Wedding cars and Vintage Wedding cars in particular, primarily exist as photographic backdrops. They are basically the tinsel behind the main act, they add a little sizzle to that beautiful steak; so in rebuilding a car for the Melbourne wedding scene; photographic presentation, funtionality and reliability are paramount and over-ride the need for complete originality.

As much as we try to keep the vehicles cosmetically close to original, practicalities sometimes dictate subtle modifications and additions. Our 1929 stretched Dodge Limousine for example, conforms in looks very closely to the original country service car layout, but we have given it a modern drivetrain, brakes, air-conditioning etc. for safety and comfort. Our 1930’s REO vintage limousine has been given similar treatment. Cosmetically it is quite original but it now has modern safety and comfort built in.

This is the reason why, in fitting the original dashboard, some modifications have to be made. For example we have had to fit two speed windscreen wipers to the dear old 1927 Dodge Sedanca. We also have fitted a new steering column, heater/demisters and airconditioning. All these things have to be placed in such a way as to not detract from the original look of the 1927 Dodge dashboard but still remain easily accessible and perfectly operational. The accompanying photographs show how these modifications are first laid out and then fitted to accomplish these goals.

1927 modified dashboard

In order to pass modern requirements the wipers have to sweep at least 85% of the screen. In order to do this on an old style windscreen, we have to fit a third wiper blade. In the photograph you will notice how we “frenched” the three wipers into the 1927 Dodge scuttle. The real working parts – the wiper arms and motor had to be hidden away behind the old dashboard. It was a similar story with the demisters. Tubes and vents had to be made, fitted behind the screen and connected to the heater box while all the time remaining as inconspicuous as possible.

Next, on our 1927 Dodge wedding car project, we begin laying out the floor plan for the driver’s cabin. The seating has to not only accommodate a console for taking both cool and warm air back to the passengers but also a glass privacy window between the passengers and driver. This is going to take quite a deal of planning!

Getting there.