5/1/2009 OFFICIAL START DATE   

July 23, 2010 Dick Crabtree, on his way from Houston to South Dakota< came to the rescue with some doors that will finish out the last big parts for my Model A.  They are in great condition and I will start working on them soon, with photos.

July 1, 2010 - Got back from MacPherson with an awesome paint test panel we made showing all11 steps in the painting process.  The week at paint school was sure worth it.  The big news is that I also have my blastbooth business up and running.  visit www.efficientcoatingrenewal.com for more details on that.. 

News on my Model A project:  still waiting on doors.  Have fitted front and rear fenders, and will blast (in the new booth--how convenient!) and prime today! 

June 1, 2010 - Leaving for MacPherson for auto paint course this Sunday.  By the time I get back my new Clemco sandblast booth should be completely installed.  It has been a work in progress for the last couple weeks.  My "A" is patiently waiting for the summer so there is time to do lots of little detail work and get the interior in.  Should have more photos as that happens.  Think I might have found some doors, and will know on July 10 when Dick Crabtree comes down.  He emailed me a few weeks ago.  Cross your fingers.  Otherwise, Ray and I spent HOURS fitting the fenders and they are ready to sandblast and paint this summer.

April 11, 2010 ---Today was the day the body finally met the chassis!  After a trying time painting it was finally good enough to call it done.  I am taking a painting course at McPherson College in Kansas in June so hope to improve on those skills.  The photos here and under Model A Body sections show some of the painting/taping off/and more assembly that we did.  We got the steering column attached, and Ray has a hood for me--just needs blasting and painting.  I have all my fenders ready to fit, blast and paint, and the interior has been ordered from LeBaron Bonney.  I sitll estimate many months of work before it is done--maybe by August, in time for me to get my driver's license in September.  Still need those doors---anyone??   Check out the Before and After!!

MARCH 1, 2010 - Still doing body work on the Model A.  Have ordered the blastbooth so that will be here in about 6 weeks.  Am branching out a bit and going to restore a 55 Packard Patrician so I started a page for that with photos.

JANUARY 13, 2010 - BIG NEWS!!!  I HAVE MOVED INTO MY NEW SHOP!     
It took at 24' truck with a lift gate and Ray's help all day to move all my tools and equipment.  (see photo to right).  Moving the compressor nad 600 lb welding table was a bit of a challenge.  Good thing we had a pallet jack and lift.  I am still setting up and getting my air lines run, electrical installed.  Soon I will put in a sandblasting booth.  One good thing is that it came with a lift which I have already used.  Look at the Body section for photos of the sandblasted body, priming, and my new wheels.  Tons of body work left to do.  Am still looking for driver side door.

JANUARY 1, 2010 - i can't believe it has been 7 months since I started!  These days it is BODY WORK BODY WORK---I spent the entire last week working with Ray on the body.  If it weren't for Ray I think I might have given up.  See body work page for more details.  Am lookiing for a driver side door, but might just have to salvage the one I have since no one seems to have one.
I am almost ready to sandblast the body. 

I hope to be moving to my new shop in January so be on the lookout for photos.  I will be moving all my equipment and getting a new compressor for the  hopefully new sandblasting booth---yes that's right---that is next on my list and I will let everyone know when I am open for sandblasting.  9/20/09 -  Quick update:  Spent the last two days REALLY learning how to paint.  After painting my frame and rear end once, I realized that it just wasn't up to Ray's standards. So, I took it all apart--that''s right!  and sanded it and started over (an expense in terms of time and paint materials).  Ray worked with me for 2 days on how to make it absolutely awesome and perfect.  So for all the people who tell me it doesn't matter what the parts look like that you can't see, well, I just don't agree. I am learning how to be meticulous and patient, and DO IT LIKE A PROFESSIONAL.

NOV. 1 -  This weekend rebuilt the steering column. I was seriously considering trying to find a new body, but Ray worked with me and my friend, Brandon Buckley and determined that we can salvage the Tudor Sedan that I have now.  I was so frustrated but Ray is teaching me what to do--stuff I didn't think was possible.  See photos on Body Work page for pics as it is completed.  Here is the 3 of us having fun!    I now have a beautiful rolling chassis. December is the month for bodywork.

 

THE PROJECT:
I bought Tom Foster's 1931 chassis and have been working on it since May.  It is truly a ground up restoration.  I have a small shop not far from Ray Williamson's shop and he has been a great mentor (not to menion parts supplier).  See the WORK LOG tab for progress as I get it updated. I'll also get photos posted. And I welcome advice from ANYONE since I think I might need a lot of it.  If anyone wants to send me an email you can use the contact page here or just send it to canyel@sbcglobal.net.