My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe.

[oldcar]

Hi All

Just a little insight into my days. By now some of you will have noticed that around 6.00 p.m. is my knock off time at the end of a days work. This day begins when the clock radio starts babbling at 5.30 a.m. It is now 7.30 and I have showered and am ready to start breakfast. My aim is to have finished my chores inside by around 9.00 to 9.30 then out into the shed. I take about an hour for lunch. No morning coffee or afternoon tea.

I just plod along slowly getting things done. One task at a time and definitely ONE project car at a time.

Some of you may be wondering about my wife, Helen, She too lives a busy life. Since retiring some years ago from her job with the Police Department, she has become the Secretary of the Ladies section of her Golf club. She plays 18 holes every Tuesday. We both play Petanque on Monday mornings, being a dedicated Francophile, Helen does three French language classes each week and Yoga on Friday afternoon. She enjoys cooking and is a keen (vegetable) gardener. She is an extremely good navigator and enjoys our competitive club motoring (Rallies & navigation trials) in the 1934 Lagonda Rapier. We are approaching our 50th Wedding Anniversary, next April. We both enjoy our five yearly extended European holidays (about 4 months) We ship the Lagonda ahead (by sea) and use it as our daily driver. Our next trip is planned for 2014.

Bernie J.

Edited November 7, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Helen & the Lagonda Rapier at the summit of the Stelvio Pass in the Italian Tyrol in 2004. The second photograph has us on tour. The Rapier rear fenders seem to attract mud.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

It is that time again.

While it seems that not much progress has been made, looking back I have sanded the coating of light surface rust off the steel cowl and given it a coat of etch primer so that it will not go rusty again, not in the short term at least. This afternoon I have bitten the bullet and started to cut up the very expensive cabinet grade Black walnut timber for the door capping and to go along the top of the body at the sides of the rear seat etc. I wanted to have this done before the body disappears for a few weeks. Jim, my friendly tilt tray man, is due to pick it up tomorrow or the next day.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Hi all

Well following a diabolical weather forecast my tilt tray man decided that today was not a good option. Silly part is that this afternoon has seen beautiful sunshine. We had been told to expect torrential rain with up to 50mm (2 inches) in as many hours. As it has turned out it has suited me as I could finish off all the timber (Black Walnut) door capping and apply the first coat of sealer/polish to them. I know at first glance you could be excused for thinking that I have started making skis for my grandchildren but not true. Those four pieces of kindling wood represent just over $100 of my hard earned cash.

I know that I could have used any old timber and stained it a sort of walnut colour but as I keep repeating this car has to be "right". Packard used Black Walnut so that is what I am using. There are still two pieces that go on top of the door pillars but I cannot make them just yet. I have the original piece that goes across the cowl below the windscreen safely tucked away out of harm's way.

Bernie J

Edited November 9, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Hi all

As anyone who has looked at my 'profile' can tell you yesterday (Nov 9) was my birthday. The Boss lady very kindly gave me a book that could be of interest to other Packard owners, some may already have it. "Packard Automobiles 1920-1958" printed in the UK by Brooklands Books as part of their Portfolio series. It is a collection of road tests and articles drawn from magazine and newspaper articles. At 296 A4 size pages it is a wealth of information. ISBN9871855209213

The Index reads like "Whose Who" of Motoring Magazines

Bernie J

Edited November 9, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[TexRiv_63]

Bernie,

Many happy returns!!

[oldcar]

Hi Don

Many thanks for your kind thoughts.

Getting back to the Packard Profiles. The attached copy of the index will give you some idea of how comprehensive the book's coverage is. I found it interesting to read an English road testers appraisal of the Single Six.

Bernie J.

[jeff_a]

Bernie,

Sounds like a very good reference book. That "Packard Single Six On The Road" article might give you some good reports from the old days of a somewhat similar car.

----Jeff

[oldcar]

Hi Jeff

That was the first thing I read. It is remarkable to be able to read the impressions of a "British" motoring writer of the car when brand new. He appears to have been completely bowled over by its top gear performance. This in a car that had only "delivery miles" on the speedo. All inspiring stuff. I can't wait to get the coupe finished. With that in mind the body went off this morning to commence its pre-paint preparation. The Wheel bolts (lugs) and rings are now ready to be collected from the platers.

