Dumbo The Flying Elephant

[James Findell]

Larry,

I struggled for a few years with the top car moving in the trailer on the lift. A buddy and I had to get in and push it back and forth one time on the way home for Cordova to get it back on the lift correctly.

I put front wheel chocks in solid on the lift and nut zerks on the floor that I put wheel chock in after loading the top car.

I grab a can of mustard (beer) and pull the front straps as tight as I can. Always tight when I get home. The rear straps are a different animal. I haven't found a way to keep them tight on most trips.

Always amazed how I can leave loose stuff on my bench and it stays there, but the cars want to move around.

James

[Larry Hill]

On the pink car we use two non-adjustable straps with safety hooks on both ends that are crossed on the diff to keep the rear tied down. The front we use two crossed straps that are adjustable. We added pull down blocks and turnbuckles to the front and and a extra set of straps to pull the rear down to the rear blocks. The blocks fit close, less than 1/8” pull down.

When and if we get Dumbo back we will have to fit the new stuff to the car to stop it’s vertical motion. Today we are lowering the hoist an inch and a half to get just a little more roof clearance while going down the road.

[Larry Hill]

The folks at Seay Collision said fender and bumper cover will be ready to pickup tomorrow after lunch. Most day I would rather be lucky than good! So it looks like we will make it to St Louis.

[Larry Hill]

Got a text last night with a photo of my bumper cover and fender painted and two tone and will be ready to pick up today.

I still have to pinch myself that I started on it Labor Day and in nine working days it’s ready to assemble. What a great community that our family lives in, everyone we ask helped us.

Patsy sold her Honda Pilot to Jerry Bennett’s Auto Outlet. I think Jerry is going to advertise it as a one owner, low miles, only drive by an old lady on Sundays to and from the casino.

[Larry Hill]

I got all of the front end bumper cover snapped together. It starts out very flexible and by the time the last piece clicks into place it is pretty ridged. The grills and the headlight bezels are not to bad, but the grill reinforcement is a real challenge. It seem like there is 143 taps and slots that have to be in perfect a-line or it won’t go together. By the time it was done I was ready for a beer and a fresh box of Band-Aid’s

[Larry Hill]

14 days later. I'm not finished but will be by the end of the day if I have all the plastic rivets I need to put all the shields back in place in place.

[Larry Hill]

The front spoiler was an experience. I did it wrong the first time. Finally got all the bent tabs close enough to assemble. I ran out of rivets so will have to re-supply today. Still to do pin striping, left front inter slash guard, wheel and tires. We still lack both rear quarters being repaired and the hood needs a little tender loving care. I have to install the new battery. New decals have to be made.

After the car is finished we will load up and improve our tie down method.

[tommy d]

You're no quitter.😉