The Home Stretch

Hi Friends, Fans and Followers,

I'm back after two months with no updates.  My apologies.  However, it doesn't mean I haven't been working on the car.  I have.  But we also took a couple trips, sent two kids off to college and had another start sophomore year of high school.  Not to mention doing all the other daily activities of our hectic lives.

But enough excuses.  I'm back and here's what's been going on.  First, I took a big step toward road-worthiness by sending in the information package required by the great state of New Jersey requesting a title.  Here it is.

You may not be able to tell from the photo but this is a two inch thick binder filled with forms, receipts, plans, instructions, photos, parts lists, etc.  Even with all this, I still expect that they'll have questions/problems -- I just hope I'll be able to convince them that this car deserves to be on the road.  I should hear from them next week.  After I get through this step, I can schedule the safety inspection.  It seems strange that I'm more worried about the paperwork than the inspection.  I guess it's just the nature of dealing with the bureaucrats at the Motor Vehicle Commission.

Since I've sent in the paperwork, maybe you've already guessed that the car is finished.  Well, it's not finished but it's pretty close.  I still don't want to show too many pictures because I'm waiting for the grand unveiling (hopefully soon).  Here are a few.

I finished the dashboard by making and mounting the glove box door.

I attached some felt to the dash using contact cement.  This provides some padding.

Then I trimmed the holes.

Next I did the same thing with the leather.

I installed the gauges and switches.

And added connectors to the various groups of wiring.

Before I could install the dash, I had to make a contact for the horn.

The copper plate will be the contact when the horn button is pushed.

The steering shaft goes through the horn contact so it is exposed regardless of the steering wheel position.

I had to trim part of the body to fit the dash into place.

And here is the completed dash assembly.

 Good thing Chris was around to help install the windshield.

And then Chris helped mount the hood.

I had to finish the wiring for the tail lights.

Here is a shot of the engine compartment.

And the interior.  Notice that I still have to finish the carpeting.

As you can see, I'm getting very close.  Wish me good luck with the NJMVC!