Avanti R2, 1963, refresh

[unimogjohn]

It is Saturday, Dec 3rd. Did not hear from Greg last night. Friday night is usually his "day off" from projects.

But I got a couple of things in the mail today for the 1923 McLaughlin Buick.

The first is a horn button assembly. Mine is there, but when you push and release the horn button the horn continues to sound until you remove power. The assembly is all pressed together so there is no way to service it easily. So John Lee found one for me on Ebay and the rest is history. We will see if it is any better than the one on the car.

I also picked up a very nice search light for the 23 that will connect to the windshield post. It looks to be very little used and complete. The nickel plating is pretty good too. It should clean up nicely, and the silver reflector is perfect. The wiring will have to be replaced for sure. The bulb looks to be original with its little tip. The wooden handle twists for on and off. The wires go through the handle so will have to figure out how to remove it for access to the attachment points.

Here are a couple of pics.

[unimogjohn]

It is Sunday, Dec 4 PM. No report yet from Greg. And we just got back from the parade. We had a great time. Had the car packed with the town council, all four of them. The town, Little Washington, VA, is just a little spec in the road, but it has the only 5 star hotel and restaurant in all of VA and the surrounding area. The owner, Chef Patrick, rode in front seat with me. Quite an honor. If you have an interest take a look at his web site. The Inn at Little Washington

The 1928 Buick ran great and was a big hit. I guess that it was about 70 miles round trip. She did not miss a beat.

There were a couple of other cars of note. A 31 Chrysler runabout and 28 Essex. Both were nice cars. And of course the General Lee number 1 from the Dukes of Hazzard TV show. Here are some pics of the pre-parade activities. Lots of animals. Also included is a pic of the 28 buick, and our dog Shadow, dressed as a reindeer.

Edited December 4, 2011 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

It is Monday, Dec 5th. Here is Greg's weekend report. Remember a couple of weeks ago he modified a Volvo fan clutch for this Maroon Avanti. Well, he did not like the mass or sound of it so he saw a NOS Avanti fan clutch on Ebay. He bid until he won. Here is the rest of the story.

Greg's report: "A good weekend. Some work, some no so much.

I've decided to try to overhaul the Stewart Warner electric fuel pumps. Remind me to order the gasket sets out of the new improved material that might withstand the new and "improved" gasohol.

Otherwise, I've started splashing paint remover on some of the Black Avanti R3 engine parts.

And for today, Barb and I drove to Coco's to retrieve the ebay fan clutch. Got back in time to install it and then test drive the car to meet the Burchills for dinner.

The clutch lives up to my expectations. Can't hear it. Just like I remembered.

Dinner also up to expectations. Good visit with good company and good food.

Winner, winner, winner."

[unimogjohn]

Good morning! It is Tuesday, Dec 6th. A misting rain here this morning, but in the 60s. Suppose to get show in a couple of days. Ah, the fall.

Here is Greg's report from Monday PM. When I saw him last Barb had asked him a "how does it work" question re the thermo fan assembly for the Avanti. He said, "I have no clue". Well it looks like he still has that question.

From Greg. "Matheson Monday.

Worked on prepping the cam tower castings. Cleaned, re-cleaned, some "coach putty" in a few places showing signs of old age (slight rust pitting and a few casting flaws). Sanded, then they were coated with epoxy primer.

Your bonus round of Avanti pictures:

In trying to give a verbal description of what goes on inside the Avanti fan clutch, pretty much can't be done without visual aids.

Unit with the cover removed will show:

1. Main housing contains a clutch disc provided with holes and facings of friction material. This is attached to the hub and rotates inside the housing.

2. A pressed steel disc with ribs and pierced with a hole.

3. A spring steel gizmo.

4. A button that passes through the front cover.

5. The front cover.

6. What I think is a bimetallic steel strip that floats in the front cover.

There was a trace of oil inside.

Another view shows the button in place on the spring steel gizmo that must close or open that hole.

You tell me how it works."

