dei

Well, I'm in the last month before the wedding and naturally, contract work has heated up! (a truly good thing for my future but....) Had considered dropping the Special on her tires and having it towed over to my mechanic letting them finish up what I just can't seem to find time to do.... Unfortunately I learned he had to be air lifted to London (some two hours away by car) and perform emergency double by-pass surgery! Thankfully he is going to be fine with time off work but in his early 50's, too young in my opinion! Naturally, the shop is short handed and the guys are not willing to tie up a bay with an old car when it could be used to produce money to keep things going so..... While talking to my friend who owns the red Continental convertible I'd love to own, doesn't he generously offer to let me use his car for the wedding! At this point I have declined as he isn't able to be there himself and with my luck something might happen to it and would be more worried about that than enjoying the whole event! Would have been great if he was able to be there but.... don't need any more issues in my life, especially someone else's car!

(A friend of mine has this 1912 Overland Whippet that he was thinking about selling. It the complete chassis and engine and transmission on wheels. He is telling me its a model 59 with 104" wheel base. It has a home made wooden cab as a body. The chassis is in nice shape with an extra motor and hood is there too. Fenders are in good shape for being 1912. Can anyone help put a price on this car? Let me know. Thanks) I'm surprised no one has suggested looking at the WOKR (Willys, Overland, Knight Registry) as they have a forum not unlike the AACA, Buick Club of America and other marques. They would offer brass car ideas being familiar with Overland's and such. They also have an excellent collection of original blue prints which one can purchase of many models. I personally know and have a blue print for the back section of the rumble seat Dad bought when restoring our car. Check out their web site and scroll through the many pictures. They are an excellent resource and club. You also may find someone there that would be interested if you think it might be more than you might want to take on. Good luck! Keep us informed. (From another Overland Owner)

Matt, Don't want to get your hopes up too high but I have two motors sitting on pallets. I will have to go back over old threads to see what some said they would be so not sure if they are what might work for you. I know you need just the flywheel (which they both have) but not sure if they were for dynaflow's or not. Will check on Saturday as they are in two different locations and report back with pictures.

LOL

Hello, Wishing you all the best with your car. While I'm hooked on 58's due to being my first cars, the 55's would be my next choice simply because of their design. Love the two tone options. I think the rod is to hold the hood insulation in place. There should be another one at the back of the hood too? Again, being familiar with 58's, mine have rods that go fully across the hood but others that have 55's would be best to chime in here. (most of the active guys are away at the National I think so be patient) What I might be able to help you out with, I have an NOS hood trim piece for the bomb sight you might be interested in. Shoot me a PM if you want some pictures. The bomb sight itself is being re-made so they are not hard to get as they are used on both fenders of the 58's too or you might get lucky to find a good used one at a swap meet. As a friendly suggestion, don't take the car too far apart (especially if she is running) unless you have deep pockets and time. I made that mistake on one of mine and it has been years sitting like that as life sometimes does get in the way....... Having more than one car doesn't help either. Looking forward to following along.

Sometimes luck comes my way. While talking to a few car guys the subject comes up of cleaning up a shed of stored stuff and one mentions he has some tires he would like to get rid of. Decided to go back and check it out. First thing I notice is they are WWW and they are 15 inch. They are definitely used but have good tread and other than one (which was another make) show no signs of weather checking. At the price, I couldn't turn them down and went to work cleaning them up. They came out not too bad and with a bit more cleaning will make me happy. Most likely I will be putting these on the Limited as the tires on her now are port-a-walls. I know they are not period correct being the wide white wall they are but with the car being black, it will only be that more noticeable. Hope everyone has a good time in Allentown this week. Maybe next year I can make it to the National.....

Took my test in the parents 1964 Olds Dynamic 88. Because we had cottages near a small town was able to take the test there vs the city thinking it would be a snap. When I parked with the instructor, I see him looking at the clip board and says, "You did OK but.... you need to slow down". Always good advise for a teen right? The next day I started driving a 1958 Buick Limited 2dr dad had given me. Life was good!

Keith, Wish I had more time to meet up with you last weekend. It would have been nice to see Toronto, the Bay and your collection as the weather was perfect. Guess I have indeed strayed away from my Buick's and with only two months now before the wedding, finding it hard to focus on getting the Special back on the road. (Seems the older I get the faster the world is spinning but trying to hang on) Somehow going to get things done. Priorities being what they are I'm off to work this fine Sunday to finish a contract job that went long on us yesterday. At least the hard part is done and plan to be finished by 2pm.

Thanks John. I'm even starting to like the running boards more too. They do serve a purpose with my wife being so short.

