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Dixie Flyer "Firefly" speedster photographs.


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Hello again

The Dixie Flyer went off this morning on the back of a tilt tray truck. Destination Tony Mc Connell's trim shop. Tony is going to fit the seat, trim and make and fit the carpet over the next two or three days. With May just a day or two away depending where you live the pressure is full on! The car is due to be packed for shipping in less than three weeks and still lots to do.

Bernie j.

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Hello again

Having just returned from Sports & Classic Auto Interiors I can report that Tony and assistant Paul Skerrey are working their fingers to the bone to get the interior trim completed. Here we see Tony finishing off the detail trim behind the seat while Paul is busy leather binding the edge of the holes in the carpet for the gear lever and hand brake prior to making boots for both levers.

Trim is due to be completed by tomorrow mid-day.

Bernie j.

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Hello 20Premier

Welcome to my post. I have used 12 mm (1/2 inch) structural grade exterior ply, sealed on both sides with 2 coats of clear polyurethane, & properly supported by frame cross members. I have used this for all my restoration floors including my Lagonda Rapier restored almost 30 years ago and travelled (actually driven) some huge distances both in Australia and Europe in all weathers since. I have never had a problem of any sort.

Bernie j.

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As promised the Dixie returned home this afternoon and I am busy getting on with the electrical wiring. meanwhile Dave the painter is working away making the hood green and the platers have just about finished with the radiator surround. It too should be ready to collect on thursday then it is full speed ahead.

Bernie J.

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Thank you West

I will have some more for you soon and of course Part 10 of "The Return to Louisville" is in the pipe line. Every day now we are getting closer and closer both to being finished if that is ever possible and to Louisville.

Bernie j.

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Thanks for the warning!

We being Francophiles from way back would have leant towards the French pronunciation but even they have difficulties with whether you use the Parisian or the local acents so what hope do we Aussies have in the US. I even have to keep changing the spelling of words like Colour/color. and Specialised/specialized.

Bernie /Bernard......

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Now that we have sorted out the differences in language, it is back to work! Just hang in there I promise to have the photographs that you all have been waiting for within the next two or three days. Believe me no one will be more pleased than me.

Bernie j.

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The British call it "Sod's Law" right now I still cannot believe my luck.

Just when I was thinking that I was on top of everything the starter motor decided to quit!

Having removed the offending item and made some tests I discovered that one brush retaining spring had broken. Not a lot but just the bit that presses the brush into contact with the commutator. After striping down the starter and removing the offending spring I went into panic mode! Where the heck do you get a spring for a 90 year old Dyneto starter. Most people (unless you own a Franklin or an early Packard) have never even heard of Dyneto Auto- electrics.

Somewhere there is a supreme being who is looking down on the Dixie Flyer. My second call was to a local Vintage parts supplier "Auto Surplus". They have been buying up new old stock for the past 50 or 60 years and never throw anything away. In reply to my request the answer came. We have a box of about 200 starter Brush springs, bring over your sample and have a look.

Within an hour I was able to re-assemble the starter and after testing it replace it back onto the Dixie Flyer.

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Edited by oldcar (see edit history)
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:):)Night Time photographs are never the best but as I had made a promise I was not about to change a lifetime practice so here are this evenings pic of the Dixie Flyer. I will try for some better ones tomorrow.

Bernie J

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I was being sted fast patience for you to have the time to post proper pictures, not to say that the couple pictures taken in the evening weren't a good begining. To say that it is beautiful is an understatement, it's simply gorgeous. To have the eye, patience and the skill to turn a bit of metal bits into this things that looks oh so ready to motor down the road is just amazing. Just a great job and a great finish. I hope that all goes well on your trip...

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Hello Scott

Sadly we are not quite ready to motor down the road. At the eleventh hour the Magneto decided to go on strike. Even after four or five hours of frantic checking and rechecking it would provide a spark when on the bench but failed when re-assembled on the engine. I am about to take a spare apart and have its armature re-wound before rebuilding it. I will then bring it with me in my hand luggage and fit it in Louisville. Hopefully I will have two or three days to sort this out after we arrive. Meanwhile the car is on its way. The good people at Kentucky Trailer ( aka Kentucky Wagon Mfg Co) are providing transport from LA to Louisville in one of their "state of the art" Automobile Transport trailers.

Bernie j

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If you cannot find the Herald article attached is a similar photo to the one used plus as a bonus one of self and grandson & ace mechanic OTTO aged 4. This one has to be one of my favourite photos. The third photo shows Helen supervising the loading of the Dixie Flyer into the container for the sea voyage to the US.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Rockpick

Not too long to wait now! The Flyer is well on the way arriving in LA on about the June 18. It then travels by road to Louisville. We Leave Australia on the morning of June 23 and arrive in Louisville about 30 hours late at 11.45 PM on the same day. Talk about time travel! Something to do with crossing the International date line. Attached are two photographs of the Dixie Flyer being loaded onto a transport for the journey to the container depot.

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Oldcar,

You know I am already going through withdrawals. Seeing the last couple pictures you just posted just reminds me, maybe even all of us, just how much skill and determination it took to remake this car and how wonderful it turned out.

I can wait while you take a bit of a well deserved break but at the same time look forward to your selection of your next project. Have a safe and enjoyable trip to the states and I'm sure the Flyer will be a big hit in Louisville. Scott...

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Guest Rockpick
Hi Rockpick

Not too long to wait now! The Flyer is well on the way arriving in LA on about the June 18. It then travels by road to Louisville. We Leave Australia on the morning of June 23 and arrive in Louisville about 30 hours late at 11.45 PM on the same day. Talk about time travel! Something to do with crossing the International date line. Attached are two photographs of the Dixie Flyer being loaded onto a transport for the journey to the container depot.

Travel safe! Look forward to seeing you on this side of the pond...

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The count down has begun. By my calculations the Dixie Flyer should now be on American soil. It will still have to clear the US Customs and then be transported to Louisville. We depart Melbourne Victoria Australia 11.00 AM Wednesday June 23 and arrive In Louisville Kentucky USA 11.45 PM Wednesday June 23 after traveling for around 30 hours.

Wow

Bernie j.

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  • 2 weeks later...

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