After seeing how easily the bed sanded down, I moved on to the wings. I replaced the outer skins with some I won on ebay. The sanding was a tougher job on the wings, since they had been repainted. My goal was to smooth out the pock marks, and Maggies wings had plenty. The old paint, if scuffed and smoothed makes a tenacious undercoat. Once I had the wings painted, I added the Union Jack license plate and suspended them for safekeeping
Well, spit lead to spot, and the next thing you know, I had installed the windscreen, the wings and the bed, and I had done the hood as well.
A memorial car show was coming up, and since Maggie had a towbar attached, I decided to take her. My wife became more and more excited at the prospect of showing off "her" Rover. She started researching Land Rover's history, so she could talk to people about Maggie. I installed an early wiper motor on the driver's side of the windshield, the tailight lenses, and weatherstripping from JC Whitney. I also installed the transmission brake.
At the very least, I figured that sitting in an asphalt parking lot in the heat of the day would help "set" the paint.
Once there, the girls quickly decided to use the back of Maggie as a playpen. My wife gave them a basket of crayons and they stayed busy. It was a successful show, with 118 vehicles showing up, from a Nash Metropolitan to a Rolls Royce; from Model T's to a 440X6 Roadrunner. There was no judging at this particular show, so the Rovers did not have to compete with Corvettes, as is their usual fate at car shows. My wife actively spread the gospel of the Brothers Wilks, and a good time was had by all. We won a couple of doorprizes, and everyone got a good sunburn.
On the way home in Beula, I even had a Disco driver wave at me. That must be some mojo Maggie has!
They are not a how to guide on vehicle maintenance or restoration. Do not tow your vehicle without proper equipment. Make sure the pulling vehicle is capable and heavy enough. Make sure you have good tires on the towed vehicle. Make sure you have brake lights and turn signals working on the towed vehicle. Keep your speed down and take care cornering. Lastly, know the laws in your state or province. For more of this legal CYA stuff, click here. |