I will take the door hinges and latches with me so they can make a start on them.

One small step at a time.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Not much happening in the last three or four days, entertaining an interstate visitor. Back into it today with lots of running around. Collect the wheel lugs (bolts) and rings from the platers and deliver hinges etc. Then I have to take the doors and luggage compartment lid to the painters, collect some graphite string for the water pump seal and a new 5kg pot of grease. That should fill up this morning, more later.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

All the people who regularly follow this thread (there must be one or two) will remember all the drama a few months ago when rather than dismantling the water pump it was a matter of rescuing the various small and rather rusty parts from the front of the cylinder block. Today thanks to some fairly average bronze welding on my part and some precision machining on the part of my son Steve, the pump has gone back into the engine and is ready to go into service.

Fortunately Olsens included the copper ring seal to go in between the body of the pump and the surface of the block with the engine gasket kit they provided some time back. The fan blades need a light sand-paper and another coat of paint then they can be mounted on the front of the pump.

The other good news is that Dave can start into preparing the body for paint early next week. As any small child will tell you "Christmas is coming!

The eagle eyed and the super critical among you will have already spotted the socket head cap screw in there. It will be replaced with a "proper" grub screw in the next day or so. Those who have not seen it now is your chance, see if you can find it. Sorry no cigar...

Bernie J.

Ben.

You will be pleased to note that the only spanner in my collection that fits the gland nut for the rope seal is my "monkey wrench"..... if you keep something long enough you will always find a use for it.

Edited November 15, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[edinmass]

Hi Bernie, there are lots of us who do not post too often but enjoy every post and photo you share. THANK YOU for all of your posts. Ed

[Roger Zimmermann]

Bernie, I usually have no time to look at what other people are doing. This moring, I had a look at what you are doing...Impressive at least!

If you come to Europe in 2014, and if we have the pleasure to met, it seems that your wife will be speaking French with me!

[oldcar]

Thank you Edinmass & Rex 876 for your vote of confidence.

Roger, Bon Jour,ca va?

We hope to bring the Lagonda Rapier to Europe again in 2014 for its 80th Birthday but have not made any plans as yet regarding destinations. One thought was to re-visit the Pyrenees which is in the wrong direction for Switzerland. The one thing that tends to be a fixture on our programme is the Fougeres Rally in Normandy.

No work on the Packard today I have been giving the Lagonda a grease and check over in preparation for the VSCC Day Navigation Trial on Sunday, a full day, about 250/300 miles, of competitive motoring.

Tomorrow I have another of my annual check ups with my specialist Urologist. This marks ten years since my big cancer operation.

So far so good, the alternative is not worth thinking about.

Bernie J.

Edited November 16, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[Roger Zimmermann]

Oui, merci Bernie, ça va bien!

Back to reality: not only cars are suffering from age, humans too...It's just more difficult with spare parts.

[jeff_a]

Hi Bernie,

If indeed you go to Europe in 2014 with your Lagonda, you might want to be a part of a really great 2-day tour called the Circuit des Ardennes. My friend Philippe was a participant the last two times it was held; 2008 and 2011. He lives in SW Belgium and drove a 1927 Peerless Six-72 Sedan the first time and a 1926 Peerless Eight-69 the second.

If you go to the the Royal Veteran Car Club of Belgium's site: RVCCB Home page, go to "francais"(you only have the choices of reading this in Dutch or French), then "Circuit des Ardennes" on list of 2011 d'activites, there are a few pictures. I think 300 pre-war cars total were at the event this year including 20 Bugattis, 10 Packards and 2 Peerlesses, as Philippe tells it. This year it was July 2nd and 3rd.

----Jeff

Edited November 16, 2011 by jeff_a
dates (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Hi Roger & Jeff

Roger; rather than bore the good people who read this I will send you an e-mail on the subject of human spare parts.

