Picture as found in Dallas, TX

I have been longing to resume my restoration of the 1954 SIAM Crosley H-Mod.  So I recovered it from its dry storage location and switched it with one of the Eldens.

First thing to do was redo the steering wheel assembly.  As found, the steering box is the Crosley box with a long single rod from the box through the firewall to the steering wheel.  The upper support of that rod was a 1 1/4″ tube with some wood bushes for the rod to ride in and the steering wheel was bolted on with a key and nut.  That steering rod had been lengthened when built and was not straight.  So as you turned the steering wheel the rod turned in an arc, binding on the wood bushes.

The fix was to cut out the bad section and ordered a modern steering coupling with a 36 spline rod, new rod and a quick disconnect for the steering wheel.  The H-Mods are a small cockpit and fairly large steering wheel so I wanted a removable steering wheel to aid egress for my large butt.  I retained the original steering wheel with adapters to the quick disconnect.

This makes me feel much more comfortable.  Next is back to the engine in the engine stand and fire it back up and resuming all the other body work etc.

Acquired the 1954 Siam in Dallas, TX in 2004.  Car was complete with Crosley engine, Fiat Topolino Rear axle and maybe Triumph Standard 4 speed gear box.

This car was built by Purdue Engineering Students for a class project and raced until 1964.  Built off a 3″ tube ladder frame and a Bill Mays Fiberglass body.