Re: Your advice on this '51 Patrician for possible purchase

Posted by Don Shields On 2015/5/13 1:02:44

There are a few things that disturb me in looking at the CL pictures. One is the underhood view. It appears that the fuel line is routed incorrectly and comes up from under the heater box, through a filter and then makes a U-turn into the carburetor. I wonder what's on the lower front right side of the engine where the fuel/wiper vacuum booster pump should be? Also, if the factory pump has been removed in favor of an electric pump, how are the windshield wipers powered? Another very minor item is it looks like the battery ground strap is not connected to the engine. Of course it may have been loosened deliberately when it was stored and is just dangling down.

The picture of the rear of the car shows the exhaust pipe exiting from almost the center of the car. It has to be routed just under the fuel tank which can cause all kinds of fuel temperature issues when driving in hot weather. Why was it routed that way?

I'm sure you noted the clear plastic at all the door windows. This means there's a leak somewhere in the hydraulic power window/seat system that causes the windows to lower and not operate. They state all the glass is good but you won't be able to verify that until the system is fixed. I'd figure on a replacement of all cylinders and hoses to start with. Then the pump and the switches can be checked for proper operation. And I'm sure you also noted that the outside rearview mirrors look to be aftermarket and appear to be awkwardly installed at the leading edges of the doors.

The written statement is somewhat confusing. They state the car runs but hasn't been driven in five years. Then how do they know it runs if they haven't tried it for five years? Perhaps they meant the engine runs; hopefully they've been starting it periodically. If not, you know you're in for a fuel system overhaul.

On the plus side, it does look like there isn't much rust visible (I'd like to see some pictures of the lower edges of the doors and fenders though) and the brightwork does look pretty good. It even appears to have a couple of extra rims in the trunk. As you wish, best of luck with this.