[unimogjohn]

It is Wednesday, Dec 7th. For your morning coffee. On the weather front here in northern VA it is raining hard and 55 degrees at 8 AM. Temps are suppose to plummet tonight into the 30s. Now we are suppose to get between 2 and 5 inches of snow. I am ready to plow with my little tractor.

But Greg's work continues. Here is his report.

"Tim Ohlendorf to the Matheson engine rescue. Don't ask me why he'd have a 1"-16 tap, but it arrived in today's mail and should go back to him tomorrow. Thanks Tim and thanks Dave for arranging it.

Matheson work tonight amounted to the cleaning, prepping (include some Bondo rub on rust pitted castings), and a coat of epoxy primer on the cam bearing caps.

A few minutes spent in the Studebaker department. Another coat of paint remover and hosing of the R-3 oil pan.

I was called out of the shop today, enclosed are a couple pics of progress on the Wright eight. Milling the decks to even them up, dial in the angles, and figuring what to do next. This whole job is like trying to see around corners. And it gets dark early this time of year.

Bob Eagan, I haven't screwed up your casting yet, but it ain't too late.

[unimogjohn]

It is Friday AM, Dec 9th. Oh so cold this morning, 21 degrees on the farm. Glad the llamas have their fur coats on.

Greg pushes ahead, here is his report for your morning coffee.

"Tonight like last night, it is Matheson time. Sorting and cleaning hardware, test fitting the camshaft, and looking into the make and break ignition action. I understand that this engine, like the early horizontal Wright engines, has no sense of humor should it be rotated backwards (should it rock back on shutdown or backfire). It deranges the triggers and leverage, wrecks things. I've assembled one set to study the operation. Might have a cure.

Also for your amusement, a pic and a short subject on today's Wright eight milling operation. I realize that some will be able to view the clip, some won't get the audio, some will get only hieroglyphics. Good luck with that."

And here is the little video.

Edited December 9, 2011 by unimogjohn
added video to Youtube (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

Greg just sent me this video of the Wright Bothers V8 cam being made.

DELTACAM8005625500's Channel - YouTube

[unimogjohn]

Still Friday. I took some time out from doing farm stuff and went to work on the search light that I purchased on Ebay a week ago. So went got out the Dremel and started a light cleaning and then a good hand polish on the bracket assembly. My hands are black! It took about two hours and came out pretty good. Put it on the car to see how it would look. What do you think? Here are a few pics. The first pic is a "before" pic.

[unimogjohn]

It is Monday, December 11th. Very cold this morning, 19 degrees. More than frost on a pumpkin for sure.

I have been talking to Chris (Seventhson on this forum) about helping to move his 63 R2 Avanti from a storage lot way out of the city to his garage. We agreed on today for the move, so met him at the storage lot and loaded the R2 onto the trailer and made the trek to his home. We arrived safely and got her into the garage. I will leave it to Chris and his "Avanti Rescue" blog on this forum to keep us update and more pics. But here are a few that I took.

I also got a note from Greg. His computer went kaput and was the only one at the office with the old style floppy drive. So pics are out right now. He said that he spent quality time with the black Avanti's R3 block. So he did not slack off this past weekend.

[SeventhSon]

Everything went smoothly thanks to John and Alice. Now the Avanti is home and the real work begins!! Thanks John and Alice!

[unimogjohn]

Still Monday, PM now. Greg just sent me his work report. Wow, what a painting project. Remember, this is the wing of an early Wright bi-plane. Will be great to see it all assembled.

Here is the report.

"This computer crashed, but didn't burn. Good thing because this is the only one in the building that takes the floppy discs like the camera.

Enclosed are some day job pics. Our latest project. A copy of the Wright Brothers EX that was the first airplane to make it coast to coast.

This model EX was a flying billboard, the 1911 trip was sponsored by Armour products to advertise their new grape soda. The plane, while a flying billboard, was often a smashed and broken billboard.

