Keith L.

For the legions of zephyr fans out there that want to know the difference between the ’40 and ’41 Zephyr steering wheels. Many think the only difference between the two is that the ’41 have three notches or cutouts where the horn ring goes to accept the new-for-that-year chrome horn ring, the color is lighter ,the ’41 has a new horn button and gone is the translucent red wheel for the Continentals. Well there are several differences other than those. The ’41 horn ring (with the metal insert) is slightly larger than the ’40. The ’41 has a longer metal shaft, about 1/4” longer. The longer length is needed to accept the new turn signal mechanism. The three small holes on the ’41 base are offset to the right to clear the chrome horn ring mounting on the horn ring. Why is this knowledge coming to you? Well it’s self-serving. As a few of you know I’m in the middle of making molds for the ’41 steering wheel to recast, and I thought I could use the same mold for both years. Just fill in the cutouts on the ’41 and viola!, I would now have a ’40 mold. I can not use a ’40 core to recast a ’41 wheel Now I need to find a pristine ’40 wheel to make a mold. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Attached are two photos showing the underside of the two years and outlining the differences. If you wish to be on a “interested” waiting list, let me know. The big question I am asked is …the price. Well I’m anticipating the price will come in under $500 each, depending on the number of interested Zephyr folks. Keith

Phil, Thank you. I know it took a lot of time. We all appreciate it.

Nice find!. Looks like you're missing a few plastic parts for the doors. I make all the interior "peachglow" plastic for the Zephyrs. Send me your email address through Private Messages and I'll send you a price list. Keith

This is an update from my post from last year. Well, it took some time between moving from one state to another, but I got the casting issues resolved. Attached is the '41 radio face plate and knobs that are going out to Tom Overfield today. Color is the correct '41 "peachglow" and it matches the interior items I made for him earlier this year. Just like the original, the back side is painted silver to block out any light coming from the radio. I placed a black piece of paper behind the clear dial indictor to highlight the painted numbers. Send me a Private Message if you would like a complete color price list of all years, sent to you, either by email or mail. I am still working on the '41 steering wheel recasting. I'm making a list of people that are interested. If you want on the list, let me know. In my next post i'll be asking questions of the general membership about steering wheels and recasting. Thanks, Keith

Love that photo.

Keith here. At this time I need to borrow some '37 knobs to make reproductions. They don't need to be pristine, I'll make a cast of them and then restore the cast part for a final reproduction. NO DAMAGE IS DONE TO THE ORIGINAL PART! Don't take anything off your car, but maybe you have an old dash knob(s) kicking around in a drawer you could send me. Maybe even close-up photos so I can come close. I think the window crank for '37 were the same as '38 (which I have). I know there are folks out there in Zephyrland that could use new '37-'39 knobs. with your help, I can fulfill there needs. If it sounds like begging...it is. Mike, I do not make a '42-48 wheel at this time. Next year. Right now I'm making the mold for the '41 wheel. Shooting for sept release. Keith

Naked! Yikes! What color are you gonna paint?

Well, It took awhile but I finally finished the price list promised. As a Senior Member of this distinguished club I'm going to maybe bend the rules and see if I can upload my six page price list. If it doesn't take, send me your email in the Private Message section or your mailing address and I'll send you a nice color copy through the mail. I'll also send you a Black and White printed order form( easier on your printer.) I already have a few that responded several weeks ago to my request, and I'll send them out. This image may be so low res it might be unreadable, so do request a better copy. Thank you all for your support and encouragement, especially John Murphy, without his help, this endeavor would have never taken flight. Keith

This is a test. I'm trying to attach a pdf file to see if it takes. Order form 2011.pdf

Dave. Thanks for the link. Nice to see moving pictures of Edsel and his family.. Whoever did it did their homework. Often I see historical photos with wrong captions. Unfortunatetly, the mistaken information is passed along.

Is this Tim? Yes I can. I have your address in Zip code 45430. Since I now make over 40 plastic items for Zephyrs, I'm finally getting around to making a Price list. It should be done in a week, maybe two. Send me a Private Message so I know I've got the right address. I'll sent one off. Anyone else who would like a price list, send me a private message with a email address and I'll send you a printable PDF of my price list. If you would like a hard copy, Send me your address and I'll mail one out. Like I said, It should be ready in about a week. Thanks, Keith

I seem to have some confusion. The photo I posted I thought was a '38 escutcheon, till John Murphy pointed out that the plastic looks like a later year, and he maybe right. Attached is the original photo from a '38 that I cropped the detail image from. The second and third photos are from a different '38 and show a close up of the door and crank escutcheons. Very different in style. Which is correct? Does the first photo have later window/ door escutcheons? Either way I still need a correct '38.

