Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

You'll note in that last image that the fan is too far from the radiator. That bugged me, so I spent some time trying to get everything within spec. I have yet to torque down the front motor mount bolts, and I understand the biscuits will settle too. I'd like to think that will get everything where it needs to be. If it doesn't, I'll modify the radiator brackets.

 

The blocked off grille gives it a competition look, don't you think?

A little bit-o-little pages.

 

Last, and maybe least, I finally painted the grille shell to match the body. Authentic Loyola Terrace dirt was used.

Now, with the old headlights. The shell will get bolted on this week.

Alright, now that brings us up to date!

 

So, the question some be asking is "What's next?" First off, I'll be bolting the grille shell into position and attaching the battery box to the frame. Then, I'm installing the steering box and headers and doing a whole lot of torque wrench work.

I'm going to be super busy with work and life for the next two weeks. Then, it's full steam ahead. I'm saying it right here right now: the body will be on by the end of the month. In July, it's getting plumbed, wired and, if all goes to plan: fired.

Speaking of wiring: does anyone have a favorite simple diagram for a 12V negative ground, flathead V8 with a PowerGen? I'll be reusing all lights/horn wiring from Version 1.5, but I'd like to start fresh for the rest. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

 

Justin, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for all your support as I chip away at this project. I took your advice to heart and spent some time on the phone with some of my favorite people today. You're right about making it count!

 

Thank you everyone for the sound advice about both music and hardware. I have some fun solutions that I'll be sharing down the line.

On Monday, I started torquing down the rear shackle hardware using my traditional torque wrench.
Then, last night, I stayed up a little too late working on the car. I know that I need some of these extra pushes to make steady progress.

It took me so darn long to install the grille shell. The more I messed with it, the more I realized that it was either raked too far back or there was too much clearance between the radiator and fan. After what may or may have not been two hours, I finally devised a solution where both the shell and radiator tabs had to be modified. Yet, at the end of the day, the fan is 3/4-inch from the radiator and the grille shell is looking good. As a reward, I installed my headlight bar.

 

Remember that part about the push? Right when I should have gone to bed, I torqued down the front shackles and started installing cotter pins.

Not just any pins, either. No way. These are the NOS cotters from my friend @So Cal Brian B. Every piece of this car has a story—down to the cotter pins.

 

One last note before I sign off. Last week when I was in Boston, I checked the H.A.M.B. and came across this incredible illustration by @gilty in the Friday Art Show. It made me so happy seeing our old friend, Version 1.5, in all his high-riding glory. Tyler captured every detail, from the B.F. Goodrich safety medallion from the antique store in Washington to the San Francisco waterslide decal in the corner of the windshield. Really neat stuff!

 

Thanks everyone! Yesterday I dropped my rear wheels at Paul’s Tire on Geary. Early next week, he’ll be installing fresh tubes and balancing everything up. I brought an extra 16-inch steelie in case one of the original two are too far gone. I’ll be interested to see if that’s the case.

Last week, I pulled the trigger on a set of full wheelcovers from an old 1940 Ford. They’re 16s and a little rough, but potentially a fun option. I’m still loving my beanie caps and rings. Always nice to be able to play around with this kind of thing.

 

Well, please don’t be too sad. I did the same thing to the decklid about 130 pages ago, as well as the cowl top last summer. My neighbors and I are all painting the car one color once it’s assembled and running. Everything in due time.

 

Thank you! Slowly but surely, we’re making progress.

 

My flight just landed at SFO and I’m about to head back to the house. I believe I have a few small pieces waiting for me, and my rear wheels will be ready for pickup tomorrow.

I’m excited to get back out there and get wrenching.

 

When I get my rear wheels back, I'm thinking it'll be time for a recreation of this shot out on the cul-de-sac.