Barn Find 1951 Crotch Cooler!!!! ;)

[Lee.C]

A few of you will remember this post/thread from when I first moved over here here to norway:

http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,16494.0.html

Well I was cruzing around the WWW late late last night and I came accross some really cool pictures on the "Sech Volt" blog - They are from when the 1951 Crotch Cooler (my current summer ride) was first pulled from a barn after a 14 year sleep - I love the fact that I am actually driving a REAL barn find 

I know that a few of our Norwegian memebers "know" of this cool/99%complete/almost rust free/original bug, it has had a few updates/changes as you will be able to see (not by me!) I know the current interior is from the car known as "The Captin" and it does not have its original 25hp motor BUT as far as I know all the rest of the chassis/running gear/crash gearbox is original to the car!

The first pic is how she looks today 

[Lee.C]

In the barn 

[Lee.C]

Daylight 

[Lee.C]

The stuff dreams are made of 

[Lee.C]

The interior 

[Lee.C]

 

[Lee.C]

Here is the 30hp "Autotechnik Express" dual carb engine that was installed by "Kai" from the Sech Volt club when he owned the car - I had the pleasure of using this engine/set up for a while and it made for a perfect daily driver - The crash box still to a little getting used to though  

There is also a pic from when Kai had the engine dyno'd and it was putting out a MASSIVE 28hp AT THE WHEELS!  

Also you can see in the picture of the engine bay area where the original paint/colour, it was painted some in around 1977/8 on the outside only (not very well either!) there is still overspray on the front screen and other areas  I think the original colour is Azure Blue and the newer out side colour is 60's "Sea blue" 

Also not the "Oval" rear lights - it now runs the ORIGINAL correct items 

[OgCalLook]

Nice Score!!
That is a sweet car, congratulations.

[mg]

ditto, great find and thanks for sharing your story. very 

[Lee.C]

Thanks guys - It really is as good as it looks - For those of you on "Facebook" there are some other pic's on there, I will post them here when I get a chance 

The best part is the "deal" for the car inc:

- A complete/running 30hp engine (from an oval)
- An incomplete 30hp engine
- A 90% complete BARNDOOR 25hp engine (numbers confirm this!)
- A "Split" front/right fender, to replace the Oval item currently fitted
- And a few other bits'n'bobs 

Not bad huh 

[mg]

So what are you plans to return it to stock specs?
Does it have mechanical brakes? 

[Zach Gomulka]

Nice basis for proper cal looker, I'd say

[mg]

Nice basis for proper cal looker, I'd say

street rodders would say...
that ones ready for the torch. 
I'd leave it the way it is, a barn find. 

[Lee.C]

Na its a deluxe so its got "Juice brakes" but they are pretty weak 

And yes Zach you are totally right....... its PERFECT for a Cal Looker, One piece windows, No exhaust cut outs etc etc 

Yes it is a "Barn Find" but its been on the road/used for a couple of years now, Also it doesn't have its original engine or seats and it does need a little "Tidying" so I have to do "something" with it 

I know a lot of norwegians who will hate me if I Cal Look it but hey Fuck it! its MY car 

Sugestions please 

[Lee.C]

by the way one thing you can not see in the interior shots is it still has the little rubber covers for the "crotch cooler" levers 

I can't remember the the last time I saw a car with those (originals) intact! 

Here are a few more resent shots - notice the changes 

[Lee.C]

A couple more 

[Lee.C]

a couple more 

Just LOOK at the ends of the heater channels!!!!!!!!!!

[Lee.C]

 

[Lee.C]

If you look close enough you will notice an "Oil Change" sticker on the drivers door A pillar - This says some like.......

Kms: 13......kms
Date:6/79
etc etc etc

And the speedo/odometer now only shows just over 28,000kms 

[Lee.C]

Oh and those are "Accessory" covers OVER the original door/rear panels 

[Dave Rosique]

I think it would make a damn fine Baja Lee!

  Just kidding 

Nice car man, wish it were mine!

 

[Zach Gomulka]

Na its a deluxe so its got "Juice brakes" but they are pretty weak 

And yes Zach you are totally right....... its PERFECT for a Cal Looker, One piece windows, No exhaust cut outs etc etc 

Yes it is a "Barn Find" but its been on the road/used for a couple of years now, Also it doesn't have its original engine or seats and it does need a little "Tidying" so I have to do "something" with it 

I know a lot of norwegians who will hate me if I Cal Look it but hey Fuck it! its MY car 

Sugestions please 

Damn right it's your car. Who says you have to start with a rusty, beat up, late model to build a custom??? It's a solid foundation to do whatever you want with it. This isn't the last original split on earth, there's plenty of them out there, but there is only one Ed C's split, only one Mark B's split, and maybe only one Monkiboy's split, too. Have fun with it dude

[Lee.C]

Thankyou Dave and Zach - it is such a COOL car 

And trust me I have ALOT of ideas 

[Nico86]

Very nice find Lee 

[Lids]

Here are a few more resent shots - notice the changes 

Yeah the seats are dirtier!!!

[Lee.C]

 

Like I said it has been out of the barn for a few years now, I think it was even at SCC 2009 & a few other shows, And I have been using it as a "Daily Driver/Parts Chaser" all summer - Even with Crossply tires and crash box  


I also noticed you can see "overspray" on the horn behind the tiny horngrill in one pic, You can also see the original "Azure Blue" on the Rear lights, around the semaphores, on the Interior, under the bonnet/hood area and even on the rear inner fender area 

[So.Cal.Life]

Its just so SWEET!!!, you're a lucky man. 

[Fasterbrit]

I know a lot of norwegians who will hate me if I Cal Look it but hey Fuck it! its MY car 

Sugestions please 

Roof chop it and race it let the buffers try and catch you then... 

[Lee.C]

Oh it will get raced thats for sure  I think we all know that I am gonna "Give In" and Cal Look it, Its just such a good starting point!

I have mentioned before the interior (ie F&R seats,carpets set,mats) are not original to the car BUT are all original "split" parts from other norwegian cars, and it no longer has the correct 25hp motor  Then there is the poor outside paintjob, There are also 2 "Repairs" that have been carried out over the years but NO welding just Wood screws! there is a small plate behind the pedals ( approx 3" square) and a very wierd "roofing lead sheet" that has been screwed to the underside of the passenger side floorpan (approx 8" square" but if you look inside the car the pan is almost perfect  oh and the running board trim is incorrect for the car/year (ie not ribbed) 

One other cool thing is that it has a neat "Accessory/aftermarket" steering damper bolted to the original front beam

I just have to change a few of my plans now, most of the ideas/pars are "interchangeable" just have to work it all out in my mind 

[Fasterbrit]

As it's not a minter nor totally og, cal look the crap out of it. You know it makes sense. 
I am sure it will be better looked after by you compared to the previous owners. Ida's and spg that puppy pronto