'51 convertible and hardtop parts are next to impossible to find, some impossible I am finding out after over three years. I have been unsuccessful in finding a rebuilder for my vacuum-electric motor. Tried to get a fairly local person to rebuild it, one who had worked with generators and starters for a number of years, but he was unable to rebuild it. He said he called the convertible top folks down in Florida that have cylinders and what have you, but he told me they could not rebuild it. I emailed another place out in California and they said "maybe" but I just don't feel like packaging this rare part up (even if it is broken) and shipping to places based on "maybe." I was told by the guy that worked on mine there was a spring missing but the real problem apparently was the "custom" brushes were worn out. I had a "bad" experience with another rebuilder of electric motors who advertises in HMN, so have developed a certain reluctance to sending things off. I've converted to manual roll up and down windows and when we get the top done, it likewise will be manual. FYI, the "impossible" parts to find are left front vent window and frame, inside and outside chrome door moldings, and grille emblems. Hope you do not need taillights as there apparently is NOT going to be a repro and IF you find any they are extremely pricey, like $600 for what might be left of some previous remanufactured plastic lenses.....plastic, not even glass. But do wish you good luck on finding parts. I think I got some door handles/escutcheons, maybe some other items from this guy in Albert Lea.
