Yep.. made the trek to the Panhandle and got the 300 home.... 4 damn years... But its safe in the shop.
Pictures to come.... As I would have it..... work is heavy and it may be a week or so before any visual evidence will be ready.
Jeff..great to hear. I'm glad I got to see it in person before it left for the great white north! Your restoration on that one is going to be a breeze. Keep us posted..also if your plans for it have changed.
Rich
Thanks Rich.. them darn Owens Salvage boys played a trick on me.... They had it out front for a day with a sign on it...."Free to a good Home".....
.... 7 people stopped on that one day.
Good for you Jeff!......."Free to a good Home".....Thats funny.
Got a question.... does anyone know off hand..what tires came stock with new 57 fords?.... make?.. Model?
Man..what a drive... 2 hard days there.....and colder than a witches Tit..... I thought Texas was suppose to be warm.
Nearly got robbed at a 7-11 filling station in East Dallas...(scary).... I wish I would have had Honest bob with me and his second amendment...
All worked out fine and the rest of the trip was good.
The border crossing was a breeze and i am SUPER happy to start this project.
Jeff: on sedans 6.50x14 Firestones, on convertibles and stationwagons, rancheros etc, 7.50x14 Firestones. When assembly plants ran short of Firestones they used goodyears. Taxis and Police cars used "Firestone 500 Patrols"
The Firestones were "Deluxe Champions" I don't know what the goodyears were. In 1957 new cars did not come with the top of the line tires in the 1960s a federal law was passed that made the auto makers put top of the line tires on their cars.
Thanks Lou!.... thats great.... I use those on all my early hotrods....
That is a great. Glad the trip was good minus the gas incident. Where do you live in the great white north?
sprink88...Live North of Toronto...Thanks!
Henry wanted to own every process and/or supplier to assemble a car. He did not own a rubber company. I think it was a grandson married a Firestone. Huh...Firestone tires on a Ford...who da' thought! Now the Japanese own Firestone.
Awesome, glad to hear it's home Jeff...Cant wait to see photos.
Thanks Mista Potter!..thanks all......
Now that the iron is here... I can get started.
I am going to replace the original tank... the car was last on the road in 71... i feel a replacement is far easier that trying to preserve the original.
I want discs on the front ..so I will start saving for that....
I grabbed a good 58 steering column and box... I will replace it with the 57 unit....
In the future I will swap out the rear pot and get a posi unit.... with 31 spline axles.
The 390 will head to the engine shop hopefully in the fall.
Lots to do..but it shall be fun.
Jeff
I sure would like to see a picture of your car.
Jay
Jay here's a teaser for ya. I saw it at Owen's Salvage last year. (Flat Top) Bob was storing it for Jeff. If I had the money and the time, that green Chebie on the far right would be in my garage(another thing I don't have LOL)
Jay as soon as I can I will.Mother Nature is being cruel at the moment and hitting us today and tomorrow with a(hopefully last!) snowstorm.
Thanks Rich!!!!
Rich
How in the world to you manage to sniff out those 57? Is Owans Salvage near you? It was nice to see that it was stored inside. You don't need that green chebby on the far right. Those things are programmed right from the factory to give off "NIGHT GERMS" that contaminate our lovely Fords when they are in the same garage. Thanks for the pictures.
Jeff
Your body looks very nice from what I see in the pictures from Rich. I don't see any severe body rust out. From what I see, I would be inclined to not touch that body and leave it as is for the nostalgic look. Sure hope that you are going to use a brand new windshield rubber/seal when you install it. New ones make life a lot easier. Sorry to hear that you still have snow. We in Mass. are getting a break and today will be in the mid 40s. The water in the bird bath in the front yard is not ice, so I know for sure that it is above 32 degrees. That means I'll be able to get a little bit done on mine today during the heat wave.
Jay
Oh man...nice project car!
Thanks again fellas!
Ecode70D~
There is zero rust issues on the body panels... the only issue is that the windows got busted out years back when it was outside and the rain/dirt/sun ate the rear floor pans.
Before I picked it up..I have 4 new pans for the floor.
Bob checked the floor mounts and they are all good.
I have new glass here at home,.. front,sides and rear.I have yet to buy new rubber which I shall order in the month.I am missing some front and rear stainless... (front glass and rear glass).. and it's pretty darn hard to repair old dented stuff suffering from texas hail storms due to the way the stainless was made.
I will rebuild the front end and as mentioned previously... prep the rear.
Funny you should mention about the Patina on the car(gee whizz, thats a bad word these days) I have been toying with the idea of leaving the "Texas Sunburn" in place for a while.
Or All black
or
The factory B/W version
The car is an original Texas car...the Dallas Plant, and had a 272/Ford-O-Matic...
Jeff, are you still planning on building it as Custom rather than the 300 ?