Jeff Thanks for the info re the Circuit des Ardennes. We usually start our planning about 12 months before starting one of our trips. The car takes six weeks 'on the water' from Melbourne Australia to the UK. The only two things that will prevent us going again are health or cash. We first took the Lagonda to Europe was in 1984 then again in '94, '96, 2000, 2004 and 2009. We also took the Dixie Flyer to Louisville last year. so you may say that we have some experience in vehicle shipping. We use the Lagonda as a daily driver while we are away, usually for 3 to 4 months.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

After a frustrating day sitting around in Doctors waiting rooms and being prodded in the tummy by a charming young lady sitting at an Ultra-sound machine I am happy to report that I am still as fit and well as I was yesterday and the day before that etc etc ad infinitum. Now I can relax for the next 6 months until my next scheduled internal examination (you can watch the whole procedure on a conveniently placed overhead TV screen,) then another six months until the next ultrasound etc etc.

On the way home I could call into my local locksmiths where a very helpful and obliging young man (they do still exist) had very carefully taken the ignition/light switch apart and cut a new key. In fact he cut two so I have a spare should I misplace the first one. While all this is not new to all those people who actually have in the past or do own a 1923 Single Six. (1921-2 had a different switch arrangement.) I have included a couple of photographs of the business side of the switch. First thing is to note that all the terminals are numbered, these co-incide with the numbered terminals on the dashboard side of the engine bulkhead. The other thing is of course Mr Packards patent circuit breaker. In the unlikely event of a short circuit or overload this sprang into action sounding a warning BUZZ and reducing the current going to the offending hot spot in the wiring. This while still providing sufficient current to enable the car to be driven to the nearest authorised Packard service provider.

Going back to the key. My locksmith was compelled to dismantle the lock to "read" the combination. While the Yale lock still had the number for its particular key he was unable to access the required information for a 1923 lock from the Yale Locks website.

Bernie J

Edited November 17, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

For those aghast at the surface rust on the circuit breaker I am reluctant to do too much fiddling with it given its fragile state. In all truth I will probably by pass it and replace it with a fuse block with correct period glass fuses on the drivers side of the engine bulkhead.

BJ.

[20Premier]

That switch looks very similar to the Delco Combination switch #1155 in my 1920 Premier. I have been wondering what to do with that coil also. How common were glass fuses in the teens and twenties?

[oldcar]

Hi 20Premier

The short answer is that I don't really know. Joe Lucas seemed to be using them on better English cars by the mid 1920s but I was not around then so I cannot say for sure. They may be an aftermarket fitting. I do know however that they are reliable, although having said that I cannot remember when I last had to replace one.

The ones in my 1968 Alfa Romeo tended to corrode between the end cap and the fuse holder causing an open circuit. But then anyone who has owned an Italian car will know all about their auto-electrics.

Getting back to your question; perhaps someone with a better knowledge of American auto electrics may care to comment.

I intend to mount the fuse holder next to the junction box on the passenger side of the engine bulkhead/fire-wall. Provided that they are out of direct line of sight they should not offend too many people. I would sooner be safe than sorry.

Bernie J.

Edited November 17, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Going back to the switch; rather than the key activating a switch as tends to be modern practice, on the Packard the key 'locks' both the ignition and the light switches.

Bernie J.

[Guest cben09]

Hi Bernie,,,,From my experience,,the "magnet switch" thingie works well,,,very seldom,,but when needed it works,,

I think only need would be to clean the contact to avoid low voltage,,

Be sure to check voltage at headlamps,,and trace any losses,,

Busy here tucking in for winter,,,Cheers,,Ben

[oldcar]

Hi Ben

Keep well tucked up. I will be thinking of you while trying to avoid the 35-40 degree C. summer days that are just around the corner for us.

Meanwhile I am happy to bow to your superior knowledge of all things Packard. I will give it a clean up as you suggest and try testing it on the bench before abandoning it completely. I would be interested to hear from anyone else with first hand experience with the Packard circuit breakers.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Hello again,

After exhaustive (and exhausting) enquiries regarding the possible colour combinations for the various electrical circuits, it seems that there was no recognised system of colours used by American Automobile manufacturers in the early 1920s. From the information David McC sent me and after looking at a number of web sites I have decided to work on a system of my own devising similar to the one I used when wiring the Dixie Flyer. At least I will know the intended destination of each wire as it disappears into the flexible conduit.

