New Windshield
Today the new windshield and frame went in. It took me a while to do by myself with some help from Kristen as well. I learned a lot by doing it myself. First was to to find a frame. There were no frames out there that were nice, so I had it custom made from one of two places that make them (Westcot and the other was windshieldframes.com. It took 4 months for the frame to made and chromed. Once it arrived, I then I had to find replacement glass and also get the rubber weatherstripping. Once I had all the materials, I put it all together, took out the old one and replaced it with the new one. I have never done it before, but learned it by reading on internet forums, and watching some older youtube videos. Overall it turned out quite well and I am very pleased with the outcome. I am hoping to make a video of the process and later posting it on our youtube channel.
Just a drive on a nice day
Took the car out on its first ride this year. Its been raining and cold out since the beginning of the year, and yesterday was a great warm day. This was a chance to test out the new coilovers on the front and fill it up with fresh gas. The ride proved t pretty uneventful but it was nice to stretch her legs again for the new year. The shocks on the front were perfect and the ride seemed very smooth. I did meet with some folks at the gas station who wanted to take a look and talk about cars, which I am always willing to do. Hopefully I see you out on the road and get the chance to talk.
The mystery continues (2)
This was the poster that was made soon after the car had been built.
Well, after posting on-line to locate any previous owners and possibly the builder, I located 2 additional owners. So here is the time line:
Me: (2023- present)
Alan M. (Maryville TN): 2015-2023
Robert P. (Maryville TN): 2007-2015
Tom E. (Jackson TN): 1998-2007
Unknown Builder (Houston TX) ?-1998
When I spoke with Robert, he explained the car was in need of a lot of work. He replaced the engine with a chevy 350 and did all the engine work. He also explained he had to do a lot of rewiring and new exhaust as well. He did indicate the car had been in an accident with minor right front end damage, but that too was also repaired.
Tom had the oldest history of the car. He explained he bought it from the builder who was from Houston Texas. He showed me a few of the photos he still had of the car, but due to his records being old and his age he could not recall the builders name or find any contact history with the builder.
So I am stuck to find anymore information at this point unless anyone out there gets in touch with me about this car’s history and background. However, I have not documented all I have learned for the next care taker yet, but let that be a long time from now so I can continue to improve on and preserve this car. Again, if you wish to donate to this project please go to the donation page, and scan the QR code for the go fund me page.
wINDSHIELD FRAME
It all begins with an idea.
The car’s current windshield frame is made out of polished aluminum and is obviously an aftermarket reproduction. We assume this was installed on the car when it was being built and has lasted many years. Today, the frame is showing its age for sure and even the windshield has a small rock chip. The frame is scratched in several places, and a few dents and really does not appear it seats in the window opening too well due to the weather stripping it has installed on it. We found over time frames are very difficult to find in good/fair condition, and to find a good chrome one is even harder. The original frames are made of steel and quite often rot over time because the seals, or lack of, either failed or were missing. Although original is the way to go, they are just too hard to find in even good to fair condition.
In early December 2024 we made contact with N/C Industries Antique Auto Parts who custom makes windshield frames for classic cars. The frames are hand made in their shop, out of steel and you can order them in chrome. I contacted Bob (one of the owners) who explained they hand make the frames upon order. The process involves them making the frame, packing and shipping them off once complete. They will either ship the frame in raw steel for painting or send them out to the chrome company depending on which option you choose. Check them out at windshieldframes.com We looked high and low for a good frame but never came across one, so we ordered one from Bob’s shop. As of today Feb 10, 2025, the frame is at the chromer. So it could be here soon. This will greatly enhance the appearence of the car, since the aluminum one is not a bright and really takes away from the rest of the car.
researching the mystery
It all begins with an idea.
One of the first things I started to do was research the car. After finding little to no history on it when I bought it, I knew theprevious owner had an old carshow display poster of the car from when it was freshly built. The picture of the car had palm trees in the background, so this is maybe why the owner told me the car came from Florida, but I think he may have been guessing on that fact. Since this was how the car looked prior to the me owning it, I took a chance and went onto several sites (facebook, google, H.A.M.B. etc) and did a blanket post asking if anyone recognized this car. A few days later I got 2 responses from two previous owners.
The first person explained he owned the car for 10 years (2005-2015) and sold it to the owner I bought the car from. He then gave me some previous photos of the car and explained the car still looks like what it did from when he owned it. He didn’t have too many clues, but knew the car was built in Houston Texas, not Florida. This owner was now 77 years old
the car arrives
It all begins with an idea.
Well, we struck a deal and had the car shipped to its new home. Funny fact, the car was on the truck Friday evening in Tennessee and was at my door Sunday morning. Could not believe how fast it arrived.
The mystery
It all begins with an idea.
This car was located in Maryville Tennessee in 2023. The owner we bought the car from bought it in 2015. When we visitied the owner to look into buying the car it was an experience for sure. The owner explained he bought the car as is and the only thing he did to the car was add the front horns and changed the wheels to the american racing wheels. Other then that the owner didnt know too much about the cars history. In fact he only had the ignition key and was missing the door/trunk/as cap keys. He told us it was possibly built in Florida by someone but other than that all he did was enjoy the car. So our car’s history and story is a little mystery for sure.