Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop
- Thread starter BB767
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
Theguin623
New member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2013
- Messages
- 1
Thomas,
I started reading this thread, from the beginning, in late 2016. I saved it as a guilty pleasure, only reading at my desk during lunch, several times per month. I wanted to wait to be completely current before commenting.
I've shared the stories and projects from over the years with my friends and family, but they just don't understand the magnitude. It's like all of us, that started reading from the beginning, are in a Fraternity.
I don't think I'm the only one that enjoys the variety of material provided. The level of detail on everything you do, is what keeps me coming back, and inspires my endless overthinking of every project (My girlfriend does not appreciate that).
I can't wait to see what the future holds. Thanks for sharing!
Eric
I started reading this thread, from the beginning, in late 2016. I saved it as a guilty pleasure, only reading at my desk during lunch, several times per month. I wanted to wait to be completely current before commenting.
I've shared the stories and projects from over the years with my friends and family, but they just don't understand the magnitude. It's like all of us, that started reading from the beginning, are in a Fraternity.
I don't think I'm the only one that enjoys the variety of material provided. The level of detail on everything you do, is what keeps me coming back, and inspires my endless overthinking of every project (My girlfriend does not appreciate that).
I can't wait to see what the future holds. Thanks for sharing!
Eric
In The Shadows No More
Hello there Eric, another member emerges from the shadows. Welcome my friend to our merry gang or Fraternity as you so aptly put it. We do seem to have fun here and have a common kinship. There's always room for more. Thank you for sharing your positive thoughts about what we're doing here. Wouldn't it be fun if you could all come here when we have a shop open house? Hard as it may be, there is more coming this way.
Now as for the black overhead projector, yes I agree white would have been my color of choice but unfortunately that was not an option. I don't think electronics and powder coating mix well together so black it stays.
I'm knee deep in installing the dust collection in the wood shop. Here's a little of what's going on there and yes, parts of it either are or will be powder coated!!
I had to re-orient the fan housing...
...so the restored 60 year old floor press (remember it's powder coated!) was used to press the fan off and on the motor shaft.
New support legs were made for the cyclone support platform.
The legs will be powder coated. This is a project in progress. It's appearance will improve as I finish it up, not to worry.
The ends were anchored to the concrete walls.
I did have the cyclone powder coated last week. It looks good...
...and should last a long time. There is more on the way so stand by. Thanks everyone for your input.
Thomas
Hello there Eric, another member emerges from the shadows. Welcome my friend to our merry gang or Fraternity as you so aptly put it. We do seem to have fun here and have a common kinship. There's always room for more. Thank you for sharing your positive thoughts about what we're doing here. Wouldn't it be fun if you could all come here when we have a shop open house? Hard as it may be, there is more coming this way.
Now as for the black overhead projector, yes I agree white would have been my color of choice but unfortunately that was not an option. I don't think electronics and powder coating mix well together so black it stays.
I'm knee deep in installing the dust collection in the wood shop. Here's a little of what's going on there and yes, parts of it either are or will be powder coated!!
I had to re-orient the fan housing...
...so the restored 60 year old floor press (remember it's powder coated!) was used to press the fan off and on the motor shaft.
New support legs were made for the cyclone support platform.
The legs will be powder coated. This is a project in progress. It's appearance will improve as I finish it up, not to worry.
The ends were anchored to the concrete walls.
I did have the cyclone powder coated last week. It looks good...
...and should last a long time. There is more on the way so stand by. Thanks everyone for your input.
Thomas
Wood Shop Wiring Complete
After adding 11 new circuits and 48 new outlets in the wood shop...
...some that were 3 phase...
...but most were 110v - single phase, I completed the wood shop electrical work.
On top, 110v - single phase, in the middle 240v - 3 phase and bottom, 240v - single phase. I haven't labeled the 240v outlets yet, but the 240v plugs are different so they can only be plugged into the correct outlet.
Seen overhead are a couple of the new outlets that are 480v - 3 phase to power the Yates American thickness planer and jointer.
My brother assisted with all the 3 phase connects. First thing he said when he came into the shop was, "that cabinet in front of those disconnects needs to be moved- code doesn't like it there". A while back fasteddie24 questioned the cabinet placement but I had complete and unrestricted access to the disconnects. Even though we don't have safety inspectors, when I asked my brother what's the best safety practice....well the cabinet was moved. Seems goofy to me in this case, but if that's the best, safest way I'm all for it.
