The beginning of the restoration started today. I began with removing some very rusty nuts and bolts in an effort to remove the fenders and running boards. The right rear fender came off okay but it will take more work to complete the rest. The next step was to vacuum the interior and remove some of the old and rotted upholstery. This car has been a home for rats and mice for nearly 60 years. Thank goodness for the shop vac.

I heard a great story today. The photo above shows the front of the car looking down at the transmission. Henry Ford apparently had these transmissions built by an outside company that shipped them in carefully constructed wooden crates. On the assembly line, the transmission was hung by a chain that went through the crate. The crate was removed and saved, for after the transmission was installed its wooden crate became the floorboards – cut perfectly with holes for pedals, and access to the battery in back!!

You can see the front floor boards (transmission crate) above – stored temporarily in front of where the back seat goes. I will save these!!

You can see by the two pictures of the upholstery on the rear door where the mice had chewed through and then lived inside. I think this car will be pleased to be used by humans again!!