Let me Retract that… Can I set the stage for you? Those that know me know that I am a risk taker. But more than that – I am a bit of a romantic, about many things. When it comes to cars that need a restoration, my mind sees them more of a “damsel in distress” than a combination of bolts and metal panels. So it was that a few months ago, on Ebay, I saw a 1959 Ford Retractable in need of – well, love. The description of the car was very vague, probably intentionally. However the pictures looked good, as most do on Ebay. The owner inherited the car he said. What he did divulge – in all honesty, was that that she didn’t run, there were no brakes and the clever, but eternally problematic, retractable hardtop was not functioning. Darn it! Every Ford collector knows that a non-functioning retractable top is a major issue. There are no less than xx motors and xx servos that make this mid fifties marvel work. Frankly, I’m fairly certain that Ford itself had wished they hadn’t introduced such a complicated and troublesome contraption. Even when new, these tops tended to malfunction. The truly disturbing issue is that, if one servo or motor fails, the rest of the top simply ceases to operate. So buying a Ford Retractable, with a non-op top, is an exercise in courage or insanity. But hey, I did it. Of course – we installed a battery under the hood – pulled the switched marked “top” and, click …. nada. Just perfect, I thought. But it seemed that the switch was old and – perhaps, faulty. A quick search of Ebay revealed an NOS (new old stock) Fomoco 1959 Ford top switch. A bargain at $150 – if it worked and if that was truly the problem. If that was the only issue it would be nothing less than a miracle. Remember, this car hasn’t been started in 25 years. The switch arrived – we installed it (actually my 19 year old nephew Ryan installed it) and the rear deck lid sprung to life. Amazing. The two motorized screws that lock/unlock the trunk lid were operating, a very good sign. Ryan continued to manipulate the switch – on/off/on/off – and with a little tugging and pushing, the top that was the marvel of Ford in 1959 – and has amazed everyone since – worked flawlessly. I’ve attached a video of the top retracting after several minutes of messaging. Of course, you can see hear our excitement on the video and see my young nephews who were equally amazed at the entire apparatus. Remember, this top hasn’t been down in 25 years. Every once in a while, you take a chance and are rewarded immeasurably. To watch this top fold into the trunk - in person, and in the presence to my teenage nephews, was priceless. The morale of this long story? With no risk comes no reward. Or, if you prefer, ignorance is – sometimes, truly bliss. Enjoy Paul
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 13:00:01 +0000
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