There’s an online Lafer parts supplier in Brazil. You’ll have to run it through Google Translate if you don’t read Brazilian Portuguese, and convert the prices into U.S. dollars:

TexAg712012-04-27 16:54:39

There’s a place somewhat like this, but not quite so grand, about a mile and a half from our house. I keep meaning to check it out some Saturday, but other things get in the way. For now, there’s room in our two-and-a-half car garage for my wife’s Taurus and my Lafer. The old Ford Ranger has to live on the street out front.

Connie: See my earlier reply to your post about a new grille shell.

There’s an online Lafer parts supplier in Brazil. You’ll have to run the words through Google Translate (unless you read Brazilian Portuguese) and convert the price into US dollars. A quick look turned up this:

Roy — I tried the old gallery site, but got only this error message:

RE: Photos

Sorry to hear that you’re saying goodbye to the Lafer, Allan, but it’s nice of you to let this bunch have first crack at it. My Lafer is also an ’81, and while not in quite as good shape as yours appears to be, it’s a hoot-and-a-half to drive. Very solid factory-built vehicle. Good luck!

Is that an old Army canteen hanging off the front end?

Enjoyed plenty of lime runs in college in the ’60s (yes, I’m that old!) with our campus Sports Car Club. I was usually the navigator, since I didn’t get my first set of wheels — a ’62 Sprite Mk II — until my junior year. In addition to watching for the lime marks, navigators on those nighttime runs on dark county roads in Southeast Texas also ha…[Read more]

I also toyed with an EV conversion and, like Ed, decided the numbers just aren’t there yet. 

I have one grandson who’s 14 and loves riding in the Lafer. As he lives in Dallas, that doesn’t happen as often as either of us would like. Now looking forward to another grandchild, due in August. This one will be living just three miles away, though . . .

That’s one of our favorite movies, too, although the scene that follows the TD’s breakdown outside the fancy hotel always leaves me weepy. 

Welcome, Dan! You’re smart to do some research before buying. Be sure to take some pictures when you finally hit the road up there in the Panhandle. Always glad to add another Texan to the roster! 

I didn’t notice the second part of this poll until today. I found Percy in a barn outside Montgomery, Texas, five years ago, which means I was 57 at the time and the third owner (as near as I’ve been able to determine).

Someone must’ve bought it. The original post was last October.

Percy’s headlamps are OK. My problem with driving at night is that my gauges are too dim to see.

It’s got my vote, and my PayPal ante.

If anyone knows, it would be Aaron White over on Motortopia.com.

TexAg712012-02-21 13:51:39

Excellent! Wish I’d had that rear window replacement video 30 years ago when my ’71 Beetle’s back glass was vandalized.