More Little Things

Winter’s return and two shop-warming tanks of propane later, I’ve accomplished a few things, but not much visual progress.
I’ve shifted some of my focus to getting all the connecting parts for the radio/GPS/camera installed. I bought a camera from Car Toys that had the cables included, and now have them routed.  I’ll be anxious to see if the inexpensive backup camera works, but that will have to wait until I continuity-test all the wiring. This camera is designed to be installed through a ¾” diameter hole in the tail panel. I would have liked a better-quality camera, but they all mounted on the license plate frame.

I also bought a radio antenna to modify and try out with a homemade mount for the top of the tailfin. If it works and looks okay, I’ll get a second one to use as a dummy on the other side. I don’t know why I want to mess with dual antennas, but it somehow seems more correct for this car. Maybe I’ll change my mind if the homemade mount is too difficult to cast. It’s one of the features I’d like to have, but I’m not going to go overboard and waste time like I did trying make the pushbutton shifter work.

I couldn’t find any fin-mount NOS antennas online, and the last ones I saw must have been gold plated as they were well out of my price range. To make the generic antenna fit, I’ll have to make a mold of the fin and then cast a new base from resin, but that project will have to wait for warmer weather.
Most of yesterday was spent installing the Bouchillon throttle linkage, and I discovered that it will require a modification of the suspended accelerator pedal mount. Because of the curvature of the firewall at the exact point the cable has to enter, the cable would be tilted and subject to excessive wear, so I’ll have to come up with a bracket to hold the cable perpendicular to the cable angle. Yet another unexpected opportunity!

I decided to place the USB port inside the ash tray instead of the glove box as originally intended, since it won’t be needed for the intended purpose. 

The glove box redesign is also complete and fit-checks okay. It won’t be installed until the electrical circuits behind the dash are tested.