Who would I turn to but my friends on the Forum! As you know by now I make reproduction plastic for the Zephyrs. I am missing several plastic parts for the '38. I make the '38 window crank knob, but I do not have its corresponding escutcheon. Does anyone out there in Zephyrland have a spare I could borrow to make a mold? The mold making process does not harm the original. Even if it's cracked or slightly deteriorated I will have a start. Thank you. I will send your original back with a new reproduction. Attached is what I'm looking for.

Keith here. I'm alive and well. Here is my new email: kalsoclee@gmail.com. Tom I'll give you a call tomorrow, Sunday. I've been busy setting up my shop at my new home up here in Seattle. Most household stuff is unpacked and we're at the last stages of living out of boxes. I now have a lot of time to spend on my plastic projects. Just finished making molds for '40 and '41 thru '48 heater/defrost switch knobs (the ones with the brass thimble inserts. Very pleased with the outcome. Will post pixs in a few days.

Maybe he has some '40, '41 steering wheel cores for my repo project. I'll give him a call. Thanks

John Murphy emailed me the answer to my question. Thanks john, and thanks to Jeff Knapp for the the photo album. On yur computer go to LZOZ web page...click on "LINKS". On "LINKS" page scroll down to article on Peterson Museum Airsteams to Zephyrs. Click on that. When the page pops up click on page 3 of the photos. When that appears scroll down to bottom of pictures and over to the photo of a 39 Zephyr rear front seat ashtray. Appears to be same as 41, so I will imagine the 40 ashtray pull is the same as 39 and 41.

Hello, Keith here. Did 1940 Lincoln Zephyrs 4-door Sedans (not Continentals) use the same ashtray pull as the '41, only different in color? Since the front seats don't fold forward, the ashtray for the back seat folks is located on the back of the front seat. 1939 sedan?, '38? Attached is the rear seat '41 ashtray pull for comparison. Thanks.

Hello, new here. What red and green fluid should go into the gas/oil level glass gauges on a '34 Auburn. The glue holding the glass tube to the small brass funnel didn't hold and the both fluids leaked out. What were they filled with originally and what can I replace them with. Also what kind of glue will bond glass to brass? Any help or a link to the same kind of question here on the forum would be appreciated. Keith

Keith here. No, I do not make any '39 items, YET. Nor '36, '37 Yet. I do make '38 dash and window items: The four gauges in the speedo cluster, (see attached. First pour and color needs tweeking) I also make the Clock face, window/door knobs, and radio tuning knobs. The '38 speedo is in production and almost done. I need to borrow a pristine or nice '38 door bezel, choke, throttle and lighter to complete the '38 set. Any help would be greatly appreciated. No harm is done to the originals when making the molds. If you have one knob and need another, contact me. Also looking for '36, 37, and 39 knobs to borrow. I also make about 98% of all the '40 thru '48 LZ and LC knobs. Thanks.

These are just what I needed, Thanks. Another question kind Sir. Is the horn base (tan in your first pix, missing in No. 2) Painted tan the same as the detail on the waterfall button or cast in tan plastic?

Keith here. Just relocated to Seattle area and haven't set up my shop yet. Attached is a picture of my progress on '40 and '41 steering wheel reproductions. It shows the wooden mother-mold that holds the final silicone mold in place. It keeps the silicone mold in registration and cuts down on the amount of silicone used to make the steering wheels. This mother-mold was designed to be used on '40 thru '48 years. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress.

Great photos. Could you do me a favor and post a photo of your dash. I'm interested in the '40 Top knob position. Thanks, Keith

Well last week my wife and I moved from Las Vegas to seattle. Entire house and goods.(A story in itself) We are in looking for a house now. We are in temporary housing for the time being. All my mold making equipment for reproduction Zephyr plastic is also packed up and needs to be unpacked, organized etc. Need to make price list and get the word out. Down in vegas I had to divide my time between 50 hour work weeks, house chores, and making molds. Now I should have more time to get caught up on some promises I made. (Finishing up '41 plastic for John Murphy and getting Tom Overfield some samples of window knobs). Thanks for the patience, guys. My '41 3 window is still down south. In the spring I'll go down and drag her up here. Still working on making repo '40 and '41 steering wheels. slowly getting there. Looking for cores. BTW, looking for nice '38 and '39 window escutcheons to borrow for mold. Attached are a few samples of my work. Thanks, Keith

Well, I guess I'll start casting dark brown AND peachglow. (see my earlier post, above)

Glenn, Yes, as a full set (shown, 2 buttons, two escutcheons) with mounting instructions, or individually. Send me a private message with your email and your needs, and I'll send you a price list. Keith