Featured Art & Inspiration Some thoughts on the coming year

Well, here we are again. You’re going to have to forgive me for not doing this last year but losing my mother didn’t do me any favors. Same idea as with previous years, if you have any plans, projects, thoughts, etc, post up. And remember, HAMB appropriate content only please.

 

My big goal is to get this one completed and drive it every day. I just started pecking away at it a couple of months ago and my aim is to be driving it by spring.

ironandsteele.com​

 

Hope to get this and myself legal and on the road so both the car and engine hit 6 digits on mileage. Car is actually lower mileage than engine. Car is around 50k and engine 80k

 

I'll keep working on the OT Belair I drive mostly now. Possibly the PS swap for the Ford.

I did a lot on the Belair this year considering that my ESI pain injection wore off sometime in August.

 

1. Get my 46 GMC tuned up properly and running well, use it a bunch (drive to Deuce Days). This probably includes a new driveshaft this winter.
2. Suspension repairs on my 62 Bel Air (control arm bushings), new wheels and tires, seatbelts and new seat covers so I can take my daughter cruising.
3. Get my 28 Model A in the shop and get working on the body and chassis.

 

Hoping to get some work done on my 56 this year. It needs a transmission, front end rebuild, and interior work at minimum. I have sort of neglected it the past year or so after getting my OT Chevelle back. I miss driving it regularly.

 

After the loss of my Father & all that entails.
I've just really got back into our cars this year. Got the Elco just about lined out. Plan for it is to log some miles, hit some shows & maybe put it up for sale. My brother is finishing up metal work on our 52. Then I'll swap the 261/T5 & 57 Chevy rear end. Hopefully get it in primer/sealer.

 

Well if everything goes according to plan I'll finish this bathroom remodel for sweety this week. Then onto a little shop maintenance. Then back on the 40.

 

I've got a fresh 283 & OD to go in our 64 C10.
My bro will probably put a new roof skin & do some panel beating if he has time.
It's just a driver, dirt bike hauler. No need to over do that one. Got a set of OG steel wheels to go back on it.
Got our Wagon fired running again recently. Just need some small maintenance & get back on finishing the interior.

 

Not much to do on Ol' Furd except drive it. I have a couple road trips planned, the first up into the PNW. Up highway 395 through northern California, Oregon and Washington, then across to Montana. Back roads as much as possible to connect with America...while i still can, and while some of it is still there.

 

My plan is to stay healthy, stay mobile, stay positive, and try my damndest to get my 60 Ranchero going, and put more miles on the 56 F-100 and 55 Bird. But what’s that old saying about plans…….?

 

The goal for this year is to finish the rolling chassis on my '51 F-1, complete the rust repair, and get that truck out of my shop and into the painter's.

The chassis and suspension are painted and new brake lines are run. Now it is time to tear the engine and trans down, clean them up and paint. Then onto body work on the cab and front fenders. Need to repair some rust in the corners and windshield header and replace the firewall.

Other than that, I want to put as many miles as possible on the Packard that is poking it's nose into the image below.

And maybe, just maybe, if all goes well, in 2026, I can start on the little Fairlane shoved up against the wall.

 

Want to get the front seat padding on the Merc refreshed so I don’t fall out of it everytime I go round a right hand bend and fit a solid line from the pump to carb as it rather scarily pissed fuel out last time I started it. And then drive the crap out of it.

 

At a bare minimum this is getting new rockers and floors. If I get ambitious, maybe a garage paint job.

 

Nah, it’ll buff out. Hehe.

 

We made it through the process involved with my mom passing earlier this year, and the aftermath of that experience. My 2 sisters and I are still on good terms.

Now we are in the process of replacing all the windows in our house (suppose to happen next week), and we have also discovered we need to replace the roof on our house, we are praying for 3 days in a row with the temps in the 40s so that can still happen this year.

For next year, we are in the process of planning a 2 week driving vacation, we have yet to determine if we want to revisit a place we have already been, or seek a new adventure. We still have the WI Hot Rod 100, and possibly Lloydfest 25, in the plans, either of which could be effected by that vacation, or delays in the house roof & windows.

Baring any unusual winter issues with the 49 pickup (its the winter driver), its ready for whatever the driving plans are for next year. The 48 Plymouth coupe is waiting in the background, at this point it is ready to go. I have been considering returning it back towards the original intent for the coupe, back to better fitting the dirt track look of the early 60s, now that it isn't the primary long distance summer cruiser ride.

A lot of stuff hangs on the completion of the work on the house.

 

Number one on the list is stay out of the hospital!

Number two is to get the Ranch Wagon repaired and back on the road!





Number three is spend more time with Brenda and drive my old Beater more!



And continue to thank the Good Lord for my health! HRP

 

Hope to get my Roadster Pickup going next year, was going to be a tinker with it project but just kept finding problems so became a frame up project. Almost have the frame back together the engine was a fresh rebuild so now has a Snyders 5.5 to 1 head, burns intake with a Holley 94 and a 50's Mallory dual point distributor. Been through the rearend, front suspension and steering and brakes. Body work and paint is next.

 

I've restored, built and repaired hundreds of cars during the last 33 years, hopefully next year will be the year I finaly finish one of mine...

 

While on the ragged edge of the HAMB, 2025 will see me start putting miles on my V8 Corvair.

 

@Lone Star Mopar …..good move on that fender. Those oversized openings were never good looking

 

Health will be paramount. Radiation treatments will end around Christmas. In the meantime I’m trying to get enough strength and stamina while having treatments to start sanding the coupe body in order to get it painted black. If not now then after treatments end.

 

Love that wagon!

 

Hopefully I can get back to my upholstery jobs. Going in tomorrow (Tuesday) for knee replacement.

 

I'd like to get the Whatever project much further along. Been idling for way too long...

God willing, and the creek don't rise

 

Same as last year. Survive it.

 

I'll ...

 

For 2025, I am wondering if its possible to set up a "Go Fund Me Page" to help get $$$ to finish my car?

 

Drive the wheels off my coupe !