1963 THUNDERBIRD SPORTS ROADSTER
Complete Rotisserie Restoration
in progress now

May 18,
As you can see, the dash is in the car now, and it looks great! Something good
to note about "Just Dashes" is that they put the correct depressions in the new
padding under the vinyl so the gauge cluster fits in properly.
I had a dash done by "Dash Specialists" once, and I fought like hell to
get the gauges and the speaker grill in. I even had to shave down the
radio face plate to get it in. I haven't put the radio in this one yet, but the
gauge cluster is a good indication that the rest will go smoothly too. I'll
be sure to let you know if otherwise.
Something very important to note while you're installing the wiring in your newly
painted restoration, is to BE SURE to sand or scrape that nice paint away
under your many grounding point connections. If you don't, you'll go nuts
later trying to figgure why the hell none of the electrics work!.
Been there!
This bird should be landing on Friday (May 20th)!
I got the springs front and rear installed today.
I HATE, HATE, HATE coil springs!
They do go a lot easier now that I broke down and bought a "Rotunda"
coil spring compressor. I've used those Mickey Mouse hook type you buy
at the local auto parts stores and let me tell you, you're taking your
life in your hands using them on these coils! DON'T fool around with
these coil springs, get a real spring compressor!
I also installed all the steering components today, and tomorrow
I will get the brakes in all four wheels. I am installing new brake and
fuel lines throughout the car, along with new wheel cylinders and
a rebuilt master and booster. I will be adding DOT 5 Silicone brake fluid
when I get to that point. No more worrys about the DOT 3 melting the paint.
If you haven't discovered "Plasti-Dip" yet, it's really some handy stuff.
In the picture I'm dipping the channels that hold the wiring in place
under the rear seat. They were originally rubber coated on the ends
to protect from cutting into the wires. Plasti Dip exactly duplicates this
in addition to the many other small parts that are rubber coated.
Get yourself some Plasti-Dip!

Dash is ready

Dash Installed

Control Arms installed

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Coils installed

Plasti-Dip

Added the following May 25th:
All the fasterners on the car and their washers, nuts clips etc are
being sandblasted and then painted the appropriate colors.
New axel seals going in before putting the rest of the rear together.
The brakes are all brand new now and they look super. Too bad they'll
be all coated with brake dust after driving a few miles. Oh well,
at least they look good for the pictures.
Theres a nice shot of the rear end down below. It too looks nice
with all the new parts. Finally the wheels were added and I lowered her to the floor. It's nice to be at this point. Still a long ways to go
but at least I can roll her out of the way when I need to paint parts.