As a youngster, I was rather mischievous. After some of the adventures my brother and I embarked upon it is hard to believe my sister ever came to be a few years after. We were the types that would make a round peg fit into a square hole. . . or try to fit any available object into any inappropriate opening. Potatoes in the toilet, car keys down the vehicle's gas filler pipe, rabbit ears antenna into the electrical socket. . . it is a wonder we are even alive today (from our parent's hand and/or our own!).
With nephews running around I thought it a good idea to use my life experiences for some preventative maintenance. The lack of a hard top gives the 40 a nice open feel, but leaves the B pillar holes temptingly wide open.
I am going back and forth between making a simple cover plate or something more questionable. . . like a upholstered/padded cover that also acts as an elbow rest. The latter idea may not look right in the end, but I thought Id start the process anyway.
Cut out a piece of card stock to use as a rough template:
Then cut a base out of yellow pine(?) leftover from the old bank barn overhaul.
The base will be secured on the bottom/inside of the post opening. The idea is to put a layer of foam atop the wood and then cover in the same black material used on the seats.
Sitting in the driver's seat confirms the location is appropriate for resting the left elbow (when cruising with the right hand on the wheel). There is a lot more work to do, plus I need to convince the Amish seat man to take on the upholstering process. It may or may not look right in the end, but as of now I think it helps the transition between the door and tub.
And that's all. Minor update. The Massey is all back together and ready for a test drive -- winter has had its way and Ive been hibernating more indoors than usual. I did take advantage of the indoor time to teardown and refurbish one of my pinball machines. . . just in case you were thinking I was sitting on the couch eating bon bons.