A boy’s dream

This is for my son David…..

This first photo is  of my son David Reine Gallegos back in our garage in Las Vegas Nevada. He’s waiting patiently for me to say “Let’s call it a night son.”The exact meaning of this particular photo did not quite hit home for me, until  a year later when the time came for us to let Lazarus go.

This  first pick was the night before we left for New Mexico from Sin City.I was not able to paint the car yet.I had  gotten to sandblast and primer the entire body and all the panels in the weeks prior to our departure .I also  replaced part of the sills as well.I put the Body back on the frame cork and all for transport and bolted down all the fenders and doors.David watched me do this and asked me the normal questions that 6 year old boy would like “Can this car fly into outer space?” and …”Is it bullet proof?”

He thinks his dad is nuts.

Here is David again but a few years prior to the first photo. Enthusiastic, unsure… and his first day on the job.We had the frame tucked away for quite a few years before this and this is his first time to view the frame…I finally ran out of excuses.I realized that I had to quit dreaming and start doing.This frame was powder coated years before back in 2001by Carrol Shelby’s powder coat guy “Artistic Powder” and sat in storage and in my garage long enough.I had some old glue lams left over from a work site and I lifted the frame up on these large cross members.I also had put down some rubber mats so I would not have to worry about my knees taking a beating on concrete.With my box of nuts and bolts handy I started to fill any holes I found with the corresponding screws and bolts.With a large pot of coffee an oldies station and all Saturday to do this …I was off and running!

Let the games begin!!!

Poor guy …back then he was working swing shifts! His momma worked at night and I worked during the day.Here’s young David sitting in the driver seat. I had just got the car up on all four wheels yesterday.It’ coming along slow but sure.

Waiting for the engine to come back from the shop.

The Engine is in the shop at this point.I had it done at Universal Machine shop here in Vegas.Steve was a good man..no hurries though…Two people you always want to keep happy..Your mechanic and your cook.

The engine before rebuild...

After rebuild and delivery.

This was a good day,we began by mating the engine with the transmission.Unfortunately my computer had crashed and I had my camera stolen from work which had all my photos of the engine and transmission being put back in the 58 roadster….but it was a grand sight.

Detailing begins.

Bench testing of the fuel lines,fuel pump and then engine start on slate for the late summer.(Remember it is a brisk 118 degrees right now here.) I have decided to wait for a little cooler time crank her over!….

Body and frame

~To be continued~