Period photos and some original artwork that survives has been scrutinized and our Scott Rawlings is copying it faithfully.

One one of his mission oriented binges, he started brushing early Saturday afternoon and finally stepped back from it Sunday morning sometime. Today was spent touching up details.

Single place and smaller than the Model B, this EX airplane is going to be spectacular.

Also is a photo of the block machining progress for the Baby Grand V8 engine. Surfaces have been milled to approximate size and the upper and lower cases checked for fit. Now I can look at it while I reopen a "cold case", resumption of another copy of the Wright A type engine.

The EX uses the Wright B type four cylinder production engine. What is really going to be a history lesson will be to see the comparison of the Wright A machine (40 ft. wingspan), parked beside the Model B (38 ft.) beside the EX (32 ft.) alongside the Baby Grand racer (21 ft. wingspan with the V8 monster motor).

Wright Factory R Us."

[unimogjohn]

Here is some information on the cross country flight. Interesting read.

Vin Fiz Flyer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And information on all the Wright Brothers airplanes. http://www.wright-brothers.org/Information_Desk/Just_the_Facts/Airplanes/Wright_Airplanes.htm

And a historical pic from a web search.

Edited December 13, 2011 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

It is Thursday, Dec 15th. Heading out this morning with Wayne, a Corvette car nut, to take a look at his 1964 roadster that is in the paint shop for body work and priming. He is having the interior parts painted in his color of choice, and then then will take it home for frame restoration and engine/tranny installation. Then it will go back to the shop for final paint. While there I am going to get another estimate for painting on the green Avanti. Speaking of green, I found the correct color of the car. I painted a little panel and it is an exact match. It is a Dupli-Color Ford Deep Jewel Green Metallic. (looks blue in the pics, but it is really green)

Greg and the folks at the Wright Experience are still at it with their various interesting projects. Here is Greg's report and pics.

"Well, we're still at it. Scott on the Vin Fiz deathmarch. Me, I'm still poking around the Matheson engine trying to understand all I know about the ignition system before the day comes when I try to power it up and watch for fireworks.

I've also stolen some time to scrub and look over the black Avanti's R-3 cylinder block, and demount the pistons from their connecting rods.

The cylinder walls show some wear, two of them more than the others. I can feel some ridge, so I hope to have Lee straighten them up on his power hone and since it will remain a low time engine, I want to find someone to knurl the pistons to tighten them up in the bores a little (Forgedtrues are scarce these days). I did this when I overhauled the R-2 that was in the car. That was back in the seventies when there were automotive machines shops and skilled workers. Now everything is "crate motor", over the counter and right out of the box."

[unimogjohn]

Greg just sent me a couple of very, very short video clips of the Matheson break ignition. I have put them on Youtube, but you have to have the link to view. They are not in the public domain. You will have to watch them a couple of times to figure out what is going on.

In a message dated 12/15/2011 12:23:57 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, gregcone@msn.com writes:

I don't know if your computer will play this. Some do and some won't. Sounds like dating.

First clip #1 shows the Matheson cam blade turning it's normal rotation and tripping the trigger. This closes the contacts in the cylinder and being spring loaded, when the cam blade releases it's hold on the trigger, the opposing spring snaps the points open at the proper time for firing.

Second clip #2 shows that I have been experimenting with the rubbing block on the trigger and also adjusted the shape of the trigger to allow for the cam to counter rotate in case the crankshaft backs up for any reason. Reducing the thickness of the rubbing blocks supplied now allows the trigger to pass between the cam blade and the valve lobe. Reshaping the trigger keeps it from crashing with the cam blade.

It's a plan.

[unimogjohn]

It is still Thursday, but PM. Had a great few hours driving the Avanti over the back country roads to the hot rod shop, Sterling Hot Rods. What a great shop. The body and paint specialist went over the car with an expert hand. He impressed me with his fiberglass and paint knowledge. We discussed and agreed on a plan of action. Now I just have to wait for the estimate. I will share it when I get it in a couple of days.

