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WHEN THE MASTER, (DARYL IN CENTRE PHOTO) GETS FINISHED, THIS DOG WILL BECOME A PUREBRED ANIMAL, READY TO TAKE ON THE BEST OF SHOW.

While the cab is in the paint shop, the chassis will be outfitted with the necessary equipment, and accessories.

I went to have a look at the truck yesterday (Tuesday) and Daryl had just lead wiped the front left hand side (passenger's side over here) headlight housing and front of the mudguard. He completely filled the join between them with lead, filed them off so that both faces were in exact alignment and then taped down over the join line, ran a hack saw blade down the tape line to create a cut line and then separated them again with an angle grinder. He explained to me that this way the two sides of the join will be an exact match with a perfectly straight join between them. He really is making sure that the lines are going to look terrific. I took a couple of photos but they don't show a great deal more, except that the driver's side guard and headlight housing are ready to take the spray putty, and then ready for final fairing and paint. He hopes to have the passenger side guard finished to the same stage by late tomorrow and then they are going to strip all the panels off and the chassis will probably come home on Friday. The progress is going well and we are very hopeful that the old girl will be on the road by Christmas.

We built the exhaust pipe last week (the bit that comes off the turbo, across the engine and down the side of the engine). This is a major modification to the exhaust system since someone put the turbo charger on in the deep dark distant past. When I get the chassis home I will check it for fit and then polish it to mirror. I've also got one of the boys at the workshop making a new engine breather from stainless and a new base for the air cleaner (the old one was rusted beyond fixing). We are going to polish the base and then chrome the retaining bracket that holds the canister to the cabin, the canister itself will be painted.

In the early days of the project Diane decided that the truck would be painted some sort of maroon colour which will probably still be the case. But because she has changed her mind (a woman's prerogative) on the exact colour several times, we now have the air start tank painted one colour and the fuel tanks and spiders are another. Neither of these two colours are correct because she now doesn't like them so they all have to be re-prepared for the correct colour whatever that may end up being. She has now decided that a colour that she saw on a Western Star is going to be the one. We'll see!!!!

Her anxiety is certainly expected to be growing during this waiting period, for the painting on the "B" Model has yet to be completed. In the meantime Diane concentrates, getting on with her first priority, her regular job.

In the background, things are starting to move again. The fuel tanks and the air start receiver are painted. Next, they can install the fuel tanks on the chassis before the cabin, as this will be a lot easier without the cab in the way.

A few more bits have to go to chrome plating this week, and that should tidy up all of the new chrome work that has to be done.

The way things are going all of the body panels will be re-assembled on to the chassis in the very near future. They are still waiting for the new shutter system from Neil Owen at Mack.

It seems that Mack in the States won't send a container until it is full (sensible I suppose) but it is getting to the stage that they will need it to get the front end all done. With the timing the way it is, it just may have to be flown in.

Fuel & air receiver all painted & attached to chassis. Looks smashing. Cab will be painted tomorrow, Tuesday, & then air & electrics. Can't wait. Do you like the colour? It's a Chrysler colour called PROWLER PURPLE. Very snazzy.

The doors are finished, and ready to be mounted on the cab. In the meantime, Terry has been busy creating parking lights for the "B" Model, just to keep busy. Every day now is a day closer to completion.

The Bride (Cab/Cabin) decked out in all the splendour of a beautiful new paint, and accessorized in chrome and lights. The groom (Chassis) is anxious to be joined to the cabin as one. He can then carry her off on his strong chassis into the sunset, to cruise and show forever. Who knows, the Old Bulldog may even have pups someday.