Oh, and excited to see it together out in the sun! You're going to need some of those old geezer sunglasses to look at the thing......
So the chinaman goes to the eye doctor for an exam. After all the tests are done, the doctor says "You have a cataract..." "Oh you makee big mistakee; I drive a RINCOLN..." Rucas needs a RINCOLN now.... ws I was waiting to use that one on ya!
Ahhh! Back inside on the real computer! Got the back end pretty much buttoned up with the upgraded valance panel and some pretty nice trim that I scored on. I had to make about 8 trim retainers ( in stainless of course!!) and lined it all up for a decent presentation. I think it looks good anyway. Got the rear bumper hung and its close. Maybe Pat can help lend an eyeball while Im underneath tightening the bolts. When I took it off last fall, I wire wheeled the bolts, ran a tap through the nuts, painted what shows and put a few drops of oil on the bolts. After struggling taking them out, they went back in and finger tight all the way home. You can see the area that was de-chromed from wet exhaust and ground clean, then painted with chrome aluminum. Maybe a new bumper one of these years. Full alignment and front bumper tomorrow. I did spot a leaking front wheel cylinder on the LF. Reservoir is low too. These are the only two I didnt change, but already have 2 new Bendix units and new shoes to boot (??). Hmm. Maybe this weekend if we live to see it LOL... ws
The BADLASS made the scene yesterday! Did a little buzz around town to pay some bills, but the best part? With such minmal traffic and all the cops hiding behind the donut shop, I pulled an all out block long hole shot on the main drag 1/2 block outa down town. Gonna go back and look today for the evidence! So just like Ronnie, I rode her hard, put her away wet (had to rinse, not wash the dust off!) and then give her a quick blow job in the shop so theres no Hoo-How stains on the shirt tails from water spots. ws
Looks nice, Bill. This is when all that hard work is the payoff, the pride in having done it yourself.
All said and done.... she looks pretty fine there Bill!! Once again, it shows what hard work and perseverance can achieve!!! Well Done!! Steve
Thanks guys! She still needs some odds and ends like an inside mirror, vizors and some door trim. But first she's get a suntan today and whilst she's sipping some wine eating bon-bons in the sun, Im blowing and hosing out my shop. We'll call the conditions out there COVID 19-64. Almost need hazmat PPE out there LOL. Although still an amateur job. I have to give it a 93. Far from perfect, but yes, satisfaction from doing it myself! Its that 2000 sand job that did it. Cant wait to get painting on the ALPHA LARK haha... ws
The car looks GREAT, Bill. You (and Pat) have much to be proud of. It's those last little (big) steps on a paint job that make all the difference, and you saw it through, and did it proper.
At least you can go out and enjoy it. We got 3" of snow here overnight. It didn't even stick on the roads, only the grass, roofs, etc., but they were out dumping salt on the roads like they have an endless free supply of it. And now, at lunchtime, almost all of it has melted and will be completely gone by the end of the day. Once again we're going to need a couple good heavy rains to wash that crap off the roads. I really had plans to take a ride in my Buick this weekend but that's not going to happen now
I was really shocked at how light winter was this year. Maybe 2-3 snowblower starts. Not a bud on a tree yet, but some plants are breaking through the dirt. ws
Strange winter for sure. But it's supposed to be spring and we're ready for it. I mowed the lawn last Saturday. This morning we woke up to 3" of snow. By noon it was 95% gone and now it's completely gone. There was no need to salt the roads and I'm shocked that they actually did it. Tomorrow I'll be mowing the lawn again. Unfortunately, I won't be driving my Buick or El Camino until the salt gets washed back off again.
Just a nice sunnybeach day. No crowds and plenty of fresh, crisp, clean air! Held it in first for a full block for this guy but he no wanna play. ws
So, Bill, the car looks great and you've earned a break, but what are you going to do with all your spare time now that the car is finished? Well, almost finished. They're never completely finished. I've had my Skylark for 17 years and I'm still changing things.
Gonna go get started putting drain plugs back in the boat, of course! I think one of my projects this summer is to drop the micarta (white sided masonite) headliner down out of the pilot house and re-do it with 1/8" aluminum sheet. Should be easy with a good fitting template. That micarta likes to soak up moisture and then turn black with mildew wherever there's a cut or a drill hole. The aluminum, painted white with interlux should put an end to this problem once and for all. I really need to take a shop break for a few days before going balls' out on a clean up out there. Also hafta put the window and side trim on the wheel. Feels like theres a little oldmanitus creeping in on me, and I really need to shake that! Stay tuned! ws
Lat night my injun pal called (finally) looking for work. The guy does a job once and has a photo memory; easy to do this stuff with! So FOUR DAYS later , O.J. (Scott, Pats son) decided to roll outa bed and call me about work. Right. Sorry pal, yer 3 days late. "But I was tired..." Kid aint had a job in 5 years. Cam the injun makes a 100 mile drive to come to work. He'll probably stay on the boat overnight to save a trip, and of course , socially distancize his own bad self LOL... I managed to get all the block, manifold, coolers and intake strainers (circled) drain plugs back in and had to leave one hose for Pat to do. The lower water heater supply hose, AKA The "PAT HOSE" is barely within a fingertips touch for the BOFG's (big 'ol fat guy) reach. Pat slips in there and its done! Geez, all thats left is a bottom paint job, tear the shrinkwrap plastic and framing off, and get the little boat going to move the 36 foot floating dock (in 3 sections) 2 blocks up river. Damn; cant wait for October! Ha the fork ha!! ws
Went to the preppers store tonight... Rottiserry chickens for 4.99; best deal in town, but wait, heres something you dont see every day! Booz free 91 was 1.69 ws
Went for a self serve haircut yesterday. Man! It was getting GRUESOME! Feel pretty swivelized today! ws
