2008...getting it back on the road.
April 9, 2008:
It was finally warm enough to work in the garage so I wiped the truck down then set about getting it running again.
The Essex cleaned up pretty good considering how long it sat. Aside from a few little issues, the paint is still in fairly decent shape.
It took a little effort, but the old 6-banger finally coughed into life. Once it had run for a few minutes it smoothed right out.
I took it for a quick trip around the block and discovered that the rear wheel cylinders are shot, so we had to fix those.
I also found out that the starter was shot, so a new one was ordered and installed.
There are a few other minor maintenence items I'll need to go through before hitting the road,
but it sure felt good to be behind the wheel of the beast again! It'll be ready for summer cruising in no time.
Here are a few interior shots now that it's cleaned up a bit.
It still has the dash plaques from the rod runs Kent attended from 1979-1986, including the NSRA Nats in Memphis and Columbus .
Stewart-Warner gauges, Sears AM/FM/Cassette, 40-channel CB radio, movie theatre lobby carpet...good stuff for the day!
The shifter is a cable unit from a mid-60's Dodge van. Some unusual features for the time are cruise control and a functioning interior light.
I plan to build a new dash for the truck eventually.
May 3, 2008:
I've finally got it back on the road and ready for cruising!
Brakes are done, starter replaced, and it's now rolling on BFG Radial T/A tires.
All that's left to do is re-install the front bumper.
May 10, 2008:
I got the front bumper mounts fixed and the front bumper re-installed.
I also moved the front license plate down to the left bumper iron to help improve airflow through the radiator.
May 18, 2008:
We took the truck on a 350-mile round trip to hit a couple of events. This was the first time we've taken it out of town.
The first was to the South Beach Casino show on the Brokenhead Indian Reserve near Grand Beach Manitoba.
We had a great time at the show, it was very well presented by the Casino staff. We even won a bit of cash in the casino!
The Essex performed quite well on the trip, but we quickly discovered how cramped and uncomfortable it is to drive.
Cruising eastbound down Hwy 16, just north of the Trans-Canada near Portage La Prairie MB.
The view through the windshield of an old car is always cool!
Vintage dash plaques, stickers, and my "BOYD WHO" H.A.M.B. Alliance Member plaque.
A thorn between two roses?
Heading back into Winnipeg on Hwy 59 after the show.
From there we headed into Winnipeg for the Pony Corral's season kick-off cruise night.
I met up with Kent McKean, the former owner/builder of the Essex, who brought out the '67 Plymouth GTX that he's had since 1976.
Like the Essex, I spent alot of time as a teenager cruising around Dauphin in that car with Kent.
It was cool seeing the two of them parked together again.
Another cool thing was meeting up with Willy Williamson from the Winnipeg Free Press.
Willy shot a few pics of the Essex, one of which ended up in a short story about the truck in the newspaper the following week.
Here's another shot of the Essex and Kent's GTX, along with my wife Karen, Kent, and myself.
This was taken July 1, 2008 at the Manitoba Mopar Association's Canada Day show'n'shine at Kildonan Park in Winnipeg.
Just north of Minnedosa on the way home from the "Cruisin' Dauphin 2008" show and shine, Aug 30 2008.
Some of the other shows we attended with the Essex in 2008:
Yellowhead Road Runners Neepawa Show & Shine.
Winnipeg Downtown Car Show.
Fabulous 50's Ford Club Flashback Weekend S&S, Winnipeg MB.
2009 Events:
B.A.C.E. Assiniboine Valley Run, Brandon MB.
Fabulous 50's Ford Club Flashback Weekend S&S, Winnipeg MB.
The Essex in 2009: ch...ch...ch...changes!