TarheelRick

The house I am living in, my Dad had built in 1963. The 2022 F-150 I am driving now cost me 2.75 times what Dad paid for the house. When I moved into the house back in 2012 I had spent more than 3 times the original price on much needed renovations. Guess if I want to continue living somewhat comfortably I am going to have to give up this retirement and go back to work. ?

Sure did and the majority of the time the shift linkage would cross-up and I would have to get under the hood with my trusty big screwdriver and fiddle with the linkage to get it unstuck. Was drag-racing (legally) my first '65 Chevelle with 3-on-the-tree, going into second the linkage crossed-up and somehow caused me to break a motor mount.

They are illegal in North Carolina. One of the few laws our legislature has passed that makes sense.

Never really been much of a Ferrari fan, but this one is beautiful. Wonderful choice of color, makes those sweet body lines really show their stuff.

Going to be an interesting build to watch. Ned Jarrett was my all time favorite driver. I think (could be a problem) I have seen those decals somewhere, but have no idea where it may have been. Looking forward to updates.

Your tenacity and attention to detail is far above anything I would consider. However, the results you are achieving prove their worth. Watching this build closely.

WOW, beautiful car. Sort of wonder what the tow strap is for.

The '63 Ford Galaxie 500XL was the second prettiest car Ford ever built, #1 was the '40 Coupe. I would take it in a heartbeat, but then if that one is unobtainable the '64 would be my second selection. The '56 is nice but has had some serious body modifications. Appears to have a flip front, that is the only explanation for the cut away fenders and those rear wheel openings have been elongated, I presume for slick clearance. Still it could be rebuilt with a lot of work. If all else fails I may even be willing to try out that Mopar.

Ace, let me know what you find out. Thanks.

PM sent.

Outstanding build and beautiful paint work. One to be proud of.

Really looking forward to what you do with this one. Modified Production was a very close runner-up right behind Gassers as my favorite drag class. One of the instructors in my trade-school class ran a 327 powered '56 Chevy in B/MP back in '68. I have an A/MP in plans, when I get back to my bench (got to find it first). Keep those updates coming. From what you have shown so far this is going to be a killer build.

They have already been busy at work. Whoever owned it before me has installed a set of the trio gauges everybody bought from J.C. Whitney and a column mounted tach. I have pulled about ten feet of speaker-type wire from under the dash. It is still attached to something, the car still has the Ford AM radio, so I am not sure what they were trying to do. I would greatly appreciate if you can find me a windshield. I have tried six different on-line companies and all have come back with a negative reply. The windshield must fit a '79-80 model, because when Ford restyled the Pinto from the Maverick look to the Fox body look they increased the width of the windshield somewhere between 1.5-2 inches.

The first new vehicle I ever bought was a 1972 Chevy C-10 (350, auto, AM radio, step rear bumper), cost me a whopping $3200. Got it the first time I reenlisted in the USAF, used part of my reenlistment bonus as a down payment. Moving on to 2010, bought a new Ford Ranger (4.0 V-6, auto, AM-FM Sirius capable radio, auto doorlocks, windows) set me back $18,000 and change. Recent purchase of a 2022 F-150 (5.0 V-8, auto, 4X4, too many bells and whistles) $48,000 and change. Just received an offer from the dealer I bought it from wanting me to buy a new F-150, prices are up around $65,000 and he is willing to offer me $28-34,000 trade-in. Guess I will probably keep my current F-150 until it or me falls apart.

Living a lesson learned. My Pinto is not quite as bad as this Cougar, but I am coming across more issues. Right now, other than a fuel issue, I am having some 'paranormal' problems with my headlights and underdash wiring. Largest problem is still trying to locate a good windshield. I believe it was cracked in transit, but the guy that delivered it said it was that way when he picked it up. Conversation with the auction company denies it - he said, they said; and I have to pay for it, if I can find one. Thoughts now are to set aside an amount of money to have someone go through it completely, refurbish the interior, refresh the drivetrain, update the braking/suspension and simply accept the fact I bought a lemon.

Extremely nice work. Great rebuild of a toy into a believable model. The scene tells a story very well.

Without a doubt this is IMHO the best representation of a lakester ever built. I can sit here for hours just marveling over the intricacy of the wiring.plumbing. That chassis work alone is a work of art. Any and all accolades you receive for this build will be well deserved. In one post you mentioned an Allison powered build coming; has that one been one done or is it in construction?

Some very innovative creations. Really enjoyed looking through them.

Makes them go faster!

Very nice looking street cruiser. Should be able to get the groceries in a hurry with those three deuces. Like that paint also.

Really enjoying watching this build come together. If this kit is anything like the "Flower Power" kit, you probably scraped off enough flash to cast another body. Anyway, your choice of colors and the way you added them is excellent. Not really too keen on the cambered look, but as you said that is pretty much the look of the day. Also really impressed with your 3D printing and lathe work. Keep those updates coming.

Indeed, a beautiful Beetle. Makes me think I may want to ditch my Pinto and see if I can find another Beetle to replace it.

Hope you can find the decals that is one wicked Demon (is that a redundant statement?).

The link appears in your signature block and it does go to a Japanese website.

Beautiful build, really like that color.