Author Topic: #51 IS MOVING ALONG  (Read 9648 times)

darrin502

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #15 on: April 28, 2014, 09:47:29 PM »
Still waiting for the engine, went to the machine shop today and I will get it back tomorrow. Then the assembly starts. I installed the passenger door yesterday and drilled and installed the kaiser darrin script and madalion on the trunk lid. This has been a real slow process but they have all been. It is worth the many hours of work to build a vintage car. Getting short on time for the convention but I am determined to make it. Hope to see everyone there.
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

BigDave LM6174

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  • 1951 Kaiser Deluxe & 1952 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #16 on: April 29, 2014, 12:33:53 AM »
Looking Great!
Big Dave
KFOCI LM 6174
Whittier, CA.
1951 Kaiser Deluxe
1952 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
1958 Lido 14 Sailboat W/Trailer
1958 Carry All Trailer

darrin502

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #17 on: April 29, 2014, 10:31:14 PM »
Thanks
Got the motor today getting ready to put in the bare block with heads and hydro to get exhaust, radiator, linkages, drivshaft etc. then take motor out and assemble paint then back in and drive.
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

MarkH

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #18 on: April 30, 2014, 06:58:08 PM »
Great photos, you're getting a lot of work done and it's looking fantastic!
Fully restored '54 Aero Lark
Rusty '58 Austin Healey 100-Six
Barely running'74 Chevelle Malibu

darrin502

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #19 on: May 11, 2014, 10:39:38 PM »
Here are a few pics of the motor in the car it is just in for set up purposes. I have the accelerator linkage hooked up, the shifter for the hydro took me 9 hours to figure out to be able to use the original Darrin shifter, now I am working on the throttle pressure linkage and the exhaust system. I did finish the drive shaft it is 28" long. I had the original radiator done and it fits in the stock location.
putting a 1954 331 Cadillac engine and a 1953 Oldsmobile hydro in a Darrin using the stock steering and not relocating the radiator is a huge job. I still think that the roomer that Dutch did it may be a myth. I have had to use things that weren't available when Dutch would have done it. I have not been able to find one picture of a Darrin with a Caddy that he did. I am sure that if he had sold any or that he had done it  there would be a picture somewhere. There are pictures of all things automotive but not this. I think he would have been proud of this and would have taken many pictures. If anyone out there has a picture please send it to me it would sure help me. I am working hard to have this car at the National. I hope the people will be as excited to see it as I am building it. It will be a driver which is what I am most excited about.
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

darrin502

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #20 on: May 31, 2014, 06:36:51 PM »
Hi All
I got the exhaust done, the long block is together and painted and will be going in the car tomorrow. Then it is hook everything up start the engine and get it to the National. I am running out of time so wish me luck. Here are a few pics of the exhaust and the engine painted.
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

darrin502

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #21 on: June 08, 2014, 08:25:48 PM »
51 is together and running. Two test drives today. Corrected small problems. It will be at the national. Still a few more things to do but I still have a few days left.
See everyone at the national.
Lee
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

darrin502

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #22 on: June 12, 2014, 11:09:28 PM »
Car is done. 12 hours a day for the last 2 weeks. Hope everyone likes it it is modified. I will call it the Dutch Darrin special. Myth to reality.
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

51Deluxe

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #23 on: June 12, 2014, 11:27:39 PM »
Beautiful car you've got there- wish the National were not 2500 miles from me or I would be there!

darrin502

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #24 on: July 04, 2014, 12:19:42 PM »
Wanted to let everyone know that I finished the car at 12:30 AM the night before we left for WA. I think it came out great and the people at the convention liked it. It was worth all the long hours to get it done. I am going to drive this one.
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

darrin502

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Re: #51 IS MOVING ALONG
« Reply #25 on: March 16, 2015, 11:25:45 PM »
Just an update
Installed a 1969 8" narrowed Merc Cougar rear axel with a 2.79 gear and it cruises the highway at 75 to 80 with radial tires just great. Drove over 200 mi to Phoenix and back with out any problems. I have over 1500 mi on it now and it is a blast to drive.
Check out this picture that Rudy Phillips took when I was at his house working on the hydromatic trany. As Rudy says I have my BYSON transmission tech overseeing the rebuild.
See you at the Convention
Lee
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro