Restoring A 1948 Keller Super Chief Woodie | Episode 2
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- After cleaning the car up in the first video it was time to start tearing her down to figure out what was good and what needed to be replaced.
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I Googled Keller Super Cheif. On your first video I commented that the motor looked a lot like a Hercules engine. According to Google they used Hercules engines for these cars. Because of this you should be able to find the parts to repair the engine. They were used in vebhicles, tractors, generators and industrial equipment. As for the sheet metal, I would do the same thing that you are doing. No one is going to measure the thickness of the sheet metal and it will also make the car last longer. I love seeing cars saved from the scrapper. Especially rare cars. Keep up the good work. I will be following this build for sure.
Thanks
Love that u decided to build the floors from thicker metal than orginal. Always make em better :)
It’s your car Dave, do what you want. I’m sure it’s gonna be unique and cool no matter how you choose to restore.
Hi Dave Greetings from the UK loving the videos on the Keller how can anyone disrespect the fact that your using thicker plate than original it will serve to make the car stronger well done keep up the amazing work can't wait for the next video ❤
Nice work! Nope...no red-eye swap for this baby😂 love how you are actually "restoring" it and just some minor upgrades (as with the flooring) Love your videos. God bless
Thanks! 👍
After your wagon and now this... I think you officially deserve to be dubbed and Automotive historian due to all the work you are doing. You do a lot of the best work I have seen. Keep up the good job sir.
B & L Plating Inc. In Warren Michigan may be the best chrome shop in the country. It's where all of the real builders in the area have their stuff done. I've had motorcycle parts done there, exceptional quality, great ownership. Highly recommended. Congrats on the new build, I am excited to see it all go down!
Always good watching the hemi builds, but this is awesome content.. thanks 👍
You should roll some ribs into the floorpan. It'll make them stiffer and keep them from vibrating and drumming while you drive. Thats why the factories do it.
Great project Dave, thank you for returning it to life.
One man's pile of junk, is another man's perfect set of patterns. I like how the passenger floor was completely gone, but the driver's side floor was ideal to help create two new floorboards.
The cars are definitely not symmetrical there are things I want to fix but don't know if I should
A proper resto ! Lets see what you can do. Excellent project choice too Bud, you have me hooked.
Regards from the UK. Big thumbs up
I seem to recall two types of those Fram filters, the older replacement cartridge with a steel wool type filter and a later version with paper. Lastly was a FRANZ oil filter. The Franz filter was single ply bathroom toilet tissue unwound to a certain diameter and placed in the canister. Sold as a kit with adapters as required. I believe some were a direct fit for your type of filter housing. When trying to start forget the ether, remove the air cleaner and dump some two stroke mix into the carb. Narragansett Bay
Looking forward to the Build on this car very Interesting Build
Don't worry about what people say you do you and how you want to do it. Hell yeah 👍💯
Id love to hear what the Keller people thought, reaction to finding out you found one. Im guessing they were fairly happy if not surprised.
@@2000jagohe does mention about the other 3 Keller's and one of the people that is having the wood restored in their Keller in the first episode
I like this episode a lot. I give you credit for looking past a rusty pile of junk and seeing a very rare example of American automotive history. 😂😂😂
Everything can be fixed
Koodos for taking on this little beaut ! There are still rare vehicles out there to find so everyone that can get looking . Start having fun fixing something up thats been kicking around the yard . Shouldn't need to bead the floor as the metal is thicker and small . keep on doing what you do best . I look forward to more vids on this car . thx
Subbed for the Super chief, cant wait to see more!
Thanks for the sub!
Nice work. Good to see someone with your automotive enthusiasm.
Thanks! 👍
As bad as it looked, it wasn't that bad. It looks like a simple repair for the metal work that you did, but when it comes time to make the wood parts, that will be a challenge. Also, reshaping the metal parts to straighten out dents and bumps will take time. It's going to be an enjoyable series to watch you restore it. Just as much as the Hellcat Charger wagon. For some reason, I like station wagons.
Very interesting little car. Best of luck with it!
Thanks!
Hey Dave enjoying all the video clips keep them coming roc
I'm looking forward to this rebuild, it's right up my street 😎, I really hate it when you get some know it all moaning about things like using thicker gauge metal on the floors or not having the right sticker on hose clamps. At least you are saving this little gem and there is nothing wrong with making it a little safer or stopping ,handling better than it did. It definitely looks like they just chucked these things together after a night on the raze 😮😂😂😂.
This going to be a great build to follow. Lots of fabricating to do but you have got this one. Thanks for the update video.