A busy week since coming back last weekend. Monday morning took the Cougar over to the other place to get my work truck. While turning off the main road doesn't the engine rev some with out moving faster..... Went the three blocks, parked and checked the trans fluid. READING - LOW. Stopped at the mechanics (with the truck) and since he was short handed said it might be next week before he could get it on the hoist to take a look. Meantime, went about the day and after supper my son wants to get his Mustang out for an evening run. He gets in our trusty old 1999 Van to move it out and.... NO MOVEMENT IN FORWARD OR REVERSE WITHOUT SOME CLANKING NOISE! We managed to get it down the driveway out on the road and then there was no moving it at all! After 14 years of hauling kids, pets and groceries very dependably she has served us well. But we knew the time was coming and had been looking for a replacement for awhile but didn't think it would be quite this dramatic.... Had looked at another Van last week, put a deposit on it and waiting for some touch up work on the rear bumper to be completed so made a call to see where things were at. Wednesday we came home with it and Mommy is happy again! This one has only 43,885 kms (28,525 miles) on it for a 2009! No, it was not the car salesman story about the "little old lady driven car", it was indeed owned by a grandfather who passed away, willed it to his granddaughter and she thought it was not her style so traded it in on a Jeep. Thanks sweetheart! Hoping to get another 14 or so years out of this one (with luck).

Sunday July 10, 2016 Happy to report this weekend was wonderful on many levels (not so much concerning the Special at this time). Our soon to be daughter-in-law's family put on a wedding shower on Sunday in her home town of Hamilton, Ontario and I convinced my wife we should attend even though it was three hours away. Wouldn't you know our trusty minivan decided the coil pack was going to act up, dropping number one plug Friday afternoon and our local mechanic was going to be away Saturday but.... told the wife, we should take the Cougar as it need a good run!!! Checked everything over, topped off the gas before leaving Saturday and with having recharged the air conditioning two weeks ago, off we went in 94 degree heat. Soon after hitting the highway I set the cruise control slightly above the speed limit and settled in for a nice drive to a town on the way, visiting friends we have not seen for 22 years..... We 1st booked a room by luck (not having pre booked on line) as there was a Music Festival in town filling everyone up and after a great reunion, went out for a fun filled dinner they knew which has been there back from the old coach stopover days. Midnight seemed to come all too fast and we had to say good night as there was about an hour and a bit to go to attend the shower Sunday. Have to say the car performed as she should and with the air spot on, kept the passenger from complaining although, that big windshield sure does act as quite a solar collect pushing the system to it's limits. After a simple breakfast we arrived early and decided to explore Hamilton a bit. If you google map it you will see there is a huge bay/harbour and we stopped at one particular spot for some pictures. The bridge you see in the background is over the entrance to Lake Ontario beyond and if you head north (to the left) it you take you into Toronto, Ontario or go south, you will go to Niagara Falls. That is one HUGE Harbour! There has been quite a revitalization going on and it sure has changed what was mostly an industrial waterfront. We were at the Shower in plenty of time, met our soon to be extended family and had a fun time for about 4 hours before having to head home. Once again got on the highway setting the cruise just about the posted limit to not hold up the traffic (which seemed to be operating better all the time) and managed the trip home without any issues. Really please the car performed so well. Total kms traveled: 526.4 kms. She now reads: 71326.4 kms This is only the third tank of gas since bringing her out of two years of storage. Wish I could convince the wife to drive it since it handles so well.

I love what I am seeing so far! RESTORING????? How about maintaining? I bought this at 17 years old. Dated my wife and married her plus raised two boys with it plus now trying to get it ready for the oldest sons wedding this September some 43 years later...... Oh it needs restoring, but who has more fun but us car people?

Checking in to wish my fellow Canadian car group friends a happy Canada Day Weekend and my neighbouring American family and friends a happy July 4th Weekend! Health & Happiness to all. Hope to spend Sunday on the Special as work has kept me really busy (among other things) but today we are going to check out a vehicle or two as our trusty '99 mini van has just about reached it's pension age! Too many small issues are adding up and around here the rust has advanced to the point it is beyond putting money in to save it. After 14 years of hauling kids, vacationing and daily use it has more than served us well but, it is time. My wife has the opportunity to use the '89 Cougar but after driving a van, doesn't like sitting so low in traffic anymore..... Should be a fun day choosing something to make us both happy? Going to share this video sent to me which has a short viewing of the 1913 Buick I posted above. You will have to wait through the Corvette Show but gives a better viewing of the Car Club I have belonged to since I was 12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKzNAlr2D5g If any of you get this way I would encourage you to visit. The 25,000 square foot Transportation Museum has a large collection of mostly donated vehicles and the Village is unique to the area plus a great setting for the spring and fall Car Shows among other events. Next weekend will be a road trip in the Cougar to Hamilton meeting the future in-laws at a Wedding Shower. The summer is going fast....

Nice score Keith! I have picked up fenders and such from parts guys out west over the years (not usually from around here in Canada because of the rust) and are always amazed what there is to work with as basically a bolt on part. Well worth the money when you consider the expertise and time it would take to restore some of our rusted out metal here. Sorry to hear about the Electra issues. Hope it can be sorted out before the Allentown Meet. I'm sending you a PM about next weekend.

