Of course Christmas also means very different things to my beautiful wife and kids and I have a part to play in making their Christmas dreams come true - so I can't spend EVERY day in the shop!! Oh well....them first is my motto.
So, after a few days at the in-laws, playing Santa, eating, drinking, playing in the snow and sharing their lives, I came back home and got a couple of small things done in the shop.
The owner of the 40 Ford project had cut a hole for a 3rd brake light - which I really like. It just needed a little finishing, so I cleaned up the edges with a file and will roll the edges in ever so slightly.
Also ran the rear lights and fuel tank wiring....and hooked up the 3rd brake light.
Then, for something completely different, I pulled the plugs, shot WD40 in the cylinders and turned the engine by hand in advance of troubleshooting the EEC-IV engine management system -
The plugs were nasty - so I bought a new set, but once it's running a compression and leak-down test will definitely be in order.
Lastly, I moved several engines and some metal-forming tools in order to make room for our new toy....
A rare, 1981 Coachworks Convertible Trans Am!
These were commissioned by GM from 1979 to 1981 by a company called Coachworks. Apaprently fewer than 500 were made and I would guess many fewer remain. They started with a T-top TransAm due to the extra frame stiffening supplied by the factory, then added even more steel (read: weight!) to the frame and cut off the roof. They are failry well finished, with a complete boot and a quality padded top. It needs a little sprucing up, but will definitely be a fun, easy ride for Mrs E-tek this summer! The reincarnation of Farrah! (Y'know, Fawcet, Charlie's Angels, 1970's....) ;)
Make sure you check back often over the holidays - there's going to be a LOT going on and getting done!
Check out my website at www.E-tekRestorations.com
