Measure Notch 8x3 to Centerline June 2006
Bulkhead Mod. Jack’s January 2006
newsletter article on Cutting the Bubble Loose inspired me to
action. Phyllis has endured the pain of
riding beside me for the last five years.
The bolted Recaro seat give her ample legroom but it doesn’t have enough
room to allow the use of the backrest’s adjustable rake because of the bubble. This very upright position causes an
extremely uncomfortable ride with the tightly sprung setting I use on my
springs.
Some have notched the seatbacks for more legroom
than DeTomaso provided while some have gone to a flat bulkhead design. I decided a notched steel door for the
needed space in the passenger compartment was best for me. What follows is how I modified to my ’73.
Begin by doing a trial fit to establish the amount
of depth you wish. Remember don’t get
greedy here. I needed only 1½
inches. Remove the bulkhead cover and
the steel door as outlined in Jack’s article.
Mark the area of the notch you wish on the steel door. Be sure to locate the centerline of the
alternator on the door too. Imagine the
creases needed for the notch then mark these as well for reference. These, for me, translate to 8” down from the
top corner for the centerline, 3” high from the base as a horizontal plane when
the door is on the ground, and a 5” arc to the apex.
It is extremely important to test fit the alternator
position many times. Measure the
intrusion of the alternator blades and its pulley. The curvature here must begin over the blades and extend over the
pulley. The lower section along with
the belt need not be measured because no alterations are made in these areas.
The sound insulation is cut and a putty knife makes
its removal easy. Mark the cut lines by
transferring them from the padding.
Mine was adjusted to 1¾” depth.
Relief cuts ease the hammer work to form the notch. Tack weld then test fit to make sure you
have the clearance you seek. Run the
engine with the door in place to make certain nothing touches it. Complete the welding, paint and retest the
fit. Glue the padding back and test
again.
Next the leatherette is carefully lifted from both
the fiberglass bubble and the flat panels flanking it by removing the metal
strip and the staples holding the upholstery.
Cut only the area of the bubble itself.
Keep the flat piece on the bottom to hold the fiberglass cover tightly
behind the console (optional). Save the
bubble for a salad bowl or just discard it.
The purist can cut and reform it to follow the notched door but it
reduces the amount of space saved by at least ½”. Reposition the metal stay strips and glue back the flat side
panels. Bolt the steel door then place
upholstery batting on it. Mount the
modified fiberglass cover in the car.
Check to be sure that no batting shows.
An additional inch is available by moving the alternator back as outlined in Jack’s article but I made my modification on the lowest possible buck method. (I once took a Cost Accounting class years ago.) Forego the door pad to gain another 5/8” if needed.
Results are I gained about 2 inches for the
seatback, but, more importantly, a happy wife.
Note that it looks normal but it is very lightly padded and gives in easily
when touched…the bulkhead cover, not my wife.
Midway Aircraft Carrier on June 17th
is the destination for our drive to San Diego.
Check out the military jets by leaving Donut Derelicts (Adams &
Magnolia) 7am. Rick Flores & Dave Rudderow will lead the group.
TPOC
Swap Meet is for all POCA members. Bring your parts to Precision Proformance, 320 N Palm, Brea on
June 24th. Don & Bobby Byars will
host the day. We often get visitors
from both Northern California as well as that popular group to the south, San
Diego. Here is your chance to clean out
the garage and exchange or purchase the part that will get your car on the road
again. You never know what treasures
will be there.
Concurs d”Dragon on July 15th is a TPOC event to benefit our fury friends. The fully deductible $50 donation grants you and your passenger to enter your car, party, eligibility for an award and much more. $10 Party Beasts may drive in the run and have the rights of a Party Animal. $10 Party Animals join the After Party, silent auction, drawings, entertainment and surprises. Contact Carol Ann Michelle or signup at www.RunnningOfTheBeasts.org.
TPOC’s Christmas Party will be very special with a new upscale site at Mesa
Verdi Country Club that promises to be even more fun than last year. The dress code demands no denim clothing and
appropriate dress. Special parking will
be reserved for 30 deTomaso cars. Why
not wander among these cats while holding that favorite drink in your
hand? Chat with about 75 of your
closest friends from throughout California.
Contact Gayle Huff or Bob Singer for more info.
