Have a 52 under construction right now that has a Lincoln Mark VIII independent rear (perfect width) and a Pacer front, also perfect width. Probably going with the late model computer controlled engine and trans for trouble free starting in any weather and a demand sensitive trans for best economy. 20mpg may be a reality with the smaller displacement and lighter engine. If Vintage Air doesn't have a heat/air combo that will fit nicely for the rear I'll work with Old Air in Ft. Worth to try and come up with a custom unit that does. The sliding rear glasses, the cowl vents, and the door vent glasses will all be sealed since they will no longer be needed. I did a study on keeping an AD interior cool (hey it's Texas) at 70mph. Usually the outside air moving past all seams sucks the cool out faster than the a/c unit can produce it at speeds above 60mph or so. Briefly, it involves an outside air duct with a flow control flapper that is directed into the evaporator unit housing. The Burb will not be chopped or dropped but just made into a dependable cruiser whose first trip is not a wimpy 10 mile drive to the Sonic but a camping equipment loaded trip to Yellowstone, Little Big Horn, and the Black Hills. MY kind of ride.
