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 Patterson Coachworks

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News & Updates:
August, 2009

Garage Report & Progress

We've done some more garage cleaning and moved a couple of rides around.

Now my 1950 Woody is in the work bay.

Looking back I guess I've had it off the road since the end of the 2004 show season.
At that time the engine was tired and in the Spring of 2005 I found a small hole in top of the #5 Piston.
That was in the middle of some other projects -so it went parked a few years till this summer.

Last year I bought a parts car with a rebuilt engine almost completed.
Then not trusting anyone else’s work tore it down to go through it.
Everything was good except the internal cleaning and use of old timing gears with a fresh timing chain.
New gears and chain installed in properly cleaned block and reassembled.

We got the front clip off the body and removed the old engine and transmission.

Then degreased the frame and cleaned the firewall up for fresh paint.

Working 6 days a week at a regular job leaves energy as short as the time to accomplish all I'd like.

Finally in August we got the Fresh Engine hooked to my good Hydramatic and into the car.
Next was hooking up the electric and linkages and firing the engine for the 1st time. 8/30/2009

The sweet sound and sight of the uncapped High Compression L-Head Straight Eight accompanies this post.
The 1^st time you fire any engine rebuild brings a special feeling of accomplishment and a job well done feeling.

We are running it straight from a gas can to the engine as I still need to drop the tank and clean it.
Both the fuel pump and carburetor needed to be cleaned of the varnish build up from sitting.

Still to come for this ride will be much more paint work along with new headliner before she sees the road again hopefully in 2010.

The restoration hobby or business brings many highs and lows into our lives.
When you get tearing a car apart and cleaning everything it seems endless.

Finally you get to the point nothing else can come off or you’re to the point everything has to go the other way.

It is the lowest point of the project and very depressing as your list of wants and needs is so long and it seems to be taking up every bit of space you have.
Every car I know to be restored turned into a can of worms.

A car completely apart takes at least 2-3 bays compared to together.

It is also twice as expensive as you probably budgeted for and will take longer than you ever dreamed.
I can promise you though points along the way really fire up your spirits as you here the engine run the 1^st time, as the brakes are completed with a solid pedal, the chassis rolls on fresh rubber all refinished and detailed. The feeling when the prep work is finally done to apply color and how sweet it feels to see it all painted and shining. These moments all lead you to new found energy and stamina moving toward completion. Then there is that 1^st ride down your street and the looks from all those onlookers with there thumbs up in the air.

Another thing I learned along the way is when you have the money you don't have the time.

When you have the time you don't have the money, or maybe that is just me?

I know for me time goes twice as fast these days and the money doesn’t come in any easier but sure goes out.

If you have a spouse that supports your dreams and allows for your obsession or addiction you are truly blessed.

I have more cars than I need and had some far longer than any relationship or marriage ever lasted for me.

I still can't pass up a deal and can envision or picture any junkyard find done to a show winner no matter how bad it looks to someone else.

Till the next time down the road…

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