This model was in very poor condition. It is important to remember here that all of the Shuklis models were stored in a crawl space below the Shuklis home, there exposed to heavy moisture, insects, dirt and other debris. This history meant that this model, like the rest, needed a thorough cleaning.
Repairs: The entire model was disassembled. The body was rinsed in clear water, then washed with a mild liquid solvent.
Paint: Once cleaned, he paint was polished using a bit of auto wax which removed even a nasty stain on the cowl. All of the old glue was removed by using Glue Zapper, and all of the parts were hand cleaned. A cosmetic brush and compressed air were used to clean the dirt from recessed corners.
Parts Replaced: A new windshield was made. The taillights were replaced with a unit from the AMT ’57 Ford kit. Tim scoured the Nation for the missing tape stripes: he contacted Cody Grayland, Big John Pattison, Russell Cook and Mark Gustavson to see if they could find any. Even a trip to Los Angeles failed to turn up the tape. Finally, a local art store in St. Johns, AZ ordered a close replacement for the original items.
Comments: When he first opened up the box, Tim was deeply impressed with the history he held in his hands. He wanted to preserve the maximum degree of originality, so he saved as many parts as possible though resisting the urge to re-do parts of the model was difficult.