"The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"

[A12pilot]

Phil, I think you're right on that one! How many moving parts can be shoved into one contraption to make the simplest motion as complicated as can be? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] Don't they have science competitions for stuff like that? Yes, they do....it's called the Automotive Engineer tryouts! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif[/img]

I installed a new headrest and bezels on the driver's seat, and I had already covered this seat when I got the car. I'll be starting on the passenger side seat tomorrow. Having both seat in makes the dash go in easier [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]



Just about ready to jump behind the wheel!!!! February 28th marked the 3yr ownership Anniversary with me and the Beater Bee. April 10th will be the 2yr mark on the restoration with a photo of me and Gary removing the air cleaner from the car. I think I'll be pretty darn close to wrapping this up right around that date. What's left is dash installation, glass installation, grille and tail panel installation, and the only part that I'm waiting on still out getting refurbished is the radiator. This month I'll be able to get pretty darn close to being done!!!!!



Cheers

Dave

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

I really enjoyed the action shots:-)

Is the final step to use $1,000.00 bills to wet sand it? This resto is in the stratosphere!!!!

I have heard Canadian bills are softer than USD they are best for final show prep:-)

Ryan

[cook_dw]

As clean and nice as the finish on that paint, Ryan.. I'd venture to guess he has spent close to 1 million doll hairs...




In all seriousness; what a fantastic job on this well deserving car Dave.. I am impressed and hope to be able to complete a restoration as nice and with a granule of the humor and entertainment you have shared with us..

[Craig_Maiorana]

That is seriously the best description of the Mopar steering joint that I have ever read.... What a complete lapse of reasoning on the engineers behalf... The Bee is looking gooooood [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

[dykstra]

This is one of the best and most humorous threads on the site. I have found myself literally laughing out loud reading this! Keep up the great work Dave and your sense of humor.

[A12pilot]

Thanks, guys! This restoration, much like the 49' Truck I did, has really been a lot of fun on this site. You're all a great group of guys to put with with my off-the-wall narrative. I've just been trying to interject some humor to our cars, show that we ALL deal with the same problems even though when they are happening you think you're the only one that deals with them, and generally, show a fun, goofed up side to the restoration of a car which, among being a pain in the posterior and a financial mountain to climb, can be a source of fun, comedy, and a very long run on sentence which you just read! And now that I'm trying to use the new forum, I don't even know if this post will go through, but here goes!!! :-)

Grille came back from Norm at Shine on Me restorations and man, VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY happy with it!!! I had the offical Beater Bee Inspector come out and make sure everything was a go. Especially with the NOS Headlights.....I'm just sayin'.....

[earntaz]

Originally Posted by A12pilot

Thanks, guys! This restoration, much like the 49' Truck I did, has really been a lot of fun on this site. You're all a great group of guys to put with with my off-the-wall narrative. I've just been trying to interject some humor to our cars, show that we ALL deal with the same problems even though when they are happening you think you're the only one that deals with them, and generally, show a fun, goofed up side to the restoration of a car which, among being a pain in the posterior and a financial mountain to climb, can be a source of fun, comedy, and a very long run on sentence which you just read! And now that I'm trying to use the new forum, I don't even know if this post will go through, but here goes!!! :-)

Grille came back from Norm at Shine on Me restorations and man, VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY happy with it!!! I had the offical Beater Bee Inspector come out and make sure everything was a go. Especially with the NOS Headlights.....I'm just sayin'.....

Awesome headlights ...

[A12pilot]

Uh oh.....I'm not seeing pictures...just little icon thingies. Well...I'll still post them and hopefully you's guys can see them. Moving forward, tail panel installed and I'm reaching a point where I need help. I was pondering the engine bay and thought I needed to look to my idol to find the strength to move on.

Much like Fonzi with a poster of James Dean on the inside of his closet door, I have a pic of Mikey hanging in front of my shop. When I think I'm at a stumbling block, I look to the photo for guidance. Today, it said, "Stop blubbering, you dumb-a$$, GET THAT CAR DONE!!!" and then Kelly decided to get in on the action. Everyone's piling up against me! Oh, I know you're here Grady, and don't think you're getting out of this one! I got your picture around here somewhere too! Or, I'm sure Kelly does :-))))

Cheers (where's my beer Icon??) :cheers:

[A12pilot]

OK, now I see the pics. For those that need to know how to see them without clicking the little icon box, you'll all need to go to the UserCP, click on the options list and go down and select: show signatures, pictures, etc, much like you did when you fist signed up. Then they'll show up. OK, moving on, I was diving into the steering colum today as well. Some detail stuff. I've seen the columns restored differently. Some have a natural shaft (mmm....that didn't sound exactly right...) and others show a painted black shaft. So, time for detective work. My car has remnants of black paint on the shaft and coupler body, but none on the seal or seal retainer. Also, none on the bearing either. So based on my evidence, that's how my original column was and that's how mine is going back. Also, several survivor cars show the same thing.

I dove into the passenger seat recovering too. Much like the rear seat upholstery, it cleaned up perfectly and I'll reuse the top half. I will need to recover the bottom. Looking good!!!!

Cheers

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

You guys are a hoot:-)

I always struggle to define myself as a headlights or taillights guy, and recently a mechanic friend set me straight: "You can't pass a safety without both headlights and taillights" :-)

Love the details, and the awesome wit!!!

Ryan