Zap- :unitedstates:
Quote from: Zapato on 2013-04-11 12:35
Jeff, are you still planning on building it as Custom rather than the 300 ?
Zap- :unitedstates:
Zap..... I am not sure yet..I have both full trim sets.... I like the Custom.... cleaner..... But I like the 300 too.... fancy.... There will be a TON of holes to fill if i go the custom route hahahahah
My deep dark plan was to build a 57 as if it were from the available from the factory in 57.... using the FE (FREAKING EXCELLENT!!!) and the Top loader I acquired from a 69 GT Torino.
I want the car in the end to look like it was some secret FOMOCO Test car.
Quote from: Jeff Norwell on 2013-04-11 12:41
. using the FE (FREAKING EXCELLENT!!)
FE = Ford/Edsel, as per old ford literature, prefer your interpretation, go Custom the extra work will be worth it. Do a search here and build the business coupe platform per the posted instructions you won't be sorry.
Zap- :unitedstates:
Mother Nature where I'm at today.
great forecast, will have to forward that to a couple of friends that create those forecasts for NOAA.
Zap- :unitedstates:
HA HA HA
Jeff
If you decide not to use the custom 300 trim I would be interested in buying it. Also when you get around to doing your front and back glass I might have the stainless pieces you need.
Jeff...I was going to ask if Bob ever found you a rear window stainless piece..it was the one that runs along the top, correct?
Jay...yeah Owens salvage is near me....105 miles...that's "near" in Texas. Wished I had known he was having a big party for the guys headed to the LSRU...I would have snuck in the back door.
Quote from: 57chero on 2013-04-11 14:28
Jeff
If you decide not to use the custom 300 trim I would be interested in buying it. Also when you get around to doing your front and back glass I might have the stainless pieces you need.
57chero
I will let ya know!
Rich-
Bob does not have that stainless parts..... But i may have found some locally..... I have to check it out in a week.
let us know so we (I) can keep an eye open for it. How's you wife doing, btw. Are you still in the dog house?
Ha ha ha...My wife is doing fine... thank you.... she has scars but no dramatic surgury was needed.
Thanks Rich.
Good to hear. I didn't want to do any jokes about having a hot wife, or how fired up she could get
'til I knew she was ok. I'll bet no one let you handle the barbecue grille duty in Austin.
ha ha ..Yea Rich.... my days as a Fireman are over.(My father was one)
Ok..MaMa Nature finally got nice and the day is perfect outside......
I rolled the Widow maker off the trailer and into the nest.This car is DIRTY!
Kinda glad it stayed in the trailer with the ice storm and below freezing temps....If there were any nasty critters.... they are dead now! hahahah
If the weather stays nice..I shall get the power washer out and shop vac.... to rid the car of all the rat turds and crustys that are hanging on.....
My trailer must have 3 pounds of Red Texas soil on the floor.... that long drive shook 40 years of crap out.
Some pics
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6696.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6696.jpg.html)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6700.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6700.jpg.html)
Ya gotta love good friends.... ha ha ha
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6704.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6704.jpg.html)
More pics.....
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6702.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6702.jpg.html)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6706.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6706.jpg.html)
More pics.......
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6706.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6706.jpg.html)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6707.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6707.jpg.html)
The last pics..... for now.....
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6709.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6709.jpg.html)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6710.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6710.jpg.html)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6713.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6713.jpg.html)
Last pics for now....
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6710.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6710.jpg.html)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6713.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_6713.jpg.html)
Sorry.... don't know what happened there... photobucket went a little Hari-Kari.....
.... and yes...I will be taking the Christmas lights down soon... hahahahha
I think I posted these before.. but this is the 390GT and tranny that will be used in the Widow Maker.....
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_1722-1.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_1722-1.jpg.html)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/JEFFNORWELL/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_1726.jpg) (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/JEFFNORWELL/media/JEFFNORWELLSALBUM2/IMG_1726.jpg.html)
Thanks for posting the pics....that's gonna be an awesome car. I like the fact you were thoughtful enough to put a "Lone Star" over your garage door to welcome your Texas '57.
Texas Guys:
Did you see me waving down to you as I flew out of Dallas/Ft. Worth on a connecting flight to Los Angeles when coming home from Washington DC on Saturday afternoon? I was coming home with the wife after spending a week site seeing in DC. I wish I could have stayed for a day or two to come over to see some of those Texas 57's, but the wish to get back home with the family was just too great. LOL Some day I hope to take a road trip and visit each of you like our friend Kiwi Ragtop Allan & Julie from New Zeeland. Oh well I'll reserve that for a date in the future.
Bob
57 AGIN
That is a great starting point, looks really solid. Good choice on the 390 too. Can't wait to see more of this one.
that sure is a nice catch. not that you are asking,but I vote
leave it with Texas sunburn...for awhile anyway.
It looks bad azz that way.
