Captainkirk's Duster project

So. "New Plan", not to be confused with Roosevelt's "New Deal"...is to work in sort of a 'modular' fashion; i.e. take the most important section of the build at the moment, and concentrate the effort there. Example; right now, it's way more important to begin prepping parts for re-installation, or procurement of new replacement parts in the Land Down Under than it is to worry about, say, carpeting or dash stuff. While it's really difficult to work in an unheated space for the next four months or so, nothing is stopping me from getting the parts ready to be installed once the weather breaks. This is what's sorta been taking the wind out of my sails the last decade or so, I'm thinking. The winter layoff in the midwest is absolutely a project-killer.
With this in mind, I was out in the garage last night picking through parts to start restoring. After much hemming and hawing, I chose one of the original brake drums off the Li'l Red Minx, seeing as how I intend to use the 3.91 out of the Minx for a rear end...at least initially. First, I was amazed at the sheer weight and size. Next, I was blown away at how smooth and nice the drum braking surface was...no ridge, no rust, no scratches or gouges. So I chucked it in the trunk of my car to bring it to work so I could begin media blasting the decades-old paint and rust off the outside. This done, I reached for the light switch to lock up for the night when I heard a loud cackle that made me nearly jump out of my skin...
"Haw!...YOU, pilgrim! Yes, you. Where the hell have you been? Are you gonna saddle me up, or open the gate and let me get back out on the open range?"
Duke...lordy, you scared me out of a year's growth! Don't do that ****!
"Well, Cappy...when someone makes me a promise, I expect they're gonna keep it. And that means you!"
Don't call me Cappy. I hate that. And we've had a virus and all. Things ain't been right this year. Money's been tight, and there are more priorities in life than a project car, so...
He didn't let me finish without interrupting.
"Excuses. Always excuses. Cappy, I'm beginning to think yer yellah. Excuses is fer...well, schoolmarms, and bankers and lawyers. I always figgered you had more guts than that. More morals, higher standards. I'm gonna put it to ya straight, Cappy. Either you get in the saddle and ride or I'm gonna cull you out of the herd. Savvy?"
I could feel the anger rising in me...and the shame as well. Damn it, he was right. He is always right, and it pisses me off, but well, there it is...I bit my tongue and choked back the urge to spew forth more excuses. He was right; the time for excuses was over.
Look, Duke, I...yeah. I'm saddling back up. No more excuses. I'm done with that. This is the year of The Duke; 2021. Can you ride with me a little longer?
His voice softened. "I've been waiting to hear that, pilgrim. A long time. You don't know how long. And besides, you'd look awful silly in one of them schoolmarm dresses. Now, grab your bedroll and get some shuteye. It's gonna be a long year, a tough year. Like when I drove the herd to Abilene. There'll be weather, dust, border gangs. There might be Indians. We'll be lucky, damn lucky, if we make it with a full herd, let alone make it at all. But we're going. And there won't be any quitters. If you're gonna quit, do it now. There won't be any hard feelings. But once you sign on, there won't be any quitting. Not by you, and not by me. Agreed?"
I didn't have to mull it over. I grabbed my bedroll and headed for the bunkhouse to get some shuteye, knowing that we were leaving at dawn...
'Night, Duke. See you in the morning, I mumbled, switched off the lights and pulled the door closed.

I know that this trip is gonna make it or break it. I'm getting too long in the tooth to keep sliding the pot to the back burner. I know this is gonna take all I've got to keep the ball in motion, but whether The Duke gets completed or not this year is irrelevant. It needs to get down on all fours with a running, functioning drive train in it, and I know that's one big order of fries to serve up. I can't say I'm ready, but I'm putting a boot in the stirrup and swingin' a leg over because, well...because we're leaving in the morning. For Abilene. And damn the torpedoes.