The gauge or value of the various wires will be determined in conjunction with the specialist firm supplying the wires. As a rule of thumb cable used in a 6 volt system needs to be approximately 25% heavier than for 12 volts. All wires will be correct 1920s style cotton covered insulated cable.

This is not intended to be a definitive listing but is simply a colour coding system of my own invention for my own use. "Bulkhead" refers to the double sided junction box mounted on the bulkhead (fire-wall) between the engine compartment and the driver/passenger footwell.

Bernie J

1923 PACKARD SINGLE SIX Electrical Cables (wiring)

Switch Terminal 5 to Bulkhead Black/blue trace

Bulkhead to Head-lamps (main) Black /blue trace

Black/Blue Trace Total 4.5 metres

Switch Terminal 6 to Bulkhead Black/Green trace

Bulkhead to Head-lamps (aux) Black/green trace

Total 4.5 metres

Generator ( cut out) to Bulkhead Yellow red/black trace

Bulkhead to Amp-meter (+) Yellow red/black trace

Amp meter + to Switch Terminal 1. Yellow

Total 3 metres

Starter switch ( Battery) to Bulkhead Yellow/Red trace

Bulkhead to Amp-meter (-) Yellow/Red

Total 3 metres

Battery to Starter switch (1.38 m)

Starter switch to starter motor (20 cm)

Battery to earth (26 cm)

Switch Terminal 3 to Coil, Red/Black trace

1.5 metres

Coil to Distributor Black/red trace

Total1.5 metres.

Switch Terminal 3 to bulkhead Red

Bulkhead to Stop light switch Red

Total 4.5 metres

Stop light switch to Lamp yellow/red trace

Total 4 metres

Switch Terminal 4 to Bulkhead Black

Bulkhead to tail lamp Black

Switch Terminal 9 to Dash lamp Black

Total 10 metres

Bulkhead to Horn Brown/Red trace

4.5 metres

Horn to steering wheel button Brown

5.metres

Edited November 18, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Hi All

Anyone watching the Presidents Cup Golf from Royal Melbourne on television will be able to tell you that today was not a day to be outside working in an open carport. This is typical Melbourne Spring weather warm sunshine 28-30 degrees C. one day, cold wet and windy 18-20 degrees C, the next! We are hoping that it improves again for the VSCC Day Navigation Trial tomorrow. I have finished checking over the 1934 Lagonda Rapier, cleaning the spark plugs and checking the gaps, checking the distributor points gap, checking the oil level (the oil pan/sump holds two Imp Gallons) and filling the petrol tank with Premium (98) ULP. Checked the water level in the radiator, checked the tire pressures so all should be OK for an early morning start. We have to be at the start across town, about 35 miles, for a 9.00 a.m. check in. This is not just a Sunday drive but a very competitive event over about 250-300 miles at quite high average speeds, tricky navigation and all on secondary (country) roads.

Sorry, no work on the Packard again tomorrow.

Bernie J.

Edited November 19, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

That switch looks very similar to the Delco Combination switch #1155 in my 1920 Premier.

Hi 20Premier. You are quite correct the Packard switch is made by Delco on the reverse side it carries #1229.

B.J.

[36 D2 Coupe]

Hi Bernie - I presume that in all your searches you have come up with a correct wiring diagram for this car. I got to thinking about it and went to look in a monster Reid Service Manual of Starting, Lighting and Ignition- 1368 pages of it with just about all the wiring diagrams for every conceivable make of automobile from about 1913 to 1928 including many I've never even heard of. Sure enough on page 710 (curiously enough following Dixie Flyer!) there is the wiring diagram and notes for the Packard Single Six (1921) along with notes pertaining to Battery, Ignition, Starter, Generator, Relay, Lamps and Circuit Breaker. No indication of wire colour coding though. It claims Atwater-Kent generating, starting and lighting systems and Delco ignition for your car. (sorry if I've covered some material already available in this thread - I haven't read it all yet). If any of this will be of any help to you, I'll see about getting you a copy although to get it I may have to disassemble this fragile old book - not sure how that will work. The wiring diagram is partly hidden by the way the book is bound with screw posts. No matter, if you need it I'll see what I can do.

