progress pics on DONZIE's Chevy.....

[kustombuilder]

...well i got started at least. 8 hours of carefully taking off stainless trim, garnish mouldings etc.. had to make a special tool to remove the window cranks and door handles (look for tech post later). ripped out the headliner and vacuumed up LOTS of mouse shit and even one carcase that was STUCK to the inside of the roof after i pulled the headliner down http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

i had hoped to get a bit more of the trim off but if you've ever taken trim off, WITHOUT ruining it, you know it is tedious work. then there is the task of labeling all the pieces so they can go back on someday (some of them anyway).

well, this ought to make Donzie a happy camper. i really can't wait to start cuttin it up. one guy in my class GASPED when i told him i was choppin it. he thought it looked too good original to do ANYTHING to it. i told him i'm not getting paid to leave it alone http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif. like i'd even listen to the opinion of someone who is restoring a 78 Ford Fairmont http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.... don't get too excited though Don. it'll be a sunday only project for at least a couple more weeks till i get a couple smaller CASH jobs out of the way so i don't get my garage repoed. unenjoyment don't quite cover the bills and i just can't seem to talk CherryBlossom into getting a couple more jobs to support me and my hobby. what're ya gonna do?? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

http://photo.starblvd.net/kustombuilder/2-5-1.jpg

http://photo.starblvd.net/kustombuilder/2-5-2.jpg

http://photo.starblvd.net/kustombuilder/2-5-3.jpg

http://photo.starblvd.net/kustombuilder/2-5-4.jpg

this is whats left of the interior http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif...
http://photo.starblvd.net/kustombuilder/2-5-5.jpg

[lownslow]

. like i'd even listen to the opinion of someone who is restoring a 78 Ford Fairmont...........hahahaha that rules........yeah man talin trim off carefully SUX...... cant wait to see more pics when ya get goin........

[kustombuilder]

i just met him today (the Fairmont guy) and he seemed like a nice enough guy but if your gonna fix up a car like that you better expect to get your balls busted a little http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif. they were ugly NEW! he seemed like a Car Craft magazine kinda guy and did'nt seem to understand the KUSTOM thing at all. to each his own....

[hatch]

cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut .... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Levis Classic]

Why not make a custom tail for the antennae out of that mouse carcus for Donzi's ride ala coon tail! Lookin good. Just sent ya pics of the subfame as requested. Looking forward to Friday.

[lulabelle]

That belt moulding piece is a huge pain!My right one got a little kink.Can't wait to see the chop pics.

[Tinbender]

Man, that's a nice original, you better get to cuttin! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[kustombuilder]

[ QUOTE ]
That belt moulding piece is a huge pain!My right one got a little kink.Can't wait to see the chop pics.

[/ QUOTE ]


i was soooo proud of myself. it did'nt even THINK about kinking on me. i just took my time and held my breath (bad combo if it takes a really long time to come off http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif). on the under piece that screws to the body i had to make one screw a flat blade style cause it was quite rusty. that did the trick and all the rest came out great. this car is real solid. it does have SOME mud in it but alot better than alot of other cars i've worked on (so far!!).

[Donzie]

Hmmm, it's about damn time!!
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I am glad to see some progress but you know nothing will be as exciting as seeing that top come down. I have all the faith in the world in you Mike. Make me proud.
For those of you who haven't seen it, it should look something like this.

[kustombuilder]

YEAH, well this was all the stuff YOU were suppose to do before i got the car remember? : http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif good thing i charge by the hour! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Donzie]

Yeah, I remember. Sorry, I was too busy WORKING!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[Sam F.]

mike,donzie,,can i say something,,in my opinion the one visual week point of 49-52 chevy sedans is the trunk lid,the HUMP in it,,have you guys thought of maybe pancaking it some how,,i know its alot easier said than done,but i think that would be a cool styling point for what you guys already have planned for it..

[kustombuilder]

who the fuck asked you BUTT NUGGET?!?!?! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

i've told him it's GOT TO GO and as far as i know we PLAN to pancake it a bit (hood too just a scocshe). it's all up to the man with the money http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif. ofcourse i will do whatever necessary to influence him into doing things MY way! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[fab32]

Just a hint Mike. Donzie is loaded, he can afford ANTHING you decide to do with that car. His wife has a job and he is a bigshot at the Midland newspaper. He has been trying to TONE down his lifestyle just so he can hang out with us car guys. I heard they are trying desperately to get him to join the Country Club and you know how much money those 'COUNTRY CLUB" guys have. He bought a HUGE tract of land out behind his house that is land locked. I heard he going to put up a huge hunting lodge and recreation center to entertain out of town guests. Keep this between the two of us I wouldn't want to let the "cat out of the bag" so to speak before they do that documentary on TLC.

Frank

[fuel pump]

Lookin good Mike. Keep us posted. You know this could be the first Ridler winner from Midland http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Rocky]

Like mister Butt Nuggett, I have an observation: Those 2 door sedans always look too long in the top if a guy adds in a piece from another donor car. I like 'em better if the chopper dude leans the B-pillar and instead of lengthening the top, scoot the entire top forward [back window and all] and add in a piece in front of the deck lid, at the base of the back glass...I like the short-top look a lot better...maintains correct porportions after the chop, IMHO.

[hatch]

When I photoshopped it, I did a SERIOUS parallelagram to the car from the beltline up (to keep from lengthening the roof).....I kept the factory length on the green house from the base of the windshield to the base of the rear glass...hoping to keep the chop possible without shortening the car or lengthining the tulip panel.....get cuttin!!!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Donzie]

[ QUOTE ]
Just a hint Mike. Donzie is loaded, he can afford ANTHING you decide to do with that car. His wife has a job and he is a bigshot at the Midland newspaper. He has been trying to TONE down his lifestyle just so he can hang out with us car guys......
Frank

[/ QUOTE ]

Frank, we should do lunch. I'll have my people call your people.

