AURktman

I will complete the steering wheel/gearshift and brakes tomorrow and it should move around under her own power! Transmission filled, cooling system all wrapped up, and had the rear wheels moving under power for the first time in 36 years.

Well, Bertha lives!! I will need to change out those mufflers (maybe) next winter, they're a bit too loud (maybe... lol)

Looks much better than “driver quality”! I sense a side business for ya! Those look very well done.

I know most won’t see this as a milestone, but I picked up a battery for the 57 because I needed it. After 15 years I finally needed a battery. I would post more photos but I worked on electrical all day. Although I made a bunch of progress, you can’t tell because it “looks” the same as it did yesterday. Ha!

Everything fitted, trim and switches in permanently. Cluster will come back out to get all the wires connected. Still have to add the trim edging around the cluster. Then install glove box and door and ashtray and it’s finished.

Getting wiring installed and dash finished up. I will get her running next week then cocoon the dash forward and finish the roof and back half.

Fighting the electrical spaghetti monster now. Just getting the dash and engine compartment done, will finish the rest after I finish the bodywork. I want to get the car to where it runs and moves under its own power so it will make moving it in and out of the workshop easier. I’m getting a bit old and broken to keep pushing it in and out manually. And I’m only 48.

Looking more like a car instead of a pile of parts and rust.

As long as the thread is 5/16 fine thread, you’re good. I’ve had several over at TriFive comment that it would make more sense to get them in stainless to prevent rust, and that does make some sense. You can also find them on McMaster.com. Stainless version. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X2V7M0K?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_MZ2ZVZZJGM0ZD12GSD51

Figured out a replacement for those dastardly Phillips head screws used on the door hinges. They work well so far. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CPJG81V?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_Y2YPK2N6QMZ7CE9SPCTP

More stuff in place to check alignment and measurements. Also the new bumpers arrived and I checked them over for any dings or rust, they look good!

More bites of the elephant done. I sent photos to my wife (she is on vacation with her sister and nephew in Maine) and here is her response…. I have never been so offended by something I 100% agree with.. hahaha! As I said, it’s a 3 year project that has taken me 15 years.

I have a new wiring harness built by AAW on an original fuse block, that will get installed. I will repair some of the underside rust that is in some critical areas in the trunk. I will get a new stainless steel fuel tank for a 60 Chevy and modify it to fit. I also have a complete new exhaust to install. Other than those things, I will do little else. I want to be able to drive it regularly, I know Hugh and Maude would want it that way. It only has 85,900 miles on it, I’ve put about 300 miles on it in 6 years and plan to put a lot more. I also have the seat belts to install.

Once you get the Trifives in your blood, it’s hard if not impossible to get rid of it. Although mine does take many donations of my own blood. Lol! Some of the work from today. Holes drilled and fender louvers fitted. Headlight buckets and trim fitted.

Dash cut and buffed, the top turned out ok, it could have been better. Some of the parts test fit including the front speaker, emergency brake, and heater controls.

Color and clear. Inca silver. Only one bit of dirt in the clear, no runs. Color coat Clear. I had already shut off the power to the left side of the workshop before I remembered to take a photo.

Dash ready for final sanding, seal, and paint.

Annnnnnd Maude, my 60 Bonnie.

More TriFives

More cars

A decent turnout even with a threat of rain. Here are some of the Model As.

Worked the knee dent out of the dash, seam sealed the seam of the floor to toeboard, and bedlinered the toeboard and around the perimeter of the floor.

Thanks! It’s a 3 year project that’s taken 15 years. 😁

I’m starting out the wire routing, it’s an American Auto Wire Classic Update Harness. After I RaptorLine the inside floors and finish the rust repair in the doglegs, I will start running wires front to back.

Finally found some photos from 2007-08 of when I picked up the 57. You can see the level of rustiness and crustiness it had.