NOS Dash Pad...

As luck would have it, I ran across an NOS dash pad around the first of the year from a guy in Florida. Still in the factory plastic, and never been opened! I was able to get that to replace my cracked black pad (wasn't sure if that was going to ever happen.) This will need to be dyed first. Time to get some SMS black with the low gloss!

I was also able to pick up an original AM/FM radio. Was supposed to be in working condition when pulled. I have another in questionable condition. Now I just have to figure out which knobs are correct for the radio... Then I will need to test it to see if it works before it goes in the car.

What a lucky find on both counts!

A Quick Update...

Wow! it has been way too long since my last update. Not much has happened due to a family illness and finishing up the installation of the hoist, and drywalling the modified garage roof. Once I have my wife back in the garage, I should be all set to get some work done. Hope to be posting more stuff soon!

More Options...

In a stroke of luck, I ran across someone parting out a 1967 4-door LTD on Craigslist. It had power locks AND power windows. Because of the way these options were implemented (a single box that attaches to the console or the lower dash) I was able to upgrade to power windows.

A special thanks to Bryan (and his son) for taking the time to carefully remove all the required parts and pieces for me, and to label them to make it easier to install later.

I was also able to locate the shift indicator lens for the floor shifter. It isn't perfect, but it is all there.

Lastly, I opted to pick up a set of rear springs for the car. The ones on the car now are shot. I had a "good" used set that I had picked up some time back, but I just wasn't feeling very comfortable with the idea of using the used springs, so I called up Eaton Spring (a Michigan company) and they hooked me up.

Now I need to get the drywall hung and up out of the way in the garage so I can get access to the springs. No more low-rider after those are replaced.

I will try to get some new pics up soon, but there aren't many photo ops with what I have been doing lately.

More to come soon...

I have been in the process of adding a 4-post lift (BendPak 9ST) and it has been eating up my time. But, I will be back at the wagon very soon! Keep an eye out for more to come...

Seats Are Done! almost...

I "finished" up the seats on Thursday this week, but haven't had time to get some pictures of them, so I made a point of getting some tonight. The upholstery is on, but I need to do a little tweaking to them just yet and then hit them with a heat gun to shrink up the vinyl and work out a few wrinkles.

Overall I am very pleased with them and I think they will look awesome in the wagon! This certainly wasn't the quickest part of the restoration, but in the end, I think the hard work that went into these makes the difference.

Can't wait to get them in the car with the console. I haven't photographed that yet (the black one I showed earlier is from a '68 and I found a "correct" Mercury '67 one) because it looks like I may not add the power locks in lieu of power windows! I have them lined up and hopefully will see them in the next week or so as I need to get the wiring run before I install the seats so I don't tear the seats up working under the dash.

Hard to believe these are the same buckets! Anyhow, here they are!