Nice dash, especially the central section. Is that a real crank starter handle fitted to the underside of the bonnet? And what are those toggles — or whatever they are — mounted just in from of the fuel tank?

Happy for you guys, but I’m sitting here with a dead battery on a partly cloudy, 78-degree day. So it’ll be tomorrow before I can crank and roll.

I don’t care for the top on either one, but do wish I could replace my dash knobs with some flat toggle switches like those in the Ohio TDr.

As a Merchant Mariner, he deserves calm seas and a steady wind in his sails. Here’s hoping he has that now. My best to you and your family.

Yeah, that dash is a bit much.

Let me add my thanks, as well. My wheel is just slightly off — maybe 5 degrees — but it’s one of those little things that can keep me from enjoying the scenery if I let it. Problem solved! 😀

But back to the original thread: To me, that’s WAY too many photos. Looks like he snapped a shot about every inch and a half all around the car, at least three times. Then again, I’m not in the market for another ride. If I were, then I’d probably look at all the photos I could find. TexAg712014-01-20 21:23:42

I’m with Kent — that’s a beautiful job on the dash. I’m intrigued by the rectangular cutout on the right; is that a radio of some sort?

I drove my Lafer to and from work daily for about five weeks last year, while my younger daughter was borrowing my regular ride — a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT pickup — until she could get enough cash together to get her car repaired. I kept the top up most days, as the 25-mile run from our house into downtown Houston would’ve left me soaking in sweat…[Read more]

Looks sharp, except for the top. 

My Lafer is VW-powered so the spare is stowed up front. I’ve owned it since February 2007, and in all that time have never been stranded with a flat. Wondering lately if I might jettison the spare altogether and use the space for a small tool kit and a couple cans of Fix-A-Flat instead. Thoughts?

If you’re talking about the one that used to be held at the Vintage off 249 & Louetta, I did go to one very early on. Drool-worthy machines, but WAY out of this old newspaperman’s bracket. I have been known to visit the Niftee50s gathering from time to time. Maybe we met there.

Ed, you are definitely from hardier stock than I am if you’ve driven through snow in an open convertible. 

It’s always great to have another Texas driver join our crew. Welcome aboard! 

Derek, would you mind posting a few wide shots of your car with the new top in place — something that would show how it looks as a whole? ❓

Very nice job, Derek. One question: What kind of Minwax did you go with? My eyes aren’t sharp enough to read the label.

That’s quite a tutorial, Roy. Now that I know what’s what, and since I do drive a lot of curvy county roads, I do believe I’ll stick with the alloy wheels that came on my Lafer. And as always, I’m truly thankful for all the expertise so freely shared here. Much appreciated.

Gobble-gobble!

Ed, functional illiteracy may not be “the” problem, but it’s one that causes me growing concern. I’m a newspaper copy editor, and part of my job is to monitor reader comments to our website. It’s been my observation that the readers who seem to have the least command of the language are the ones who don’t seem to think logically about — well,…[Read more]

[Sigh] I wanted to go for a spin, but had let Percy sit too long in the garage. Battery too low to start. Got it hooked to a charger now, so maybe tomorrow I’ll have better luck. 🙁