The ’58 Ford 2 door wagon Donor car that Bob had found a couple of years ago has given up yet more vital parts. This time, it was the Passenger side Inner fender & Battery box, the RH upper control arm, and both front fender trims. Bob was kind enough to pick them up and deliver them to me, as he was going to be in the area. Both Bob and the Junk yard owner were amazed at the condition of the inner fender.
This car has been in the junkyard for over 35 years without a hood on it. Oregon gets its fair share of rain, so it was a shock to find a panel that was not only relatively rust free, but still had its factory black paint on it.
The Upper control arm is solid, and will need a new ball joint. My old one is so rusty, that parts of it were literally flaking away on the edges.
The stainless steel fender trims were in excellent shape. They were straight, and only had one minor ding. After a dent removal, filing, sanding and buffing, these trims will be like brand new.
Bob’s lovely wife Luanne was with him for the parts drop off. She hadn’t seen “Rusty” (the name my wife has given to my ’58 Ford Ranch Wagon) in person. So Bob and I slowly rolled back the car cover, which acts like an auto cocoon that sheaths the Ranch Wagon during its metamorphosis into an awesome ride. Her reaction was much like my wife’s:
“Wow……it’s…..going to need……. some work.”
Translating this from Car wife talk to Car guy talk equates to:
“Nice project! That’s going to be awesome when it’s finished.”
My wife came out and we all stood around “Rusty. As Bob and I walked around showing the wives the great parts about the wagon, Luanne comforted my wife like only someone who is married to Car Nut could.
It takes a special kind of woman to put up with the disease that is Car Nut Madness. And we love them for it.
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