But I do know the Continental Divide when I see it! Which there really isn’t much to see (especially in the dark) but it is a geographic location of importance and I’m kind of nerdy like that. It is so amazing the things to see and do on the road.

To borrow a line from the movie Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. The road trip is starting to get really interesting. The next stop, which was the first major tourist spot for us, was the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. If you are a history buff, I’d suggest a stop here. There is not much of the original structure left, but full of stories. Oh, don’t forget to see the basement!

I know I started this blog to tell of my adventures I’m taking through the restoration process on My ’55 Chevy Bel Air. But since Summer time is definitely here, and it is too hot for me to work outside,  I decided to hit the road in search of a different kind of adventure. The only way to see the U.S.A.!

First stop was Pensacola where this A4C Skyhawk was guarding the Florida border. Just on the other side (if you squint) you may be able to see Alabama.

The next 3 states were rather quick to roll through. Bet you’d never guess what state we stopped in next! It’s pretty cool how each state has some type of sculpture, statue, etc. to greet you at the border and let you know what state you are arriving in.

I’ve gotten a few emails in the past couple weeks asking why I haven’t posted. I feel I should give an explanation to the faithful readers who have been following this blog. If you have been counting the days until my next post (ha ha) thanks. Sorry I haven’t posted too much. Actually I have, I just haven’t publicly published them. To be honest,  for those who don’t live in the heat blasted parts of the country, I’ve been a bit lazy as it has been too damn hot for me! You know the old saying, “I couldn’t stand the heat, so I got out of the garage!”

Believe me, those that have been faithfully my posts and feeling a little deprived lately, I feel your pain. I can’t wait until the heat subsides so I can get back out there and continue working on My ’55 Chevy Bel Air. I think I am ready to tackle the re-wiring of the car, at least I was until it got too hot. But when it starts to cool off, I’ll be out there cranking out some work.

I encourage those who have not already, to subscribe to my RSS feed (see upper right hand corner of this page) to keep up with my posts when they continue.

Thanks again and stay COOL this Summer!

One more trip to get another pair of arm rests to replace the ones I got last week that were broken. When I got there, I told the owner what happened and he swapped out the broken ones for another pair, Cool! I was worried I would have to buy more. So the money  I saved on the arm rests went to original window cranks, wiper escutcheons, a wiper cable to replace the choke cable that the previous owners were using to operate the windshield wipers, the knob to go with the cable and a headlight switch since I am going to rewire the car it only makes sense to replace this switch (which is kind of touchy now anyway).

These should keep me busy for a little while now. Getting down to the rewiring part, but the temps are rising outside as well. I have a feeling the heat may win out…for now.

Today I installed the door latches on the inside. After polishing them up, it looks so much nicer inside. More original. I took apart and cleaned the arm rests too. These ones were so much dirtier than the last ones.

After cleaning the armrest bases and upon further inspection, I noticed that they were broken in an area that was crucial to the mounting of them. I will have to head back to the bone yard for another pair. It’s such a pain to have to drive long drives to get the parts I need,  but at least I’m saving serious money by doing this all myself!

I’ve already got he vinyl to cover them and the paint to paint the plastic bases so I’m good for now. This really is so much fun to do! I know I got this for a project car, but I can hardly wait until it is finished and I can cruise it all over.

It had been so long I almost forgot about the Hood Stop kit I ordered, but it finally showed up today. 

When I stripped and repainted my (ugh) pink grille, I decided to replace the old, rusty and worn out hood stops. I waited until I needed a few more parts (because to me, it makes no sense paying more for shipping than a part costs). I had ordered these a few weeks back with some other  small parts I needed, but the Hood Stop kits were on back order. No problem, when they come in, I’ll be first in line to get some. Well, they arrived, I installed them and now My ’55 Chevy Bel Air and I are happy. (probably me more than the car, ha ha)

Actually, I was just takin My ’55 Chevy Bel Air home from a weekly Cruise Nite when I pulled up to a stop light. A guy rolls up next to me in a Dodge Stealth and says “What year?” then gives me the thumbs up.

We pulled up to the next light together and a T-bird pulls up next to his Stealth. The Ford driver looks out his window and says to the guy in the Dodge Stealth, “Hey man, nice car!” To which the Dodge driver replied, “Thanks, but I really love that one there!” and points to my ’55 Chevy Bel Air.

Not bragging, but I got a chuckle (and a little feeling of pride) that the guy said that. It may not look like much now, but is sure is coming along.

Another trip to Craig’s for some more parts. I’m finally going to get two more armrests for the rear doors. While I was there, I picked up the original door latches for the inside. And while walking through the yard, I noticed a ’55 with a different looking battery box. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that someone had fabricated this box from stainless steel. I asked if it was for sale and sure enough, it was mine.

I’ve been putting off the rear arm rests for a while so I am excited about getting these finished. Also cleaning up the battery box and polishing it up. At least this one shouldn’t rust out.

OK, I heard about this really big swap meet in Webster. I always said I was going to go, but it was at least an hour from me. Well no more excuses. The swap meet closes down for July and August because of the heat, so today I decided to go before I would have to wait 3 more months.

Lots of people told me this place was the best because it was so huge. My first thought when I got there was “I drove all the way here for this?” But then I kept hearing since it was the last one for summer, not many showed up or even left early. What the heck, I drove here figured I’d make the best of it.

Didn’t really have anything specific in mind, just wanted to see what was out there. Then, I happened upon a place with some ’55 parts, Score!

I found some new relacement parts that I had been wanting for when the body and paint are complete. L/R side view mirrors and the tail light chrome. No pits, no scratches. I also ended up getting the original replacement wiper arms and blades. These I needed since I was driveing the ’55 more and even got caught in the rain once with the old blades.

Very cool, more things to work on now. Can’t wait!