thebear54
DAF Nut
Those who say it can't be done, should not interupt the people doing it !
Posts: 1,426
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Post by thebear54 on Oct 2, 2011 21:11:15 GMT
This should keep all (who are interested) informed on the happenings on this side of the Atlantic Ocean with the DAF CLUB of AMERICA as well as the DAF MUSEUM-USA. The DAF Museum now has 13 DAFs, a Ovlov 343 and a Kalmar. Shocking, isn't it?? Since the opening on 20 August a lot has been going on (not all good I'm afraid) but I keep moving forward. Currently we have a 1965 Daffodil 31, a 1962 Daffodil and a 1969 DAF Kalmar as current restoration projects. Here are some shots of the Kalmar, which I have named "POSTAL PETE"..... Photo was taken the morning he arrived at DAF Central (29 Sept.) from Ottawa, Canada. "Pete" was a gift to the Museum from a DAF enthusiast who wanted to see it restored. The Kalmar has a very low chassis number (50138) and is a type 4402-10 / KVD-440 which makes him a first generation. Overall "Pete" is in good shape with only a few body issues. Left rear corner. Right rear corner. Must have happened from backing up too fast to the docks. The only mechanical issue, so far, is the lack of an 850cc motor. Someone destroyed the original motor and began to convert it to electric drive. I soon resolved that issue by removing all the Electric crap... Luckily they never completed the conversion so it was easy. now I need to find a replacement 850 because this is all I have left of the motor. An empty lump! John
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thebear54
DAF Nut
Those who say it can't be done, should not interupt the people doing it !
Posts: 1,426
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Post by thebear54 on Oct 31, 2011 10:17:22 GMT
I had a chance this weekend to actually do some serious DAFfing. ;D ;D ;D ;D Work on "Postal Pete" has started! After putting him on my lift some of the really bad bits of bodywork were begun..... As you can see I was able to piece together all the loose bits on the rear end of "Pete". The plan is to place re-enforcing bars behind the lower edges before an attempt is made to add new Fiberglass. John
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Post by 33grinder on Oct 31, 2011 13:07:56 GMT
Good to have this thread on here John and makes sense to combine all of your threads into one. Keep up the good work with Postal Pete. I'm sure it's not quite as bad as it looks and sure as hell beats welding.
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thebear54
DAF Nut
Those who say it can't be done, should not interupt the people doing it !
Posts: 1,426
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Post by thebear54 on Nov 2, 2011 22:48:28 GMT
I think I would rather smell melting steel than hardening Fiberglass Pete. At least no worries about getting lightheaded when you weld.....LOL. Keeping that in mind I was able to open the Garage door today and (after adding a steel bar to the inside bottom edge) began the "stinky" process...... It actually went quite well considering I had not done any glassing in a long time. I was able to return some nice clean lines to the corner & Right panel. A few more coats of fiber & resin on the inside in order to build some strength...and then lots of sanding. John
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Post by 33grinder on Nov 3, 2011 8:35:37 GMT
Looking better already John.
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thebear54
DAF Nut
Those who say it can't be done, should not interupt the people doing it !
Posts: 1,426
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Post by thebear54 on Nov 7, 2011 12:09:16 GMT
Managed to get in a little DAFfing yesterday....(not enough to keep me satisfied though) Right Front Wing came off, after drilling out a few Pop-Rivets, for repairs. Why is it that the Right side has the most damage ?? Isn't that where the Driver sits and has the most visability ?? Simply beyond rhyme or reason. I also managed to think through on how to remove the huge sliding doors and support rails... LOL Quite an ingenious system. The right rear panels are also back in condition now after three layers of "glass". Now all that remains is the inside to complete the repairs here. Of course, with only yesterday to work the shop was left in a big mess...oh well, cleanup will have to wait for another day. John
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thebear54
DAF Nut
Those who say it can't be done, should not interupt the people doing it !
Posts: 1,426
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Post by thebear54 on Nov 12, 2011 22:44:14 GMT
Well, my suspicions were confirmed today.... After speaking with my friend, & Kalmar expert, Sverker in Stockholm today "Postal Pete" is a 1969 Type 1 Kalmar. He rolled of the assembly line on 14 January, 1969 in Kalmar, Sweden and was the 138th unit built. Sverker told me that my Kalmar is one of the very lowest surviving production numbers he had heard of...That made me VERY happy indeed. ;D ;D Saving this rare beast is a must and non original parts are no longer an option. He will be done correctly, IF those original parts are available. I know I will have to reproduce the rear Fiberglass Bumper...I have the front one so this will be easy. Sverker told me that not many of those original ones survived. The Emblems and Logos are another story...not available anywhere so my graphic designer will be making those up. I'll have to see if anyone in Holland has a replacement windscreen since mine has a severe case of fogging on the bottom edge. Today I worked on the front wing a bit... Filling all the holes, cracks and adding some replacement sections for missing bits. John
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Post by 33grinder on Nov 13, 2011 10:57:30 GMT
What a great result John. Makes all that sanding - and dust - really worthwhile. We'll do what we can to help with parts if anything required is the same as the 44.
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thebear54
DAF Nut
Those who say it can't be done, should not interupt the people doing it !
Posts: 1,426
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Post by thebear54 on Nov 13, 2011 11:40:42 GMT
Thanks Pete. All the mechanicals are from a DAF 44, most of which I have under control (this second). The steering wheel along with the ignition lock/keys will be a great help for right now. Since "PETE" is now stranded on the lift (due to locked Steering wheel) the quicker I can replace those two parts the better off I will be and at least I can roll it outside for work when needed. Yesterday I was able to remove the Left front wing as well. This one is worse than the other one...OMG! I'll be repairing that one for a while. John
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thebear54
DAF Nut
Those who say it can't be done, should not interupt the people doing it !
Posts: 1,426
|
Post by thebear54 on Nov 14, 2011 22:51:06 GMT
The Left Front wing in question... ...a shattered mess. There will be plenty of work, inside & out, to repair this bit. Today (sunshine and 64 degrees) I had a free day to play with "Pete" again and open the Garage door so I would not pass out from the Fiberglass resin fumes. I was finally able to remove the heavy Back Door but I had to drill out the hinge screws. The lower on the Left is now also closed in, now it is a matter of bringing back the original shape of that corner. John
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