Here's where I shamelessly pitch about helping the environment. Recycle everything you can. All the card board boxes that the outlets came in...
...the service box metal knockouts, the little ears you break off the outlets when mounting them in service boxes, small scraps of wire...
...the screws and nuts that aren't used, it all gets recycled. Don't throw this stuff into the trash/landfill, recycle it instead. It really takes minimal effort to separate this material out, especially if you do it as you work. I strongly believe we all need to do our part, however small that might be.
I did get the shop sound system ceiling speakers wired today as well. With the shop electrical work all completed, the wood shop is one step closer to operation.
Later this week the dust collection system will be completed too. The cyclone is mounted and has been powered up.
This has all been a great winter project. Last item will be the drywall drop ceiling tiles. Getting very close to being done-done. Thanks to everyone for your continued patience and interest.
Thomas
After adding 11 new circuits and 48 new outlets in the wood shop...
...some that were 3 phase...
...but most were 110v - single phase, I completed the wood shop electrical work.
On top, 110v - single phase, in the middle 240v - 3 phase and bottom, 240v - single phase. I haven't labeled the 240v outlets yet, but the 240v plugs are different so they can only be plugged into the correct outlet.
Seen overhead are a couple of the new outlets that are 480v - 3 phase to power the Yates American thickness planer and jointer.
My brother assisted with all the 3 phase connects. First thing he said when he came into the shop was, "that cabinet in front of those disconnects needs to be moved- code doesn't like it there". A while back fasteddie24 questioned the cabinet placement but I had complete and unrestricted access to the disconnects. Even though we don't have safety inspectors, when I asked my brother what's the best safety practice....well the cabinet was moved. Seems goofy to me in this case, but if that's the best, safest way I'm all for it.
Here's where I shamelessly pitch about helping the environment. Recycle everything you can. All the card board boxes that the outlets came in...
...the service box metal knockouts, the little ears you break off the outlets when mounting them in service boxes, small scraps of wire...
...the screws and nuts that aren't used, it all gets recycled. Don't throw this stuff into the trash/landfill, recycle it instead. It really takes minimal effort to separate this material out, especially if you do it as you work. I strongly believe we all need to do our part, however small that might be.
I did get the shop sound system ceiling speakers wired today as well. With the shop electrical work all completed, the wood shop is one step closer to operation.
Later this week the dust collection system will be completed too. The cyclone is mounted and has been powered up.
This has all been a great winter project. Last item will be the drywall drop ceiling tiles. Getting very close to being done-done. Thanks to everyone for your continued patience and interest.
Thomas
Boosted1
Well-known member
Looking good!
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thomas, I thought heaven was upstairs. It turns out it's in the basement.
xtremek
Well-known member
Recycle? Nope. ALL metal gets scrapped to fund future endeavors. But all kidding aside, recycle or scrap as much as possible. The stuff doesn't magically disappear.
Nope. ALL metal gets scrapped to fund future endeavors. But all kidding aside, recycle or scrap as much as possible. The stuff doesn't magically disappear.ronjon1190
Well-known member
I just finished page 483... only 100 pages to go as of today. This is an awesome transformation on the shop and property, and beautiful build on the barn and house so far! I can't wait to see the rest of the build! I have to ask, because I just read about it, What is the story behind the penny in the ash dump on the fireplace?
Hello there Ron and welcome. Many thanks for the compliments and I'm glad you're enjoying the journey. You're a man among men if you're wading through all those pages!!
Ah about the penny, that's an excellent question.
The brand new, shinny penny dated 2016 (the year the house was built) that I placed under where the ash dump clean-out door goes was a bit of a good luck talisman from me. A talisman is an object that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck.
Whenever my Dad stepped the mast on his sailboats, as per tradition, we always placed a coin under them for good luck. It always worked for him so I thought I'd do the same when building my home. From that penny to the top of the chimney is the farthest distance vertically in the house, just like a mast, and I'm hopeful good luck will radiate from it.
Being of Scottish heritage I saw no reason to be wasteful, so no need to spend more money than necessary for good luck. A penny coin will do just as good as a dollar coin! And good luck I've had indeed!
Best of luck to you sir on the last 100 pages and welcome to the vortex.
