8in1 American Convertible Motor Truck Body " restoration"

D Stroud · Post by **D Stroud** » Thu May 30, 2019 1:08 am

I heard from Dallas Tuesday, his surgery went well and is now on the mend. Should be back in action soon. Dave

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Mon Jun 03, 2019 10:53 pm

All is well with the neck surgery. I have been on light duty all week. I planned for this. I saved alot of small things that does not involve lifting. Replacing unpainted bolts and nuts with painted ones, installing needed screws, adjusting bands and painting little pieces. Today I made the door catches to hold the doors in the open position. Thanks to some drawings and measurments from Tim Morsher.

I lined the inside with black leather held in place with split rivets. The leather was soft and the split end recessed into it nicely. Dont want it metal to metal on the paint.

It mounts under side window on exterior of cab. The weight of inner handle holds handle in place while bouncing down the road.

D Stroud · Post by **D Stroud** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 2:06 am

Purty slick Dallas!!

Dave

Post by **Duey_C** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 2:23 am

Take 'er easy Dallas. Please.
I know a cab like yours of May-ur Keith's and did I share any pics? Sadly no as I thought it weren't.
Every little detail you show on your new cab tells me there be "Layer O' Green" (faded) UNDER that black paint on Keith's truck.
Interesting.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 6:24 am

Duey, lets see em. You got pics?

Post by **RustyFords** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 7:14 am

Glad to see that the surgery went well.

Nice work on the catches....I would'nt have known they weren't vintage pieces.

Post by **It's Bill** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 8:15 am

Awesome build, Dallas. This needs to be featured in the magazines. Hemmings Classic Car has a truck feature each month, and this would be a home run! Outstanding, just outstanding. Cheers, Bill

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 12:39 pm

Thanks fellas. Its alot of fun. Thats why I have T's, for enjoyment.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 2:28 pm

Healing up and staying busy.

Started with this

And now

The I used the flash.

I think these will be usefull on the TT.

Post by **RustyFords** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:34 pm

Nice. Sometimes those little "arts and crafts" style projects are a nice change from the big stuff during a car restoration.

Post by **Gordon C** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:58 pm

Truly amazing job !!!! I've have been following the progress for some time.
Only wish I can do half as good on mine

Wayne Sheldon · Post by **Wayne Sheldon** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:28 pm

You are doing such a great job on this! The quality, the little details. Wonderful!
But take it easy for awhile.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 8:26 pm

Thanks guys. Wayne I am being good. I spent today knockin tin. The one front fender looked like somebody parked their T on it. Welded cracks and brackets and have them primed. Test fitting this evening. I need to adjust one fendrr brace about 3/8 in.
No heavy lifting and no fast moves but getting there.

D Stroud · Post by **D Stroud** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 10:17 pm

Lookin' good Dallas! Gonna make it to the OCF?

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 10:25 pm

That my plan Dave. Tin is the last major thing. I hope to have it going for the 4th parade. I am suposed to haul the kiddy king and queen in the parade.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Wed Jun 12, 2019 7:58 pm

Herw are the reflectors with led in tail lights. Its daylight out and I used flash on camera.

Cowl lights with same led lights

Post by **Duey_C** » Thu Jun 13, 2019 12:04 am

If I may.
Oh my.

Ed Baudoux · Post by **Ed Baudoux** » Thu Jun 13, 2019 7:12 am

Dallas, is your little Roadster "Pee-Cup" getting jealous? Make sure you give it enough attention.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Thu Jun 13, 2019 7:15 am

Yes Ed, he is getting new valves and tappets. I should have him on the road this weekend.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 4:41 pm

Getting close.

Post by **Duey_C** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 4:53 pm

Oh my. That's going to look great!

Michael Peternell · Post by **Michael Peternell** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 8:14 pm

Duey that would so look cool parked outside your Corilis building said a shameless promoter of Albany Pioneer Days! It is a very cool restoration.
Hats off to you sir! Well played!!!

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 8:47 pm

Thank you guys. I cant wait to put it all together and have a look. Its been good theropy since my surgery. Sitting on the floor in my shop and chasing dents with hammer. I have done all the bodywork and my buddy sprays the pretty stuff. I have no finger prints left from hand sanding. My hats off to the guys that do this all the time.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Sat Jun 22, 2019 6:34 pm

Update. Fenders and radiator shroud are on. Hope to have shelves on tonight. Still working on the hood and headlights.

Wayne Sheldon · Post by **Wayne Sheldon** » Sat Jun 22, 2019 7:04 pm

That is turning out to be one of the finest TTs in the country!

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Sat Jun 22, 2019 7:22 pm

I dont know about that Wayne but its a darn fine looking farm truck.

Post by **Duey_C** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:13 am

Michael, I'd soil myself IF I could talk Dallas into coming up here to show that beautiful truck at our 45th Annual Albany Pioneer Days here in central Minnesota, 13, 14 & 15th of September 2019!

