Builds "WY-REE-KA" A Ground Up 45LPB Restoration

[whitey45]

I don’t know of a better factory correct lpb resto, and I’ve been around these for 25 years. With that license plate, maybe it should come back to California! Would love to drive this just to feel what it was like to leave the dealer parking lot!

 

[Bear]

Sterling, JP ! Gonna be way too nice to even test drive going down the road.

Did you use paint or powdercoat on the jack and handles?
Did you recast the clear plastic license plate lens?

Really setting the bar very high.

 

[wngrog]

I’ve never seen such

 

[jfz80]

Stellar work JP. Cant wait to see this one in person. So you have an enclosed trailer For this beauty?

View attachment 1784401

I’ve never seen such

Was just looking at the very same thing. Have seen the clamp on the hose but never the spring.

 

[middlecalf]

Yeah, JP’s just showing off now. Give his rig another 40 years, those springs will be gone by then.

But I imagine he has a couple of extras just in case.

 

[wngrog]

Which brings up the question.

If you had the energy to do this again after this one sells how much of this brilliant NOS stuff do you have left?

 

[cppilot]

Breathtaking is a true understatement for the attention to detail on this endeavor JP. I really want to see this in person. Pictures are great but nothing like seeing it in person I'm sure..

I also used those late model rubber tailgate stops. Here's a photo of how I made them to match the early ones. A little work on the band saw and some sanding and they a match..

Great job!!! JP

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

I don’t know of a better factory correct lpb resto, and I’ve been around these for 25 years. With that license plate, maybe it should come back to California! Would love to drive this just to feel what it was like to leave the dealer parking lot!

Thanks Whitey!

Sterling, JP ! Gonna be way too nice to even test drive going down the road.

Did you use paint or powdercoat on the jack and handles?
Did you recast the clear plastic license plate lens?

Really setting the bar very high.

Thanks Bear! Trust me I’m scared to death to drive this thing on the road don’t think I could handle a rock chip or scratch at this point.

I painted the jack and rods with an enamel my paint shop color matched for me. The lense is original and surprisingly in flawless shape. Of the 4 LPBs I’ve had this is the only one that still had the lense.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Stellar work JP. Cant wait to see this one in person. So you have an enclosed trailer For this beauty?


Was just looking at the very same thing. Have seen the clamp on the hose but never the spring.

Thanks Jason! Yes have an enclosed trailer now... no way I’d expose this beauty to road debris.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Which brings up the question.

If you had the energy to do this again after this one sells how much of this brilliant NOS stuff do you have left?

Trust me I can’t wait to get going on my SWB R/T, I had a blast doing this....beats the heck out my old desk job and don’t worry I’ve got plenty of NOS goodies for a couple more builds

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

View attachment 1784492


Breathtaking is a true understatement for the attention to detail on this endeavor JP. I really want to see this in person. Pictures are great but nothing like seeing it in person I'm sure..

I also used those late model rubber tailgate stops. Here's a photo of how I made them to match the early ones. A little work on the band saw and some sanding and they a match..

Great job!!! JP

Thanks for the kind words Mark you’ve done your share or amazing 45 restos as well. Great detail on the bump stops!

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Took the old girl out for a photo shoot early this morning but unfortunately found out my favorite old train depot that I use for my back drop has now been closed to the public. That sent me scrambling to find another place downtown to take the photos. Finding a place big enough to park my truck and trailer was a challenge but in the end I found the local museum which was closed and had plenty of parking. Sadly by the time I found the museum and unload the 45 I had missed the best light for taking photos so these are far from my best work but they do give you a decent feel for the old girl.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/83vqjvX6rCL3CuNk8

Couple random shots from the link above

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Few more

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

That’s it for now. Have some tinkering this week to do this week in order to get everything dialed in. Also going to put it up on a lift and get some good underside pictures but this old girl is pretty much wrapped up. Thanks to everyone who followed along with the build, hope y’all enjoyed it as much as I did!

 

[wngrog]

Measurements ......

 

[KT40]

Looks Awesome JP! I can say someday but that is a long time out for me. Love the attention to detail.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Measurements ......

Sorry about that. From center of the axle to the bottom edge of the fenders I have...

Front: 19.25”
Rear: 18.5”

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Looks Awesome JP! I can say someday buy that is a long time out for me. Love the attention to detail.

Thanks! I never thought I’d have the time to do something like this myself with two young kids and a full time job but for better or worse life afforded me the opportunity. I think I’ve got to be pushing 2000 hours in it over the last 10 months. I’m hoping I can keep going so I can do my SWB and LV before I have to rejoin the real world

 

[middlecalf]

Look forward to when the wheel wells are packed with mud...

 

[Michael B]

Absolutely beautiful work JP!

What will you do with it now? Concourse De Elegance'?