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I sure hate cold weather. Come on spring....I noticed in the last Pacesetter the only mention of Christmas was the notice of the party. Well this may be a bit late but I will wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  The good news is that I finally sold the ‘93 Town and Country Van. It went to a woman with three kids that was recently divorced. It is a good 'mommy car' and was a great parts hauler for me.

Thanks to Mike Long and his detailing, it sold easily (once someone actually came and took a look and a drive).  Now to sell the ‘61 Chevy and so we will have a couple of spaces in the new garage. I remember being told once that 'nature abhors a vacuum. That’s also is true for an empty parking space.  The party was good. It was a great opportunity to put faces to names. Our thanks to Bluegrass for the use of their facility.  Gary Faltin told me he knew Vasek Polak and Max Hoffman from the early days. The rest of the story to follow, probably next month. We have several folks with interesting stories.  Bring them on....  I have been working in the shop restoring a 356 transmission.  We thought the ‘63 was ready to go until Andy did a test drive. The car didn't shift as it should. Further investigation found the main shaft would move in and out about 1/4", not a good thing. When we got it out and apart we discovered the shim between the main shaft bearing and the intermediate plate had completely worn out. The intermediate plate was worn also. I contacted Mike Robbins (the ultimate 356 transmission guru) and he provided the needed parts. We also noted the 6 ring gear bolts were 'staked' in place, also not good. So Mike sent 6 new of the correct hardened bolts and the proper lock plates. When we removed the wrong bolts we then found the bolt threads were bad. A very expensive disaster waiting to happen. When they go, it all goes Ka-Bloohey.  It is finally back  together and my friend that held the cocked and loaded Colt .45 to my head to make me do a transmission has gone home. I will do 356 or 912 motors all day long but I just don't like transmissions.  Hope to get started on the ‘53 shortly after Christmas. We will fit the engine bay upholstery (yep, the early cars had upholstered engine bays as sound insulation) then we reinstall the motor and interior. Next will be a ‘59 Cabriolet ,and a ‘59 Conv D...

Ken Daugherty