Bill, sounds like you forgot to hook up the safety chains. 

I agree with Ed that there is a chance that you may not have major significant damage.  (chance, major, significant )  So, why not hope for the glass half full.  I would suggest that before running it, you change the oil and check it for metal with a magnet and visually in bright light.  Then post your findings.  If the old oil reveals noth…[Read more]

I love your home made rotisserie.  Ingenious!  Bravo! 

Ed, I’m electric green with envy. Enjoy. …..and buy Karen something nice – she’s a keeper.

Sounds like your friend knows what he’s doing.  There aren’t many things that will effect the spark at only one cylinder.Since he checked the spark
at the distributor, it is not likely to be a plug or wire but the easy way to check them both is to move #1 plug and wire to another cylinder and see if the “weak spark” moves to the new cyl also.  I…[Read more]

Schu, I’m workin’ on it (and her).

Hey Ed, that all sounds like great fun.  But isn’t the top of the upright windscreen mounting bracket the highest point when the screen is folded down? 

Yep, I looked at it about 6 months ago. Not far from being real nice. Runs well. I did not take for a ride. The dash is ugly and needs rework. See that black thing behind the rear wheel in the first photo?  That’s the fuel tank, definitely not from Duchess.  I wouldn’t dare drive it anywhere.  Very poor rig.  This is why he states that he has…[Read more]

Vicenc, that’s the best reason for using a shop.  Before I quit (out of respect for the game), I would say “that’s not a drive, it’s a short put”.

James, it’s not that bad. In fact, probably better than mine when I bought it. Take the radio out and throw it away. The switch on the floor is likely either a step to start switch or a headlight dimmer. Looks like you have an electronic voltage regulator (?) under the old Bosch which is disconnected (?). Looks like a dual port engine -…[Read more]

Hey Harry, welcome to the group.You will probably agree that not many accidents are avoided while the drivers foot is on the accelerator pedal.  …..and very many are avoided when the drivers foot is on the brake.  It seems that your car rear-ended someone.  Please don’t fall into the trap of concentrating your efforts on the engine.  The bra…[Read more]

James, are you sure that it needs repainting?  Most of our cars were gel coat from the factory.  Gel coat can, with a bit of time and elbow grease, usually be brought back to a nice shine.  Also, you really don’t want to work on the “rubber seals” (it’s called welting) along the body panels until you figure out your painting or gel coat restoration. 

The oil pressure switch is almost always located where I said by the base of the distributor. Maybe your switch quit, the prior owner removed it and that’s why you have a wire that’s not hooked up to anything. ???

Bob, some detailed pictures would be a big help. Usually, the oil pressure light is connected to a sender screwed into the engine case and located by the distributor base. An oil temperature sender may be located in the same place, but could also be located in a couple other places like the bottom of the sump or the oil pressure relief (if you…[Read more]

After attending for the last 4 years, I am sorry to report that I will not be attending the show this year.  I’m really going to miss seeing you all and wish I could be there.  I’ll even miss our unofficial curmudgeon, Wobby . For those of you who have not ever attended, please try and go.  It’s a hoot and you will get to put a face to the name…[Read more]

Welcome aboard.  We all have discovered surprises about our cars from the others on this site.  It seems you are not sure of manufacturer.  You suggested that it was a BCM.   I assume that you typo-ed a BCW.  Except that the parking lamps, hood hinge arrangement and the headlight brackets do not look like BCW.  My guess is that it is a Fiberf…[Read more]

Come on guys.  I think that there is relatively widespread agreement that the “best” TDr’s were made by either Allison or BCW.  $15,995 for a Fiberfab is way high.  Here is a more realistic example (IMHO) of what to expect.  Here is a super nice Allison that although it did not sell (seller’s reserve was not met) the high bid was $8,356.  [Read more]

Some pictures with the top up and with side curtains would be helpful (if you have them). 

Very clever Ed.

I modified my emergency brake somewhat like Ed’s suggestion of cutting, bending and welding.  I went to the VW junkyard and bought a second emergency brake handle.  Then using a 4″ angle grinder, I cut the new arm such that it nestled nicely on top of the old handle and welded it there vertically.  This allowed the lock on (parking) function to be…[Read more]