1957 Country Seday restoration

[cokefirst]

it has been a while, but here is the update. We rebuilt the original Carter AFB carburetor, painted much of the interior sheet metal, and have finished the painting of the doors.   

[cokefirst]

the hood is finished and we finally received the seat covers from SMS.  The seats are at the upholstery shop for new padding and assembly.  we also assembled and mounted the radiator and the A/C condenser.   The power steering components are at Precision Products in San Antonio Texas for Randy's expert rebuilding, the steering box is at Straight Line steering for a complete overhaul.  My son is welding the body to repair some of the less than stellar past body work and we are going to fill all the pinholes that showed up after sandblasting.  The clock was restored and is ready to go in the dash.  Slowly but surely we are moving forward. 

[Edd505]

it has been a while, but here is the update. We rebuilt the original Carter AFB carburetor, painted much of the interior sheet metal, and have finished the painting of the doors.   

What color green is that?  I have a green & white 57 that's more lime green.

[RICH MUISE]

Looking great with all that progress. I'm anxious to see it getting put together, but probably not as much as you.
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Rich

[CobraJoe]

Nice work, should look beautiful all back together!

[oldave57]

Great job.  The green color looks a lot like Willow Green (color of my first 1957 Ford).  Great color.

[cokefirst]

The colors from the data plate are Willow Green and Colonial White for the exterior with the interior in Cumberland Green.  I am trying to go back to the original colors.  Lots more work to do.

[Gene]

That metal fab work is tough.  The temptation is to not make continuous welds until you have a solid strip all the way around the work.  Even making, and cutting the panels is time consuming.  Keep up the good work.   Remember, short-cuts come back to haunt you at some point.

[cokefirst]

That metal fab work is tough.  The temptation is to not make continuous welds until you have a solid strip all the way around the work.  Even making, and cutting the panels is time consuming.  Keep up the good work.   Remember, short-cuts come back to haunt you at some point.

Thanks Gene, This wagon had more body damage than I realized and the body work done in the past was not show quality.  My son and I are amateurs.  I am not expecting a pebble beach restoration, but we are doing everything to the best of our abilities.  This is our third, body of frame, restoration and probably the most difficult do to the previous damage and the body rot.  Not having unlimited funds, we have to stop at a certain point.  My goal is to have a vehicle that looks, and drives like a new car in 1957.  We are trying to use as much OE hardware and the factory equipment.  A Pertronix unit in the OE distributor, but no disc brakes, or modern A/C. The original signal seek AM radio and the factory upholstery.  I have to use carpet as there is no reproduction of the heavy green rubber floor mats and I have to compromise on the wheel well covers, since they are not available anymore.  This will not be perfect by any means, but I hope to bring back the memories of "my folks owned one just like that".

[cokefirst]

Here is an update.  We have been slowly working on the project among other car maintenance.  We installed the rebuilt steering column and filled it with fluid.  Lucky us, it leaked.  it will be removed and returned to the company for resealing.  The nose cap and both front fenders got their underside Colonial White paint and the Willow Green paint to the lower fender.  The fenders will get the final coat of Colonial White on the upper section. 

The seat covers were installed on the front and rear seats and they will be wrapped in plastic for eventual mounting once the body is completed.  We will be painting the body with sealer and then starts the job of painting the inside and underside of before we assemble the car, piece by piece.

The 312 CID power plant is awaiting the expert overhaul of The Y-Block Guy.  Tim built the engine for my 1956 frame off restoration of my 56 F100 and it runs like a clock.  Enjoy the photos while we continue to slowly put this car back together. 

[cokefirst]

More photos

[mustang6984]

Looking very nice! 

[cos]

Nice job.   Might have missed it but single stage or base/clear paint?

[CobraJoe]

Outstanding work! Coming together beautifully!

[RICH MUISE]

Very nice! Those "seat covers" look really really good........who made them?