Mabel has left the building (under her own power)

On March 20, 2019 Mabel roared to life. (Spring Equinox)  All systems go! Test on the blocks of engine tranny and running gear. 20 minutes of 2000 rpm to break in the cam.  The following day, after topping off the transmission, off the blocks she came and down the road she went. Maiden voyage of 14.6 miles. All round town, up and down a couple good hills.  Stopped at the gas station and topped her off with some good ethanol free gas. 

She went back out for another twenty miles of break in.  Took her home where she got a bath. Lights, turn signals, radio, gas gauge, temp gauge, speedometer, odometer, horn, you name it, it's working.  This car glides straight down the road beautifully. The ride is smooth and quiet.  It's got good rumble from the tailpipes but not obnoxious.

It felt really good to take her for a spin! She turned a few heads. Got a ways to go, but to have it running is a milestone a long time in coming.

Have a seat

I don't think the back seat in this car ever saw much use.  The upholstery is in great shape.  Just needed to be cleaned up.  The seat bottom flips forward and the back folds down for a very large flat deck.  It's about the size of a queen bed.  The wheel wells got insulated then carpeted and all the back end garnish molding has been installed. I picked up some nice rubber mat and glued it to the new plywood deck, and trimmed out the inside of the tailgate too.  The spare tire cavity under the deck was also insulated and carpeted.