All good suggestions.  Monday we got the gas tank hooked up and put gas in it, and the car starts fine.   It has been a busy week, and it looks like it will be next Monday before I can get back to it.   

Thanks guys – I’ve downloaded all the manuals for Classic Roadsters and VW.  And for the other replicas as well.   One problem I am having is that the color code was not adhered to all that closely in this car.  In the worst case example, one spliced wire  changes color 3 times before it gets to it’s final destination.  In another case, the Clas…[Read more]

A little more progress:   We started it up (momentarily) last night.  
We got enough wiring done to where it should start, and spraying a
little starting fluid in the carburetor got it to fire and run for a few
seconds (there is zero gas in the tank).   
A few minutes later I hit the key for just a second to check the
warning light, and it imm…[Read more]

I got ready to install the gas tank the other day, and found it had rust inside.   A search of the internet turned up several methods, but I opted for the scientific approach.  Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, a battery charger, and a piece of steel.  Not having anything else on hand, I used a coat hanger for the steel.   The water started to bub…[Read more]

Hadn’t thought about using LED’s for any external lights…   Might have to look into that.  At present, I don’t even know how many external lights work/don’t work.  Wiring starts today!

I didn’t know that – that opens up more possibilities.

Thanks Bill.   It was quite a learning process, as this whole project has been.   The first time we stained the dash, we sprayed it with a “clear coat” with UV protector.   Turned the dash milky white.   Sanded and stained again.   The stain is a red mahogany, a Minwax product.   We finished it off with a Minwax Polycrylic.  It is supposed to ren…[Read more]

Sounds good Dennis!   We have gotten down your way a few times, once on the motorcycle.    I am hoping the Duchess will be running before too many more weeks, but still lots to do on it.Jim

Man is it hot in the Ville!   Makes it difficult to get much done, but we have made some progress.The Duchess lowered back onto the chassis without incident, and all holes lined up – yea!   Brakes have been reconnected, as has the steering.    We fashioned a new dash out of Lauan, stained and sealed it up, and placed it in front of the ori…[Read more]

I just bought a battery for mine.  Went to Firestone to get an Interstate battery, it called for a Size 42 (73 chassis) but they didn’t have any, and it would take two weeks to order.   Ended up getting a Size 47 battery, which on occasion is substituted.   Haven’t tried sticking it under the seat yet, but it looks like it will fit.

I used tie down straps – the front strap is attached to a piece of angle iron that is fastened inside the body near the front of the car.  The rear straps are attached to where the door hinges are mounted.  (Doors have been removed). The front and rear straps were raised at the same time by using 2 come-alongs and two people.  The come-alongs ar…[Read more]

Thanks, will check it out.   

Dick, wish I knew where all that junk in the garage came from.  It seems to multiply at night!Paul, the body pulled up real nice – it was completely removed by just the wife and me.   This is actually turning into some good quality time – with both of us working on the Duchess.   My wife even tried a little welding.   Guess I’ll be naming the ca…[Read more]

Progress…

Wow – that video reminded me of getting the body off the Duchess!Only got a couple of hours in tonight, got the rest of the old pans cut out.

Thanks guys!   It’s good to be back.   I am actually thinking about using the Duchess to take a little of the load off our Durango.  We need the Durango as a tow vehicle, but it only gets 10 mpg in town and that hurts!  I am hoping the Duchess will work for quick trips to the store, etc. plus a few smiles along the way.   I plan to add a few photo…[Read more]

Paul, this is great news!   Especially for a newbie like me…   I’ll PM you my e-mail address.  Thanks for all your work in this – this will help our efforts immeasurably!
Jim

Yep, I remember the rivets but was thinking it was primarily to the other body sections.     Do most folks put rivets back in during re-assembly, or replace with sheet metal screws?

Since we are guessing that this is one of the early Classic Roadsters kits (manufactured in 1979, serial #0064) maybe there are some differences in this kit than later ones?  
I am taking my first good look at removing the body.  Inside, there are a lot of rivets, not just holding the pieces of the body together, but a number of rivets holding th…[Read more]

I wondered about that.   The top that came with mine is in bad shape and will have to be redone.   But it has 2 bows, if by bows you mean the ribs that support the top.  So I guess it would come closer to a 52.   That was the year I was born, and would be easier to be remember!