I found a cheap set of original hubcaps on ebay which I am currently in the process of cleaning/re-painting, although the chrome finish on one of them is at the point where a replacement is most likely going to be necessary. Reproductions of these are available in the Dearborn catalog but I’m hesitant to buy anything nice until I see how well these things actually stay on my wheels. Back in high school I would launch these things off the wheels with astounding regularity. I actually saw one go sailing off while heading down the 60 freeway, but recovery proved impossible without playing human Frogger across 4 lanes of traffic. That thing was gone.
Low beam headlights are replaced along with one of the split retaining rings and the brake lights are once again functional. The gas gauge is working perfectly for the first time in the 18 years I’ve owned the car. I can’t express the peace of mind one has not having to obsessively track odometer readings or use my butt to nudge a 3,677 lb vehicle in order to determine if the sloshing noise I hear is indicative of sufficient gasoline to get me to my next destination.
At this point most of the things remaining to be done are cosmetic. SMS Auto Fabrics sells the interior vinyl by the yard that I need to repair the front bench seat and I will be looking into that shortly. I still need to locate a dash cap replacement but that is proving to be difficult as reproductions are not currently being made. There is no shortage of dash cap covers being made, but not only do I not like how these look but they require a decent dash cap underneath in order to be properly installed.
The original trim is almost complete as well. After looking at a picture of the car back in high school I realized I am missing the hood lip trim, but I have found a couple of people with some decent quality replacements. If I can get a hold of that then I am down to missing one rear passenger wheel well moulding and a single die cast letter L for the quarter panel. I was also able to buy the original hood ornament which makes me inexpressibly happy as for a long time that has been the hardest thing to find in decent shape. The one I bought I was able to get for only $30 dollars shipped and is practically flawless.
