By week's end I will have the chassis/drive train done on the project.
Forgot to order tie rod ends and there was only one in the parts pile (go
figure...) so they should get here Friday. Will be posting some pix next
week when I get back to work.
(photo software has crashed on my home computer)
Next stop - the body. Interesting situation developing here in Tampa.
The guy that owns the local LBC shop "bought out" a paint and body shop in
England for what I think was a very nominal amount. The previous owner
then sold all of the equipment and his very tiny garage location and will be
relocating to sunny Florida to work with the "parent" company - bringing the
cash to purchase appropriate equipment here in the states. He arrives
Sunday (his hand-tools arrive about the 30th) and I will be meeting with him
on Monday to discuss his doing the final prep and finish on the body. It is
in rough primer after being stripped in May. I fixed the minor
imperfections but was leery of doing a patch on the driver's side front wing
rear lower section. And the jury is still out whether to patch in the
bunged up headlamp recesses on the inner wings. I have the donor parts, but
not sure if I want to go to that detail on the restoration. Any thoughts
out there?
Picked up windshield and related parts from the chrome shop last week.
Great job. Highly recommend them: Spacecoast Plating in Melbourne Florida.
[NFI] (Thanks to George Proctor and Ken Nuelle for heading me in their
direction). I decided to have the original bumper redone instead of the
after-market replacement so it was shipped to them Monday and the
aftermarket sent back to Moss. Then realized I need to have the valve cover
done. Another trip to UPS next week.
Side Curtain frames sent to TRF for rebuild. The rest of the
interior/exterior vinyl is ready for installation. Oops - forgot that I
haven't gotten the bulk vinyl for the dash and cappings. Talked with TRF
and probably will switch from backordered "by-the-yard" to the kits that are
already cut (they are in stock) - actually might be less expensive. Haven't
found a suitable headliner for the hardtop. I have a couple leads but
nothing to report yet.
I believe I have all of the hardware and little bits on hand for the
re-construction with a few exceptions (see previous post about windshield
washer nozzles). Haven't decided on the luggage rack yet. I have a spare
trunk lid with the holes already drilled for the permanent mount type and
will probably have it painted to match when I do the car. I wasn't real
happy with the hinged unit on the '58 as the rubber footpads discolored the
paint so I couldn't remove it.
Goal: On the road by SE VTR regional in October.
C.
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