Q&A with Kit Foster: September 25, 2014

Author:
Publish date:: Sep 22, 2014

Q. I’ve been looking for a rear axle bumper for my 1966 Chevy Impala four-door hardtop, 283 engine, with no success. If you or any of the readers can help, I’d be most appreciative. A photo is attached.

—Francisco J. Castillo, via e-mail

A. Does anyone know of a source? It strikes me that since the part is hidden under the car a similar, but not exact, replacement might suffice.

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Q. I was just reading your recent article on the 1966 impala SS with a 427 in it. Can you tell me how many 66 Impala SS had 427s in them?

— Scott Lounsbury, via e-mail

A. I couldn’t, but editor Angelo Van Bogart obtained the following figures from Jeff Butz, editor of “Cross Flags,” publication of the ’65-’66 Full Size Chevy Club:
1966 Full size Chevy cars:

427/ 390 hp (L36) = 3,287
427/ 425 hp (L72) = 1,856
Biscaynes with L72 = fewer than 200

No other by model breakdown is available. These numbers are from club research years ago. The Biscayne L72 number is from commonly used Internet data.

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Q. I am looking for interior and exterior door handles and headlights for a 1929 Plymouth Model U. My husband was restoring this car, which was my dad’s first car. My husband passed away in July last year and I want to finish his dream of getting this car restored. Hope you can help me with resources.

— Heidi Mashuda, via e-mail

A. I am sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. We had a query about 1929 Plymouth door handles recently, but that told us only that a very similar type of exterior handle was used on some military communication shelters in the 1950s. Your best bet for information on your Plymouth and hints for parts sources is to join the Plymouth Owners Club (P.O. Box 416, Cavalier, N.D. 58220-0416 or www.plymouthbulletin.com).

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Q. I have a 1939 Pontiac Silver Streak. It has a 454-cid motor from a Corvette, Camaro front undercarriage, tilt wheel, suicide doors, air conditioning, and custom paint. I would like to know how many were made in 1939.

— Mike Laino, via e-mail

A. As you’re no doubt aware, Pontiac made no cars quite like yours in 1939. Individual body style production figures are not readily available for Pontiacs of the period, but in 1939 the series totals were: Quality Six (115-inch wheelbase) 55,736; DeLuxe Six 53,830; DeLuxe Eight 34,774. The Deluxe models were both on a 120-inch wheelbase.

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Q. As an old car enthusiast, coin collector and blogger (coinsblog.ws), I was drawn to the question from Art Tetreault of Middleboro, Mass., about tokens and elongated coins in the March 25 Q&A. Looking for information about elongateds is not easy. The collector base is small as compared to other coins, and elongateds do not get the same respect as collector coins. While there is some information on these coins, finding documentation on specific series of elongateds is not as easy as finding information about every Lincoln cent produced by the U.S. Mint in the coin’s 106-year history.

If you want to try to do your own research you may want to broaden your search to include its alternative names: squished pennies and pressed pennies. Here are a few resources to start:

The Elongated Collectors (tecnews.org) is the main organization for collectors of these items.
You can find a list of clubs that specialize in elongateds at http://www.coinclub.com/links/elongatedcoins.html
At the bottom half of http://elongatedcoins.maggienguyen.com/about_ec.php you can find a list of publications about elongateds.

You might be able to find the books at larger public or university libraries. Also, if you want to become an active collector, you can become a member of the American Numismatic Association. One of the benefit of ANA membership is to be able to check out books from the extensive library.

– Scott Barman, Rockville, Md.

A. Thank you for adding to our knowledge about this aspect of automobilia.

To submit questions to this column: E-mail angelo.vanbogart@fwmedia.com or mail to: Q&A, c/o Angelo Van Bogart, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001.

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