Wayne's 64 Corvette looks like a alabaster sculpture. All stripped of her paint and primer. I snapped a few pics. Plan is to put it in primer with some finish paint to the engine bay and interior panels. Wayne will then take her home, pull the body off the frame, restore the frame and components, put the body back on and take her back for the final paint. I dared to ask him the cost, but I did. He estimates that the body work and paint will run right at $15K.

The shop is in an area with a lot of speed, hot rod, and racing shops. Around the corner I spied this race car. It is huge. I know nothing about it. I will have to do some research. The radiator says that it is a duPont.

Edited December 16, 2011 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

Found a similar duPont. It is a 1929 duPont LeMans Speedster. It is at the Simeone Foundation Museum. Here is a pic.

And here is a bit of the duPont automobile company, and its racing history. http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/makeHistory/488,10331/DuPont_History.aspx

My son, Chris, just sent me this link. It is of the actual car that I photographed today. Boy, the internet is sure great. Makes the world much smaller.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/events/eventVehicle.aspx?carID=9611&eventID=669&catID=2531

Edited December 16, 2011 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[SeventhSon]

Wow! That race car is a monster! Too cool - can't wait to hear what the paint job for your Avanti will entail.

[Roger Zimmermann]

- can't wait to hear what the paint job for your Avanti will entail.

It's always interesting to know what the competition is charging for a similar job!

[unimogjohn]

It is Friday, Dec 16th. For me it is tractor maintenance day. For Greg he is busy as usual and working on the Matheson engine.

"More time on Matheson camming.

Interesting camshaft drive gear. Cam timing is adjustable. Slots allow you to dial in the valve (and ignition I guess) timing.

Tonight I removed the ignition cams. With wear visible, I built up the wear paths with bronze and dressed them by hand.

I'll have them plated to hide the repair and hopefully remedy the problem.

No Studebakering."

[unimogjohn]

It is Monday, Dec 19th. I spent some time on my Avanti, the green one, over the weekend. Changed the oil. This is its third oil change with me in about 1000 miles or so. I was happy. For the first time I did not get any goo out of the bottom of the oil pan, but the oil was coal black so the detergents are doing their job. I had about 500 miles on this oil. I am loosing some oil from the rear main seal area, but I do check the oil before every drive so I am never really that low. No word yet on the paint estimate, expect something today or tomorrow.

While cruising around Youtube I found this site sponsored by the US Auto Industry and a bunch of old motor films. Here is one that I liked. Lots of teens and 20s cars.

And Greg is working on his black Avanti R3 engine. Here is his report.

"I did get a little done on the R-3 engine this past weekend.

When I scrubbed the piston decks, I noticed that beneath the carbon buildup were some traces of corrosion and pitting.

Saturday afternoon I chucked the pistons in the lathe and took a few thousandths off to clean them up.

Sunday I received a call from Mitch who informed me that he had not only a good ridge reamer, but also a piston knurling machine. Both available to me. Dropped what we were doing to borrow the ridge reamer.

This evening I did try cutting the ridge from the number two cylinder. It was the worst of them, at that just a few thousandths wear (on a side).

I did drag a hone through the bores but think it best that I take the block to Lee at the machine shop so that he can true them up.

All for now."

Edited December 19, 2011 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

It is Monday PM. Congratulations to Greg and the Wright Experience crew. Here is Greg's great report.

"To document tonight's progress, I need to empty the camera of today's progress.

With Paul Glenshaw bearing down on us as our company photographer, there was a flurry of activity to install components on our Wright Model EX Vin Fiz reproduction for it's photo shoot.

This afternoon we saw it completed for the first time when we rolled it out for it's baby pictures. We were blessed by the appearance of the sun. Many of the Wright's products were dressed in silver varnished or aluminum burnished woodwork, as this one was. The wood finish and the cream of wheat colored fabric really light up.

