My Melex

[BumbleBee]

Hey guys. I finally got pics of my Melex 252. I am not sure of the year, and my tag pic didn't turn out so I will get another one and post it up soon. but this is how it was when I picked it up. I bought it off of Craigslist for 450 without a charger. I picked up the charger, and found I had one battery with a hole in it (looks like a someone ran a screw in it.) the batteries were only 18 months old so I just picked up a good used battery for the interim to get everything felt out and see how it's going to be. I also replaced all the wiring on this as well. So far so good. it's getting it's first good charge as I type and hope to take it out and run it this evening and she how it really does.

I plan to use it as my run around at the campgrounds and make it street legal to use around my neighborhood as well. I have purchased all the lights for it and will be picking up my signal controller soon. plans include new paint, lift, (Over the winter) with new wheels and tires, Stereo, back seat, safari rack, bull bar, nerf bar, and other stuff as I find it and see what's cool.

If you look you see the Coke logo on the hood. anybody know if there is any thing to this? If it has some significance I may just put it back as is. any info is greatly appreciated.

Now on to the pics.

[TheNewGuy]

Looks like a good project. Make sure to post lots of pics when you start working on it.

[BumbleBee]

work has started. Just nothing to really see. I upgraded to 4 guage battery cables, and someone used the wrong sized wire for the charger, so I used 2 of the 6 guage cables that looked to be fairly new as the new charging cables, a little over kill but would rather be over done and under done. I will get pics of the lights and things this evening. So far I have the black moulding crap removed. and assessing the body work I have to do. I have some metal work and a little rust repair but not too much to do. Don't worry I take lots of pics.

Thanks

[BumbleBee]

Hey guys! thought I would check back in with a small update on the Melex project. I have been driving it around the neighborhood some and been getting a wide range of responses. But no matter what it's been fun. I took it out last night and when I got home I finally had had enough of that dent in the cowl so I got out the tools and started some dent repair. After about an hour of banging around I got it pretty in pretty good shape and it's ready for the filler work. I just stripped the paint off and got out my hammer and dolly set and sat down and started beating.(you know that don't sound right) I have a couple of low spots but nothing major. all in all it came out good considering how it started. I have a couple of holes to weld up where someone put some some screws in and I will then figure out where to mount my head lights. (any suggestions?) Also I was thinking about welding up the holes that held the "melex" emblem on but then again thought about keeping it so people don't confuse it with other carts I am on the fence. What would you do?

Well the pics are posted below, enjoy and more updates as I get stuff done.

[BumbleBee]

Hey guys,

Got a little more done last night. I was able to get the rest of the lip off the body that held the old rubber moulding. I was also able to get the front completely stripped and the rust converter put on as well. the worst parts were behind that lip that I removed. I also took the time and welded up all the holes (factory and PO added) in the nose with the exception of the mounting holes for the top. I have a little bit of filler work and the front should be ready for prime and blocking. while I had the roof off I went a head and removed the black caps on the back to check the condition of the rear fenders. the left side is in pretty good shape I did have a dent to work out and that was fairly easy, but the right side is going to take some working. it's really wavy. I think I can get it fixed. I will just have to take my hammers and "gently persuade" the fender to go back to it's former self. I do have some pretty good rust to address on the left side below the seat but that appears to be the worst part that I have found. nothing a little cutting and welding can't fix.

On to the pics!

[TheNewGuy]

Nice work, it looks good for it's age. Keep the pics coming!

[Mike Mac]

Good goin Bee, love to see them being brought back from the brink!!
Mike

[BumbleBee]

Thanks guys. It was in decent shape but it has gotten some abuse. When I got it, it had the dents in it, one battery was majorly messed up (some one ran a screw in it and left a hole, and a melted terminal.) and it was pigeon toed bad. So I replaced a battery and got the steering lined out and it's much better. It drives pretty well and all the mechanics work just as well. Now if I can figure out how to get the play out of the steering gear box.......

Any suggestions?

[Barracudas]

Latonia KY.....what a town!!!!! I grew up the area. I am orignally from Northern Kentucky and I am a Holmes High School Alumni.....

Was just down that way tonight....not for fun. Had to pay my respects to a departed second cousin at Connely Bros.

My dad belongs to the Legion Post 203 there and I have many fond memories of going to the Latonia Shopping Center, the legion, and quite a few other local places there as a kid.

BTW....nice progress on the cart

[BumbleBee]

Thanks!

sent you a PM