Stripping a Parts Car

51hornet · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:39 am Post subject: Stripping a Parts Car

My parts car arrived Saturday and I started stripping it immediately like a buzzard picking over a zebra. I had the complete interior out that day. Then spent 3 days removing stainless which was in amazing shape considering this car sat out since 65. This car has yeilded about 97% of the missing parts I needed to rebuild my pristine 54 sedan body.

Lots of pictures were taken, lots of baggies and tupperware labeled and filled with parts and a body log based on the Hudson parts book is in place. I labeled everything following the designations in the parts book. So when I have to put them on my car I can follow the parts manual not a scheme of my own that I cannot remember. All baggies of screws and parts are labeled and in a big tupperware. Do not want to lose parts.

Taking one of these cars apart you soon realize what wonderful machines they are, so well thought out and engineered.

My garage is now almost full to the rafters with parts.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

I remember the parts car drill. It was lots of fun until you run out of places to put the stuff.

Finally, a car that skirts can't help. Laughing

It looks like you've got lots of good stainless though. Heck, even the glass looks OK. Did this car have any interesting options...Twin-H, PS, PB, or the like? Where did you get the car from? Is that Jim's trailer I see? More, more, tell us more.

51hornet · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

It had Twin H and thats about it oh and wiper washer. Trailer is Jims neighbors.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

Well, the Twin-H and washer is not too bad. Did Jim use his neighbor's trailer or..? What's going to be left of the car when you're done with it?

51hornet · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

When I am done all that will be left is the shell. I am stripping it bare. Of note this car was fully undersealed and it worked really well. When I stripped the underseal out of the fenders it came out like a plastic shell the paint underneath was pristine. If the car had not sat on the wet ground and had been in a barn it would still be a driver.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 10:32 am Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

Like I always say about parts cars, some must die so that others may live.

51hornet · Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

Yup it will live on in my 54....

Dave53-7C · Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:23 am Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

Now you can add transplant surgeon to your resume. LOL

51hornet · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

You can see above what I started with this is what I have left.

51hornet · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

And front of poor old parts car.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:02 am Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

I guess you don't want to save the:

Windshield
Antenna base
Hood
Door scuff shields
Battery support
Screw on upper part of cowl... Laughing

That car looks like the remains of a holiday turkey...picked clean to the bones.

51hornet · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

Windshield has a large crack up to middle. Can get new so do not care.

Hood was kinked in middle. Door sills are shot beyond repair so no need.

Antenna base is so badly pitted no use.

Got parts for all of these.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

Since some people want to charge more than $1.00 for each screw, you'd better make sure you take every one. Wink

51hornet · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

Yup I know I did. I needed everything...

Dave53-7C · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: Stripping a Parts Car

Did you find any interesting things in the car? Personal items, weird repairs, etc.? Maybe you should send the remains to your local trade school. They can practice doing all the metal and then give the car back. Laughing