Thread: I think we see the finish line!

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Hey Don looks like both of you are amazingly close to the line now, great stuff

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Thanks Dave. Yep, the satin black is not for every one, but we can't imagine any other shade for this one. It allows the shiny powder coating, stainless bolts, and chrome stuff to come through as the focal points. To us it just says Hot Rod as opposed to Street Rod. (nothing wrong with Street Rods, just not what he wanted for this particular car)

Those cowl bands are a bear to intall. We spent one whole weekend a while back, trying to figure out how to get it put on straight. The original Model A cowl top has 3 bumps in it that hold the band in place, but the Brookville smooth topped one doesn't have them. So we made up 3 special little bolts to accomplish the same thing. But even then the band needed some reforming with hands and a rubber mallet to get it to conform. Once we had it right we tightened it down and let it stay on the body for a long time so it would take the shape and keep it.

Every time we went to a show we would look at other model A's and talk to their owners to get tips on installing it. The final solution ended up being those little clips that go on the sides and hold it from slipping forward. Once we had those in place it became much easier.

Don

Wow That thing is looking great Don.
Kurt

Thanks Kurt. How is the new Grand Daughter? We need some updated pictures.

I just talked to the upholsterer to see if we are still on for me dropping off my 27 on Saturday. They are not going to be done with the 55 they are working on until Sunday, so it looks like Monday night is the soonest I can take it there. That is really pushing it for having it done for Turkey Run at Thanksgiving. Oh well, what will be will be.

Don

Way to go Don. Sounds like you can almost feel it happening! Post a video of your car tomorrow during the test drive, and give Dan a well deserved Pat on the back for all the hard work he put into this project, his skill and attention to detail are really paying off now!

It's gonna be close ain't it???
The GrandDaughter is doing great she's up to 7 pounds now up from her 4 pound birth weight. My daughters husband still thinks he got a good deal for that pineapple, said he's got a little angel now as part of the deal.
I told him that's just till GrandPapa start's spoiling his little angel. HE! HE! HE!
Kurt

Looks great! The hard work, long hours, and attention to detail always make a project worthwhile! Congrats on a very well done project!

looks great and that white firewall really sets the engine. great job.

Very, very nice - most of us here have been waitin' for this day. Those skinny bologna's - I'll bet they'll smoke up a storm cloud

Thanks everyone for the compliments, I'll pass them on to Dan. Although he is kind enough to say he and I built this car, the truth is, he did 99.9% of it. I was there to help lift heavy stuff, push it outside for painting, and sweep up sometimes, but he is the one who has hung in there for all these years and had this vision. No matter how I tried to get him to rush things sometimes, he wouldn't take any shortcuts. To say I am proud of how the car is turning out would be an understatement.

Bob, good suggestions on the striping. He is hoping to hook up with Skratch (the pinstriper who did my 23 and Don's 23) to have some subtle work done, and I will mention the wheels to him. As for the top, not familiar with the Lee style top you cite...........do you have any pictures?

The top he is planning will be done in a traditional style, with stitching around the side window opening, down the sides of the top, and around the rear window opening. He has ordered a 32 glass back window and frame from LeBaron Bonney and is going to have the upholsterer put that into a zip out rear window flap. The material came in, it is an off white to match the firewall and seats. Here is a taped up version of what profile he is shooting for. (if the back were slanted more it would hit his head when driving)

Don

Nice shape Don.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Thanks everyone for the compliments, I'll pass them on to Dan. Although he is kind enough to say he and I built this car, the truth is, he did 99.9% of it. I was there to help lift heavy stuff, push it outside for painting, and sweep up sometimes, but he is the one who has hung in there for all these years and had this vision. No matter how I tried to get him to rush things sometimes, he wouldn't take any shortcuts. To say I am proud of how the car is turning out would be an understatement.

Bob, good suggestions on the striping. He is hoping to hook up with Skratch (the pinstriper who did my 23 and Don's 23) to have some subtle work done, and I will mention the wheels to him. As for the top, not familiar with the Lee style top you cite...........do you have any pictures?

The top he is planning will be done in a traditional style, with stitching around the side window opening, down the sides of the top, and around the rear window opening. He has ordered a 32 glass back window and frame from LeBaron Bonney and is going to have the upholsterer put that into a zip out rear window flap. The material came in, it is an off white to match the firewall and seats. Here is a taped up version of what profile he is shooting for. (if the back were slanted more it would hit his head when driving)

Don

Thanks Steve. It is pretty much what it had to be. These rpu bodies are tight on space and Dan wanted the standard length Brookville vs the fat man version, so that sort of dictated the size of the top. We have shown the upholsterer every picture we could find in magazines of tops Dan likes, and Dan has been very specific about where he wants the stitching and snaps to go, so it should turn out ok.

I think Dan used my 27 as a test mule. He let me get my upholstery done first so we can see if the guy does nice work, before Dan takes his car to him. BTW, I keep wondering how my work is coming......he is supposed to have it done this week and I am really anxious to see it in professional upholstery for the first time in it's 20 year life.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

As for the top, not familiar with the Lee style top you cite...........do you have any pictures?
Don

Pickups are always a bit difficult because of the back angle and short side. Often a top looks better when the back angle of the window opening matches the very back slant. A bit of a dog leg as an alternative might add some interest and make that side panel look less bulky (but of course, all of this is personal taste). I said modified because of the limitations of the way the bows are shaped on Dan's top mechanism. Here are a couple Lee style tops (not too sure the second one is his or a copy, the stitching doesn't look as interesting). He was big in Pasadena in the '40s and '50s. Baskerville's car had a Lee top also if you can dig up any pics of that.

That Lee top is very similar in design to the OEM 'A'

Can't wait to see this one in person.
Bradc

Bob, thanks for posting those pictures.........now I see what style you are talking about. You are right, his top bow configuration makes it so that he needs that canvas on the sides to cover it up. The Kwik Top has some drawbacks which is why he cut it up and redid it into a different shape. Now it is pretty rigid.

Brad, won't have it ready for Turkey Run, but if you come to Billetproof in April it should be there. That is our new target date.

Don