Rip Van Wrinkle Project
An awaking of a roadster after 15 years of slumber…

As I mentioned in past months Driveline, I purchased a car that has been garaged for 15 years. Visually the car is in good shape, no visible rust and the underbody is solid.

A technical session was held on November 17th (2019!) at 1:00 pm to go over the car - bumper to bumper—looking for items needing replacement or servicing,

Since that Tech Session in November, things really slowed down. Yeah, the holidays took time away from the project although I did get out the Moss Motors catalog and started perusing the pages for stuff to order. I took out my notes from the tech session and slowly identified the main parts and associated hardware, carefully marking the catalog page with yellow post-it stickers. I started a spreadsheet of the part names and part number to make it simple to order. I guess I never realized how many parts would be required to complete this project or how much time it takes to make all the notes!

Tyres Brake hoses Brake & clutch masters Clutch hose & slave cylinder Rear brake wheel cylinders Brake shoes & pads Carb checkout Fuel pump Inspect gas tank Fuel hoses Radiator & heater hoses Oil cooler hoses ?

Replace flexible hose to the oil pressure gauge sending unit Flush radiator & engine block Wiper blades Check suspension bushes Inspect front & steering & trunnions Check rear axle brake pipes for “tow truck driver crush”. Fuel, air & oil filters Oil & coolant Brake fluid Battery

Check gearbox & differential oil Check through the electrics to see everything works Check handbrake Adjust rear brakes Grease all lube points Condition of the convertible top?

Dean Hickenlooper assembling a new clutch and brake hydraulics package.

Rear brakes getting refurbished by Bill Kalafut.

Well the parts ordered arrived just before 2019 Christmas, and have sat on my workbench until a couple of weeks ago. (‘But the kettle’s on the boil and we’re so easily called away’)

Dean Hickenlooper arranged for some assistance in getting me motivated again and so - along with Bill Kalafut - we tackled a few of the repair items.

Well, this was a good start. I believe the next phase will be to work on the fuel system. I started draining the fuel tank and noticed the fuel came out looking like strong tea. I guess that’s what happens after so many years on non-use. I drained about 6 gallons before running out of containers. Hopefully there is not much more. With a new fuel tank and fittings on their way, I guess this is a good stopping point….

Stay tuned…. ~~ Victor L’Heureux