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Still busy with real work, but managed to get a few things done. The rear bumper is split to allow mounting and hinging of the spare. The easiest way to cut the bumper would have been on a really big chop saw, but failing that I made a little angle template to guide cutting with a hand held disc. Now the bumperettes turn back into the body somewhat.

A-1 Driveshaft in Baltimore shortened my driveshaft 10" to match the wheelbase change and here it is all dressed up with new u-joints (Napa 369, all 51-56 stick shift cars) and a coat of paint.

Scored this really cool old Delco high performance coil which will look nice prominently mounted on the engine.

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"bump"

Was away in Kenya helping out at an orphanage in Jan. and Feb--this was my 20th year, and the high point of any given year. Have only done some really small things on the car lately but will post later today. Before welding the quarter panels to the B-pillar it would be expedient for me to work out details of the folding top as pivot brackets for the mechanism will mount there. This is straining my mental powers.

Just wanted to say what a great thing you do for the orphans in Kenya. 20 years, man you a great guy!

Hi Ross

"...it would be expedient for me to work out details of the folding top as pivot brackets for the mechanism will mount there. This is straining my mental powers"

It might be worthwhile to examine the Kaiser Darrin and two-seat Thunderbird folding mechanisms for ideas. Dutch Darrin used simple hoop bows,

Steve

Knowing Ross, he'll come up with an automated folding hardtop for it.

John

Here are some stylized photos of the machine. If you stand back and squint from a distance you can get a good idea of how it will look. It is starting to look fairly trim: 14 inches shorter, 4 1/4 inch section, and the loss of the tall roof. It will be lower yet when up to full weight and the the possible loss of a leaf in each rear spring.

Have to do some rework at the rear as I made the landing spot for the spare too high on the trunklid. The tire--which will be larger diameter--is set about where I would rather.

Found these cool Chrysler rims that fit the Clipper bolt pattern. The smooth concave shape reminds me of early thirties disc wheels. The center cap is the reactor turbine from an Ultramatic convertor.

I am looking for another of these wheels btw.

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Hi Ross

That smooth, concave wheel looks like the style that was a popular option for the Continental Mark IV in the mid'70's.

Steve

What a great idea for the wheel covers! It looks great!

Ross, the car is coming together nicely and is most attractive. The mods you have done work well together. I am interested in the two drawings. My guess is you post processed the photos to achieve the sketched look. Can you share how you achieved the illustrations? Thanks JWL