Lucky Thomas
dpljmurphy
Well-known member
Thanks for the penny explanation, if it was earlier in the thread I've forgotten it (along with so much more! ). We have an early spring here in the NW after a heavish snow for us; it's a nice feeling to sit here and read this uplifting thread in the sun and just smile. Thank you. David
). We have an early spring here in the NW after a heavish snow for us; it's a nice feeling to sit here and read this uplifting thread in the sun and just smile. Thank you. DavidThanks for the penny explanation, if it was earlier in the thread I've forgotten it (along with so much more!
Evening David, if you look back on page 481, post #9617 was detailing about the fireplace foundation construction. I showed the penny in place but never really explained why I did it. Thanks to Ron's question I was reminded to share that bit of "behind the scenes" detail.
There are a few other personal touches that were incorporated into the house build. Some of those that I've shared here and some that only I know about. Even Chris doesn't know of their existence. It is a most personal home.
Yeah, I've been reading about all the snow you guys were getting. I'm sure the kids loved it but it's such a hassle for us adults.
As an adult we would never try to make a snow angle or any other such childish thing in the snow.
Remember, if you're not having fun, what's the point?!
Thomas
ranger101ran
Well-known member
I have been following from the beginning of this adventure and still look forward to every post. I would love to see you restore or build a car from the ground up. I think that would be amazing.
Spareparts
Well-known member
Never seen a fully Powder Coated car before.
Wood Shop Updates.......
As you might imagine I've been pretty busy finishing up the wood shop. I haven't been ignoring anyone here honest...... just busy, but I still check this thread every day.
Love hearing from folks who have stayed with this thread for a long time. You've gotten to see some wide ranging material and changes in the property over that time.
I've done some car restorations in the past but unfortunately have very few pictures for my efforts. Thanks ranger101ran for posting in and you avid support.
With the wood shop wiring now complete, in preparation for running the Yates American planer for the first time in a few years due to the move...
...I opened up the side cover to check it over. It was pretty darn clean inside.
I did a complete "nut and bolt" restoration on this machine in 1980.
After 39 years, I'm very pleased with how well that restoration has held up.
Here is proof positive, "do it right the first time" ...
...and you'll be rewarded for all your extra efforts for years to come. This machine and the jointer has preformed flawlessly all this time. I'll come back to the Yates American planer and jointer preparation for a little more in depth later.
You guys are a little out of control you know?
Thanks ex_nihilo, I love doing stuff like this!
Dust collection is now done. Stand by! I've been waiting for this since we sold our old house and moved the equipment out.
Thomas
As you might imagine I've been pretty busy finishing up the wood shop. I haven't been ignoring anyone here honest...... just busy, but I still check this thread every day.
Love hearing from folks who have stayed with this thread for a long time. You've gotten to see some wide ranging material and changes in the property over that time.
I've done some car restorations in the past but unfortunately have very few pictures for my efforts. Thanks ranger101ran for posting in and you avid support.
With the wood shop wiring now complete, in preparation for running the Yates American planer for the first time in a few years due to the move...
...I opened up the side cover to check it over. It was pretty darn clean inside.
I did a complete "nut and bolt" restoration on this machine in 1980.
After 39 years, I'm very pleased with how well that restoration has held up.
Here is proof positive, "do it right the first time" ...
...and you'll be rewarded for all your extra efforts for years to come. This machine and the jointer has preformed flawlessly all this time. I'll come back to the Yates American planer and jointer preparation for a little more in depth later.
You guys are a little out of control you know?
Thanks ex_nihilo, I love doing stuff like this!
Dust collection is now done. Stand by! I've been waiting for this since we sold our old house and moved the equipment out.
Thomas
Last edited:
BlueBomber
Well-known member
I've seen them done in spray-on bed liner...
https://goo.gl/images/wF2GeP
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Last edited:
Spareparts
Well-known member
The first time I seen your projects was from a picture of the car frame permantly attached to the alongside the shop, I have been hooked ever since, I think it was on page 3 or 4. I can not believe how far you have taked this project. You have made the Center of the Universe very proud.
timbitca
Well-known member
I've got a question Thomas... how long does the screen and projector setup take to start up? Say you want to check something out on TV for a few minutes, does it take a while to setup?
To be honest rannoch, I'm super excited myself to get the woodshop up and running. I've made a few changes with a couple of the machines which I'll detail later. The dust collection system turned out really well. I used self tapping machine screws on all the duct and blast gate joints and so I need to remove the screws 1 at a time and grind the tips down so there is minimal amount of screw protruding into the duct. But in the meantime the system is operable and it really *****!!
I'm unable to post some pictures at present, stand by.When you think about this property 14 years ago and what has happened out here in that time is something that has truly been rewarding to me. It's been such fun sharing the story with my friends here. The best part is we're not done yet. I've got some interesting news but I can't share it just yet. Give it a few weeks and I can outline it for you then.
That's a fair question timbitca. I use a universal remote to control everything. It's programed so if I want to watch the TV, or use the DVD player, I can do so with the push of a single button. That will lower the screen, turn on the overhead projector and the receiver for sound. Sound and channel selection is all done with that same universal remote. When done, a single button will turn everything off and retract the screen. I've never timed it, but sound comes on within a few seconds when tuning it on and the picture will appear in about 30 seconds after the projector warms up I'd say. When I get home I'll time it and report back if that would be helpful.
The system can also be connected to my computer so anything you can get on a computer monitor as well as sound can be brought up on the screen and through the receiver. You Tube video's on an 11' screen are fun to watch. If the source material is decent, the system will upgrade the image to near 4K/high def and they aren't pixelated. Good question, thanks.
Thomas
Hi Thomas,
I've been following this thread for several years, and this is my first time posting. I am amazed by everything you've done and appreciate the time you take to share it with all of us.
Now that your woodshop is almost up and running, going forward, how to do you foresee the management/division of your work/hobbies between your three shops? Obviously the woodshop is more specialized, but with equipment, tools, supplies and materials spread across the three shops, keeping up with everything could be a challenge. I know I have a hard enough time with just my garage.
On a different subject, I'd be interested to hear your opinion on the 737 Max problem. Do you think it's an lack of information from Boeing, a training issue with the pilots, a system design/software issue with the flight control system or some combination?
Thanks again for sharing all your work with us!
Brian
I've been following this thread for several years, and this is my first time posting. I am amazed by everything you've done and appreciate the time you take to share it with all of us.
Now that your woodshop is almost up and running, going forward, how to do you foresee the management/division of your work/hobbies between your three shops? Obviously the woodshop is more specialized, but with equipment, tools, supplies and materials spread across the three shops, keeping up with everything could be a challenge. I know I have a hard enough time with just my garage.
On a different subject, I'd be interested to hear your opinion on the 737 Max problem. Do you think it's an lack of information from Boeing, a training issue with the pilots, a system design/software issue with the flight control system or some combination?
Thanks again for sharing all your work with us!
Brian
fish369
Member
Thomas and Chris, long time lurker, been so long since I started this journey with you I can't remember how long it's taken me to catch up...and I know you've heard it before but it can't be said enough, unbelievable! What a wonderful job you've done. WOW! What an inspiration you've been to me as well as everyone following, you've got me off the couch and into my own shop, always a good thing. Count another long lost friend, until I make it to the COTU, I'll be lurking in the background, smiling the whole time.
PS, I've been taking notes...for the test.
PS, I've been taking notes...for the test.
Brian, hello to you and thanks for sticking with me for so long here. I wonder sometimes how many folks loose interest after a while. This thread has wandered over a bunch of different topics hasn't it? Not everyone's cup of tea as it were.
Your question about shop management is an interesting one. I've got some rough ideas of how I expect things to work out but let me give a bit more thought and I'll get back with you on that.
Boeing 737 MAX aircraft; sticky wicket at present. The only large, Transport Category aircraft I've flown have all been Boeing. I flew several variations of 737 for close to 10 years. The one closest to the MAX was a 737-800 NG. As I understand it, the MAX utilizes a new system called Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System or M.C.A.S. which is at the heart of the investigation. I have very little information on that system, since it was implemented long after I left the 737 to fly the 767. I like Boeing aircraft and have over 22,000 hours flying them. I like Boeing's flight philosophy that ultimately the pilot should be able to fly the aircraft and not be interfered with by a computer. Does that philosophy still hold true with the MAX and the M.C.A.S.? I just don't have enough information to be able to render an intelligent opinion and I haven't talked with my friends who are presently flying the MAX. I am following the developments and am very confident that if the data recorders aren't corrupted, the cause will be found and corrected, whatever that might be. Wait and see.
Thanks bs_aggie for your interest and support of my work. It is much appreciated!
Fred, I've sent you a PM. Many thanks for your private note to me.
PS, good move an the note taking!
Thomas
oldschoolbob
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2014
- Messages
- 32
Thomas, I may not be interested in every topic you post but I never mess a post.
