Tale of the TD’s (tape)

53TD vs. MINE…

At one time I was ahead of 53TD with my own 53 TD (that was before I moved and began working in the shop.) I had my body tub on and painted, 53TD’s was still on the jig in raw metal. I had my floorboards in and the curtain box and rear deck in. 53TD was just a rolling chassis. Both engines were finished. So as you see mine was further along than 53TD.

Now they are neck and neck, but I believe 53TD is ahead at this point. Even after spending about 5 hours (5 hours didn’t get much done) on my TD today. I got my dash panel stripped, the center panel started (starter switch mounted, warning lights in and accessory plugs in.) I mounted the horn brackets, starter switch and painted some bolts. Not much done for the day, huh?

Both bodies are on, mine is rubbed out. Both have the floorboards, curtain box and rear decks in. My TD is now sans water pump (donated to Winston.) Both are about even as far as items going back on the firewall, both have the horns painted and ready to mount.

I’ve started both dashboards, well stripped them at least. My center panel is under construction; 53TD is ready to go with the key switch rebuilt. The big difference on the dash is that my gauges are in England getting restored and 53TD’s are not. That’s one for me. (cough, cough...most of mine was done today.)

Most of 53TD’s chrome has been redone; my chrome is in a box ready to ship to the chromer… bummer. That’s one for him.

So we really are neck and neck to the finish. I do know that I will loose…the paying customer comes first. So it is 5 days of possible work to 2 days on the weekend. Like I’m going to give up all my weekend time!!! 53TD WINS.

Later…