It`s looking great stay on it
Seems like a unique project. I know you'll do it justice.
What an incredible amount of work you've undertaken!
It'll be great to see this back on the road and given the lack of off-the-self Keller parts, I think you're allowed a few minor liberties with the specifications as long as you don't customise the thing. Keep up the good work!
Really does look like a homebuild/prototype.
Quality Plating in Yuma, Colorado is solid
Would be super cool to keep the old tires as memorabilia
You have your work cut out for you on this one for sure! Wish you all the best on it!
Engineering wise, it's a rather well thought out car, especially for it's time.
This gonna be a cool build man
Greetings from Brazil. I loved the video. A beautiful car like this deserves attention. I believe that safety is important and increasing the density of the floor cover is a good decision. Maybe the chassis needs the same care... it can be a lot of work but removing all the rust, redoing the bad parts and painting the chassis will ensure that all the work lasts much longer (after all, the chassis is the base of everything). I just subscribed to your channel and will follow all the restoration videos. 😊
Regarding the rear wooden body have a look at the British Morris 1000 traveler as the body from the B pillars rear wards was wood made from Ash. It could fail a MOT if it had wood rot in the rear.
looking forward to this series. Brining an obscure car hardly no one knows about back to life, what could be better?
Wow. Ripping through it. Keep it up
I stayed at the Holiday Inn on Williams St. in Huntsville, and among the many photos of Huntsville history were several of Keller automobile production.
You are a maniac! Looking forward to this build.
After the Magnum it should be child’s play for you.
Well we’ll see what you are going to do about woodwork.😮
What a cool lil car!
Honestly, I would reach out to the fellers on the Carnation, TH-cam channel. They’re very technical and insightful, and they have shops that they trust vehicles to go to for various repairs.
McPherson Kansas used to have a chrome shop. I do know that McPherson College may have some excellent resources to help you with your restoration.
❤ love your different content
Spacecoast plating in Melbourne FL does great work, not fast and expensive. I have used them for my Foormula B race car coming. Only shop that would touch an exhaust system.
Advanced Plaiting in Nashville TN does beautiful work...
What great tear down.
I am Really enjoying this restoration dave 👌🏼
This car is in remarkably good condition, considering. Looks like just enough survived that you can use the damaged parts as templates. and that frame is a miracle.
Just can't wait to see the next installment! What a cool project! The generally good condition of this car leads me to think maybe the car was just driven to the junkyard during the war. The other three had likely been sold and on one wanted this poor baby. Waiting on tenterhooks for the next installment!
Great content good luck with your project
Thicker is better & it will last longer , waiting for it to keep going 🤗 waiting 😬🤤😋
I'm rather amazed at how modular that car is. Just take off piece by piece and create new ones and replace. No really complex lines or bends to deal with..
Nice progress. I'm moving from scary to guardedly optimistic based on how much was still there and even salvageable. One nice thing about low production is that much of this car was hand fabricated making it easy for the guy with a broad skill set to make his own parts. That should keep some of the costs from ballooning.
The car came with that chrome. I looked at one of the other three.
There’s got to be a chrome shop here in Phoenix somewhere that does quality work. We have a ton of classic cars here.
At one time. Build a car back to your original your biggest patch couldn't be any bigger than 2 inch square or something like that. It's only original once. Sometimes those statements can be taken to a ridiculous point. Her somebody call a hack job because you improve upon the safety by using a heavier gauge metal for the floor and going to bolted into some cross Racine beneath where had not been before? How many of them would do the one in 42 inch square maximum patch!?!? I was going to start out by saying hey this is Anna 55 56 57 Chevy or something from the 1960s. I'll just say I think it's great that you picked a more unique vehicle. Your explanation and this episode as you've gone through it makes me glad that I found your channel prior to this and subscribed. So you are at nearly 200 K subscribers. I can see why. Also you probably won't get to read my comment. But that doesn't really matter, 😊 I'm wishing you the best on this build. I've always had an interest in all things Woody's. I had talked with the owner of a plating company Minnesota. I'll see if I can find his name and phone number. I never used him but the process he described was dead-on correct. That person that used to take care of that for me is no longer available. Great build pick.
It would be a good idea to do all the repairs on the frame and replace what's necessary to make it safe, rather than trying to keep the original rails. Highly likely that badly rusted rails will end up disintegrating when blasted, so better to replace them first. Good move using thicker metal on the floors for safety. Chances are that the metal was originally thicker than it looks now, as it would have rusted thinner over time anyway.
