DICK'S 59 RED & WHITE SPORT FURY RESTORATION.

[Dick Koch]

OK, hear we go, after almost three years of sitting and waiting I'm getting started. These pictures are from 3 yrs. ago.
STUFF DONE SO FAR:
1. Inner roof finished, painted with encapsulator, will finish like dan's Faulkner.
2. All stainless dent repaired and polished.
3. Have factory duplicated trunk floor. (pictures to follow) very nice.

The engine started yesterday on second try. will take out gas tank today and fix brakes. Will replace trunk floor,
Replace all body mounts, only 4 are there, even the bolts are gone, clean and paint frame and underside before starting on anything else.
I will try to do a frame on if possible. After preparing the exterior and before painting I plan to remove the
engine and clean the engine bay, the previous owner sprayed undercoat on everything, even the firewall, then I'll freshen the engine, new timing chain, new freeze plugs, and install the dual carb setup. After getting the car up on the lift it's a lot worse than I thought. Drivers side rocker panel in front of rear tire badly rusted, rust hole in panel rear of door. More to follow.
Dick.

Dan - When I saved this message I didn't attach any pictures yet so I don 't know if it would have saved any images.

[rogerh]

We've seen hw very talented you are in the body and paint department...are you going to tackle the sheetmetal replacement too?
You seem to have boundless energy and lots of time to dedicate to these restorations. AND you live in beautiful Florida! What a life! What a wife!
Thanks for the photos and descriptions.

[Dick Koch]

Roger - Thanks for the compliment, I would like to do the welding myself and could probably do a fair job on the trunk floor with a lot of practice but over the headlights and the trunk gasket channel needs an experienced bodyman/welder and his name is Larry, president of our local car club the Asphalt Angels which by the way was formed in 1958, one of the 5 oldest still operating.
Not boundless energy, almost everything is done sitting down, I even lower the car on the lift so I can sit under it and work. Florida be da place except for the liquid sunshine, our car show got rained out the last two saturdays. You are right about what a wife, she puts up with a lot of stuff from me. Last pictures of the Desoto attached, picture of Yvonne included.
Dick

[Faulkner]

How's this for an idea, Dick -- Yvonne drives the DeSoto to Carlisle next year, and you follow her in the restored Red and White Sport Fury?

[Ron Keij]

How's this for an idea, Dick -- Yvonne drives the DeSoto to Carlisle next year, and you follow her in the restored Red and White Sport Fury?

Sounds like a plan, tell her Marjo is coming too. And we are counting in Curt's wife Jo Ann too and they will have a great weekend together

Ron

[Dick Koch]

You kidding - I'm up for it but I'd tow the Plymouth on a trailer with the Desoto. She absolutely refuses to drive any of the old cars, say's I'd go bannanas if something happened. But I can't convince her its just a car thats insured like any other.
Dick.

[Dick Koch]

More pichers, the rust worm has really been at work. The rear panel and stone deflector had bondo were you see the holes, the car was last painted around 20 years ago. At least the bondo retarded the rusting somewhat. John (Big M) or anybody, if you can help me with the Metal Stone Deflector let me know.
Dick.

[rogerh]

you have a lot to keep you busy, Dick.

[janos13]

Good work I whish I could do as well

[Dick Koch]

Thanks - All it takes is time, being retired helps along with a strong desire to finish #1 on your bucket list.
Dick.

[Dick Koch]

WO IS ME!! It's going to be a long winter and spring and I'm loving every minute of it. Mo pitchers of the removal of approx. 47 lbs. of Bondo. Car was painted approx. 20 yrs. ago. They did not replace any metal, at least the bondo retarded the spread of any rust somewhat. Amazingly I found every patch panel I need. To save money I'm going to do all the grunt work and my friend is going to do the fitting and welding.
Dick.

[rogerh]

Some of the worst rust I've ever seen on a still-roadable car. I would give up in despair, were that car mine. Keep us posted.

[Steve Storey]

Very ambitious Dick. Noticed you currently have front disks, but are planning a booster as well. I'll be taking close notes of that as i'm currently standing on the pedal ala drums in a feeble attempt to get the old girl to head for the barn!! Keep up the great work!!

[Dick Koch]

Roger - Pretty bad huh, but still very salvagable, I have all the repair panel and elbow grease needed. The most amazing thing is that all the body mounts were gone or desintegrated so badly they were useless. When I get finished you will be proud of me.
Dick.

[Dick Koch]

A little bit here, a little bit there, I got the body mounts in, started car to move out of garage and felt the difference immediately in the amount of vibration. Almost none.
Dick.