Best "I" could do would be Lucky and he's horrible, yet a really cool and charming fellow but Dallas' truck is the most-ut!

Dallas, Wayne's correct "That is turning out to be one of the finest TTs in the country!"
I'll let you park the TT inside the building at night if you'd like and I'd recommend it to keep him out of the elements.

I'm "on duty" in the building until late and close it up.
You'd be closer to your folks if you ventured up.

I'd play you up BIG TIME during the parades too!

True.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 10:32 pm

Not finished, but enough to get some seat time tonight. About dark I took it to town for fuel and road test. Snapped a couple photos I posted in another thread earlier but figured this is where they should be.

Wayne Sheldon · Post by **Wayne Sheldon** » Sat Jun 29, 2019 3:20 am

Oh-h! It usually takes an incredible racing car to leave me almost speechless. A TT may do it.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Sat Jun 29, 2019 8:15 am

Thanks Wayne, its a real treat to drive with the Chicago 3 speed. A little learning curve tho. She seems like a screamer with the high speed gears. High gear is slipping a bit after a couple trips to town so I think the cluth fingers need adjusted. Its in the shop cooling down after taking it for breakfast. The Apco explosion proof muffler has a sound all its own and when I retard the timing coming to a stop it barks a bit as the springs must be a little weak on the cutout.

perry kete · Post by **perry kete** » Sat Jun 29, 2019 8:25 am

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perry kete · Post by **perry kete** » Sat Jun 29, 2019 8:26 am

I Hope rotating helps to view the beautiful truck

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Wed Jul 10, 2019 5:55 pm

I posted photos on another thread and just had these sent to me of the old girl in action. The truck is not completed but two years of sweat and head scratching was worth every minute. This is what its all about. Not that I'm a huge parade guy but seing people enjoy it and exsposing them the history of these vehicles is just fun. Candy flying from all sides helps to.

Post by **Rich Eagle** » Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:08 pm

It certainly has been enjoyable watching this TT go together. And now getting it out where you and others can enjoy it. Taking photos as you go is so good and nice for us to see.
Thanks for all of it.
Rich

Wayne Sheldon · Post by **Wayne Sheldon** » Thu Jul 11, 2019 3:34 am

What's to say, but it is looking great!

I have never really been into parades either. However, sometimes they are fun!

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 4:37 pm

A little bit more! My folks are here from Minnasota for a few weeks. Mom brought my her industrial singer for working on these old heaps. Ive been in training on its use. We made a prototype of the rear flap for the MP cab.

After figuring and cutting and sewing on the prototype mom and Dad went to work making the rear flap.

Another piece of old equipment for the shop

Post by **Ruxstel24** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 4:42 pm

A sewing machine is a handy tool...if you know how to use one.
Not saying I do, but I can fake it pretty fair.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 4:42 pm

Mom worked her magic

Dad helped cut and hold things in place and this is it.

Its up to me to get it installed now. The last time they were here, dad helped me hold things in place as I started making the runners for the cab mounts.

Post by **RustyFords** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:04 pm

Nice work.

You've gotta love a solid old tool, like that Singer, that gets passed on to you from family.

In the near future, my dad will be giving me his Craftsman drill press and a Victor torch set. Both of them were bought by his dad right after WW2.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 9:09 pm

I will be learning how to use it. I hope I can keep the fingers clear. Mom makes it look easy. Im glad they have both had a hand in building the truck. More family memories made. Lots to do yet but at least my back will stay dry at OCF if it rains.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 7:49 am

Ready

Set

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 7:50 am

Oh ya forgot this one

Post by **Henry K. Lee** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 8:36 am

How are those rear fenders coming “Grasshopper”?

Hank down yonder

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 3:30 pm

Yoda, I have had my parents here for 3 weeks. Spent time with them instead of bending tin. OCF is two weeks out so it will have to go fenderless but after that it will be priority. I will finish rear flap this evening.

Post by **Henry K. Lee** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 3:53 pm

Poor Ma and Pa had a working vacation!

I did not even see a glass of ice tea young man! Where’s your manners.., boy!

LOL

Hank

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 7:57 pm

Trust me Hank, I take good care of my workforce.

After sliding the bed back which removing 16 bolts to install the flap, its installed. After a run for breakfast in the morning it will get all the feed dust from the barn washed off. Gotta get ready for OCF!

Post by **RustyFords** » Sun Aug 25, 2019 8:08 am

That looks really nice.

Post by **Henry K. Lee** » Sun Aug 25, 2019 8:16 am

I did notice the ICE COLD BEER on the bed! You da Man!

In all joking aside, Dallas, that has to be the coolest TT I have ever seen. You have done an EXCELLENT JOB and something to be proud of.

All the Best,

Hank in Tin-A-See

Post by **Gordon C** » Mon Aug 26, 2019 4:11 pm

I followed the work from start to finish.
Absolutely fantastic job !!!!
Wish I could do half as well.