While constantly researching the aircraft we are to copy, our team actually gets so familiar with it that they decide what day in it's life we are trying to capture. Machines like this one changed from day to day, especially this one that saw so much abuse and repair. I understand this portrays the Vin Fiz early in it's life, when leaving New York and before more artwork was added enroute.

And before something we learned when we viewed the original fabric at Air & Space. By the time the aircraft arrived in California it had accumulated hundreds of scribbled autographs enroute.

As I helped roll it out I was really taken with the size of the machine, only a thirty-two foot wingspan..... and how big this country would have been in 1911.

Cal Rodgers, if you were looking down on us today, you certainly earned your rest. And give those other Early Birds our regards."

[unimogjohn]

It is Tuesday morning, Dec 20th. With the farm and snow equipment now all ready for winter I promised myself that I am going to get back on the 23 Buick to see what is up with the starter generator. I guess I realized that it is not going to fix itself.

But then Greg never stops. Here is his non-work projects for yesterday.

"I loaded the R-3 block (black Avanti), took it to Lee's. You have to know Lee Day to ....well, never mind.

Caught him before he locked up the shop. Showed him the cylinder bores hoping he could sometime find time to hone the wear paths out and bring them all to a uniform size. He fussed at me for not bringing the main caps. "You want them too?" " No!, I don't put them on and use a deck plate either, dumba$$". That's a typical conversation with Lee.

So while he was getting the hand truck I was scrambling for the connecting rods I'd brought along. Like trying not to get caught with gum in school.

We got the block inside the shop and I sauntered over to the shot peening cabinet. More grief, but he showed me how he mounts them for his best result. Photo enclosed shows them shot peened and notice I protected the big end bores with old bearing inserts and held the caps on with Tractor Store hardware.

Meanwhile back at the Matheson engine works:

While the ignition cams are off, it is a good time to address the fact that someone had apparently timed things by turning the camshaft with pipewrench. Since this camshaft lives outside the engine, it needs to look factory fresh. Tonight was spent with the cam spinning in the lathe so that I could dress out the boo boos.

Note to self: Degrease the main caps and bolts and take them to Lee.

[unimogjohn]

It is Wednesday, Dec 21st. Well, I did not get to the 23 yesterday, but did work on the Avanti. I decided to see if I could find out what was leaking all over the top of the engine. I thought that the gallery cover was leaking. Of course you have to take the intake off to get to all the bolts. That was not going to happen. I could get to two of the bolts, they were tight. Then decided just to clean all the oil off again and take her for a long drive. When down and saw Greg and his projects. Too much fun. Then looked at the engine again, the oil was seeping under a little plate on the front of the engine, the two bolts were loose! Tightened them up. One of many leaks fixed.

Had a great time visiting Greg and he was busy watching the lathe turn, turn, turn. And I got to look at the Vin Fiz Wright airplane. What a great bird. And here is Greg's report.

"Tonight's Matheson mission:

While spinning the camshaft in the lathe, I noticed the drive gear on the end was running out, crooked. To remove the gear, a taper pin was removed and then the gear pushed off in the hydraulic press. Nice fit. Back to the lathe to see where the problem was. The end of the shaft is reduced in diameter and evidently something knocked the gear out of true, the end of the shaft had bent. I couldn't see trying to straighten it the solution, so I moved the lathe steady rest to near the end of the camshaft and then reduced the diameter of the bent end until it ran true. Didn't take too much, maybe .030" total.

I was going to machine a bushing to press onto the shaft to bring it back to the original diameter, but realized that was stupid. How was I going to find the hole for the taper pin that I'd cover up.

So I machined the bushing to press into the gear, have bored it to just a thousandth too small and tomorrow will hone it to size for a good fit like they had. Then I can see the hole to open up.

Getting smarter? No promises.

How am I wiling away my hours at work? Currently I am line boring the main bearing saddles on another new casting for a Wright vertical four. It beats bagging groceries.

