Today we finished up both a 1952 Studebaker Champion and 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. Among other things both cars are now benefitting from an electric fuel pump, an almost required addition with the poor qualities or todays fuels to prevent vapor lock.
Category Archives: Restoration
Stripped: 1955 International Metro
The Metro van has been media blasted down to bare metal. The smashed in front fenders were pounded out before blasting and now the body work can begin in earnest.
1969 Volkswagen Beetle
She loves her 69 but the engine hadn’t been given any love. The previous owner had sealed the entire engine with just RTV and no gaskets. Once cleaned up and sealed this one will be good to go for years.
1960 Austin Healey 3000
New kingpins installed and this gorgeous Healey with a great vintage patina can enjoy many more enjoyable miles on the road.
Before: 1955 International Metro
Our next food truck project arrived this morning from Maryland. The old Metro is a little beaten up but a pretty solid truck with good mechanicals. Watch here for the transformation!
Its a Stag party!
It is a great day when an owner wants not one but two V8 Triumph Stags restored. After getting the white car running we will spend the rest of the day seeing if the red car will run so that we can assess the condition of all the systems before we tear them down.
Progress: 1966 Volkswagen Beetle
After restoring the chassis this winter and fixing rust issues on the body the two are finally ready to be mated again. The Chrome Orange is going to look amazing in the sun on the Beetle and nobody can wait to see the color painted on the outside.
Progress: 1967 Chevrolet C30
With the frame and suspension, drivetrain and body for this one ton truck restored just a few trim and electrical bits need installed and this truck can be put back in service around the farm.
After: 1951 Studebaker Commander
No before pictures of this one were posted as it came to us as a pile of parts. A rat rod look that he doesn’t have to keep clean was the goal for the owner of this one. The new Studebaker 232 cu.in. V8 is so quiet and smooth you can hardly tell it is running.
Before: 1976 Jensen Interceptor
This is a true British MOPAR muscle car. Powered by the Chrysler 440 cubic inch V8 the Interceptor was a great GT car of its day. So popular is this car that an Interceptor had a lead role in the Fast and Furious 6 movie. A company in England will even sell you a new one completely rebuilt with modern equipment.
Before: 1957 Triumph TR3
Looks like it is fresh out of a barn? Check. Deserves to be put back on the road? Double Check! Watch for this car back on the road later this year.
After: 1974 MG MGB
It wouldn’t be until September of 1974 that MGBs started to come with rubber bumpers. This one built in February 1974 has now been restored 41 years to month of when it was originally built. This project took a year for us to complete and the results were well worth it.
SU Tuning
Using the new Dynojet we can now tune carburetors in a quarter of the time and we have solid quantitative data to know that we have it right where it should be.
Roman Purple
The Norton Commando 750 tank and side covers came out great. It took three bottles of flake to get the coverage and many layers of clear.
Toyota Camry Reveal
The Grumman Olson coffee truck at Wilson Of Ames’ Toyota Camry Reveal party. If you are in the area stop by tonight.
Testing the Grumman
Stop by the shop today for some coffee and snacks while we are testing the Grumman Olson project for the first time.
MG TF is Too Fun!
We took this 1954 MG TF out of the shed it had been sitting for innumerous years and mechanically restored it back for street use.
Studebaker Crate
It is unusual to see a Studebaker 232 V8 crate motor like this one complete with transmission. This is the new power plant for our Studebaker Commander project.
After: 1954 Nash Metropolitan
After: 1954 Nash Metropolitan. This great little car has been fun to have around. It is amazing that the vacuum tube AM radio functions properly. Vintage Firestone white wall tires completes the 50’s look on this little car. Is it American or British? It seems that everyone loves it no matter what you call it.
Progress: 1958 Grumann Olson
The conversion from step van into coffee truck is coming along, the huge leap of cutting the hole for the new vendor door has been taken. A paint color is not yet decided but check back soon to see what has been chosen.