So, Sunday went to my Car Club spring meet and placed the for sale sign on the Cougar. Had two calls asking questions but nothing more serious as was out and about in the swap meet area, catching up with members and looking at some of the cars. Came across this one which I think was the oldest one there. As you can see by the oil on the inside of the hood, HE DRIVES IT! Came from 45 miles away to be here and it was a hummer.

If you mean the speedometer cluster, not the whole dashboard. You will have to take off the whole top panel of the dashboard first removing all the inside trim around the windshield at the dash. Then there are bolts in the panel attaching it to the dashboard that have to come out. Once they are out carefully lift the panel only enough to find the speaker wire, disconnect it (otherwise you will tear it off the speaker or out of the radio) and then remove the panel out of the car. You will then be able to access the cluster but have a sore neck and back reaching between the windshield, over the steering wheel and down inside to access the attachment bolts, wires, etc. You will have to disconnect the oil & temperature gauges from the cluster (they screw into the back of the cluster and will be moved out of the way but be careful NOT to kink the oil line) along with the instrument lights and the attachment bolts. Do not forget to unscrew the speed minder cable going to the rotating button at the bottom of the dash by the steering column. Should be a thin nut and might have to slip off the rubber cover (if it still has one) to slide through the hole. I have had to do three cars but might have forgotten something over the years. Just take pictures or make notes as you go and reverse the order when ready to put back together. Always fun to find an extra screw or two after the job is done and don't forget to check and re-install all the dash lights! You only want to do this once right?

Went to the Show Saturday, IT WAS HOT! 94 degrees and a driving wind which made it feel like a blast furnace but.... Turned the odometer over to 70,000 kms. (42,000 miles). Fortunately the air works great and she never missed a beat on the highway. The Show had about 65 cars of various makes and a mix of original restored to the usual street rods. Thought this one was interesting. No bites on the Cougar so..... Our Car Club is having their bi-annual Car Show & Swap Meet today so planning on a few hours there and who knows.....

In an effort to generate some funds and lighten up my collection I had a few moments Friday to wash up the Cougar to take it to a Show with a For Sale sign being held Saturday at the Ford Dealership where I bought my 2011 F150. I enjoy the fact this car is in such great condition. Need to fix the power window drive as the plastic / nylon gear is stripped and a pia to put up and down but nothing is ever perfect. Mean time, the Special in hiding behind the tool cart whispering at me to pay her some attention too......

Progress Keith, it's all about progress (ask me how I know). I'll bet it felt good to fire her up! NICE shot of your collection!

With editing hopefully have reset the pictures. My Limited is now sitting with the trunk lid off and will take a good look at what it takes to get one of the hinges off and let you know. (Need a few days though)

Hello. I took some pictures of the hinges on my Special and hope they might help. I've really put my sins out there so please don't be too harsh. Having 44 years of ownership and several hard miles in the early days, it never was a 'show car'. The car never was hit in the rear and the trunk lid opens and closes nicely. Notice there are no washers under the bolts at the lid. This is just before the lid is actually locked down. The gaps are good and nothing binds going up or down. I'm no 'body guy' but wonder from your picture, is there a difference between the models (Special vs Super) in the shape / contour of the lid? Yours seems to have a bit of a curve upwards along the edge near the window whereas mine is fairly straight. Is it possible some repair of pressure has taken place, distorting things a bit? Also, there are multiple pins in one hinge (I count six). Do any of those seem to have play in them? Mine (although look old) do not. Possibly worn out pins keep the hood in the wrong spot when trying to shut it and binds let alone not positioning it properly when fully closed. Not sure any of this helps you but maybe there is a body guy willing to look at yours and this might give something to compare with him. T'would be nice if you were closer.

OOps! wrong post

I totally understand where you are at! It has taken me a LOOONG time to decide to get back at mine and it is a struggle both financially and time wise too but.... just too much history/memories to let it go. I will need to replace my windshield (screen) on my Roadmaster some day before I can get a safety certificate and know they don't come cheap let alone the balance of the glass..... Hang in there, at least the body looks to be solid which is a big plus around here.

Thanks for posting this historic car! I was at the track when I was a kid with my family in Dad's 1920 Overland touring and we all made two laps around it. It was the Willys Overland Knight Registry National Meet that year and this video brought back great memories of that ride and the Museum. Fantastic work on the Packard! The wheel wobble looks familiar as the Overland has a rear wheel doing it too.

Just popped in and saw you post. I think it might be the hinge pins too but see if you can take a picture of them and in the meantime I will compare my Limited with my Special to see if there is any differences because of the size of the hood also. I think it might be made up for the weight by the tension rods but not sure... Give me a day or two as I'm on the go with work and need to take a shot in the daylight.