=

[unimogjohn]

It is Thursday, Dec 22nd. Boy, Greg is really working hard on the Matheson engine. He told me that he is getting close enough that soon he will start putting it back together. He said that it will be started and run at the shop. He confessed that ignition and timing system is still a mystery and that he still had some research to do before he dared spin the engine. I hope to be there that day. Should be interesting.

Here is Greg's engine report from last night.

"My intention for tonight was to finish my work on the Matheson camshaft.

The crooked gear consumed last night, now it was time to install it. Trying to work up to the standards of a hundred years ago, I wanted to duplicate the nice, tight fit furnished me by the guy in the Matheson plant. That meant to not make the gear a sloppy fit on the shaft.

I machined the rebushed gear to a little on the snug side, dressed the bore with a large rattail file wrapped in aluminum oxide sandpaper. Again trying not to make the hole too big.

I tried it gently on the shaft, it started to go, so I thought "well, a little heat on the gear should expand it just enough to allow it to slide on and line up the tapered pin hole. Restoration Rule #1 - There's always time for that last minute aw$hit!

You mechanic/machinst guys know what's coming next. Sometimes, seems like more often than not, the warmed part slides part way on, then cools just enough to shrink to the shaft wherever it is at the moment. Not where it is supposed to be. Won't go on, won't come off. To remedy the situation then at hand, often one of the two components must be destroyed. Sacrificed .

So, it was a dark and stormy night and there I was. trouble to the left of me, trouble to the right. Stuck you might say. Let's see, do I want to saw the camshaft up to save the gear, or saw the gear off to save the cam?

With neither a good option, I decided to try something that usually doesn't work. Put the cam in the press, use more heat and try to press the gear all the way home. Heating the outside to expand the bore, with the two parts fitting together so tightly, the heat just transfers to the shaft, nothing is gained.

So, with nothing to lose (except an irreplaceable camshaft and an expensive gear), I put the torch to the gear and yanked on the handle to the hydraulic press. It began to creep, so I kept after it. The gear was hot, but I was the one sweating. It went. And they think the machinist trade is a day at the beach."

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Pity the guy restoring this sixty years from now!!:D:D

Hang in there, Gregg. John, hope you do a video when Gregg starts it the first time.

Ben

Edited December 22, 2011 by First Born (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

It is Friday, December 23rd. Well, I got the paint estimate for my driver green Avanti. Boy was I way off on what paint cost these days. My low estimate was $2K from Maaco, and this one came in almost the highest, $9K. A show quality paint estimate came in at $10K. I am so disappointed. I had convinced myself that I would pull the trigger at $4 to 5K. I guess I will keep looking. I hate going back to square one.

Greg continues to bore ahead in his work. Here is his report.

"Well, after last night's drama in the Matheson department, I'm taking tonight to do something more relaxing.

During the day while I bore away on that Wright vertical four block, the Wright eight engine is close by so I study it during cuts. The next step is to lay out the main bearing caps, get them attached and while I still have Mitch's line boring apparatus, and John's bar mike. I'd like to get the main caps machined, installed and then bore the saddles for the babbitts.

So tonight while no one is around except for the occasional errant stink bug flyby, I'm working on the main caps. With nothing to go by except a few photo enlargements, the Baby Grand eight insides are a mystery. I'm combining features from their production fours and also clues from their inline six which seems to have been designed alongside the eight. It's heavier bearing journals make sense, as well as the dimensional layout of the four in production at the time. So tonight it is repetitious passes for the five caps to rough out the bores. And letting my mind go on vacation as Big Al used to say."

[SeventhSon]

Sorry to hear about that super high estimate John. Maybe a small local shop could do the job - if you can find the right person. I don't know how many times I've said that in the last couple of months - "If I could find the right person"...

Looks like I have a lot of thinking to do about my own paint job - mine is much rougher than yours. Maybe I'll take some classes in fiberglass prep and painting!

[MCHinson]

John,

I don't know if Virginia has community colleges like those in NC. You might check. In NC, it is possible to enroll in a local community college auto body repair program where you can learn how to paint your own car and then you are able to do the work yourself in the community college facility using all of their equipment, with you supplying the materials.

