Retrieving a 59 Fairlane 500 convertible

Only a small update.
The dash and other interior bits have been painted. My Father-in-law wanted to go with a little darker red for the interior.
The idea is it should match the material for the seats etc. I wasn't sure about it at first, but I think it looks good. We'll have to wait for the final verdict once the interior is in.




It's actually hard to tell the difference it is a darker shade of red in comparison, when looking at the dash from outside of the car.

 

Interior should only match the interior but complement the exterior paint. Your FIL did right in painting the dash to match the upholstery.

 

And I had to laugh--I don't know if this was by design, but you and Jairus posted your posts one minute apart....

 

I agree

Nope, not by design, but perhaps by divine providence.

 

True dat.

 

BTW, I forgot to ask...what do you have planned under the hood? I see a dingy blue air cleaner; will you be addressing the engine compartment?

 

Yeah, the air cleaner is definitely dingy.
As it stands right now, the engine compartment is going to be addressed with the motor in. However, that could change. As has been the case with this car things snowball rather easily. I would not be surprised if it ends up coming out and everything gets painted.
At this point it is up in the air. I think everyone involved is getting anxious to get this car on the road. So that part may be left until down the line.

 

For the upcoming Summer unless you plan to hit the car shows, I'd worry about it next Winter. But that's just me.

 

That is the plan at the moment. Get it all put back together and cruise it this summer. More work can be done once the convertible weather is gone in the late fall.

 

Well, progress has been a little slow on the Fairlane, but it has gotten to a point where we were able to move it to the upholstery shop.

They will remove the top mechanism and send it back to the paint shop to be painted.

In the meantime the interior will be completed and installed. Once the top Mech is ready it will be re-installed and the new top and rear window will be installed.

Hopefully reassembly won't take too much time after the interior is finished and we will be cruising in this thing soon.


Picking it up at the paint shop:



The upholstery shop is in a town about 40 miles away. So it was a bit of a road trip.



The upholstery shop is in a little town called Toppenish. They have preserved some great architecture in their downtown area. Toppeninsh is also well known for the large number of murals painted in their downtown area. Their Slogan is "Where the West still lives" It's a neat little place.





Hop museum.
Hops, that's where your beer comes from kids...



Finally unloaded at the upholstery shop.

 

Been a looonngg time since I've been in Toppenish. I need to get back there and get photos of the Northern Pacific station; that building's on my HO layout want list.

 

I took the photo of the station with you in mind.

 

Well, thank you! I'll have to get Dad piled in to the Exploder and head on down there.

 

My pleasure.

 

Wow, great car, great read on a proper restoration. Amazing.

I couldn't help but notice the Superbird sitting next to the 59. Caught the fender scoops and the rear plug (which btw looks much better than when it came out of Detroit). Awesome again.