Hello. New member and first time classic car owner/restorer here. I picked up this 41 Special Deluxe last week. It's 98% original, and the engine runs with some temporary wiring and temporary fuel source. The tranny shifts and the wheels turn. My intention is to restore it to as close to original as possible. I am considering preserving the rust patina though. But eventually I think it will go back to its original color which I think is black, but I'm not sure. I'll take all the advice I can get. Priority list for me is getting it reliably driveable (not necessarily completely roadworthy at first. Just reliable enough to back in and out of the garage). The interior is a disaster as you'd expect, but everything is there, although a lot of the knobs and some trim have pretty much disintegrated. I'm sure most of the rubber is shot in the window seals etc. I'd like to go ahead and get it cleaned out, painted (or primered???) an get the sound deadening insulation in. I know you're supposed to do paint then interior but since I might just stabilize and clearcoat the rust patina I think I can go ahead and do interior work. I intend to reproduce the faux wood grain finish and upholster with accurate reproduction of the original design. I'm debating frame-off resto, but I think the car deserves as good a resto as possible. Check out the original key fob from the dealership and their 3 digit phone number... I'm open to any and all advice, and if anyone interested is in Austin, I could use a mentor/advisor.
El J, Nice car and welcome to the HAMB. I own a 41 Chevy Coupe (see avatar). My recommendation to you is get some paper and a pen and plan everything out in list form. You see to be like me, all over the place and with all kinds of plans running thourgh your head. If you dont get everything planned out in list form you will get overwhelmed very quickly. Start with the safety stuff first and getting the engine and tranny running well. Then look at steering and suspension to see what is worn and replace as needed. Make sure tires are good and not cracked. Then I would get to the interior. Pull the seats and treat any rust/surface rust. Get gauges working. Then you can start on upholstery. read the tech archives since there are many good ideas for how to do interior on the cheap or to make it comfortable to drive in for now. The search funtion IS your friend. Again, make a list of things to do and scratch them off as you do them. Paul
Good advice. Definitely going safety first. And I'll have the list going soon. I haven't even taken possession yet, but it will be mechanics before interior etc. The previous owner is going to put me in touch with the mechanic who has worked on it before. Thanks for the tip on the tech archive. I didn't now it was there. Nice coupe you got there.
Just look into the "Man" that provides us with the "LONESTAR ROUNDUP" and owner of the Continental Club..Steve Wertheimer
Ah. I see the nature of our problem. I'm not real connected to the local scene but I know who he is and go to the Continental Club a bunch. I had no idea he went by "El Jefe." Wouldn't have chosen my username if I kew. Wonder if I can change it...
Yeah, I see a few grand out of my wallet going their way. I wish they'd refine their search feature, though.
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