Bob's 57 AGIN is back to the shop (Santini's)

[robhaerr]

Man Bob...

My heart sunk when I saw this thread.

Best...
Rob

[57AGIN]

Hi All:

I've spent Thursday & Friday at Santini's working on my 57.  On Thursday, I was just removing the easy pieces from up front and trying to get the front lighting harness (Painless my A_ _) unhooked and labeled (yeah Painless wires are labeled, but Rick and I enclosed all the wiring in some nice fiberglass sheathing to protect the wires and make them look cool) as to where they hooked up.  Friday, Santini's main body specialist came over and between the two of us the car is almost completely ready to pull the engine & Trans for their evaluation elsewhere.

Also, on Friday my upholstery guy (Wahl's Upholstery) came to Santini's with two of his workers and pulled all the upholstery, except the carpet and headliner out and this is now stored at my house.  It took them about an hour, less travel time.

Next week Rick and I will be off to Twentynine Palms to visit with Steve Pierce and his wealth of 57 parts.  I'll have a "new" front clip (everything body wise), a passenger door, a deck lid, horn ring and anything else that Santini thinks they will be needing to return the car to show condition. 

The insurance company (Infinity Select Insurance) has already sent me a check to begin the restoration process.  So far they are very, very good to work with.

Bob
57 AGIN

[57AGIN]

Guys:

Everything is now clear and ready for the 351W & TKO 600 to be removed from the car to facilitate body work on passenger side body and where the hood release pin was shoved into the firewall.  Rick & I will be driving out to Twentynine Palms on Monday to shop for parts.  Fun, fun, fun.

Bob
57 AGIN

[RICH MUISE]

Bob, in case you have trouble finding one, I have a good driver quality grille. For a daily driver it could be cleaned up pretty well, for your car it'll need replating.

[57AGIN]

Rich:

Many thanks.  I'm not sure what I'll find on Monday when I go out to see Steve Pierce.  I'll be sure to let you know and I do appreciate the offer.  We are pulling the engine and transmission today, to give working room for the firewall repairs and just to have them checked out before the car goes back together.

Bob
57 AGIN

[57AGIN]

Guys:

We're back from Twentynine Palms with plenty of parts for 57 AGIN.  All have surface rust and some will need considerable massage, but according to Pete and his metal rehab specialist all are usable.  I was able to get a "new" front clip, deck lid, right side door, all needed trim pieces a really nice grill and a 58 ford hood & chrome hood scoop opening.  There was only one part I wasn't able to find, a replacement horn ring.  I broke my nose & split my lip on my original one and it comes from a non-power steering car.  Steve didn't have any of these left in his substantial inventory (we checked through about 15 horn rings and all were out of power steering cars).  Attached are a few photos from our excursion.

Bob
57 AGIN

[57AGIN]

Guys:

Here are a few more photos from yesterday's parts scrounging trip to Twentynine Palms.

Bob
57 AGIN

[57AGIN]

Guys:

Here are a couple of photos taken today at Santini's.  Kind of reminds me of a real "back in the day" body shop.

Bob
57 AGIN

[rmk57]

What kind of car is that red one? Not sure I've ever seen one before.

[57AGIN]

 rmk57:

I'm surprised, side by side 57's one is obviously a Ford, the other is a "Brand X" BelAir.  My poor 57 is in a shop surrounded by numerous Brand X cars being repaired.  I can't tell if it's because there are more of the Brand X's around to get dinged or if it is because they are more prone to getting dinged.  Interesting question to ponder, isn't it?

Bob
57 AGIN

[rmk57]

You certainly wouldn't have to hunt down parts out in the desert if you had a tri-5 chevy. You could build the whole car from a catalog.

[BWhitmore]

PM sent about horn ring.

[djfordmanjack]

Bob, happy with you that you got all the parts needed. But it nearly brings tears to my eyes that they are parting such a dry wagon...

the red X-car is just awkward looking in direct comparison to the 57.

[Jeff Norwell]

taking car of Business Bob!

[Ecode70D]

  I have always stated that those strange looking brand X things give off something that is very contagious when parked so close to them.   Right now you have no choice so you may want to spray some disinfectant  on yours when you get it back.
   That's a lovely stash of nice old 57 sheet metal at Twentynine Palms.