Some rails will definitely be replaced
The fact that you're in Colorado is what saved this car. Low humidity was the best preservative. Had it come from New York state...welll you wouldn't be doing a video !
This is going to be a hundred episode build!!!!
Yes John the engine is a Hercules there was a 2.2 ltr engine and a 2.7 ltr engine, the gearbox is a Hudson gear box, Willys rear end and Pontiac instruments.
The chrome shop in Utah has a good reputation.
Great job dave what a unique dangerous car 😂
NEW MEXICO LOVE!!!!...JUNKYARDDAVE FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also NM👍
The pictures of a Keller car in Wikipedia show the same e chrome strips going to center of front end from headlights
Very unusual build for you, but your doing it the correct way.
at this stage, i would sand blast the entire frame.
Kustom chrome in Cleveland Ohio, they've done a lot of work for my club and they're reasonably priced, I've known the owner for 30 years, tell them the SouthSide car club sent you, they'll hook you up
That Hellcat engine looks enticing XD jk
Awesome work, what a find.
Daves super long arms 15:00 😂😂😂😂
I did a quick Google and saw most of the Keller woodies have these trim pieces
D & D Classic Brightworks in Piqua Ohio are AMAZING. I do not deal in automotive, my plating is decorative show chrome, nickle, and gold and they do amazing prep, restore, and plating work. im 22 tears into my work and been using Brightworks for 16 years now. i WONT go anywhere else.
Your car surprisingly at the front is very like a British made 1949 Hillman Minx.
Trim looks to be original. Possible option or trim level or update to the later cars or maybe they ditched them to build the car cheaper? Gonna need a skilled panel beater to straiten those out.
Hi Dave. You should get in contact with one of Jay Leno's people as Jay has said in the past that he wants one really badly for his collection.
Cara que trabalho difícil você iniciou,creio que o mais difícil será a carroceria em madeira,vai precisar de um bom marceneiro e todo o material didático disponível sobre esse modelo,parabéns por resgatar este clássico.✌🏻🇧🇷
I'm sorry the floors were that far gone but not surprising when the wood roof went away years ago, if you can build something a little better it's always a Good Idea especially if you want to drive it around and yeah might be a good Idea to mount the seats to the frame too just for safety.
Not a Hack Job. Consider this an Upgrade!
My first thought for chroming was Denver Bumper
This thing will be a beautiful build. Personally I wouldnt take chances with the chassis, so if theres significant ruat damage then youd be suited to replace those weathered cross pieces and have it touch blasted. A hammertone powder wpuld be more durable but not in keeping qith the design most lilkely, but a hammertone blue or grey would look so good against the cream.
Advance Plating in Tennessee was all that.
M5 = 9mm nut/spanner with 5mm thread size. Very unusual size for anyone to use! You certain they're not M6 rusted down a little? M6 are 6mm thread, 10mm head, an extremely common choice but it is a 1948 Keller!
I want to hear it running bro
I don't think anyone can fault you for using stronger thicker metal for the floor.
Might want to check the material, IIRC Chroming cars wasn't popular till the mid 50s, so the trim is probably Nickle plated or just made with stainless steel.
Did any blue prints survive? With a to the bones restore, you’re in a place where you could documents all that.
What are you going for as far as the suspension?
i think that motor is positive ground
Tom Cotter from Hagery caught up on this series and dumped his load ;)
Wonder what it weighed when new?
For your trim you really need to talk to Scott from Coldwarmotors
I'll try to do that thanks
You should do a chassis swap restomod.
I guess it was only thrown away in the early 60s because someones wife wanted a "real" car. Not one made of wood and Aluminium. The fact that it still exists is a miracle.
There is a possibility that the chrome on that was actually originally applied that way. Keller was trying to use all off the shelf parts and since that car is the promotion car they might not have fully finalized what chrome could fit there properly so they just made some work. You might even want to look into it because with this b omg the promotion car it is a possibility it could be number 1 or 2.
Definitely different and thats whats interesting. I wouldnt be so thrilled if you dif this to a neon or a focus
Dave is there anywhere around you that can dip that chassis? I believe they can remove the rust without further damage to the metal chemically instead of using abrasives.
I know changing things seems like the right thing to do but on such a rare car you should keep it as original as possible. I know that is a huge hassle like keeping it 6 volt but for these types of incredibly low number cars it is important for automotive history.
Hi, please dont just sandblast and powdercoat, get it hot zinc sprayed before powdercoating to stop it from rusting again.
White package MK3 Supra!!
Coming soon
Advanced Plating in Nashville TN.