Bits and pieces, Leslie's car.

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So it’s been a few days since I’ve made any real progress. Earlier this month I had ordered a set of Galaxie 500 tail light assemblies because I thought they would look cool and be a bit different from every other coupe out there unfortunately, they are way too big to fit in the rear apron so those went back in the box to be saved for who knows what. So instead I’m thinking some 1950 Pontiac lights will fit the bill. But with that aside, I spent a good chunk of the week building the trunk lid support. There have been quite a few details that I have not shared on here but I think the time has finally come to show some of them off. This cars name is Bonnie(as in Bonnie and Clyde) and I have been using 357Mag shells as accents. What I have done is drill a hole, cut the shell to where it’s more or less a rivet and smashed the backside down. Then, I take another piece of steel and weld it to the backside to hide the smashed end. So I got that finished up this morning and finally started tackling my shifter. Once I pull the trans, I can modify the shift arm and finish the shifter up. Plan for the lockout is to have a rod go alongside the other and use nuts to keep it in line. There will be a spring at the top to keep pressure down on it, and I will put holes in the top of the base for the rod to sit down in when I figure out where each detent in the tranny is.
 

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Been working on side mirrors the last 2 days. First version was too big and heavy so I tossed it on the bench possibly to be used later for something else, like a coaster or something. So I made a slightly smaller, lighter one with a stronger mount. I may do some tweaking to it to make it just right but for now, it’s kinda done. I’ve been working a boatload of overtime the last month or so and it has finally paid off. Made my “last” big order on parts so pretty much everything for the car will be here to finish up the fab work. I will still need to order new carbs, linkage, and a few odds and ends but I figure that can wait until I’m almost ready to light her up. Anyhow, here’s today’s progress. I will still need to get a piece of glass cut but that’s not a big issue.
 

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Most of the chain was what I removed from my 31 Chevy when I went to a reversed for air box. When I ran out of that, I went to the unopened box on the shelf.

Made a rear view mirror yesterday and modified it to be better today. Once that was done, I tackled the gas pedal. Tomorrow I’ll get the brake pedal pad made and re-install the dash in preparation for when the column shows up.
 

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Brake pedal is built and installed and seeing as that was one of the last things I needed to do below the cowl, I reinstalled the lower half of the dash. I had a bit of time left so I started building my shift knob. I’ll finish it up tomorrow and start on my gauge cluster. The factory Essex holes are either too small for the gauge kit I bough or too big so I will have to make something for them to sit in. I think I still have a big piece of copper leftover from Coppertone that I think I will use. I’ll have to find some brass knobs to use as fasteners but should turn out good.
 

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Dash insert and gauges installed, steering column, wheel, and u-joint between box and column is installed. Tomorrow I’m going to tackle the taillights and we’ll see what happens from there.
 

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