'57 2Dr Sedan

[Ironhorse]

Guess it's time for a little update, both for the '57 and me.

Going back to see the specialist Jan 4th after New Years for my hand, thumb situation. The harpoon shot I received was good for about 3 months. Back to aching all the time, lack of strength in grip, quick shooting pains from time to time. Able to do a few things during that three month period, now, not so much again. This is really starting to be irritating.

On to the '57, much more enjoyable subject for me. Making good progress, body bolts and rubber bushings changed out, door and fender dings worked. Left rear 1/4 panel crease in progress. Lower fender attach bolt rust spots, cut out, patched and partially smoothed to fit for time being. Got several roof dings to work out. Think little kids crawling on the roof at a drive-in movie maybe? Means head liner has to come down to hammer and dolly smooth. Ordered all new rubber door seals/weather strip, trunk seal, door & hood rubber bump stops, w/s and back glass seals. Will be ordering new window felts and seals shortly. UPS starting to know my address again, LOL.

Front clip came off to access some of the very forward body bolts/bushings. As it was being removed as an assembly body guy found an OLD 3 blade pocket knife (looks pretty good for being at least nearly 50 years old) Owned '57 since '75 so has been in the fender for ...????? Also found a very rusty set of feeler gauge leaves. Almost totally rusted closed. Last but not least, a COORS beer opener. Plan on leaving all these as is in a baggie and display them first time the '57 makes a car show.

Taking LOTS of pics for an album, posting a few more recent ones here. Currently the plan is for a solid one color body in Shadow Gray Metallic with two tone gray cloth interior. Buckets and a front bench in same cloth pattern that can be switched out from time to time as a whim. Used the bench seat bolt holes to mount the buckets to avoid putting more holes in the floor.

No idea yet as to completion date, but not in a hurry for this one. This is my LAST project which ironically was the first classic toy I bought years ago. Came SO close to selling this when I was working for Boeing Aircraft. Too many work days in a row for weeks at a time, weekends also, too much over time got to working on me. Told my wife several times "I'm selling the '57, no time to work on it" Bless her heart she talked me out of it saying " You'll regret it for sure" So glad she got me to see the light on that!!

Sorry for the long post but just a bit of an up-date with some pics added in. Will post more as it goes along. Hope you guys like the progress. Seems slow I know but don't want anything hurried on this one.