Jim

[36 D2 Coupe]

Bernie - OOPS - just read a few older entries - if this is a 1923 Packard Single Six you are working on, I have that page too - page 815 in that huge manual. Wiring diagram looks the same but parts numbers and some of the notes are different. By the way if anyone out there needs info on -let's say a Kurtz or a Seneca or a Lexington or an Earl or perhaps a Holmes or a Sayers or a Jones (never heard of any of these before) there are wiring diagrams for them and many other very obscure makes in this manual. Bay State anyone?

Jim

[dictator27]

Cold, wet and windy - sounds like a normal day in Vancouver at this time of year!! I wish it was 18-20 degrees, that would be a nice warm day. Currently 0 here and I've been out in my (unheated) garage.

Terry

[oldcar]

Hello 36D2 Coupe

Many thanks for your interest. Please do not risk wrecking your book. I already have a wiring diagram and with the Delco system of identifying each terminal it is all self explanatory. My main concern is to be able to identify each wire as it emerges from the conduit. Using a colour code saves the need for a test lamp which requires having a live current running through the system.

You can always recognise a "Jones", they were all painted PURPLE. There was one at Louisville last year.

I believe that there are quite a few Earls in the UK and there used to be a Holmes at 221b Baker Street, London.

Bernie J.

Edited November 21, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[Guest cben09]

A dry cell [electric torch] and a door bell may make an easier to use rig,,,,just a thought,,,Ben

[oldcar]

Cold, wet and windy - sounds like a normal day in Vancouver at this time of year!!

Hi Terry

That is OK, after all it is late Autumn (Fall) there. But it is almost Summer here in Melbourne, on the other side of the world. Also you are a lot nearer to the North Pole than we are to the South Pole. By Canadian standards we are almost sub tropical. Just one of many reasons why Melbourne is one of the most congenial cities in the world. You should come down and visit some time.

Ben,

I have a bit of a problem getting the car close enough to the front door! Having worked out a colour sequence I think that I may as well just stick to that.

Bernie J.

Edited November 21, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Hello

I have just returned from buying the electrical cable, flexible conduit and terminal ends etc so will be able to make a start on putting together the basics for the wiring loom.

I have just received the provisional results from the weekend. I must say that we were a little disappointed that we were one of just two cars, the other an 8 cylinder Type 44 Bugatti, handicapped into the "Fast" class with an average speed to maintain of 65kph while lesser cars such as a 4 Litre Bentley, a 1953 MG TD and a Straight Eight De Soto CF8 could slouch along at 55kph. Even so we managed 1st in the "Fast" Class and 7th outright out of a field of 15 cars.

Thought that you may like to see the sort of cars we Aussies rush around country roads in. We left home a few minutes after 8.00 a.m. and arrived back a few minutes before 8.00 p.m. Almost 240 miles later. Sunday Driving?

Officially the first two cars in the third photograph are "SLOW" a Six Litre Sleeve Valve Minerva Speedster and a Four Litre Bentley.

Bernie J.

Edited November 22, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Hi y'all

It is difficult to get too excited about soldering terminals onto lengths of electrical cable even if it is cotton covered. Like-wise this is not the subject for riveting photographs so I won't bore you with the details.

Much more interesting was the contents of a letter received from David McC this afternoon. He had noted my comments regarding the 1922 Autocar (England) road test of a Single Six. He has sent me a copy of the April 1923 Motor Life's impressions of a seven passenger touring Single Six. This magazine was printed in Sydney (Australia) and the author was most impressed with both the Fuelizer which he describes at great length and the cars ability in climbing several of Sydney's steeper hills in top gear. It is also claimed that the test car achieved over 20 miles to a single (Imperial) gallon of petrol, something that David is rather doubtful about.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

The attached extract makes interesting reading.

[oldcar]

Hello

Going back to the question of correct gauges for the various wires in an auto elec loom Travis from Rhode Island Wiring Service <www.riwire.com/> has been most helpful. He has sent me the attached chart with his suggestions. Unfortunately the cost of postage to Australia makes buying one of their looms prohibitive but for anyone living in the US I would suggest looking at their service. Meanwhile I have been also talking to Paul at Vintage Wiring Harness just a few miles from our home at Ringwood (Vic) He has an amazing range of cotton covered wire and can make up looms to suit most cars. Unfortunately his library of wiring diagrams etc did not include a 1923 Packard Single Six but he has supplied me with all the wire, cable ends etc that is needed, so I should be busy for a day or two. Next week I am to be "grounded" for a few days as I am due to have a small operation on my right eye on Tuesday morning.

