Well, after about two years of mechanical, body and paint work I finally
got my series V back on the road. When I bought it, this car had been
sitting in a carport for 10 years after a small fire from fuel leakage had
sidelined it. What's amazing is that I had never done any mechanical,
hydraulics, body or paint work! I really did underestimate what it would
take to get it going again. But I just took my time and worked on one
problem at a time reading the manuals over and over. It's also surprising
how many people surface who used to own one and had tons of advice for
fixing it. Sunbeam Specialties was especially helpful. I was amazed to find
they even existed. It was somewhat inconceivable that a business could
support itself on selling parts for a car that only had a worldwide run of
70,000 + tigers production. But I'm beginning to understand. The Sunbeam
feeling really gets in your blood. And there are many many parts missing or
in need of replacement. I had owned a series V back in 1969-72 and the
feeling just resurfaced as I longed for the good old days.
I still have lots of parts, rag top and interior to replace and clean up
work on the paint job but last week I passed my smog test (kind of like
graduation) and now plan to drive it to work (24 miles each way) at least
once a week and weekends. It does take some getting used to again seeing
truck tires roll past in the next lane that are taller than my head...and
remembering to not leave things loose in the car. Several things have blown
away while driving.
..next major project...I have a series II waiting form me to replace the
engine from a parts car...(as soon as I figure out how to lift the old one
out and move the replacment in)
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