chaos theory…

I’ve been known to reminisce about things I’ve never experienced. Normally I’d hesitate to write about something other than my car, but the past weekend has given me a twist of energy and thought. It all started with a leaky master cylinder in a tight annoying location. I fumbled for a couple days and wasted … Read more →

I’m still beyond excited about the 444. Alas, I get so excited with these things that I just have to make them better. Brakes topped my list, as they rendered the car unsafe. Second on my list was to fix the driver side seat, which is in the ‘full back’ position due to a broken … Read more →

Many things have been happening in my life over the last few days. Primarily, I adopted a dog, a rescue Jack Russel Terrier. We’ve been calling him “buddy” and teaching him tricks and learning about his breed.  One of the things I’m learning about this breed, is the difference between the dog traits: dominance and … Read more →

Well, sold the ‘66 122 to a fine gentlemen up in Washington. Quickly there after I paid in full for a 1957 Volvo pv444. The 444 came before the 544 which came before the 122 series. Taking many design cues from 40’s American car design the 444 is a unique little car. This specific example … Read more →

The spider Right front drum, and left rear, are hopelessly stuck. Frustratingly enough they both spin, but I believe they are hanging up either via the wheel bearing on the spindle or via small annular grooves on the shoes. The front left shoe was deeply scored, so that might make sense.
Anyhow, after a few days … Read more →

This week has been the dirtiest week of the bunch, This is the week that the front suspension came out, the wheel wells got scraped and scrubbed, the suspension came apart and  was cleaned and inspected.
In tandem the shop got re-arrainged, new pallet racks installed, while this may seem like a diversion, it has been … Read more →

Well, a long while after getting the engine put back together in confidence, we finally started her up. My brother was in town for a few hours and we took the time to connect up the random wires, hoses, and tighten bolts to get the car in starting shape. James was there when we first … Read more →

So far I have spent every spare minute at the shop fretting over the task at hand.. there is plenty to be done for sure,  here is the synopsis for today.
Meta-Labor:

assembled the shopping list (for the stuff that centerline carries anyhow)

deposited my monthly paycheck (the most important part of most projects)

Labor-Labor:
Removed the pedal-box,  Dan … Read more →

Giulietta gets the motherlode overhaul
I have been sitting on the Giulietta for many months now, having sourced a nice engine, and done a pocketbook restoration of the gearbox. All that was left to do was all of the dirty work that I would really feel shameful if someone else did. Where’s the fun in that?
Well … Read more →

Its Craigslist time! I’ve come to the hasty conclusion that I need to sell a car. Its time to pass on the ‘66. Though I’ve only had it for about 2 months, I’ve got my eye on a rusty ‘57… more to come on that. So the 66. This black plate car was definitely loved … Read more →