WoW! The car has come a long way…from the rat poop infested wreck to the stage it is at. I went thru all 22 pages, some more quickly than others but I am impressed by your determination.
A few things I'd like to mention.
a- Are you ABSOLUTELY sure this is a 1959? and if you are then the person who altered the look did a meticulous job and paid attention to the details. I notice that the vent windows are also post 1962 and if so the doors have also been changed.
b. You’ll probably hate me for saying this but you have overlooked the fuel filler opening that is seen on the side. This is a post 1967 feature and no way in hell can a 1959 come with a fuel filler on the side. If it appears genuine then the car is not a 59
c. It looks correct under the hood and the tank should be the raised hump type with a bigger fuel lid.
d. Please try and source NEW front fenders. They are easily available and in-expensive but would make a world of difference when the car come sout of the paint booth. It does not matter how good your denter is. The imperfections appear when the car has been painted and ready for the fitting of headlamps etc. I made the same mistake when restoring my Karman Convertible and although it looks fine but no matter how I adjust the headlamps one of the lights is aimed at the tall trees.
e. I notice that you have overlooked the small channels around the hood and trunk to hold the rubber seal. I strongly recommend you get rid of the ones currently on the car ..shave them off completely, get rid of the rust underneath and weld new channels. There is nothing worse…well maybe there are worse things than that but still pretty bad to see paint cracking when you try slip in the new seals after a paint job.
f. Last bit of suggestion is to go visit Abbottabad when you can. Take Romano along or get directions. There is an abandoned red 1959 along the Abbottabad Nathiagali road. I traced the owner a few years back and he wanted 21,ooo rupees for it. He has all the parts carefully removed and stored at his place. I remember he mentioned the batwing steering, fuel tank and semaphores too. It might be worth while to buy the car as it was in better nick than most cars of that age and fairly rust free. (the parts were included in the price.) Oh and he had the correct engine too.
Good luck and keep posting on PakWheels. I am registered but do not visit regularly so if there is anything in particular you wish to draw my attention to please shoot me a mail on my @yahoo.ca addy.
Salaam.
Nasir.
