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Rick54Hearse
Joined: 25 Feb 2011 Posts: 3 Location:
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 1:35 am Post subject: My last ride |
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Hi all,
I picked up 1954 Pontiac hearse about 5 years ago here in western Canada. It took a solid year of work to accumulate parts, fabricate parts, fix the parts I couldn't find...its a coach made by Superior at the Kosciusko, Mississippi plant. It is number 206 out of 207 made that year.
Surprisingly, very little body work was needed to repair rust perforation. I had patch panels welded around both rear wheels so I didn't have to worry about losing my fenderskirts. And the drivers floor and passenger floor needed some new sections welded in but that was it. The rest of the car was solid. A lot of the original paint has worn off leaving mostly the primer showing. It is still powered by the original 268 straight 8 and three speed manual trans. I've changed out the original 4:11 rear end for a more hiway friendly 3:08 to save the engine as well as fuel.
So far, the rear end has been rebuilt hub to hub with new bearings, seals and gaskets. The transmission was next to be rebuilt, fortunately a doner tranny was found with the part I needed only 40 miles from my house. Its been converted to 12 volts and runs on Coker wide white radials. Its been a solid dependable ride and has won awards at several car shows. Future plans include rebuilding the engine (a bit weak on a few cylinders) adding a stereo, possibly re-doing the interior. _________________ |
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Larry Site Admin
Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 4774
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 10:30 pm Post subject: 1954 Hearse |
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What a sharp piece of Pontiac AND Superior history! It does look quite solid and in good shape too. Are your plans to keep it as a sort of Rat Rod, or eventually do a full restoration or resto rod conversion? Whatever you choose, remember it is all yours to do with and have fun with however you like. Right now it sure looks like a fun, dependable, head-turner of a very unique old Pontiac. Thanks for sharing it with us. _________________ PontiacRegistry.com... building the single largest source of Pontiac information, services, and entertainment in the world! |
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Rick54Hearse
Joined: 25 Feb 2011 Posts: 3 Location:
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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I am of mixed emotions Larry..on the one hand, "They're only original once"...but on the other, what a sight it would be to see a mint, new looking 61 year old hearse rolling sedately down the road. Sadly I don't have the spare funds it would take to do a nut and bolt restoration. And, I would hate to do a "sand and paint" when theres rust issues under the car and inside the inner panels too.
Soooo many people have said not to paint it coz of the REAL patina where others have actually painted patina on their car to look like this.
What to do?, What to do? (pulling on hair with both hands) _________________ |
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Larry Site Admin
Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 4774
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 6:03 pm Post subject: 1954 Hearse |
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The car looks cool as heck right now. I would highly recommend enjoying it as much as you can, address all mechanical issues and perhaps fix a rust or damage area one at a time as you can. Fortunately those issues are more labor than money intensive. Everything you do, even if only a little, will be an improvement and help you enjoy it more. Keep having fun! _________________ PontiacRegistry.com... building the single largest source of Pontiac information, services, and entertainment in the world! |
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