9/14/09 Hay Days and Seat Covers Chat

[Go Go Diablo]

Hi all,

Spent Saturday getting beaten down by the hot weather in Minnesota at Hay Days in Lino Lakes. I'd guess that if you walked every isle of Hay Day's Swap Meet, you would walk over 10 miles. There were over 35 isles of everything you could imagine. However, not much for vintage parts unfortunately. On a good note, I was able to pick up an ATV at an excellent price that will give me the parts to fix my broken ATV. Ya Hoo - That was worth the trip alone.

On the way to Hay Days, I picked up a 502 Diablo from someone who had started a restoration but lost interest. I left there with a trunk full of parts and the large pieces strapped to the trailer. At Hay Days, I caught up with Mike from McFarland where he took a 500 Diablo off my hands to restore later this year. If you have seen Mike's 503 he restored a couple years back, you will know what I mean in saying that I'm anxious to see the 500 restoration. Mike does an outstanding job.

Speaking of 500's, I'm working with a local Diablo owner to make some components to stiffen up a 500 chassis prior to restoration. After my 500 restoration last year, I ended up with a great looking sled, but still wished it was a little more hearty. During another 500 restoration this year, I measured the pieces needed to reinforce the chassis like the 502 / 503 chassis are reinforced. When I get the pieces on, I'll share some pictures. My first impressions are that every 500 chassis should be reinforced prior to painting and these pieces will fit the bill.

On other good news, we finally got in the heat pleated seat panels from Oregon. After months of working with this company, the panels showed up today and they look perfect. Now the pieces need to go to the upohlsterer. If you are looking for a seat cover this year, please keep these great reproductions in mind as we go through all the effort and investment to support your restoration.

Thanks all,

Bruce