This guy – Juan Brown – is a commercial pilot and FAA mechanic. His Youtube channel
"blancolirio". He has several videos about air crashes. He’s currently covering the 373 Max crashes. Very interesting. His latest video on the 373:
This guy – Juan Brown – is a commercial pilot and FAA mechanic. His Youtube channel
"blancolirio". He has several videos about air crashes. He’s currently covering the 373 Max crashes. Very interesting. His latest video on the 373:
hrspwrjunkie
Member
Done.
Last edited:
JeremyBurke
Well-known member
Hey Thomas,
I just saw the pictures of your wood shop. Like the vintage equipment. However, I am partial to the SawStop though as that was my work home for 8 years. I now work for their new parent company near Stuttgart Germany. Thanks so much for keeping us posted. Cheers, Jeremy.
I just saw the pictures of your wood shop. Like the vintage equipment. However, I am partial to the SawStop though as that was my work home for 8 years. I now work for their new parent company near Stuttgart Germany. Thanks so much for keeping us posted. Cheers, Jeremy.
Hi Jeremy, I'm completely with you on SawStop. Look back on page 583, post # 11645 to the new wood shop pictures. Squint real hard at the third-to-last and second-to-last pictures and you'll see a new, shinny 10" industrial SawStop with a mobile base in my shop. I replaced my Rockwell Uni saw a couple of months back with a SawStop. I decided since I'm setting up the shop, now would be the time to get a SawStop. It's a 5 h/p industrial unit with a 52" table extension. I haven't had time to set it up though so you'll only see the basic cabinet unit without the table extensions or overarm dust collection. I'm not home right now so I can't post any pictures of it.
I'm thoroughly impressed with SawStop. Well engineered piece and seemingly a great company. Thanks.
Thomas
Thirdyfivepickup
Well-known member
14 years... 11,669 posts, 584 pages, 278 tires, 251 gallons of distilled water, 250 prune juice jars, 212 yards of concrete, 60 tons of scrap, 41 countries, 24 tons of granite, 7 1/2 cars and one famously crooked switch plate later I still don't believe there will ever be a test....
14 years... 11,669 posts, 584 pages, 278 tires, 251 gallons of distilled water, 250 prune juice jars, 212 yards of concrete, 60 tons of scrap, 41 countries, 24 tons of granite, 7 1/2 cars and one famously crooked switch plate later I still don't believe there will ever be a test....
great, just great, now you just added all those quantities to the TEST !!!!!!!!
Seagoon
Well-known member
You're a brave man to challenge Chris like that, you know.14 years... 11,669 posts, 584 pages, 278 tires, 251 gallons of distilled water, 250 prune juice jars, 212 yards of concrete, 60 tons of scrap, 41 countries, 24 tons of granite, 7 1/2 cars and one famously crooked switch plate later I still don't believe there will ever be a test....
She might seem like a pussycat but you notice that Thomas never dares to provoke her.....
Thirdyfivepickup
Well-known member
great, just great, now you just added all those quantities to the TEST !!!!!!!!
OR... maybe they were scheduled to be on the "test" and I've just lumped together a bunch of answers for everyone in one post. It's all in how you look at it.
Lou Bingham '28 Roadster - Restoration Update
We're back from a week visiting our long time friend, Bonneville old salt racer, Lou Bingham.
To recap a little, remember this car? (shown without body panels installed)
Lou built this car for land speed racing starting around 1961. It's a Ford Roadster, somewhat modified, using an Olds fuel injected engine.
Hot Rod magazine...
...published an article about the car and Lou in 1963.
It was raced successfully and Lou set a few records with it over the years. I think Lou's best speed ever in the car was 177+ mph with a small block Olds.
Lou raced it at Bonneville and the dry lakes for 10 years until the early 1970's at which time Lou eventually sold the car. It was raced by others until the 1990's when it was parked.
When we got to Lou's house last week, he opened his garage door and look what was sitting inside!
His original car from 1961. A friend of Lou and me bought his original car last year and had the body and paint restored in Oklahoma. Then the car was shipped to San Diego to have the engine and drive train fitted. The car ran a trial run last November at El Mirage dry lake to start sorting it out. The plan is to run it this August at Bonneville. Lou might drive it for a pass or two!
Because of this, I got to spent some of the week working with Lou (and Chris seen in the back)
...on this very iconic piece of Bonneville history. The car still has some sorting to do, the present engine in it is for testing purposes only. The final proper fuel injected racing engine is being built and should be ready for installation in a few weeks.
