Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => Want To Buy - Cars => Topic started by: amolnayak on February 19, 2018, 12:53:31 AM

Title: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: amolnayak on February 19, 2018, 12:53:31 AM
Does anyone have spare ivory coloured radio blank buttons for a 1940 lasalle 52 and I am assuming same year cadillac 62? mine are warped out of shape.
Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: Tom Boehm on February 19, 2018, 03:46:42 PM
Hello Amol, Dan Whelan reproduces those. I got mine from him. Dan Whelan   2165 Berry Road   Amelia, Ohio  45102    513 734 4040.
Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: Bruce Berghoff -#1476 on February 19, 2018, 05:36:27 PM
Unfortunately Dan Whalen died suddenly two weeks ago and his wife Margaret said he left no inventory of spare parts . Dan was 70 years old , and a good friend of mine for over 20 years. Bruce B. 
Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: Tom Boehm on February 19, 2018, 09:44:06 PM
Hello Bruce, Thank you for the update. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. He was the only source of interior plastic for prewar Cadillacs and Lasalles I am aware of. Many years ago when I bought parts from him, I thought he mentioned a daughter was working with him in this side business. Might she continue? Or could his molds be passed on to someone to continue?
Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: Brad Ipsen CLC #737 on February 19, 2018, 10:39:34 PM
Also sorry to hear about Dan Whalen.  Amol, the channel buttons are clear plastic.  Different from the ivory or gray of the other plastic in 40.
Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: amolnayak on February 20, 2018, 06:13:55 AM
Quote from: Brad Ipsen CLC #737 on February 19, 2018, 10:39:34 PM
Also sorry to hear about Dan Whalen.  Amol, the channel buttons are clear plastic.  Different from the ivory or gray of the other plastic in 40.

Hi Brad I actually don't have a radio on the car. This is how my car came originally from the factory. I dont intend to put one either. So i have grey/ivory blank plastic plate where the transparent radio buttons should be. Sad to hear that someone like Dan Whalen who was supporting our hobby has passed away. I hope his daughter continues his good work I can contact her if Bruce or someone who knows the family can confirm.

Find attached photos of the blank plate i need. Tom thank you for the number.

Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: Brad Ipsen CLC #737 on February 20, 2018, 08:59:54 PM
I didn't read carefully enough.  The blank out panel is colored plastic.  The actual radio buttons were clear plastic with a space for the radio call signs in them.  I never saw them but Don did offer them in his list of parts he could make.
Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: bos on February 21, 2018, 08:04:31 PM
hi   chev's of the forty's has multiple radio buttons maybe one of then would be the right size , I have the same problem. bos
Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: amolnayak on February 26, 2018, 08:05:26 AM
Quote from: bos on February 21, 2018, 08:04:31 PM
hi   chev's of the forty's has multiple radio buttons maybe one of then would be the right size , I have the same problem. bos

I went through a lot of Chevy Catalogs including some of the hot rodders. Couldn't find anything matching there. Do let me know if you find something.
Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: Brad Ipsen CLC #737 on February 26, 2018, 10:08:49 PM
Amol,

If the one pictured is yours I fixed mine in similiar condition.  You need to cut it apart as required and glue it back together again to get rid of the curvature.  Then use body and paint products to get a good finish and paint for the final finish and black pin stripe paint in the grooves.
Title: Re: Radio blank buttons for 1940 lasale
Post by: Bruce Berghoff -#1476 on March 01, 2018, 10:11:08 AM
Brad... I've made that Block-out Plate out of Poplar wood and a grooving file. Lacquer paint the grooves first; then mask them with striping tape add spray the whole block the overall plastic color; strip the thin tape and clear coat the whole thing , and it looks just like the original plastic > AND it doesn't warp !
It's just as easy to make two at a time and you have a spare for a friend ! I already gave mine to a friend...I should have made three ? bb