Classic/Antique Car Repair/wiring harness

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Expert: - 11/2/2011


Question
Dear Mr. Sears,  I am restoring a 1938 Chevrolet two door sedan with no intention of showing it. It will be for pleasure driving, a good representation of an original. At this stage of progress, the wiring harness issue is at hand. I`ve seen many suppliers selling the original cloth braided harnesses, which as you`re aware, are expensive. Again, I`m not interested in scoring judging points. Are you aware of anyone producing/selling harnesses for this car with the modern type wire plastic/vinyl coating? An aftermarket type harness which may be less expensive? Thanks for your time and consideration! Dave

Answer
I am not sure what you call expensive. Chevs of the $0's sell wiring using the modern wire in the 5 to 6 hundred dollar range. I just finished rewiring a 49 Chev installing fuse panels, relay panels, the new wire, and all soldered connections for a cost of about $3,000. Let me know what you want to spend and I will do a little research.  

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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