As our Snowbirds depart and we enter this winter's relative lull in our project, I offer this fourth in our series of updates to keep you informed re: the status of the Club's "Tupper Coupe Project".
First, to recap a bit, - - subsequent to Ted Tupper's August 19th parts sale, the relocation of the Coupe to the clubhouse, and the subsequent action overviews contained in our previous three status reports, work on the project has continued unabated with a goodly number of club members contributing in various capacities and with opportunities identified for any and all members to become involved as they may wish.
In addition the outset March 2018 decision to proceed with the project, the October decision relative to how to move forward re: which of the three best motor options to pursue, and the December 2018 decisions re: body and upholstery colours to utilize as we move forward, have all been made collectively by our club members at well attended general meetings.
Subsequent to issuance of our last update, progress on several fronts and the acquisition of the related parts required has continued, such as: Our team of experts has now decided to utilize the motor Troy Dillabough has offered the club at substantially less cost than he incurred to have it rebuilt; - - and after a partial disassembly to verify the integrity of its 'innards' they are now proceeding to reassemble it in readiness for both it and the transmission to be installed in the chassis next spring.
A set of re-chromed headlight buckets have been acquired to replace the 'unfinished' set that came with the car, - - and complete with the related support items involved the headlights assembly has now been completed in readiness to be utilized when the time comes.
Lastly of significance, with the seat spring and base that came with the car not being up to standard Paul has now arranged for a set of both seat and back springs and their respective bases, Ron has acquired a set of fabric samples and upholstery information from LeBaron Bonney, and it is expected that with the club having decided to utilize the original Ford Special Coupe fabric colour, the seat fabrics if not the entire interior fabric package may be ordered this winter such that the seat assemblies might be completed as a little 2018 – 2019 winter project. (Interested members may contact Ron Rigby in this regard).
We would also be negligent if we were not to thank Chris Brancaccio for his offer to utilize his shop during the course of the winter in order to work on the cab of the coupe. In that regard, it had been proposed that work on the cab could have been a winter project to consider but in view of our impending winter lull due to the weather, Snowbird season, and the possibility of more members possibly being interested in that aspect of the project next spring, work on the cab has been deferred for the time being.
With apologies for any oversights and in alphabetic order - -
'An overview of our Club Member involvements in the project to date reads as follows'.
Dan Adams: - - besides contributing quite a number of parts inclusive of a coupe style spare tire carrier to the project, he has both the generator and starter in order to restore them. Also, as our resident 'Special Coupe cab/body specialist' he has volunteered to provide guidance to our participant's during the course of the Coupe's body restoration.
Hank Biesbroek: - - has offered the use of his bead-blasting assembly for use on the project as may be required.
Chris Brancaccio: - - had offered the use of his shop as a possible winter alternative to the unheated Clubhouse had the Club decided to proceed with the restoration of the Coupe's cab this winter.
Bruce Brander: - - contributed a great set of 4 shock absorbers as well as the related arms and dog bones. Paul Chudek then completed any cleaning and painting required and assembled them all to the 'initial frame assembly'.
Gary Callander: - - participated in the initial motor disassembly seminar and has provided input with respect to several aspects of the project. Gary has also indicated he has enough lining compound on hand with which to reline the gas tank now that it has been steamed.
Paul Chudek: - - has proven to be an admirable leader for the project in multiple respects whether it be interfacing with each of the other Members involved, coordinating the restoration and acquisition of the various parts required, approving (or rejecting) participant's pleas relative to materials they may request/require, - - or in the case of the basic chassis and the analysis of the motor options involved, has spent a multitude of hours on the end of a wrench and getting his hands dirty, - - inclusive with the assistance of his son David's trusty welder, has modified a pair of long brake rods to serve as park brake rods.
Troy Dillabough: - - has contributed the motor being utilized by the Club at substantially less cost than he initially incurred to have it rebuilt;
Dave Dodd: - - has both restored the distributor and tested it via a temporary install on his own car.
Al Friesen: - - has published various Script items relative to the project and has kept Ted Tupper's available parts list posted on the Club website.
Brian LeBlanc: - - is tracking the financial progress of the project inclusive of the general value of components contributed by members not involving a cash outlay by the Club.
Jim Leew: - - besides restoring both spring assemblies has been prime in the restoration and modification of our 7-tooth steering column assembly into a combination 7-tooth (upper) and Gemmer 2-tooth (lower) unit.
Barry Osborne: - - had the gas tank steamed prior to relaying it to Colin to be mated with the firewall/cowl assembly. One discussion at our September meeting related to the merits of now lining the tank as well as having had it steamed. (Also see Gary Callander in this regard). Barry has also been a team member re: the assessment and reassembly of the Troy Dillabough motor.
Colin Outtrim: - - Colin has not only been instrumental re: the cleaning and painting of the frame and the restoration of a multiple number of the sheet metal items (fenders, splash pans, firewall and cowl assembly, etc.) but to date has been and continues to be instrumental in the restoration of all of the sheet metal components involved excepting for the cab itself. In addition Colin led the body and fabric colour selection process ( Vagabond Green with the Brown Upholstery option), - - and in conjunction with Andy Smith will be jointly consulted by Paul with respect to how the final painting process for the project should proceed.
Dan Rigby: - - reluctantly agreed to purchase new Firestone whitewall tires for his own Roadster in order to release his existing 'gently used' Firestones for use on the Club coupe project.
Ron Rigby: - - further to a variety of project support efforts has dealt with the project's front-end and rear- end assemblies, completed restoration/provision of all of the 5 wheel assemblies, dealt with both the flywheel housing and the bell housing/pedals assembly, completed the provision and assembly of the coupe's headlights unit, - - and anticipates being prime re: this winter's seats upholstery project.
Keith Robinson: - - besides his role in having the radiator rebuilt, in conjunction with Dan Adams donated the bell housing that Paul and Ron subsequently worked on.
Ross Rodman: - - purchased Ted Tupper's spare Model A frame which had been stored in the coupe project shed, which provided a welcome increase in the available coupe project storage space available.
Andy Smith: - - as the proprietor of the Cochrane area based 'Mirror Image' facility will be available to be consulted by Paul with respect to how the final painting process for the project should proceed.
Glenn Smith: - - has rebuilt the carburetor, is rebuilding the transmission, has contributed a good U-joint to the project, has contributed the use of his shop for he, Murray Walkemeyer, Paul, and Barry to deal with the Troy Dillabough motor, and has partnered with Jim Leew during the fabrication of the combination '7 tooth/Gemmer 2 tooth' steering assembly.
Ted Tupper: - - besides having originally contributed the project coupe to the club is currently updating his available parts listing in readiness for Al to post it on our website for the impending 2019 activities season.
Murray Walkemeyer: - - as our most respected Model A authority and historian has provided advice and assistance on a number of fronts to date inclusive of having spent a substantial amount of time relative to both the Coupe's original, - - and the replacement Troy Dillabough motor.
With sincere appreciation to the aforementioned +/- 20 participants involved to date for such a successful 2018, we wish you one and all a great Christmas Holiday season and look forward to further success in the new year!
Ron Rigby on behalf of everyone involved!
