Projects Project 1K to bonneville.

For those of you not in the Know:
A little over a year ago I attended a car show; Not a special occasion for me, but at this particular show I had an interresting conversation with a bunch of old guys. See, the middle aged Cats said it was impossible to build a Working, Legal, Safe and cool HotRod in under 6 months for under $1,000 U.S. however I, and the over 70 crowd said it WAS possible.
I took this as an informal, personal challange.
No rules as to year, make, model, or style were in place.
I chose a 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan, and decided to make Bonneville SpeedWeek 2008 my deadline. I bought the car to be restored about a year ago, but didn't start working on it until last May. I have no experience with a build like this, I used only the tools I had, did it outdoors, and for the most part, did it alone.
I found the Lincoln Here, On the H.A.M.B. and this spring began work on it.
The plan was this: swap Chassis and Drivetrains with a 1977 Mercury Marquis Wagon I had bought from my grandmother 7 years ago. The 460ci would provide enough power to drive the 4200 pound beast down the road and be cheaper than trying to completely restore the origonal Flathead. It sounded so simple! It was anything but. However, after months of work, A bit of modification, two broken knuckles, a load of help from a fellow Grave robber, and A lot of trial and error, I finished the car at about 2:30 am.
I left at about 8:00 the next morning for Bonneville. Nobody thought the old thing wouldd be able to make it all the way down, let alone get me back home again, But I was determided. I loaded up and followed that Grave Robber buddy-O-mine down. He, in his nice modern truck with his model A in a trailer behind him, Me in a straight pipped '49 lincoln with windows that wouldn't roll up or down.
I drove the 350 or so miles down - across deserts, through rural feilds, over mountains, burned through tires, Gas, Coolant, and even a thermostat. All in my Homebuilt Lead Sled.
The drive down went off fairly well for the most part. A couple of knocks and sputters from the 460ci. but that's to be expected, Given it's age. The only problems came when we climbed the pass from Jackpot to Wendover the old girl over heated, and started bubbling like a guiser. I made it to the summit and coasted down the other side. Once at the bottom we stopped at a Smith's and bought new coolant FOR $22.20!!!!!! If ever you go to Wendover,Bring your own fluids!
By the time we had driven the one mile to the camp Area I was bubblin' again, Water and a little time took care of that problem fairly well, then we drove back to town for the cruise......Overheated AGAIN, back to the camp area.......well you get the idea. 'Next morning I went and bought a new thermostat, It helped a little but I was still boilin' over if I droped below about 55mph for too long. But even with all that, It was a huge success, Most-Everybody liked the Car, and they liked it even more once they had heard the story and motivation behind it. I got to pinstripe like CRAZY I met the most Hep cats EVER; A bunch of New Zealanders who worked for New Zealand Hot Rodder Magazine. We talked cars and Pinstriping, and I painted their stuff for Gas money 'till around Midnight.
In conclusion, A Great time was had by all!
The trip home was really uneventfull, with no problems, and few stops for gas. I pulled into my driveway at about 10:00pm.
Final Build Cost: $1,136 (including the cost of purchasing both cars)
I'm sure you could do it cheaper if you're willing to buy Chinese parts-I'm not.
Final build Time: TOO MANY HOURS!!
Distance traveled: 700+

It was Legal, It was save, It was reliable, It was cheap........Mission accomplished.

For everybody still thinking negatively, it is in fact still running. I have driven it around town for groceries and things of that nature, and last night I took it up to a local cruise 20 miles away still with no problems.

Attached are some photos of the Sled on the salt and at the cruise (also, me laying a little line work at said cruise)
-Photos courtesy:
-Adam Watkins - Grave Robbers C.C.
That's Adams Model A parked in front of me, and the Pinup I painted for him just before Bonneville.

 

Great idea and even better doing it! I love it when people tell I can't do stuff. You did something very cool that you will never forget.

 

I was eating breakfast at the Salt Flat Cafe when you rolled up in that beast

 

is it still running hot at low speed?,sounds like a fan issue.great story and a happy ending,congrats

 

-Indeed, It was one Hep Experience. I know for a fact I'll be back out there in 'er next year.

-HA! Nice, That's makin' me grin from ear to ear.
That woulda' been Saturday Morning, Right? So, who were you, Which Car were you drivin?

Glad you liked it.
Yeah, I'm gonna' have to get me a dual electric fan set up. Right now I'm using a single (no room for the stock) Thanks for the advice; Always accepted, and always appreciated.

 

I was riding shotgun in my father-in-laws 39 Dodge sedan.

 

Yeah, I saw you cats out on the salt.
That's a mighty fine Dodge.
Did you boys drive it or trailor it?

 

We trailered it. ONLY because we left Thusrday at 2:00 PM, and left for home Sunday Morning and we all had to work Monday. Just made for a nicer trip, and 13 hours in a Cummins would have been 20 hours in a 39 Dodge with a 218 flathead 6!