Delco shock absorber animated display restoration

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by CJay, Jun 20, 2017.

  1. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    And just as an FYI, before I sanded and refinished the back board and metal panel, I took exact measurements of all the lettering so I can place the decals in exactly the correct location. So if you were to take an original display and measure how far over the "D" was in Delco, it would measure exactly the same as mine. This necessitated doing a mini restoration to my high school and college drafting table to make sure I was square. The decals were expensive and Im only going to get one shot at this. So I re-strung the old parallel slide rule and put on a new Alvin drawing mat on it. Looks good as new now!

    Whats interesting is that whoever made this for Delco didn't take quite the same care in applying the lettering as Im doing. The original lettering was applied crooked! Noticeably so too. The lettering was a good 1/8" higher on the right side compared to the left side on the metal panel. I will be correcting that factory flub. I guess Im "over-restoring" it:D

    And the Masonite was cut slightly skewed. So all my exactly square measurements and lines I drew went out the window as I had to improvise ever so slightly on the vertical cuts to make sure the decals edge matched the edge of the Masonite. After this is over, Im going to be an expert on Delco shock displays!
     
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Update- I applied the decals to the refinished metal stand and the Masonite board. What a PITA!!! My hands started to shake halfway through as its a one shot deal with no do overs. And I had a lot of time invested measuring everything 15 times and trimming them. The metal part was the hardest as I had to wrap the decal around the metal flaps. I definitely don't want to do another set for a while :D The Masonite could of come out a little better as there were a could of nubs in the board and other imperfections that came through. Boy, the sign shop wasn't kidding when they said the surface needs to be perfectly smooth.

    But man are the colors vibrant! They really pop! In my effort to make this as nice as I can, the part number of the display (M5-183) and "Printed in USA" was put back on the decal in the same location. Man, I cant wait to see this thing together. Next up is refinishing all the nuts, bots and screws. I should be getting the rechromed bumpers and wheels this week from the platers. Once I get them back, its re-assembly time!

    Nice right?

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  3. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    We're almost there. I can see the finish line....

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    Brett Slater likes this.
  4. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Gotta do a youtube when its finished! ws
     
  5. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    VERY COOL !
     
  6. superlark

    superlark Guest

    This is super cool.
     
  7. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Thanks! The plater is killing me!! I keep running to the mailbox every day hoping for a small box of parts
     
  8. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

    Cool. Super cool would be 1:1 scale!
     
  9. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Guess what arrive today? Freshly chrome plated 62 Impala parts!!!
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    The cars are ready for assembly....

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    And all put together!

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    Brian Albrecht likes this.
  10. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    And finally finished!!!

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    Still haven't found a set of NOS fender spears for the Impalas. The cars haven't looked this good since 1962
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    I managed to even find an NOS rack for the Delco Superide pamphlets (which I cant find anywhere)

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    Even the underside is just as nice as the top!!

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    wovenweb likes this.
  11. 65gs76limited

    65gs76limited Well-Known Member

    That is just to cool! You do good work J.
     
  12. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    This is unreal! Haha

    Love it!
     
  13. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

    Jason,

    I remember cranking the one I listed from Mecum. Anyway you could put a video link of it in action so the others can fully appreciate the display? Job well done sir!
     
  14. Mike Trom

    Mike Trom Platinum Level Contributor

    Now you have to find out what was in the "take one" basket.

    Nice job!
     
  15. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Sure can Brian, but when I cleaned up the belt and pulleys, I armor all'ed them. Big mistake! They looked awesome but now neither the belt or pulley has any traction. So I have to clean them up with alcohol or DX-330. Unforseen complication!


    Thanks! There's a decal on the back that says to reorder part number M5-194 Superide hand outs. Ive scoured the internet. I cant find one. If I get a sample, I can have it reproduced.
     
    Brian Albrecht likes this.
  16. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Did you get up out of your chair and make a big circle. Then sit down rubbing your hands up and down!
     
  17. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    We all use to watch my Daughter on the computer years ago. Doing that when she got happy. She thought No one was watching! Every time! Hilarious. I'll bet there's a lot of car guys that would love to have that display. Very cool
     
  18. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Ive been gazing at it all day and smiling.
     
    Brett Slater likes this.
  19. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    As an FYI, if anyone gets one of these displays, I can supply you with a set of decals
     
  20. superlark

    superlark Guest

    I hadn't seen the finish pics. Great work!!
     

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