Re: 1948 Super Eight Resurrection

Posted by Joseph Earl On 2012/4/15 9:10:26

Drove the '48 for the first time yesterday. I will have to say that the first drive revealed more issues that will have to be dealt with, and most of them are aimed directly at my depleted wallet.

Before I can truly assess the driveability of this vehicle, new tires will be the first order of business. I'm sure you all can imagine the amount of shaking and instability four one-quarter century old bias ply tires can provide after resting in one spot for the duration of hibernation. I'm trying to decide between the Coker bias or the radials. I know it will drive much better with radials, but the period correct bias ply tires might be the best choice.

The front suspension is suspect in my estimation, although it's hard to tell with the tire problem. I do know I need at the least, outer tie rod ends.

I had thought initially the car has less miles on it than it now appears. (If you are a Alabama Crimson Tide fan as I am, you may understand why less miles can be an unpleasant thing), so I'm discovering that there are more miles on this old girl. The odometer reads 33,177, and I was told by the previous owner that his grandfather rarely drove the car, and it has been parked since 1985, but upon further examination, one of the lube stickers I finally made out to read showed 33,177 in 1959! So the speedometer has been inoperative since then. Oh well. That's probably why the overdrive doesn't work.

My work is cut out for me!