.
I cannot wait to see the restoration!
So this car is just as rare as the Bugatti 57sc Atlantique, everyone also looks for the 4th one of that.
But that Bugatti is, when one would be auctioned now, probably gross over 500 million.
So this car is definately worth a very good nut&bolt restauration.
I'm definately watching this series!
There is an episode of American Pickers "Know When to Fold" is the title where they come across this car.... not 100% sure it's the exact same but I believe they say it's 1 of only 3 ever made
That’s a real find!
Definitely not what I was expecting when I bought it
Dave,that is a cartridge type filter.
It just was very weird looking
@@Junkyard_Dave If you can find a actual replacement filter for that period correct aftermarket oil filter housing, it’s going to require a Fram C 4 or C 4P2. I don’t know what the difference between the two is but that’s what it’s going to take.
Dave, great car hope all goes well.
You might remember that a lot of cars back then was positive ground. Not for sure on the Keller but you might check. Good luck , and keep the vide o s coming
Thank you for preserving our history Americans forgot were we come from the hardships and sacrifices we have made to be the country we were long ago Maybe if the younger generations may open there eyes
Wow this is a once in a lifetime occurrence! Subscribed and super jealous!
I hope those plugs are not from the 40s could be polonium plugs which work through the decay of radioactive materials as a way to help spark plugs be even better.
Hell of a project. Probably going to get trashed.
Right on JYD
Thanks
this car is probably positive ground,use brake cleaner on oil filter there should be replacement numbers on the oil canister
the fact that the main components ye need are based on wood makes it a lot easier,
when there is basically NOTHING fae spare or general parts around,
the engine seems tae be a Ford/Willys 4 cylinder flat head, there are decent parts around in the WW2 Jeep comunity,
my uncle runs a bussines Restoring WW2 vehicles also building the wood fae the bed and frame stuff,
therefore I know what job yer takin on here Dave,
and trust me converting 12V on this is even worse than the 6V.
keeping the Patina and just restoring the woodbody would also be pure dead brilliant, keeping it original.
BTW. dae ye got the plans of an original or dae ye know somebody who has one tae take the measurements fae the wood body.
"Histree" and "oppertunuhdee" are not words.
I am sure Eminem used the second one so it must be a word.
Chevy had the same air cleaner for a couple years after ww2 the steel wool would have had heavy oil on it to catch the dirt. You washed it in kerosene and then re oiled it.
Hope you really combed the ground good any little plate and anchors are rare and hard to come by .
Its not a Ford.. but its obscure. I approve Dave!! NICE!!
It's definitely unique
15:00 might want to keep that vinyl even though it's junk - 15:11 definitely don't lose that cap!!
I kept as much stuff as possible
subbed, will be interesting watching this ol girl coming back to life
soak the oil filter in gasolen
1 of 4 = Restore. 100% stock. If that seems cost prohibitive then please pass it along to someone who can restore it to original specifications.
AAAAAAH MAN!!!!! cant wait to see ther videos!! ------ nice score!!
Yes I cannot stress enough to keep it ORIGINAL. No 12v shit no LED china bullshit. With a vehicle like this there’s ZERO tolerance for bs. You are incredibly lucky and if you restore it to what it was in 1940 you’ll literally have a goldmine.
If anything is that once in a lifetime opportunity THIS IS IT man. Jump on and as dodge says grab life by the horns. If you do anything not OEM to it make damn certain it can be reverted back easily.
If it were me, I’d even go as far as to locate a yard with classic vehicles for even headlights. If they are guide branded than guide it shall receive for example. There are ways to retrofit a new 6v bulb in a burnt out shell just one example of many.
I will probably use Holley's led replacements they look stock and ill see how the 6V system is either way its just rewinding the generator etc. But yes this will be as factory as can be.
I think they actually make 12 volt generators. They are alternators that look like a generator. I wouldn’t mess with anything that’s original to the vehicle. The 6v wiring if still good will handle 12v same amperage no problem. Whatever you do take out make sure to save every wire even just in case. I’m sure things like that were contracted to major brands back than but you can never be too safe. Better to have a pile of worthless shit that will never find a use again than to toss it and end up royally kicking yourself in the ass ya know😄 been there done that. Learned quite quickly lol.
So wait is it a 1940 or a 1948? I heard you say 48 in the beginning
You have already lied about keeping it stock: original conversion to 12 volt negative ground! Why not drop a V8 automatic? Or you could crush it!
Upgrading a car to 12v is all in the windings also this car is already negative ground or the engine wouldn't crank clockwise
I could do without the music on the real-time non-montage parts, but that is a hella cool car and you do good work.
My MKIII supra was literally watching the ol gil get washed up
Keep up the good work
Thanks
I never saw one one or even heard of it before
Surprised the brakes weren’t locked
Subscibed, looking forward to seeing the restoration
There goes "I'm not gonna change it from oem" don't change it to 12 volt! Ruin it. It's 1 of 4. You can screw up anything else in your yard!
That’s really cool I’d leave original as possible also
This is like finding a helicopter blade and building a restored helicopter.
I have subbed your channel in the hope i actually get to see a car restored to mint condition and not chopped and customised
yes....
🙏This car was taking its last breath
You said wanted it to be original. So that means you have to keep the six volt system.
If you change it then it's not original anymore.
pearl for the harbor car and japanese interior.
30:34 Fuck no. Those LED headlights are ATROCIOUS for anyone else on the road. Keep it sealed beam.
Hi Dave what an awesome find. Has your number on it. Going to be a interesting restoration build. Will definitely follow you on this journey.
Nice car, nice video! but keep it 6v.
Jay Leno wants to know your location...
jk, I love it. ;)
Positive ground? Generator not alternator. :)
First time watching your videos. Just a little constructive criticism. The waving the hands around and pointing are really distracting from an otherwise very interesting subject. When you're describing what we're looking at 99% of us don't need it pointed out. Sorry, had to get that off my chest. Keep it 6V as originality pushes the bus when it comes to value. Thinking about subscribing. ;-)
A car like this doesn’t need LED lights, if your driving it as a daily sure, but your not so keep it as stock as possible
did you ck the poiints on the car and keep it 6 volt if the point are not right you wont get spark
Thank goodness this got dumped in a super dry climate. If this had been dumped in the Rust Belt it would have been a red stain on the ground long ago
Save it as that 1 off 4 in the wold
Who’s doing the woodwork ?
HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO RESTORE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!