Bernie J.

Rhode Island Wiring Service

Rewire Help guide by gauge.

Battery Functions:

Starter Switch (battery) to Ammeter

12-10 gauge

Ammeter to Generator Relay (early cars)

12-10 gauge

Ammeter to Voltage Regulator (late cars)

10 gauge

Voltage Regulator to Generator (A)

10 gauge

Voltage Regulator to Generator (F)

16 gauge

Ignition Functions:

Ammeter to Ignition

14-12 gauge

Ignition to Gauges

16-14 gauge

Ignition to Coil

16-14 gauge

Coil to Distributor (low tension)

16-14 gauge

Coil to Distributor (hi-tension)

7 mm Spark Plug Wire

Lighting Functions:

Ammeter to Headlight Switch

12-10 gauge

Headlight Switch to Dimmer

12-14 gauge

Headlight Switch to Park Light

16-14 gauge

Lighting Switch to Stop Light Switch

16-14 gauge

Stop Light Switch to Stop Light

16-14 gauge

Headlight Switch to Taillight

16-14 gauge

Dimmer to hi-beam

14-12 gauge

Dimmer to lo-beam

16-14 gauge

Headlight (ground)

14 gauge

Fog and Tripp Lights

14 gauge

Turn Signal System

16-14 gauge

General Lighting (dash, interior, courtesy, etc.)

16 gauge

Accessory Functions:

Horn / Horn Relay (feed)

12-10 gauge

Horn Button

16-14 gauge

Accessory / Heater / Defroster

14 gauge

Radio

16-14 gauge

Clock

18-16 gauge

Cigar Lighter

14-12 gauge

N.B. These gauge suggestions are just rough estimates.

They are generally acceptable for Autos from 1920's and into the 1960's

If you are not sure about the gauge of a function, you should use the larger gauge.

For the most part the smaller gauges should work for 12-volt systems, whereas 6-volt systems would more likely use the larger gauges.

Again, any given car may use different gauges for any of these functions; it is always best to size the core of your original wire to be sure you use the correct gauge for your functions.

Travis.

[DavidMc]

Bernie, Good luck with the op, glad you enjoyed the road test, as you can see the Packard is a very different car to your Lagonda. The filming continues delayed by rain.

David

[Guest cben09]

I smile at that road test,,,any 8 should do this,,heavy flywheel on a 6 to get similar result,maybe with lower gearing?? Years ago when I was faster on foot,,,I could walk beside my '25 -8cyl 236 not run,,,,hop in and open the throttle and not have a rough spot or skip,,right up to 60+ ,,,An I thought all good cars could do this,,?? oh yes,,the fuelizer was disconnected,,but the engine was warm,,That Detroit Lubricator carburetor sure was a good choice,,Cheers,,Ben

[oldcar]

Hello David

You really should not bothered sending all that rain down to us in Melbourne. It has barely stopped all day. Last time Helen looked at the gauge it had about 45mm in it and that was a couple of hours ago! I took some time off to drive out to see Dave my friendly painter to discuss some of the details on the Packard body. He is scheduled to start "prep-ing" it next week.

One question: Should the engine side of the bulkhead be the body colour or black? Chassis frame and splash trays are black. Not very much of the original paint remained and it would be a brave man to guess what colour it may have been apart from "dark"

My main task over the last day or so has been feeding wires into flexible conduit. From the lack of suitable fixing holes in the frame and the absence of retaining clips it almost seems as though both the petrol feed pipe from the rear tank and the electrical conduit were simply "loose laid" along the bottom flange of the frame. Could this be right?

I intend to fix both with suitable clips but will have to drill new holes to secure them.

The only alternative I can think of would be that that were screwed to the underside of the wooden body frame. I had intended to have as much as possible installed onto the chassis frame before I refitted the body to the frame. It is much simpler to do most of this from the top rather than working under the car once the body is in place.

Bernie J.

Edited November 26, 2011 by oldcar (see edit history)