What have I been up to? Not too much, at home with the children who are off school for another week.
On the automotive front the Seville is not back from the shop as the only pair of lower ball joints in Canada had to come from Quebec, really is 1985 that old?
While the Lincoln waits patiently for a new LH exhaust manifold gasket I took the time to catch up on a couple of mini projects, fixed and reinstalled the correct factory aluminum licence plate frames, made a custom surround for the aftermarket stereo (even added a chrome stereo button from an original 72 Ford Philco radio to give it a more vintage factory look. Set of vintage experimental GE halogen high beams.
Also installed a rare dealer plate from Kumpf Lincoln Mercury in Colorado (no longer exists) where Elvis bought a similar 1976 Mark IV:
Elvis often played shows in Denver, Colorado where he formed a close relationship with Jerry Kennedy, captain of the Denver Police Vice and Drug Control Bureau. Captain Kennedy was in charge of security for Elvis when he appeared in Denver. On January 14, 1976 while on vacation in Vail, Elvis visited the Kumpf Lincoln Mercury Dealership at 9th Avenue and Broadway in Denver. There he purchased a 1976 Lincoln Mark IV for $13,386.69 which he gave to Kennedy.
The actual car can be seen at the Tupelo Auto Museum, http://www.tupeloautomuseum.com/elvis.php
I met one of the museum owners at the first ever Stutz meet in Memphis in 2005 and even considered buying their Stutz before I acquired my 71.
One above freezing day I also tuned up the 460 adjusting timing, idle speed and air fuel mixture.
On Thursday the children and I accompanied my father and step mother to the pantomime at the historic Elgin theatre in Toronto. Hope you like the outfit, worried it was too short but not worried enough to change.
New Yeas Eve spent eating junk food and watching movies with the children, time to get back on the treadmill after too many helping of turkey and too many chocolates.
Yesterday was the coldest we have had in Southern Ontario this season at -14 (felt like -26 with the wind chill). Also the first day this season I plugged in the Lincoln. For you in warmer climates that means plugging in the block heater, which is like a kettle element that fits into one of the engines freeze plugs and warms the coolant and by proximity the oil so the darn car will actually start.
In Northern Ontario it is common for truck drivers to leave the trucks running over night as it would be almost impossible to start again in the morning. I spent some time at Laurentian University in Sudbury (about a five hour drive north of Toronto). Temperatures of -40 were common, what did I drive in that extreme environment…an Austin Marina!
Felt like a slob (with grease under my nails) the last few days at home so dressed up today for my electrolysis session today, grey dress, black fur coat and black gloves.
Very elegant if I so so myself.
Keep warm everyone,
April
