Yesterday evening, I got the old beast started again, after it having sat for nigh-on four weeks. Took a few shots of priming the carb before the fuel saw fit to draw gas up to the carburetor, but it eventually did. Gas gauge even works; the 2-3 gallons I put in it earlier got the needle off the "E" peg. I did an orbit around the yard once it had warmed up a little, and it made quite a cloud of blue smoke when I hit the accelerator hard on low gear coming up out of the dip in the bottom of the yard. Probably needs an overhaul. Definitely needs a reseal, and new frost plugs. I brought it up by the shop, and aired up the tires, and took my D/A sander, and scuffed paint off the doors. No sign of any cab company logo, but the front doors are blue underneath, like the front clip, so I suspect they were changed, after the car left cab service. Shot some black spray paint on the sanded areas, and parked it.
I have decided that I have done all that I will do with this car. Not going to do the brakes, for sure, or the exhaust, or the front end, or any body work. Might install the back window, since I got one from Francis, and it will help prevent further deterioration of the body, but that's it. It would be a huge time sink for me to restore it, or even attempt to make a driver of it, especially when I have more deserving candidates in the queue. So it's available to anyone who wants to make an offer for it. I paid $300 for it, as a parts car, so I'd like to get at least that from it. I used a good serviceable used clutch in it; no new parts so far.
To recap: it's a 1962 Lark taxicab, Y5 I think, 289, 4 barrel carb, dual exhaust, T85 straight 3-speed, heavy duty shocks and suspension, and a 3.31 Twin Traction axle. Finned drums all around. Gauge package, and "door ajar" lamp (works, too!) and two zippers in the headliner, which is NOT good. It's a long-wheelbase sedan like a Cruiser, but lacks the opening vent windows in the rear doors. And there is a little splitter box on the speedometer drive, so a taximeter can be run off it. Engine runs strong, and seems to hold decent oil pressure when warm. I think a top-end overhaul would smarten it up pretty nicely, although I would certainly be open to replacing bearing shells while it is torn down.
It is now going to sit, barring the rear window install, which I will tackle some day when I have a helper available. If a need for the parts in it occurs, I will part it out with no regrets, because it is in pretty tough shape, body-wise at least. But I won't part it out just for the sake of parting it out.
I have decided that I have done all that I will do with this car. Not going to do the brakes, for sure, or the exhaust, or the front end, or any body work. Might install the back window, since I got one from Francis, and it will help prevent further deterioration of the body, but that's it. It would be a huge time sink for me to restore it, or even attempt to make a driver of it, especially when I have more deserving candidates in the queue. So it's available to anyone who wants to make an offer for it. I paid $300 for it, as a parts car, so I'd like to get at least that from it. I used a good serviceable used clutch in it; no new parts so far.
To recap: it's a 1962 Lark taxicab, Y5 I think, 289, 4 barrel carb, dual exhaust, T85 straight 3-speed, heavy duty shocks and suspension, and a 3.31 Twin Traction axle. Finned drums all around. Gauge package, and "door ajar" lamp (works, too!) and two zippers in the headliner, which is NOT good. It's a long-wheelbase sedan like a Cruiser, but lacks the opening vent windows in the rear doors. And there is a little splitter box on the speedometer drive, so a taximeter can be run off it. Engine runs strong, and seems to hold decent oil pressure when warm. I think a top-end overhaul would smarten it up pretty nicely, although I would certainly be open to replacing bearing shells while it is torn down.
It is now going to sit, barring the rear window install, which I will tackle some day when I have a helper available. If a need for the parts in it occurs, I will part it out with no regrets, because it is in pretty tough shape, body-wise at least. But I won't part it out just for the sake of parting it out.
)
Comment