Lg man with a mission’
uto buff rejuvenates old coupe
nearly two years, hundreds of hours of work, and
tbacks, things are in the final stage for Mark Gribble <
rebuilt '37 Chev coupe. Gribble has literally replaced every
ynda Roberson
t Print
ItGribble is a young man with a defi-
ission. After two years of hard and
ling work, Gribble is about to com-
fe total rejuvenation of a 1937 Chev-
upe.
[bought the body of the car during
[vacation of 1976," Gribble said. "A
Brian Snook, found the car body,
ingthat I was interested in rebuilding
ncarfrom start to finish. So I bought
dy for $200. The body was in good
although it had no wheels and the
wswere broken out."
ringing that car body home started a
reaction of events that were disgusting
b , but still turned out to be a lot of
[Myfriends were willing to help me on
project, so a lot of team work and
effort was put into that car," Gribble
iist of all, the car had to be thor-
Jysanded, so I had a big sanding party
|llmy friends came and brought their
panders. Then there was the business
Photo by Brian Snook
bolt and nut from top to bottom in attempting to bring the vehicle
back to life. Completion is set for the end of winter term.
been accomplished through the labor of
of getting a motor. I bought a rebuilt motor
from the auto mechanic shop at Oregon City friendship.
"It would be a fair estimate to say that I
High $chool," Gribble said. "However, after
putting the engine in the car, I had to re have spent around $1,500 on the car at this
build it two more times before it ran fast point. I expect the car to be worth $3,200
to $3,600 when it is completed though.
and smooth enough. The first time was here
at the college in auto mechanics, and the I was offered a car worth $2,300 in exchange
second time I rebuilt it was last summer at for my little Chevrolet quite a while ago,
but no deal!" he said.
home."
After a few minor adjustments and a new
The reason Gribble had to rebuild the
engine a third time was because he had put paint job, the car will be ready to drive
a tri-power carburetor in it which turned out full time. However, Gribble doesn't think
to be too much power. "It caught on fire. that he will start driving it until spring term
Now I think most of the kinks are out and when the weather will be nice.
the engine is in great shape," Gribble said.
"This will be one of the sharpest cars in
"So far, my friends and I have sanded the
Oregon City," Gribble said.
body down to metal, put on primer, a new
One interesting twist to Gribble's experi
engine, rear end, custom drive line, new ences in rebuilding this car is that he switched
brakes, wide mag wheels, dual exhaust and a
his major from auto mechanics to engineer
new radiater, so that the only part original
ing.
is the body," Gribble said.
"I discovered that I like working on cars
Chris Kaser, a student here at the college for the fun of it, but I don't think that I
is re-upholstering the car seat in his upholster would enjoy it as a career," he said.
However,* Gribble thinks that he would
ing class, according to Gribble.
Because of the volunteer services of
Gribble's friends, his expenses have been kept
to a minimum. Gribble did have to pay to
have the car rewired, but everything else has
Turkey Trot road run planned
gers of all ages are invited to compete
pfirstannual cross-country Turkey Trot
Med by local community schools Nov.
1 p.m.. Meldrum Bar Park, on River
Jin Gladstone.
eldrum is the Gladstone counterpart
pckamette Park, where the Willamette
/meets the Clackamas River.
p Turkey Trot first-place winners in
[offive age divisions will receive Thanks-
pl turkeys. Second-placers get chickens
¡Ihird-comers get eggs.
The cross-country event is open to anyone
over age 18. The youngest category will
jog six miles, and the 61-and-over group will
do two miles, and the other three groups will
each run a specified distance.
The race is sponsored by Tri-City Com
munity Schools and the one dollar entry fee
may be pre-paid at community school offices
at Gladstone, on Portland Ave.; at Oregon
City High School; or at the West Linn School
District offices.
Official Turkey Trot T-shirts will be on
sale for $2.50.
probably begin a similar project in another
10 or 12 years.
"My folks will be glad to see this job
finished as there has been lots of activity at
my house since I started work on the car.
My Dad has really become interested though
and has expressed a desire to rebuild a car
for himself," he said.
Gribble plans to drive the car for awhile
and at this time cannot even consider selling
his "gorgeous two-year project."
"This was something that I always wanted
to do, even though it will be nice when the
car is finally completed," Gribble said.
Hilltop Rocks and Gifts
Jewelry and Silver supplies
Custom made jewelry and repair
Do it yourself supplies
Lapidary equipment and supplies
Oregon City, Oregon 97045 655-3225
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