Re: VIN information

Posted by flyntgr On 2017/4/27 23:48:54

If you are referencing O.P.s car, it is a factory stick with electric overdrive, power steering, power brakes and power antenna. There are no signs of an automatic ever having been in this car. A wealthy family owned it when new, as they had an antique and furniture store in San Antonio, the Morans, and they rebuilt the engine and repainted the car in 1989, according to receipts I have in hand. I have a photo of some of the work they did on the car (including the continental kit) in 1989. It also has an electric seat, which I suspect is a replacement for the original power (pneumatic?) seat.Edit: The synchromesh column-mounted 3 speed stick and o.d. were optional; automatic was standard, but not included on this particular car. They donated the car to a charity around 1990, and the car sat in an airplane hanger until 2016. It took about 30 minutes to get it running after changing the plugs, oil, filter and adding a fresh battery.It smoked a lot when first started, but that phenomenon has faded away like the good old soldier it is. I am thrilled that it should be running the highways soon-AND with a working air conditioner!

The aluminum head apparently went bad because it has a cast iron Thunderbolt 327 head installed now. If the head is a 1954 stock head, then the compression ratio is almost identical to that of the aluminum head in this 359 cid engine. The car runs very well and drives, but needs a new clutch, pressure plate, etc., all of which are on hand pending the paint job. All fluids have been changed, and the overdrive probably works, but I have only driven the car a mile since I've had it because the clutch is obviously hurting painfully when shifted, and the car shakes. It could need rear end repair.

Oh, and it also has an after market a/c, cruise control (see chain on clutch pedal), stereo radio with six speakers, and a modern alternator mounted on the wrong (passenger) side of the engine. A modern a/c was also added at that time. Lots to do, so little time, and the bill keeps adding up.

There is no spare tire, but I have found a wheel off a Packard with 15" steel rims, and will ad another wsw radial in the proper size as the spare. Curiously enough, the green bumper jack came with the car and looks authentic. I will post a picture of it later.

If you have any questions, I would be pleased to answer them. Reggie