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Well, it’s been a long road; 52 years to be exact, that car in the 1957 Car Craft Magazine bored into my psyche. It surfaced from time to time until, by chance, the embers were fanned to life by Johnnie Overbay of Reno Rod and Custom in Oklahoma City. If it weren’t for that chance encounter with Johnnie, my obsession would still be something sloshing around in my head.
It was now about 4 ½ weeks until Autorama: the venue where I first planned to field the car and there was still plenty of work to be done.
Problems Crop Up
When Norm first built his car in ‘52, it was ahead of its time. It was one of the first to have a suicide front end, to use four-bar link and the first chopped model T roadster pickup. But this was 1952 and even cars that were in top car shows were crude compared to the standards of today. You’d think that would make it easier; but no!
To wit, we weren’t sure exactly how Norm did the linkage for the 4x2’s. We heard it was an ‘H’ pattern, but the only available photos were less than revealing. Also, we came across an early interior photo where, instead of the spoon pedal like we saw in the Franco clone, it appeared as if Norm used a chrome bolt and nut. Keep in mind, this was the 50’s. Problem was Norm didn’t recall doing that. Do we follow Norm or our photographs?
Paint
Originally, I planned to do the painting and interior here in Michigan. I had already spoken with Randy of Randy Church Restorations and he was prepared to do the body finishing and paint. I then would be in a position to do the flame job myself. But, because of the logistics and timing for Autorama, it was finally decided to do them both there in Oklahoma.
Reno’s would paint the frame, engine, wheels and candy apple on the rear axle, but the body paint was to be the responsibility of Jason Voth of Resurrection Paint & Body Works just down the street. Resurrection was a relatively new shop but did beautiful work and they were keen for the project.
Also, since were going for the best, we wanted to use PPG paint. Now Norm squirted the original with a ’56 Dodge Royal Blue but PPG assured us they could match it using their new water based paint. Because of the new Federal emissions relation and the fact that water based paint does not emit harmful vapors, it will be the paint of the future and PPG is in the front row with making it look as good as our past fare. However, as it turned out, it would not get here from Germany in time, so they provided a traditional single step.
When we received the first painted frame pieces from Resurrection they were spot on beautiful and heralded even better things to come. Then, Reno used Rick Knight, a local striper to lay down the lines. Doug Burba held a handful of old photos while hovering and directing every stroke. The original look slowly came alive.
Interior
Midwest Automotive & Trim was selected to stitch up an interior. Headman, Cory Bennett has a local reputation for quality work and he was eager to be part of the project.
But then another problem developed. Because of other work commitments, Resurrection Body was two weeks behind in finishing painting our parts thus shredding our schedule. We were sent some of the smaller parts, but the lack of a bucket was holding up the final assembly. Also, now the local one-shot slinger, Rick Knight was out recovering from surgery.
Before we resorted to pulling out what little hair we all have left, Midwest Automotive & Trim’s Cory Bennett saved time if not the day by going to Resurrection’s shop to take measurements and make patterns. Thanks Cory.
Crunch Time
We were down to two weeks and a handful of days now before we had to set up at Autorama. But we were swinging into high gear. We had received the first batch of chrome from Advanced to assemble the front end and the guys at Reno were literally blown away. Johnnie said it was the finest chrome work he’s seen in his over 50 years of rod building.
Finally, the body arrived from the painter and assembly moved ahead at a frantic pace. Before the interior went in, Hushmat insulation was installed. Hushmat is the easiest automotive insulator to use. But my primary reason for using it in the Kookie’s Kar was as a sound deadener and to give the door some heft when swinging shut. My hat’s off to the Reno shop for the dedication and long hours they put in to complete the car in time.
Finally, Autorama
The car was completed just 2 days prior to our Autorama set up time. Just enough time for it to leave the shop in Oklahoma and make the journey. I was anxious to see the car. I watched for Johnnie and the trailer all morning. I felt like a kid waiting for the mailman to deliver his Ovaltine secret decoder ring. When it arrived, Johnnie insisted that I restrain myself a while longer and wait until they unloaded it at Autorama so I could see the complete car and get the full effect.
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