Where are the Gremlins?
By now, it is obvious that the gremlins are overdue for their next comic strip appearance. Typically, I would be attributing this to the gremlin’s extra-curricular activities, such as crashing my computer(their favorite), breaking my internet connection, or worst of all, causing my Keurig coffee maker to fail (Yes, they would really stoop to that). But this time, it’s not the gremlins fault. It’s all on me. I have been trying to finish this:
No, not the picture of the old Thunderbird (although, I did spend a bit more time drawing it that I usually do). No, I am talking about a real 1955 Thunderbird that is sitting in my garage. It is not drive-able at the moment, but it is MUCH closer that it was in December. Normally, I would not bother sharing personal experiences because I am kind of uninteresting. However, there have been a few inquiries as to what is going on with the gremlins, so this update seemed appropriate.
For the record, here is what the car looked like at the beginning of 2018:
…and here is what it looked like when I got it back last Spring:
…and Here is a picture of it in its current state:
What the picture doesn’t show is that the car does not have its interior installed (it is difficult to drive without a seat!) OR that the brakes aren’t working. I know what you are thinking. “What is an obscure cartoonist doing with a car like that?” Well, the short answer is that its not my car. Not really. This car belongs to my wife. And then there is the most obvious question of all… “What does any of this have to do with Pesky Gremlins???” Well, surprisingly, it takes a lot of time to put an old car back together. I wanted to get this car project finished by this Spring so that my wife could have her car back. So, Pesky Gremlins got put on the back burner until the car was (mostly) finished. As of Jan. 30 2019, I still have to finish putting on the convertible top, trim the interior, put a seat in the car, and fix the brakes. However, these tasks should be completed in the next two weeks or so and then the Snafu, Lucas, Fubar, and all their friends will return. In the meantime, I will try an put something up on a weekly basis to let you know where I am at.
16 thoughts on “Where Are the Gremlins?”
Binky
That is a really neat car! The body looks like it was in quite good condition, but it must still be quite an undertaking.
That’s a nice garage you have. Is that a 55 Chevy back there?
H Stacy
The Tbird is a neat car. My wife LOVES it and it seems to draw a crowd when she drives it. The car seems to have lived most of its life in the South so when I sanded off the paint (which took FOREVER) I didn’t find much rust. But there was some rust damage on the trunk. Had to weld in some patch panels there.
Unfortunately, that big garage is not mine. That was the paint shop (which has since gone out of business!). MY garage is the one in the last picture. It is your standard home garage, which didn’t allow me much room for pictures.
Binky
I suppose just about any car from that era will draw a crowd, but the original generation of T-Birds are quite special. They were styled and proportioned beautifully. Plus there’s a certain appeal of cars that are pretty simple compared to today’s computer and electronically controlled everything vehicles.
H Stacy
The first generation Thunderbirds were and still are very nice cars. My wife’s car is pretty basic, no power steering, no power brakes, 6 Volt electrical system, and even a radio with vacuum tubes!
I have updated one thing, the car now has a modern electronic ignition system hidden in it. Other than that, it remains the cutting edge of 1955 technology. 🙂
Jerry Keslensky
77 Sunset Strip ….Kookie lend me your comb. A totally cool short man.
H Stacy
There was a Thunderbird in 77 Sunset Strip. I had completely forgotten about that. 🙂
RG2Cents
Soooooooweeeeeeeeeeeeet! The only project I have that would be similar, is when my father and I rebuilt a 1950 Ford truck. Well, not really a restoration; we put a 292 V8 in it, redid the wiring, redid the guts of the dash, sanded and painted it, and put wide tires in the back. Certainly not as cool as a Thurderbird, but I sure enjoyed that old truck.
H Stacy
You know that truck project sounds very similar to the Tbird project. Both are Fords from the ’50’s. Both have a 292 V8 (Tbird engine is now fixed. Long story goes with that!). Both have had wiring fixed (mostly replaced, after all it is now close to 70 years old!). Both had sanding (I hate sanding) and painting. Only difference, is no wide tires out back (wouldn’t fit with those fender skirts, anyway).
Jerry Keslinsky
I am slowly (slowly being the operative word) working on a watercolor of a 1950 GMC pick up. For me, this is about as long and tedious as restoring the real thing. 🙂
H Stacy
I don’t suppose that you would give us a peek at your watercolor GMC ?? I would love to see it.
Jerry Keslinsky
Like any new learning effort, I need to go thru a number of not so great looking iterations, but eventually when I’m happy I will share the good ones. I might also show some of the “fails” but only when I get past them 🙂
H Stacy
I understand. Watercolor can be very unforgiving. Hope to see it soon!
David Hurley
Well done!
H Stacy
Thanks, David.
Mark Stokes
That is an amazing transformation. Kudos on all your hard work!
H Stacy
Thanks Mark! It is kind of an amazing transformation. The gal that painted it and the guys recovered the seat are the ones that should get the credit! Their work (literally) shines.