Made the Plunge
Posted by LynnFauth On 2012/7/9 19:11:31
A few weeks ago I posted, asking for information on a 53 Mayfair. Prospect of it having too much rust, and being 2000 miles away in Minnesota, caused hesitation. It looked interesting with some extra chrome on the rear quarter, and 300/400 tail lights. The presence of a head in the front seat, a floor shifter, and an extra engine made it seem a bit of a gamble, especially considering the rust and distance. Thanks to all who helped me sort things out.
I looked locally--Southern California. First, I looked at a 53 Clipper Touring Sedan, 2 tone, Ultramatic, wheel covers, fender skirts. A nice car but it had a bit too much rust, and the interior needed major work, but it was a decent driver. Some title issues caused me to blink.
I followed up yesterday by buying a 53 Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan--Galahad Green Top, Orchard Green bottom, with factory (dealer installed?) sun visor, fender skirts, and factory spot/sideview mirror combos. It appears to be an old restoration--there's a 1987 Historic Cars Winner badge affixed to the grille. The guy I bought it from said he bought it from a police auction--his story was that an old guy died and willed it to Police Youth League and they sold it to this guy. It hasn't been driven in 2 yrs, so he had to put a new battery in it, and I'll have to catch payments up with the DMV! It started, and I drove it a couple of miles. Needs to have the radiator flushed and a new thermostat.
I'm trailering it to my house on Thursday. Before driving it I figure I need to flush the radiator and replace the thermostat, flush the engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and hypoid oil. Any suggestions on type/brands of oil/fluids to use, and hints on doing the work? I'm recently retired, a veteran of 2 yrs of H.S. Auto shop half a century ago, and reasonably mechanically inclined, so I think I can do some of the work. Hopefully I'm not too dangerous with intention exceeding ability!
I'd appreciate suggestions/gentle hints, etc. I'm in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County California, so if anyone's around and wants to kibbitz, let me know.
I'll be registering it with the website when I get the car home.
Lynn Fauth
Attach file:
(116.46 KB)
I looked locally--Southern California. First, I looked at a 53 Clipper Touring Sedan, 2 tone, Ultramatic, wheel covers, fender skirts. A nice car but it had a bit too much rust, and the interior needed major work, but it was a decent driver. Some title issues caused me to blink.
I followed up yesterday by buying a 53 Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan--Galahad Green Top, Orchard Green bottom, with factory (dealer installed?) sun visor, fender skirts, and factory spot/sideview mirror combos. It appears to be an old restoration--there's a 1987 Historic Cars Winner badge affixed to the grille. The guy I bought it from said he bought it from a police auction--his story was that an old guy died and willed it to Police Youth League and they sold it to this guy. It hasn't been driven in 2 yrs, so he had to put a new battery in it, and I'll have to catch payments up with the DMV! It started, and I drove it a couple of miles. Needs to have the radiator flushed and a new thermostat.
I'm trailering it to my house on Thursday. Before driving it I figure I need to flush the radiator and replace the thermostat, flush the engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and hypoid oil. Any suggestions on type/brands of oil/fluids to use, and hints on doing the work? I'm recently retired, a veteran of 2 yrs of H.S. Auto shop half a century ago, and reasonably mechanically inclined, so I think I can do some of the work. Hopefully I'm not too dangerous with intention exceeding ability!
I'd appreciate suggestions/gentle hints, etc. I'm in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County California, so if anyone's around and wants to kibbitz, let me know.
I'll be registering it with the website when I get the car home.
Lynn Fauth
Attach file:
(116.46 KB)
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