Work day at Wolfgang's March 19th Northern VA

Seam sealer is Alan's best friend, I think :)

Right up there with clear Silicon Caulk.

My wirng is...now done and I didn't let any smoke out either, lunch break !
Seam sealer is like molding in homes, it hides a multitude of sins so to speak.
Seriously the stuff I use ( from NAPA)is great as an adhesive, filler etc.

Well, we're paving the road to Hell over there at Greg's place. Good intentions are everywhere, like the intention of finishing up the dash wiring. Didn't happen.

What did happen was cool. Greg threw some templates at the dash, and then cut some holes. Since Ed rogered up to come over in a couple weeks and help with electrical items, we cleaned Greg's garage out (of its 22 years of collected stuff) today instead.

Here's the dash:

The garage was another matter entirely than what you might think. There was literally noplace to step when we were working outside the car. The big items, like the two Type IVs and the Type I he's bought for rainy day dune buggy projects, have been added to pre-existing Speedster-related clutter, and they weren't stacked against the walls. The work area got smaller with every new item, and the poor guy was having trouble finding stuff.

So, we did what you're supposed to do with 22 years of collected stuff. We took it out into the daylight, and spring-cleaned the f*ck out of his garage.

Last two.

Greg has an attic over top of his garage, and it had also been a source of pain for him. We sorted the attic out, putting project parts in neat order and making it into a functional storage unit.
I took the first picture from the attic stairs (pull-downs), just because it was the first time that car had ever been on the outboard side of the garage.

The second picture is what we were gunning for all day. It took one day to put all that stuff back in order, and I think Greg is more pumped about being able to use his garage again than he's been in ... well, 22 years! Way to go, Dude!

As we sorted through all the stuff, Greg made decisions on what to keep and sort, and what to toss. He found some interesting stuff. There were actual, honest-to-goodness CMC packaged materials, and we sorted his upcoming bits into project bins (of sorts) which will make continuing on the build a lot easier -- but there was a bit of nostalgic reading there as well. ...

Ultimately, the stuff in the driveway and in the yard got either tossed or neatly put away. Then, amazingly, we dropped the car onto floor dollies and we were able to 180 it in the garage. The front of the car saw daylight for the first time in more than two decades.

Project stuff is like Tupperware - You turn around and when your back is turned it seems to grow and grow.

When we moved to Rhode Island we threw out about 27 years of accumulated stuff - three trips to the dump and 6,300 pounds of stuff tossed. Some of it was great stuff (now missed) but what'cha gonna do?

Hey, That "Puched Card" book is right up there with Listing (print-out) 132-column rulers (with alignment holes for the paper drive sprockets). Next, we'll be talking about nested do-loops and layered algorithmic chains and other neo-geekiness.

Happy clean garage, Greg!

I definitely feel like a hoarder - literally buried alive. THXs again Cory! And to think it all started with searching for the rubber piece for the passenger's side that goes next to the eyebrow! Fortunately we did find it. Never did find the XMAS wreaths made from punched cards though!

You're not alone brother!

~WB

Wow, 22 years it took to get that garage like that? Only took me, like, ONE to get mine all f'd up.

Yeah, I'll come down there sure & maybe one day this summer or fall one or two y'alls can come up here and help me straighten my sorry life out.

That there photo album is inspiring.

The car is looking good too. Having got Bridget's wires and gauges most of the way (back) home & functional I'm hoping I can be of service on this one.

Great that you guys are down there helping Greg get his garage in order and his Speedster on the road.

Whoo-Hoo --- Dale and I spend 2+ hours bleeding the brakes. 1 quart later and have great brakes - now we can work on starting the engine! Again thanks to local guys for getting me moving again on this effort. I see light at the end of tunnel --- oops might be old age though.

Cut up old bug tow bar -- originally wanted to mount where CMC bumper brackets are now. Now to put some bolts to it and get it welded up.

Wiring getting close - ordered bunch of relays not with the painless wiring fuse panel.

Great to hear you're making progress Greg.

I think you'll be driving it, but if not, a trailer is your friend. We all REALLY want you to bring your car, Greg.

Bring it, Greg! We'll probably need to work on my wiring too at Carlisle.

Bring it, Greg! I'll donate more time to it when it comes off the trailer. I've been hitting my own punchlist in the time I have had lately, and haven't had all that much time to contribute -- glad you're soldiering on!

Greg, no matter if it's done or not, BRING it this year. It will be done by Sunday! I offer my help, such that it is.

I think Greg's biggest hurdle is just finishing the wiring and then it is interior and punchout.
Not that much really, but after 20 years he is close. Any help on the electrical and I think the rest could be knocked out in a couple of weeks.

Or days.....

Dale, tell Greg to skip the interior. Just get it drivable. The cosmetics are low priority (said by an unrepentant waxer :-).

Wolfy,

I'm really hoping you can find a way to get you and Dale and your car to the Big Show next week. Would be cool, and you know that you'd get more than a little extra free help on this and that. If it won't drive, then the trailer might be worth the price. Here's hoping it all comes together soon -- finally.

I understand what you're saying, Greg. I just wish I was closer to retirement-ready. If you still plan to stay in "the game" we should swap some connections when I get up there.

I did cut welds on a bug tow bar to narrow it to fit beam inside of the bumper mounts. Bolted it back way I need it. Its at welders and back on Tuesday. Unfortunately no title, plates, inspection, insurance --- it has to run for that. Lane - I did spray simple green on it and wipe it down though! I need a solid week of working it it. The govt contract I'm on just won't die - although under re-compete, my company gets extended 30 days as a time - now targeted expiration is 31 May. At my age I'm routing for a layoff - vs company winning contract again!

Last photo of still the wiring rat's nest is bug-s-boo!