Pasadena Police Department classic car show, 1905 to 1974, will have
live music and food booths, 50/50 and other raffles, and be located in front of
Paseo Colorado, a retail/ commercial/ residential complex built by Steven
Spielberg and in close proximity to Old Town on June 18. If we are
interested, they will set us up as a club. Contact Rob D'Orazio, Foothill
Panteras 626-795-0915 to signup so he may know if there is an interest in this event. $20.00
gets you in the show as well as a t-shirt, but sorry, they won’t allow “for
sale” signs or your low-rider. There will be trophies based on entrant
judging, people’s choice, etc.
Reminders: from rkunishige@hotmail.com
? Car Museum Rick Flores hosting.
Jun
11 Long Beach Swap
at Memorial Stadium.
Jun
14 TPOC Mtg 7PM
Mimi’s 18461 Brookhurst & Ellis FV. Bring your
stories.
Jun 15-17 ORR La Carrera Road Race,
Ensenada, Mexico Contact Dennis Antenucci 626-796-3800 Ext 116.
Jun 17 TPOC run to Midway Carrier in San Deigo with Rick Flores 714
953-5948. Let’s see a bit of history.
Jun 18 Pasadena Police Department classic car show $20.00 gets you in. Contact Rob D'Orazio 626-795-0915.
Jun 24 TPOC Swap Meet
for all POCA members
at Precision Proformance320 N Palm, Brea host by the Byars.
Jul 9 Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.
Jul 12 TPOC Mtg 7PM
Mimi’s 18461 Brookhurst & Ellis FV. Bring your
associate.
Jul 15 Concurs d’Dragon 9:30 Crystal Cove to Santa Fe
Springs thru HB hosted by Dragon Foundation PO Box 881202, LA, CA 90009 www.RunnningOfTheBeasts.org.
Jul 30 Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.
Aug 13 Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.
Aug 18-19 Concorso Italiano & PI’s Laguna Seca
Historics sign up early.
Aug 26 TPOC BBQ
Ron & Gayle Huff. Did I hear, “Ice
Cream Bar”?
Sep 10 Belmont Shore Show is a $25 must for Panteras each year. Register by
9/3 call 562 946-9800.
Sep 10 Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.
Sep 14-17 ORR Silver Road Race, Ely, Nevada. Contact
Dennis Antenucci 626-796-3800 Ext 116.
Sep
17 Long Beach Swap at
Memorial Stadium.
Oct 6-8? Wine Run Paul Westberg 714-508-1780
directs this weekend
of sensual delights. Reports from last year promise a memorable event. Tour Santa Ynes Valley then up to San Luis
Obispo.
Oct
8 Long Beach Swap
at Memorial Stadium.
Nov 4-5 Willow
Springs Open Track featuring Panteras and Ferraris---Jim Saxton 626
285-2024. This TPOC event is on the
fastest track in the West. It is often
seen on Speed TV for car testing. Why
not test your ride where the pros test?
This event is for pro and novice alike classed in 4 groups.
Nov
12 Long Beach Swap at
Memorial Stadium.
Nov
26 Long Beach Swap at
Memorial Stadium.
Dec 3 TPOC Christmas Party RSVP to Dave Rudderow or Bob
Singer to join this SoCal chapters yearly event.
Dec
10 Long Beach Swap at
Memorial Stadium.
Mar Willow Springs Open Track
sponsored by Jim Saxton 626 285-2024.
Apr 25-29 POCA Las Vegas Fun Rally
Phyllis still holds the badges for Ken and Joan Carr. Claim them (the badges) at any meeting. Let me know if you would like a badge of your own. They are once in a lifetime units.
Write an article of your own and submit it to Mike Drew, Jack Deryke, or Dave Adler.
Please send any changes
to Judy McCartney at jpoca2@hotmail.com ‘cause we’re considering sending a TPOC
roster to you. Check your phone
numbers, email address and most importantly your associate’s name. Oops, it’s not normally listed but we do
want it for our database anyway. Then tell us what info you’d like to
include or exclude in the roster to all our chapter members. I’m considering placing all the info into a
TPOC directory for you.
Missing members are those that did not attend the last meeting at Mimi’s. Of the 94 TPOC members, only 15 were there to help direct the club’s activities. Please consider marking your calendar for at least one meeting this year.