Randy,

Is your Caribbean convertible one of the six that came from the factory with wire wheels? (This according to the Cormorant Autumn 1987 - number 48).

If so, that may take some of the sting out of the restoration cost

Robert.

BigKev,

You win on the heat index! We occassionally hit 100 here but normally in the lower 90's which makes the garage tolerable with a window box fan. At least in the morning.

BH,

Thanks for your post on the tapered bolts. "Tedious" was kind...I had a few other choice words during disassembly.

Regards,
Robert.

Happy 4th of July Kev and everyone who contributes to this website. Hot day here in Atlanta so will fire up the grill in a couple of hours and begin cooking the burgers and dogs. There is definitely a cold one awaiting the cook!

I did manage to spend a couple of hours in my garage today disassembling my 56 Carib steering linkage. Even after pressure washing the linkage still shows the signs of 50 plus years of road use. Everything will be cleaned, sandblasted, acid etched and painted cast gray aluminum. I have ordered new tie rod ends from MM.

Upon reassembly, what is the best way to re-install the tapered bolts on the steering links?

Thanks,
Robert.

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Thanks Brian.

I will start a blog to share my experiences. I took the fenders off a year and a half ago to deal with some significant rust and just kept going. Certainly now know my car better than ever but I sure miss driving it!

I have added my Caribbean convertible to the registry.

Regards,
Robert.

PackardV8,

I did not find a replacement bushing for the lower control arms. After cleaning and close inspection determined that mine appear to be in reasoanably good condition with 56,000 miles on the clock.

Robert.

Randy,

You are very welcome. I will start a blog at some point to share my project experience. Mine is by no means a complete restoration but certainly from the firewall forward a significant undertaking. If there were just more hours in the day or more days in the weekend!

The Bob Berg experience was good for all of us and I really enjoyed speaking with him and was delighted he went the extra mile to reissue those tools. Mine are still on the car working flawlessly holding up the TL suspension. I hope to have the steering linkage back under the car in the next few weeks and have a "roller" again. I will post some pics when I get to that point.

Keep up the good work and I look forward to one day meeting you in person and checking out both your fine rides.

Robert.

Randy,

I have been enjoying your posts on your "new" Caribbean so much that it was time to Register an account with Big Kev to wish you a hearty congratulations.

Although I agree with one of Brian's earlier posts that you have your work cut out for you but what a great find! Thanks for taking the time to share how you came to purchase the car and get it home. I look forward to your continued progress and the 2009 finished product!

Best Regards,
Robert