That is one great looking convertible! How did you ever find a rust free 73 year old convertible?
I didn't find this car - it found me. Harry, our engine mechanic was friends with the previous owner and drove to Massachusetts a few years ago when his friend (now deceased) bought the car. After the owner died, Harry mentioned it to me and said there was no rust and the owner's widow was anxious to sell the car. We are running out of time, money and space, so I wasn't too enthusiastic until I saw the car. Not as nice as at present, but looked good to me and well worth the $35K price.
Mechanically it was 100%, but paint was somewhat dull and had some nicks, etc. Chrome was good, but I replaced the rear bumper and added bumper guards and new side view mirrors. Interior was good, but I added a set of LeBaron Bonney interior side panels and door panels. Seats were good, just needed refinished. We replaced the two windshield glass, as they had some bubbles. A new LeBaron Bonney convertible top was installed by Jan Roll of New Philadelphia, Ohio (one of Ohio's leading trim shops for the older stuff). All new rubber and new running boards were added. The car starts right up and runs great - clutch and transmission are perfect. Engine is strong and has good oil pressure and compression (was rebuilt some time ago).
Even then, did not expect what we found when we stripped the car down to bare metal - Other than a dent in the right front fender and another on the right rear fender, there was not only no rust, there was
never any rust or signs of any rust repair - no welding, no bondo, no lead. While I am usually very careful not to get involved with rust buckets, it can and does happen. To say I am happy with the end results is an understatement.
This car was painted in our restoration shop at TP Tools with our HVLP-90 Turbine Paint Spray System and is currently on display in our car museum at work. In addition to this one, we have a nice '36 Ford Cabriolet, a '47 Ford Convertible, a '51 Ford Stake with 23,000 documented original miles, a '37 Ford Fire Truck with 2282 miles, a '36 Ford Roadster Street Rod, a '37 Ford Tudor Street Rod, a '53 Ford Wagon and while not flatheads, have a very nicely restored '59 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible and another fire truck on outdoor display ('58 Ford). We also have some Model A's: Roadster, Firestone Service Truck and Tudor Police Car.
All Ford Barn participants are always invited to see the above cars and others that are on display in our car museum in Canfield, Ohio (NE Ohio near the turnpike). Museum is open from 10 AM to 3 PM every Saturday - free admission. See
www.tpcars.us for directions and more pictures.
Attached are some pictures taken earlier this year during the restoration.
At this time, want to thank many of the members of this forum who supplied technical help in answer to some of my questions. I greatly appreciate this.
Fritz