Good lookin starter!
naw, man, that ratty patina look is too chevy...let them leave their stuff looking like junk, make that baby shine.
The car in the end will be all finished paint.
cool.....
Jeff, I had thought that the 2-tone on my project 57 was original but when I look at yours I see that your black doesn't go under the back window. Is mine a re-paint or just a difference between a Custom and a Custom 300?
LAUDY57.... I am not sure...since the trim packages are different,..it may stand to reason the paint schemes were to follow as well..... anyone else?(great looking 57!)
Lorne...what Jeff said. I don't know for sure, but seems to reason paint scheme on a Custom would be done differently than a 300.
Also, Lorne, do a post for us on what you've been finding out about your '57, or what you've been doing with it, since you got back from vacation.
Rich
Rich, I'll gather some pics and do a separate post (thread?). I'm just ready to get it tested.
Laudy, your's is correct. Custom and Custom 300 are a bit different in the paint separation. Since the 300 has the full length trim, the entire upper portion except for the roof is white.
Yep, on the 300s, the color broke at the drip rails. The Customs followed around the bottom of the rear window. Hence, the dilemma of the color divider molding. The only part unique to the tutone Custom.
All right, thanks for the info. I was hoping to advertise it as original except no air cleaner or original wheels. I thought it might be original because an older (well, he was older 12 yrs ago when I bought it now I'm older) fellow owned it from new, I was told. Still has the dealership frames from Teague sales in Walla Walla, WA.
Are you selling it?
Yup, it's going to go now that I have a new one. I'm going to get the brakes working so I can at least say it can move because it needs lots of replacement metal, not like that beauty you just got!
Quote from: LAUDY57 on 2013-04-17 23:09
Yup, it's going to go now that I have a new one. I'm going to get the brakes working so I can at least say it can move because it needs lots of replacement metal, not like that beauty you just got!
Wow, from the pic you posted it looks like a pretty nice car.....
I 've got a bunch of pics I'll put on photobucket but it needs floors, toe boards, quarters and under headlights. I'll post it in the for sale threads when I get it ready, I'm hoping to get enough for a 4 post hoist- I just did the exhaust on the new car and up and down off the creeper 500 times is just not what these old bones are good for anymore!
Always a good subject and for the purposes of highjacking this thread...why a four post?
Well, I've used both, and I need to wear a bump cap with both, I like the better access with a 2-post but I like the movability (and stabilty) of the 4-post and the ability to work with cross supports. Actually, anything is better than struggling up and down off a creeper for me now.
BEST TOOL I EVER BOUGHT!!!!!!!!!
Always worked on two post hoists except when I was doing alignments. Most of the alignment racks I worked around were drive ons (like four posts). Alignments needed the cars weight on the wheels. If the vehicle needed parts replaced, I would move it to the two post...much more productive. Each type has its advantages. I may prefer a two post but I damn such would not lay on the ground if a four post was available. A drive on has enough uses that I made a drive on/frame table out of I beams. Its super for some assembly work, stance adjustments, some body work, etc.
great for frame work
hard to work on a two post with the doors open
You're right Gasman! I guess the best answer is a 2-post and a 4-post with a shop big enough for both (and a beer fridge).
The quandry......beer frig or second hoist.....how will I ever get by......
Sheeeet...I was tickled to death last month to be able to buy an Aluminum floor jack...and it was a HF at that.
My shop is in the lower level of an 1800's barn, not enough ceiling height for a lift. I am seriously thinking of cutting a door in the side on one end, raising the ceiling in that area, and walla! install a lift. I do have a nice beer fridge, with a backup . Mark :occasion14: Rich, I bought that harbor freight jack, it lasted less than a year. No leaks just stopped pumping
My shop ceilings are way to low...... and I am broke........ but I do have a killer beer fridge..... hence.... why I may be broke.
The 'BARN AGAIN' program calls that 'adaptive reuse'. I adaptive reused the **** out of my barn and it still looks like a barn on the outside and mostly on the inside. With the real estate market still in the crapper, I couldn't sell the farm as one piece so I'm partin' her out. Accepted an offer on the house with three acres. Closed the boarding kennel and am drywalling and redecorating. Moving into the barn in a couple of weeks.
gasman826..... that middleshot of your 57 has the best stance ever!!
Killer set up!!!
It just sits there...all day -- every day.
Well is sure sits pretty Gary!
There was a post, I think on the Hamb, ahowing a guys "shop" which was really a warehouse. Had an entertainment area (probably a real nice fridge) -something to get when the lottery ticket pays off.
Gasman, what's that emblem? at the front of your hood scoop/bubble?
The hood is a '57 sub frame and a '65 Thunderbird skin. Fresh rechrome on the TBird scoop grille.
Jeff, was it you loking for seat frame(s)? There's a parts car on the Hamb.
Saw that Lorne..... Gary has helped me out!.....But thanks for the heads up!