[studeboy]

Hey Mike, You can't get Donzie's car done if you're typin' on the computer. Just kiddin'!! If you need some help call me. I'm supposed to get the truck back Wednesday. Eric

[Fat Hack]

Just ta help ya out a little...

[CherryBlossom]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Mike, You can't get Donzie's car done if you're typin' on the computer. Just kiddin'!! If you need some help call me. I'm supposed to get the truck back Wednesday. Eric

[/ QUOTE ]

You know you can come out anytime! As long as he's home - he SHOULD be in the garage *cracking the whip*.
LOL
Ya don't hear many wives saying that now do ya......

regardless...come and play Eric - if I have money to grocery shop, I'll even feed ya http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[kustombuilder]

[ QUOTE ]
Like mister Butt Nuggett, I have an observation: Those 2 door sedans always look too long in the top if a guy adds in a piece from another donor car. I like 'em better if the chopper dude leans the B-pillar and instead of lengthening the top, scoot the entire top forward [back window and all] and add in a piece in front of the deck lid, at the base of the back glass...I like the short-top look a lot better...maintains correct porportions after the chop, IMHO.

[/ QUOTE ]

tell ya what Rocky, since YOU suggested it thats the way i'll do it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif(wink wink) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif..

[kustombuilder]

nice try HACKer but that rear window is getting laid forward to eliminate some of the "hump" at the back of the roof. hopin for a profile real close to HATCH's "artwork" but it's alot easier to "draw" it than to do it. also, we're keepin the posts and canting them forward. if we come down 4" it'll shorten the rear Q-window about 3 1/2" in length (when the roof moves forward to line everything back up).

HATCHer. about how much do you questimate you took out of that photochopped top???
oh, and Fab, we all know who the "wealthy" one is http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif...

[jdubbya]

Hey Mike, I have one observation...The word scosche should only be used by those decorating queers and cooks on TV, not around man stuff like cars! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[41ChevyTrucker]

nice photochop...that is going to be awesome. so no b pillar correct? back windows going to roll down or fixed?

[Jeff Norwell]

GO KAT GO!!!!!!!!!//YA got the ball Mikee......Run BABY Run!!!!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Donzie]

[ QUOTE ]
...also, we're keepin the posts and canting them forward. if we come down 4" it'll shorten the rear Q-window about 3 1/2" in length (when the roof moves forward to line everything back up).


[/ QUOTE ]
I'm think of making the rear quarter windows fixed.

[Fat Hack]

Tried playing with it a little more...

[hatch]

The amount I photochopped the car is "just enough"....it can be calculated if you want to.

[kustombuilder]

[ QUOTE ]
The amount I photochopped the car is "just enough"....it can be calculated if you want to.

[/ QUOTE ]


i want! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[kustombuilder]

[quoteI'm think of making the rear quarter windows fixed.

[/ QUOTE ]

that might be the only way with the posts canted. they only roll down half way as it is. must be early child safety windows. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[hatch]

I need a profile shot in high resolution if you can get me one. With a photoshop transparency we can get pretty close on the measurement. If you are taking a pic, a vertical piece of black tape one foot long, on the door, is what I need.(to scale from) Also, stand back as far as possible when taking the pic to prevent distortion in the wide angle lens. I just don't know how grainy the photoshop chop pic will be when it's blown up....let's give it a try and see what happens.

[Fat Hack]

Aw, Hell...this is kinda fun!!!

Gettin' there yet??? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[hatch]

The club prez's new ride!!!!

[Michigan Rick]

Mike........is that the infamous Gannon Restoration Complex.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Back in the day I had a 50 Chebby sedan delivery. (I had vans in the 70's and now panels.. bad habit) Those stainless gravel shields on the front of the fenders were very hard to find. I don't know they may have repoped them but save them.

Donzie's gonna be low and slow in the Chebby!!!!!!

[Fat Hack]

'Nuther angle...

[flatheadpete]

Hack, your pretty good at that! Looks good Mike. If ya need a hand on weekends, feel free to enlist some Flint guys. I did mostly bodywork at Dan Webbs shop and I did all the work on Chris's Ford this weekend. (That welding shot is doctored...er somethin'.) Hatch, when are you gonna have club plaques made? I'll take two. One for my crap and one for my truck! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[choprods]

Hmmmmmmmm.......... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[kustombuilder]

[ QUOTE ]
Mike........is that the infamous Gannon Restoration Complex.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif



[/ QUOTE ]

naaay, thats just my little garage, "Killer Kustoms World Headquarters" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif...

[Hot Rod To Hell]

How hard would it be to do this with it Mike???
http://inkandsteel.com/HAMB/untitled.jpg

[Donzie]

For God sake, get it right!

[Fat Hack]

Well, Mike...you got quite the job on your hands...but I think it'll look KILLER when done!

(Just doing those photo-hacks involved alot more work than most...the roof had to be stretched some after it was lowered, the rear quarter windows had to come forward and get the angle put on the front. The rear of the roof had to be filled in, and re-shaping the decklid was a kind of hit-and-miss guesstimate at best...but I think the look really improves the old "bump-top" body style!)

Keep the photos comin'!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[kustombuilder]

don't worry friends, i have it under control. believe it or not i do know what i'm doing http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif....

[Hot Rod To Hell]

[ QUOTE ]
believe it or not i do know what i'm doing

[/ QUOTE ]
I vote "NOT"!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif