Taxi Ride or money pit

Having sold all my trucks and truck parts and vowing to only have one old Studebaker. I purchased a 1931 Studebaker Model 54 4 door sedan. Which turns out to be a short run model and harder to get parts for than my onglogian space ships drive framest. As i slowly buy parts for it and decide stock or rat, i am now working on my latest purchase. Lola the 1927 Commander 4dr Taxi.

     Lola runs and drives but needs a new hairdo as there is a tear inn the top and the wood has turned to dandruff underneath. In other words shes having a typical female malady. A headache.


You can see Lola after various demands and polite encouragements from my son taking her first ride in years. By following the link below or going to youtube and entering 1927 Studebaker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcPzWn3A0zE

After much contemplation and one hundred perusals of my wallet. And having the skill to make toothpicks out of any wood project. I took the intelligent choice and opted to replace the wood myself and leaving the re-upholstery to others (maybe). So after peeling off the top canvas and removing the read liner as various bug carcass's and wood chips/powder drifted down. Lola now looks like this on top.

 

      Hopefully as i measure remove and draw out and make cheap wood patterns all will be well. At least good enough so that the volunteer cabinet maker can make it all good again.

Seems that new table saw my son gave me just doesn't cut things straight. Neither does the miter saw, no matter how many time i tried. And now the board is not only crooked! But after three tries it's to short.
I have some tooth picks available if any one needs some.