Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

Once the paint dried, I jockeyed the rear axle into into position. Next came the U-bolts and shocks.

 

Thank you! So the frame was a combo of old red oxide, bare metal and surface rust. I sanded down as much as I could, then applied two coats of Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator over the course of a weekend.

Hahah thank you! I actually meant to paint those black but didn't get around to it.

Thanks! We're getting there.

 

These things are all about the order of operations. Right now, I can't install the engine and transmission because I have to re-bush the pedals.
Unfortunately, the Millworks bushing did not fit. I managed to find a complete replacement shaft from Third Gen, which is on its way.

The larger issue, however, was the brake pedal. You'll see that it has worn through the bushing and into the body itself. I found an NOS bushing (also en route), and I may have a line on a replacement pedal. I can't wait to have this thing re-bushed, painted up, and back in the frame!

 

Thank you, everyone! I’ve been away all week on a work trip, but I’ll be back in the garage tomorrow to make some more progress. Before I left, David and I had a great day in Petaluma working on the pedals.

First, I removed the smoked bushings. I was very impressed with the sharpened chisel technique.

R.I.P.

 

With everything cleaned up, we installed the new bushings with this amazing old two-ton press.

David’s shop is my favorite place around. Where else would you get a view like this while wrenching? This is Ted’s A-V8, which you’ll see on the road with my car in the coming years.

Unfortunately, my clutch/brake pedal shaft was way too far gone. I thought there were reproductions available, but that’s not the case. These are one-year only and very hard to find. Without the pedals, there will be no engine and trans install. Simple as that.

Well, looks like this project is on ice until I can find this hen’s tooth, right? On the drive home, I sifted through my options. Have it machined? Buy another set of pedals? I knew one thing—I’ve come too far to work with anything less than the best. I shot off a few texts. A minute or so later, a H.A.M.B.er (who has the best build thread on here) texted me back that he had one, and it’s NOS. More on that tomorrow.

 

On Sunday, I made my way over to Yama’s to build a crate to ship his Panhead motor to the East Coast. Longtime readers know Yama—he’s helped me every step of the way on this car.

Earlier in the month, he was in a horrible bicycle accident and was in the hospital for a week. He’s healing slowly, but is expected to make a full recovery. I’m helping with fundraising for his hospital bills—if you’d like to help get him back on his feet, shoot me a PM.

 

So that puts us up to speed. If all goes to plan, I’d like to have the pedals wrapped up this week and install the engine and trans next. I’m also finally getting the front tires mounted and balanced, so get ready for blue-walls on all four corners!

 

It's been a busy week back in San Francisco, but I have been able to make a little bit of progress. Before I do, I have a handful of "thank you's" that are in order. I'll share them in the order in which they were received.

First, I'd like to thank Justin (@kustomkat1950) for sending such a neat piece of original artwork all the way from Georgia. As you can see, it fits the roadster's timeframe very nicely. It's currently hanging next to the car.

Next, we have a stellar package of original drawings/placemats from Dennis (@41 GMC K-18). Even the mailing tube is art!

 

Remember when I said someone saved the day on the pedal assembly? That someone was @NealinCA. While I was out of town last week, he sent me an NOS 1939 Ford pedal shaft. It's absolutely perfect. With David (@six5monster's) handiwork on the pedals and the new shaft, everything fits together exactly as it should with no slop.

On this project, I've almost lost track of times that folks have come to my rescue. Without all of you, this car wouldn't be happening. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

 

Once the pedals are installed, I'll be dropping the engine and trans into position. The rest of February is looking super busy, so I'm thinking that'll be in March? In the meantime, I'm prepping as many of the smaller assemblies as I can.

After thinking about it for months, I finally replaced the front brake hose wrap with NOS wrap manufactured in Canada in the early-'60s. It certainly wasn't necessary, but I figured that this car is all about the details.

This is the kind of thing I dream about. I first decided to have striped brake hoses after laying under the "Kookie Kar" at Brizio's back in the summer of 2019.

Anyways, lots more to share but it's getting late. Additional updates hopefully happening soon.
(Wow, that feels like a lifetime ago!)