[Rattiac]

Front Bumper

 Gotta work on it a bit a few weeks later .
 The 3 front bumper bolts were broke off inside the frame (except 1) . I tried using an extractor kit to get em' out but the drill bit started going sideaways.
 So I cut down some 1/2inch bolts and welded them on to create studs to mount the bumper to.
Had to straighten the bumper out at work,  but its a lot better than it was.




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[Rattiac]

Here's a pic when I was getting it ready for its first drive.



First drive video. Did a small burnout too . (click on vid)




Also picked this up a month earlier.
Bought it cheaper than I could build one. That's OK, didnt need another project anyway.


Done some work to it. Painted the frame black added some moab stickers and put a bed in it.


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[Rattiac]

The test drive was awesome. Im sure that car hasnt been driven in 40 years at least.
 It rode nice and smooth. The small burnout was fun .
 Now back to business.
 I had 6 weeks to go get on the road for the Lincoln Highway trip and here's the shi#!-list.

 1.)Windshield-
 2.)Lights and markers mounted
 3.)Wiring- I have a few wires left over I'll have to tie up (radio, cigarette lighter, heater,wipers, ect)

 4.) Install front bench and passenger front window.
 5.) Re rattle can the paint.
 6.) Bolt down the rear fenders.
 7.) Torque down all suspension and steering
 8.) Alignment
 9.) Get insurance and pass safety inspection .
 10.) Make a hitch to hook-up the teardrop .

 Then hit the road . At least that's what I thought.

[Rattiac]

Lincoln Highway plans

 I was hoping to get the 32 all legal by then so I could take it on Lincoln Hwy on the 25th but when I talked to the DMV that week  they sent me a packet to fill out . Once I get it filled out and send in some "before pics" then it will take 30-90 days to do a history check thoughout the U.S. Looking for liens, last registered, previous owners, ect .
 Oh and I have to have a cop look at it and do some sort of paperwork to send in also .
 After all that is done I can get the saftey inspection done .
 Im bummed out but looking foward to see what the history is on this car .

 As for the Lincoln hwy trip . I still went . I just took the jeep and got some pics when I met up with them on the long dirt road back to the city .
Here's a link . http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/

Here's what inspired me for the Lincoln Hwy. When we went camping we saw this monument and when I took the car on its first test drive I was shocked at how soft the suspension was and it seemed perfect for this trip.



Here's a few pics from the trip. This was just as they entered Utah from Neveda heading east.




I thought this was soooooo cool cause you just don't see old cars on dirt roads anymore.
That's what they were built for . Tough because most roads at the time were dirt or mud.


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[Rattiac]

Paperwork

 I finally sent in all the paperwork. It took me awhile cause I couldn't find my bill of sale . So I called the previous owner and when he got back in town we made a new B.O.S.
 Had a cop come over and do a VIN inspection but had to clean and paint the VIN to make it readable . Sent in about 6 pics of the tags/vin and condtion of the car before restoration.
 So I hope this all goes well with no hiccups. I'll probably hear something on it in the next few months .

 Here's a pic of the other airfilter I have on it . I don't hate it but it wont stay . Just a normal round filter should look like it belongs. I also couldn't stand the silver valve covers so I made em' look rusty. much better .


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[Rattiac]

Well I finally received the Title in the mail  .It only took 2 months
 No history on it . But Oh'well    ITS MINE, ITS ALL MINE .

[Rattiac]

Took the 32 to get an alignment. Rented a dolly. That was an adventure in itself.
 Steers much better now and dosent fold the wheel when I turn left.
 Theres still one issue he told me about. The wheels turn too fast for the steering box.
 He said I may need to modify my steering arms (drill a hole to bring the tie-rod in closer)
 to slow down the speed it steers.
(Later I found out it was the steering arm for the draglink that's too short)
I'll address this later. I may have to cut/weld the arm and extend it an inch .

 The camber problem I had is now gone and the tires are nice and straight .


later I drove it over to the gas station. Got it up to 45 with no issues . Drove nice and straight.
Funny thing about a car that's flat-black. Everybody looks but nobody approached me asking questions. Big difference from having a painted car.


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[Rattiac]

During the downtime.
 This has given me a chance to do some major clean-up in the shop. Its a disaster zone in here but, I know where every tool is .
 I got kinda distracted when I had one side clean and started on the top and hitch.

 Using a jeep channel for the front of the top. I layed out some measurements and I'll sew in the little plastic piece wich will go into the channel.


Im using truck taunue material since it has no stretch. When the hot sun hits, it wont get loose over time.


Took it outside to let the sun heat up the material. Flipped it over to mark the frame demensions from the inside.


That's about as far on that as I got for awhile.

 Then I started making a hitch to pull the teardrop.


 Gotta cut out where the bumper will bolt on top. This will get sandwiched between the bumper and frame with other reinforcements later .


This is where im currently at on the build. Ran out of money and have to get my other jeep ready to sell this next month or 2.
I'll keep ya posted this spring when it gets a windshield and registered.
____________________________________________________________________________-



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[chopper526]

I have one question.........when do you sleep?

[sixball]

Man, You distracted me for a few hours with the Lincoln Highway link. The second alignment runs through here as well as the Pony Express Route and the Carson River Route of the Emigrant Trail. I drive parts of the Lincoln Highway every day but I will alter my route to Bonneville next year to cover that 1913 dirt road stretch. How much of the tour did you do? I love your Pontiac. You are inspiring.

[Rattiac]

I started about 9am. and entered the route at Faust heading west hoping to meet up with them at about the half-way mark. It appered they left late also because I didn't see them till I passed Ibapa almost at the end of the dirt road as they entered Utah. So I couldn't follow them back because I needed gas and was closer to Wendover . So I took pics as they passed by. I was quite a site, they had about 20+ vehicles and some support rigs.
Not sure if there's a tour this next year . I'll e-mail the director. But Im gonna try it anyway in Utah. Coming down from Wendover then head back to slc on dirt.
Id also like to drive to Speedweek and see the craziness rod's, races, ect. Maybe I'll blend both trips into one and do that on the way back form speedweek.

I have been getting some sleep now that the build is stuck on hold.

Here's a pic of the long dirt road ,  looking from Simpson springs.



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[Rattiac]

I just noticed the video isn't working a few post's above . I'll fix that.

[sixball]

I bet it wasn't that nice in 1913. Driving the little roads is my favorite part of traveling. I've been on 66 from end to end and I would love to do the longer Lincoln Highway too. Maybe when the roadster is done. I can not imagine driving in NYC in a '26 Chevy roadster.

[ghost28]

Man that looks like fun I like driving the back roads, and THAT'S THE BACK ROADS with flair. That pontiac is so cool.

[Rattiac]

During the downtime and other projects in the way I was able to work on the Headlight stands.
Cant get em' chromed yet,  so I just wire-wheeled  and polished em on the buffer at work.
(left is untouched) right is polished.