[unimogjohn]

It is Friday, PM. Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Posting to the forum may be cut short over the next couple of weeks due to the holidays; and Alice and I are taking a short trip to Muncie, IN to take a look at another car. Cannot say much about it right now except that it is in original condition and beautifully maintained. It is a early 50s car. Will go up and back in two days early next week. Then we take a week long ship cruise the first week in January. Greg said that he did not know how much he was going to get done over the holidays either.

So, you all enjoy the holidays. Greg and I wish you all the best, and thanks for following along this past year. Hopefully, next year I will have news on another car and another little adventure. Now I have to build another garage!

[SeventhSon]

Have a great trip John and Alice! Merry Christmas and a super Happy New Year!

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

John, you will be missed. Have a safe and fun cruise.

Ben

[unimogjohn]

It is Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec 24. Just got off the phone with the body shop/painter for our green Avanti. I decided that I was just wishing that paint and body work were only going to be a couple of grand for a professional job. Well, it just is not so. So decided to pull the trigger and go with the crew at Sterling Hot Rod. Got an agreement that we are looking at $7000 plus or minus a couple of hundred. We will see how close we get.

My job now is to get as much off as possible so avoid masking. We will not remove any glass, but everything else is going to come off. There are two badges on the sail of the car and you have to remove upholstery to get to the fasteners. I will have to leave them in place or may just drill them out, which will destroy them. If I do that I will buy repros and glue them in place.

I will take pictures as I start the process. I hope to have her in the shop by the end of the second week of January.

While it is in the shop the bumpers will be sent away too.

[Roger Zimmermann]

John, paint is expensive. If you let it paint for $ 2000, you will regret it; this is a quick paint job for resale and good to see at 10 feet!

I'm glad you choose the other way; your car deserve it.

Merry Christmas!

[roadfossil]

John--I am a retired Clocksmith and now work only on car clocks. When it comes time to get your clock going, you can email me at bobspil@comcast.net Bob.

[unimogjohn]

Bob, how did you know the clock is the only thing not working? Not high on the list but certainly one of the things that need to be done. I will give you a shout when I am ready.

It is Monday, Dec 26th. Hope everyone had a great Christmas. We have the car ready to go to Indiana tomorrow. We have a 560 mile drive to see a prospective car buy. I have already put the cart before the horse in that I have already bought period VA plates for it. We see the car Wednesday morning.

If she checks out good then we will make an offer and will see where it leads us. I guess I can say it is a early 50s car and European. So on Thursday morning I will know the outcome and will post pictures even if I do not get it.

If we do get it the plans are to go back up with the Suburban and enclosed trailer and bring it home. Or we might see what it will cost to have it shipped home. If around $500 it would be worth it.

And I did not start the tear down of the Avanti today. Chris, aka Seventhson on this forum, may come over on Friday to see our Avanti and pick up a few parts and to borrow the rear drum puller. What him to see it still all together and running. We will give him a ride too. Got to keep his interest up and motivated to continue work on his new Avanti.

[SeventhSon]

You've done a lot toward that goal of keeping me motivated John. I appreciate it too!

[unimogjohn]

It is Wednesday, December 28th. Just got home after a whirlwind two days of driving, a 1200 mile round trip journey to Muncie, Indiana and back. Going we hit a lot of heavy rain and snow, was a miserable trip. Coming home was much better.

Well, we did it. Purchased a 1953 Jaguar XK120 Coupe. I will tell you more about it tomorrow. We have to make plans to go back to Indiana and get it after our cruise. It is such a beautiful car and she drives great.

Here are some pics.

[Guest straight shooter]

Beautiful Jag and unique color combination. Correct me if I am wrong but wasn't that car listed on this forum very recently.

[SeventhSon]

Congratulations John! Beautiful car, I can't wait to see it!

[Roger Zimmermann]

Interesting car, John! Quite different from an Avanti; both are special vehicles!