1921 Chalmers Engine, Transmission, Rear End, Misc Parts. Rare Opportunity. on 2040-parts.com

It’s probably a little generous to call this a barn find.  But you do have the chance to bid on the running gear of a 1921 Chalmers -- a source of otherwise nearly unobtainable original parts.  The tag with the VIN number is long gone, sadly, but I’m told that 1921 was the only year with both a Zenith carburetor and disc wheels, making this one of 3000 made.  Also, the wheelbase is 117 inches, which I’m told means this was originally either a light touring car or a roadster.

            As to what can be salvaged, you can see from the pictures that one of the spark plugs is missing, so I assume the motor is toast.  The back cover has been missing from the differential for many years, so although the gearing looks complete, it may be gone, too.  The frame is bent and largely deteriorated, and very little of the sheet metal survives.  Some remains of the cowl and fender were on it for the first picture, but they were removed when the car was moved this spring -- the cowl is still available. 

            But though the gearshift lever doesn’t move, the transmission seems sealed, so it may be all right.  Ditto the steering gear.  The fan spins freely without excessive play.  The starter may be savable, and the generator/distributor, and the carburetor looks pretty good.  There are some smaller parts – the nickel-plated lug nuts, one surviving hub nut, the instrument bezel, brakes, the headlight bar -- that could be resuable.

            Then there are all those parts that are simply chunks of metal – the spark and throttle advances, springs, axles, manifolds, spare tire brackets, even the three surviving disk wheels could be saved.  And I don’t know, it may be possible to bore out and sleeve the block and save the motor – I can’t see any visible cracks. 

            I’m listing this for a friend who has less eBay experience than I do. The car is available in Ashfield, Massachusetts -- roughly halfway between Boston and Albany, NY -- within easy access of the road.  The owner can help load it onto a trailer.  Also, there's no rush to move it, so if you wanted to pick it up on your way to or from Hershey, or Saratoga Springs, or Carlisle, that would be fine.  Though, if it doesn't sell, the owner will eventually scrap it.

I have more pictures available, if you’re interested in something in particular.