You are making some good progress!!
Getting there Matthew! Day by day… I have one more day off, then back to work for two days before the Fourth of July. I hope to tackle the door handles and locks tomorrow.
I installed Vincent Van Humbeeck’s power switch housings today. Along with my rebuilt switches, they worked like a charm! Also installed the weatherstrip rails for the top of the windows, and the console arm rest. Nibbling away at it…
This housing in particular was fried
I had read that someone had to trim the housings a bit to get the wires to fit. I had no such problem - it was so much easier than I thought!
Handles are on, and locks are in! I fretted that this might be difficult - and, indeed it was. But a little caulk on the nuts kept them in the socket while I threaded a thin extender through the gaps with a swivel adapter, and when I felt the nuts snug up I knew I was in business. Also finished touching up the interior, it’s ready to go after the trim goes on.
I guess I’m in a pretty good place, with Matthew coming to mastermind getting the trim on. Maybe I’ll find time to drill the speaker holes and wire up the radio, one never knows.
(I don’t expect any help from him with the skirts, though
)
Where do you want to drill the speaker holes?
Use the original location!
Matthew, I’ll be putting two rear speakers in at the proper locations on the package shelf, but the holes for the bolts don’t align. Those are the holes that need to be drilled.
The holes do align - I don’t know what I was smoking when I concluded that I had to drill holes. I didn’t have to drill the package shelf, just the holes through the foam-backed board with vinyl covering:
But man, was it hot in the garage today. And the screws were too short; even after picking up some longer ones, I struggled to get it all in place - but won out in the end. I crimped the connectors on and plugged them in, but no time left now to work on the front speaker; perhaps in the morning before Matthew arrives.
But I did take care of one other important thing:
One can never have enough Yuengling timers*. Precision tools, for precision workmanship! And remember: Anything worth doing, is worth doing twice.
*Yuengling: The official timer of the '59 Plymouth Forum
I had to drill some of the plastic surround on the front speaker to get it to fit on the speaker grille, but once I did, it bolted right in. All the speakers are in, and even the radio is now in - I just have to wire it all up. Fortunately, the rebuilt radio comes with a harness - once I make the connections, I just plug it in. And the clock is in too!
He’s here! And already he’s inspecting Dick’s craftmanship
The trim starts to go on
But it’s 97 in the garage, and Matthew is jet-lagged (to say nothing about his headache), so it’s quits for the day.
Or so I thought. When I woke up from my Power Nap ™, Matthew was back at it in the garage. One side is completely done!
Matthew is a Madman!! Virtually all of the trim is on now - the windshield and rear window being the exception (although he already started on the rear window). The grille is also in, and one bumper wing, just for show! We agree, we need to pull the bumper, hang the wings and reinstall with the bumper wing brackets in place. All in all, amazing progress.
Oh yeah! The radio is all wired up, and broadcasts are coming out of the speakers. Still figuring out how to use the controls for balance, fade, and “mode” (AM, FM, Bluetooth, etc.). A non-essential for Carlisle, though!
Faulkner is good to go for Carlisle! Er… except, for one small thing: The brake lights don’t work. I’m guessing, they’re not getting power from the headlight switch (that I replaced
) - because, the turn signals share the same filament, and they work. So, Ron Keij (who arrived today from the Netherlands) and I will investigate tomorrow. The switch is already hanging from the dash, time to pull out the voltmeter.
Kudos to Matthew, for completing the exterior trim, and reinstalling the interior! I wouldn’t be going to Carlisle, if it weren’t for him.
The interior nears completion
Yeah, it ain’t original. So, sue me! It pays homage to the spirit of the '59 interior
The Sterlings knew Faulkner as "The P" - this is a nod to them
Ready to Rock 'n Roll!
Wow, he’s so handsome. Can’t wait to see the whole package at Carlisle. Kudos to you for the whole project and Matt for his help in bringing to the finish line.
Congratulations,
Dick
Nice to see Faulkner nearly all back together. Having Matthew there sure was a big help!!
Have fun at Carlisle!!
—John
George-eous. Can’t wait to see in person.
Dick
Dan, Looks great !! Can’t wait to see it. THE ELEPHANT HAS BEEN EATEN. Mark
Oh yeah! Forgot to mention: It did not involve the headlight switch. The connectors at the brake light switch were bad - Ron and I replaced them, and we were off and running. But, no stopping now!
Off to Carlisle!
Wow Dan
I’ve been away tooooo long
Car looks fantastic
Now time to enjoy
Cheers
Vic
Car looks great. I just inherited my dads 59. I work in delco. Maybe I will see it out on the street.
that was the last time my dad drove that car. About 3yrs ago. He got sick and never got better.
A beautiful Fury. I’m in Upper Darby! We’ll have to have a meeting of the Furys sometime ![]()
























