Thread: Last chance bucket list bucket/bobtail/modified/track-roadster

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Just a bit of update...

Not much has been going on lately. The last few months have been really bad healthwise. Going out to watch the fireworks on the 4th was the first time I've been out for anything other than doctor appointments in quite a while.

Since then, the rear end has been opened up and verified in good condition. Next will be new seals and bearings...then cutting off the unneeded brackets. It's been a LOT of years since I've wielded an angle grinder, so cutting off those brackets has me a bit apprehensive. I'd hate to mess up those axle tubes.

Then there is the other HUGE dilemma...the frame. Almost from the beginning of this project, based on all the good recommendations I saw, I knew who I wanted to build my frame. I laid out my plans based on a custom frame of my design...then the builder I wanted stopped doing custom frames, and is only doing his standard frame. I scrapped all the plans I had, and started over around that standard configuration. I got to something I could live with, but wasn't what I originally had in mind, and was less handicap friendly than my original plan. The illustrations in my original post are of that compromise. A couple of weeks ago, I was ready to pull the trigger and order that compromise frame...then a friend told me of a relatively local shop that does custom frames. The shop is an impressive looking operation, but I know of noone who actually has one of their frames, and after living in this area for 13 years, I've never heard of them. Well, out of boredom, I decided to try and recreate the since lost original design, factoring in a lot of parts I did not have back then. The result is a design that is a lot closer to what I originally had in mind, including being more handicap friendly, but also a lot more complex. Now I don't know which way to go....A simple but less friendly design built by someone who's work is impeccable...or a more complex and friendly design built by someone who's work is an unknown commodity.

Well, this is another no real progress progress update

The health issues have gotten worse much quicker than anticipated. I've gone from using a cane to get around the house, to needing a wheelchair for anything more than a couple steps. Plus some of the pinched spinal cord issues...decrease of dexterity and feeling in my hands...have returned. Needing a wheelchair was anticipated and planned for, but has set in much sooner than anticipated. We knew the return of the spinal cord issues were possible, but if/when/how was unknown.

In general, I've just not felt up to do much of anything physical.

Also, my mechanic friend who encouraged me to undertake this project, and was going to assist me, is moving out of state. This means I'll probably have to hire out some aspects of the project...which with my budget will mean slowing things down.

What I have been doing is refining both versions of my frame plans...and making excuses for not pulling the trigger on either. The plans that started out as "What if" busy work, have become my favorite. Though the frame itself would require a couple more simple features, the bracketry would be simpler. Also, a big plus would be not requiring the immediate automation of the rear air bag suspension, for me to be able to get in and out of the car.

With the worsening of the health issues, I've been dragging my feet and making excuses for not pulling the trigger on having the frame built.

Over the last 2 years I've been acquiring parts. I now have the majority of the major parts except the following:

• Frame
• Radiator
• Front spindles & brakes
• Rear air suspension bags & schrader valves
• Rear wheels
• Front & rear Tires
• Ancillary gauges
• Shifter
• Bench seat

I have a lot invested in this project, and it has become my obsession. Fiddling with my CAD plans or tracking down bits and pieces that I can afford, is how I spend most of my time. My heart says I REALLY want to do this. My frugal nature says to cut my losses and give it up. My wife supports me in this, but I feel she may be a bit in denial about my health issues. If I give it up, I'll be at a loss for what to do with my time.

I really don't know which way to go.