The ongoing story of Wayne's Ultimate Restoration Project:

This car was purchased by a member of the US Military in 1971 and was driven by that person for 3 Years. At that point it was purchased by a friend of mine. He registered the car here in Arizona in 1973 (With PLATE # SYY-021 which will be put back on the car when it is done). Bill drove it for three years then parked it in his back yard for various reasons.

 

LOOPers at the June Meeting checking out Wayne's Rolling Chassis

There it sat for the next 30 + years during which time the front window was broken out. I had known of this car for the past ten years and had talked with Bill on several occasions about it and what he planned to do with it. About 18 months ago bill approached me and advised me that the car had to GO that was all he had to say. The next day it was on a trailer and moved to my house with some resistance from my wife. But all is OK now (I think)

 

The cleanest Europa Engine we have ever seen (even Hiro was impressed)

When I did a initial inspection of the car I found. The car had been repainted flat black and the body had spider web stress cracks on about 80 percent if it. The dash was rotted away as were the seats and interior. Surprisingly, the gages and wiring was still GOOD. At this point I decided to completely dismantle the car, every nut, bolt and screw. This took me several months and all the parts were put in bins in my garage. During this process it was also discovered that the engine would need to be rebuilt and the transmission was full of water. Boy did I take on a BIG task!

 

The Beauty is in the Simplicty

Well I am up to a challenge so I started looking on line for parts. I found a new engine from Canada and transmission gears from back east. All new rubber parts came from Dave Bean and Sports Car World, brake parts from a local BAP and a windshield from a local glass installer. New seats, dash, and other parts came from Ray in California.

I started cleaning; repairing, painting and assembling in November of 2007 and now have a complete rolling chasses. My goal was to be finished by July, 2008 but with all the family things that had priority over the PROJECT that goal will be pushed back at least 4 to 6 months. I will take my time so I will get it done RIGHT. I will start the body work as this HOT weather permits and have been challenged by fellow LOOP members to do the paint myself so I will and we will see if they like how it turns out.

(all photographs by Ed Brady)