At Christopher’s ‘Triple A’, we are currently working on a new addition to the line up of vehicles. Join us over coming weeks, as we document the process of re-building the car from the chassis up, right here on Christophersaaa.com

Next came the front guards. Because we had decided to change the body style to a Sedanca instead of a 7-seat Tourer, the guards had to be lengthened by about 40cm. To most this would seem a daunting task, but my friend Bill is no mere mortal. Give him some panel steel and a welder and he will make anything for you. In fact, he built his own radical sports machine from the chalk marks on the garage floor – up.

Fitting the guards

Once the guards had their initial fit, it was time for the radiator surround. The original proved to be too badly pitted so, in his usual style, Bill took to a piece of metal with his hammer and dolly and just like magic – a new surround within hours; a master craftsman!

Bill working on the new surround

The fitting process

Having completed the Grill and front valance panels, we moved back to work on the front doors. Watching Bill work on the “English Wheel” putting compound curves into the door skins was an education in itself.

First door fitting

Next: …to set up and revamp the dashboard.

At Christopher’s ‘Triple A’, we are currently working on a new addition to the line up of vehicles. Join us over coming weeks, as we document the process of re-building the car from the chassis up, right here on Christophersaaa.com 

About 20 years ago I had the opportunity to retrieve the remains of a 1927 Dodge Tourer  from a friend’s property at Balliang, not far from where I grew up in the 50’s. I should have left it there in the bush, but my Grandfather had run a ‘27 Dodge Tourer as a hire car between Geelong and Melbourne in the late 20’s and the temptation proved too great. Restoring old cars is something of a disease, and I definitely suffer from it.

The Remains

The wreck lay waiting until just a few months ago, when I found the time and motivation to begin a new project; a new ‘Sedanca’ to join the fleet.

Beginning with the bare chassis, we set about fitting a new ‘front end’ and then transplanting a new drive train and ‘rear end”. Dodge motors of this period are becoming increasingly difficult to find, so for reliability, ease of service etc. we decided to use a later model Ford engine and transmission. This is not as sacrilegious as it may seem; Dodge originally made all the engines for the first Fords so we didn’t think it too awful to put a Ford back in a Dodge! My Grandfather would have been terribly upset as he had a favourite saying – “If you can’t afford a Dodge then dodge a Ford”. All his life he ran Dodge cars ’til in his eighties he succumbed, and bought a Falcon.

Once the drivetrain had been fitted, we repaired and fitted the scuttle and firewall. This had to be done very accurately as all body measurements were to be taken from its position. The new bonnet and side louvers could only be made and fitted once this had been done.

Firewall in

Next: The bodywork begins…

Inspired by the two comments received online in the past week, I thought I would put up some more of our ‘pen and paper’ Thank-yous from the last few years.

It was really pleasing to receive a link to this review in an email during the week. We have always prided ourselves on providing the best service we can, and making every client’s special occasion a little more special. 

To see candid, positive feedback like this really encourages us to keep striving for excellence, so thank-you, ‘Anonymous Member’!

– Christopher

Here is a collection of some recent client responses: