Thames Update - 4/23/2010

We cleared our major hurdle this past week ........... the body flex has been corrected and the doors are all hanging correctly ........... body seams are all lining up ......... still waiting on the new hinge bolts and bushings ......... those should get everything lined up 100%

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...310Thames4.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...310Thames3.jpg

.... the nose is in position and the tilt mechanism has been mocked up ........ I ordered the DZUS fasteners today ......... Josh wants to get them installed before finalizing the tilt ........ wants to make sure that everyting fits with no binding before he welds the brackets in place

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...310Thames1.jpg

... Josh has fabricated new tail light buckets out of sheet steel ........ sealed and waterproof ........... had one of the '32 Ford "Blue Dots" installed but wanted me to see one of the buckets (that's why the right one isn't in place) .......... he has fabricated a mounting plate for the Simpson 10' Simpson Skyjacker chute pack ....... you can see the alignment marks and mounting holes below the rear doors

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...310Thames6.jpg

..... The wheelie bars have been assembled and test fitted ......... they will need to be widened about 4" for proper clearance to the 4-link arms

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...310Thames2.jpg

........ all in all he's beginning to look like a car again .......... I ordered the B&M torque converter, aluminum transmission and oil pans, and the DZUS fasteners (and wrench) today .......... hope to have those to Josh by next weekend ..... Josh has prepared the template for the dashboard and I approved the design ........ simple racing style dash with tach, speedo, oil, volt, temp, and gas gauges ...... three switches .... ignition, headlights, and interior light ....... electric fan, fuel pump, etc will be wired to come on with the ignition

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...310Thames5.jpg

We're finally beginning to make some progress :):cool::D

The Thames is really coming along now! Really great to see some real progress on it for a change, looks like you have it in the right shop this time!

Like they say in Californa.... Bitch'n! ;)

I'm, and I'm sure you are Glad, you didn't give up on her! Looks Great!

Back in the late 70's a guy had one stock, it was going to be towed away and I had $175.00 on me and offer it for it and he said he had to have $250.00 for it and tow it away for scrap insead! :eek:

Pat

Coyote,thats looking really good now..Got the right guys on it now,for sure..They have a neat profile when they have the right wheel/tyre combo..:cool::cool:

Man the Thames is awesome :D

I like it!

I'm in ...... great project.

REGS

I like it.Looks good.Dibs on the first ride.

Looking Good, Nice little van you got there.
Kurt

I'm not used to having progress every week ........... but we have some significant progress to report

the extensions to the frame to mount the nose have been tack welded in place and the nose not only tilts but it lines up with the body ........ can you imagine that :LOL:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...10thames06.jpg

Josh has fabricated the frame support to hold the battery box

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...10thames03.jpg

interior body panels are being repaired ........ those that go above the windshield and around the door glass

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...10thames04.jpg

He's really beginning to look like a vehicle again

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...10thames05.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...10thames09.jpg