Thomas Renda's Journal

Hey folks, my name is Tom Renda and I am a retired lawyer from Catonsville, Maryland. I backed into the vintage car scene after driving a blind friend's two cars (49 TC, 56 Morgan) for a few years, (Before that I was strictly a vintage motorcycle guy.). My buddy Steve lost his sight after restoring both cars (TC - frame off, Morgan mostly cosmetic). He keeps the cars now and takes them to a couple of shows a year with help from his "crew."

My own car is a 71 BGT that came from Pittsburgh PA (one of my favorite cities). I drove it from Pittsburgh to our ski house in Canaan Valley WV last summer. I keep it out there now to minimize the opportunity my wife has to set it on fire.

I do not do Faceflock or Twatter or any other general social media so this site (and Yamaha FZ1OA.com) are my only means for electronic communication with the masses. I belong to NCNO (National Capitol Norton Owners) but those guys are less computer savvy than I am, which is pretty sad.

Feel free to comment or insult me - having spent a career before ornery trial judges and mean spirited opposing lawyers, I am pretty immune to the typical banter that goes on in motorhead circles. (And anyway, I usually deserve it!)

October 27. Almost time for the B to go to into hibernation for the winter. Over the summer I adjusted the valve clearances, replaced the fuel pump with a Hardi electronic and put in a Flamethrower coil with new plug wires. Runs a lot better now, although she will sometimes carbon foul the number two cylinder plug at idle. I plan to install my new Pertronix distributor before the snow sets in, and if that does not cure the issue, leave it alone till next spring. My buddy Steve says it may be a carb issue -- possible the needle isn't seating at idle.

Over the winter I plan to work on new floorboards and cleaning up the interior generally (securing/replacing loose wiring, speedo cable, etc) as well as preparing the exterior for paint in the spring.

Was going to repaint her. But the original paint looks like it will come back, I will still need to repair a half dozen problem areas, but I can wait to do a full scale repaint until I am ready to pull the motor.

This is a car that belonged to a GI who lost his life in Vietnam in 1967. It was last driven in 1966. Condition at purchase was rough - engine locked, much rust and dry rot,

Appears to have been one of the last 100 TDs to leave Abingdon.

Goal is to restore it to collector quality and have it on the road by late summer of 2021. My buddy Steve (who owns a TC he fully restored) will be helping. That's him with the TD carbs he rebuilt and the cylinder head he is working on -- unbelievable talent for a guy who is blind.