How To: 1944 Chev HUW restoration

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. HUP sliding roof hatches have two rod contraptions that are used to unlock and slide the hatch open. On the outside are four pivots on bronze wheels attached to springs which, when the rods unlock the hatch, lift it so it unseals and can slide.

All of these were seized solid on my 'NOS' hatch. I'm happy to report the rods cleaned up beautifully and what a piece of engineering they are. The pivots each have spring and ball bearing plungers to keep the rods horizontal and the handles have spring loaded levers and a latch to keep them closed. Everything now works as it should and they will get a coat of gloss white paint.

The outers didn't fare as well, they are rusted beyond repair and need to be fabricated. Luckily the levers and rollers are recoverable and only the tubes and inner shafts need to be made, both from easy to get material.