So here's our buddy Lou, working on his old race car...
...in the very same garage he built the car in 58 years ago! How cool is that!!!
Thomas
We're back from a week visiting our long time friend, Bonneville old salt racer, Lou Bingham.
To recap a little, remember this car? (shown without body panels installed)
Lou built this car for land speed racing starting around 1961. It's a Ford Roadster, somewhat modified, using an Olds fuel injected engine.
Hot Rod magazine...
...published an article about the car and Lou in 1963.
It was raced successfully and Lou set a few records with it over the years. I think Lou's best speed ever in the car was 177+ mph with a small block Olds.
Lou raced it at Bonneville and the dry lakes for 10 years until the early 1970's at which time Lou eventually sold the car. It was raced by others until the 1990's when it was parked.
When we got to Lou's house last week, he opened his garage door and look what was sitting inside!
His original car from 1961. A friend of Lou and me bought his original car last year and had the body and paint restored in Oklahoma. Then the car was shipped to San Diego to have the engine and drive train fitted. The car ran a trial run last November at El Mirage dry lake to start sorting it out. The plan is to run it this August at Bonneville. Lou might drive it for a pass or two!
Because of this, I got to spent some of the week working with Lou (and Chris seen in the back)
...on this very iconic piece of Bonneville history. The car still has some sorting to do, the present engine in it is for testing purposes only. The final proper fuel injected racing engine is being built and should be ready for installation in a few weeks.
So here's our buddy Lou, working on his old race car...
...in the very same garage he built the car in 58 years ago! How cool is that!!!
Thomas
HOTFR8
Banned
Yes, just how cool is that.
donnie
Well-known member
Wow that is awesome.
Has the car been updated enough to pass tech? Or will it need more updates?
Sent from my SM-T560NU using The Garage Journal mobile app
Has the car been updated enough to pass tech? Or will it need more updates?
Sent from my SM-T560NU using The Garage Journal mobile app
Craptain
Well-known member
Re: Lou Bingham '28 Roadster - Restoration Update
That is tooo cool. Hope he is able to get some kind of new record with the car and it's new engine.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
That is tooo cool. Hope he is able to get some kind of new record with the car and it's new engine.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
rmalkow2
Well-known member
So awesome that Lou got his old racer back and very exciting that he will see it race again. Bonneville got me hooked last year so I hope to be back again this year and look forward to seeing Lou's car make some fast runs.
Bob
Bob
Lou Roadster
All the necessary safety updates have been made to the car, yes it passed current SCTA tech last fall to enable it to run at El Mirage in November. There were problems with the test engine during that run. It spun a bearing so it only made one partial run but reportedly the car tracked straight and stable at less than 150 mph.
It was a reasonably accurate restoration back to the form of the car as raced in 1963. Even the engine will replicate the Olds run in '63 as seen in the Hot Rod article. Unknown if it will be capable of running records speeds at this point. Lots of development work to go.
Lou is just storing it for the new owner at present, it doesn't belong to him. He's helping get the car get ready. I don't want to speak for others, but there's been talk he might be able to drive it for a pass if he chooses to. We'll see when the time comes.
When we were at Bonneville last year, that's when Lou and I found out about the restoration plans for this car. To say he was super excited is a great understatement and now that it's nearing completion is something of a story book ending. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, honest and truly. I've got more on the car so please check back.
Thomas
All the necessary safety updates have been made to the car, yes it passed current SCTA tech last fall to enable it to run at El Mirage in November. There were problems with the test engine during that run. It spun a bearing so it only made one partial run but reportedly the car tracked straight and stable at less than 150 mph.
It was a reasonably accurate restoration back to the form of the car as raced in 1963. Even the engine will replicate the Olds run in '63 as seen in the Hot Rod article. Unknown if it will be capable of running records speeds at this point. Lots of development work to go.
Lou is just storing it for the new owner at present, it doesn't belong to him. He's helping get the car get ready. I don't want to speak for others, but there's been talk he might be able to drive it for a pass if he chooses to. We'll see when the time comes.
When we were at Bonneville last year, that's when Lou and I found out about the restoration plans for this car. To say he was super excited is a great understatement and now that it's nearing completion is something of a story book ending. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, honest and truly. I've got more on the car so please check back.
Thomas
HOTFR8
Banned
Sounds like you and Lou are going to be busy at Bonneville in 2019.