Projects Recreating the jesse lopez coupe

Bondo was in its infancy during this time. I don't think it was something that was ever in the Barris shop of the '40s-'50s.. As has been said, all kinds of semi structural things were being done with lead. It was the "magic" stuff.

I can't bring myself to even think about trying anything like that with bondo. I do like it and, when used for the things it was created for its bullet proof.

I might start looking for some good bargains on airfare David.

 

It just reminded me when you mention "bondo bridge" a friend of mine talking about how great they thought it was at the body shop he worked at after he got home from the Korea War. He also always called it plastic. To this day he still uses it and loves it -LOL.

 

First pic shows bondo on the floor, there was too much. Second pic shows that I want to see some metal.

 

Lookin' good so far Jer !!

 

I want to go past the (small) high spots. That makes them easy to see. I then will carefully cut them (or tap) them down. I follow this with a smear of bondo and we got it.

 

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Jer, your doing great. If I could do what your doing though, I couldn't do it the way your doing it. I would have to have all the body together to get the total picture. I know that when you get to that point it will look spot on. I guess the old saying " there's more than one way to skin a 41 Ford" applies here!

 

Is that a lite or a heat lamp ? We want some inside pictures . We know your busy...

 

The total picture has been in exsistance since 1950. If I have to eat an elephant I'm going to do it one bite at a time. While the body was out of state the nose was done as well as the chassis. Now the dropped axle and the brakes etc,etc.. At this point the only thing that's going to save me is project management.

Those interior shots are coming up. Right after we get this thing primed.

It's a light.

 

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Huge step Jer.
Looks great!!
Torchie.

 

Looks GREAT! Stay with it..........

 

oooh! Now please take one with the front end in front of the body too!

 

At least this part is right up your alley, Jerry. Looks great!

 

I don't know if this has been covered before but it should be possible to put the McCulloch blower on and shut the hood. They installed lots of them on flathead 49 - 53 flathead Fords and Mercs and did not have to modify the hood.

Maybe it had something to do with the unique Buick carb installation?

 

Some more, not in sequence. It was the big Buick carb. Throw in some paint prep.

 

This will finish up the pics from this segment. Tomorrow we'll get a look at the inside of the car.

 

Bad ass!

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coming along nice Jer !

 

Here's a look inside. The modification on the door and B pillars were what I was nervous about when approaching this chop. The work that was done was what I needed.

There will be a Rustoleum coating on all the reworked areas.

 

Nice work, I see you rotated the B pillar at the crease where the straight B pillar meets the rounded top of the main door. Nice and flat B pillar. Nothing worse looking than those B pillars with a bow in the middle.

Speaking of creases (photo 2), question on where the B pillar and connecting window frame meets the round top of the main door panel. Did Lopez fill that in with lead, like did many others, to make a smooth inside radius/fillet?

 

Well Mike, my friend, if you say that's what I did, then I agree, that's what I did. The one thing that I did watch out for was a curved B pillar. That wouldn't have fit the pics I'm seeing.

When asked about the volumn of lead used Jesse hedges his reply and answers which gives me the impression that it was a wheel barrow load.

 

Ha Ha, I'm just guessing that's what you did, from staring at your pics.

Yea, more lead the better, makes your car lower.

 

I was anxious to get the seat back in the car. I've cut it down as much as possible without getting radical, about 1 1/2". After sitting in it I feel pretty good. I'm 6'5" (or was), The visibility was pretty good, I hope I can convince the upholsterer to not build it up.

Some shots from the back seat. This is where Bill Wieser and Margie Lopez spent most of their time.

 

Looking good Jer. Can't wait to see it in person.


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OK, we've avoided this as long as we can. We have to go back and pick up where we left off with the chassis (post #629).

Here is the stock rear X member setup and the replacement. Jesse actually told me that this was all done while the body/frame was intact. It never was separated. I'm glad I don't have to try and do that. He used an old style cutting torch.

 

That's nuts to do that with the body on. Are you using the stock spring with a raised crossmember?


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That does sound crazy! How much does it drop the rear, like 10"?

 

The spring has reversed spring eye's. I think it's about an 8" drop.

 

Here are the gussets for strength, shock mounts and everything mocked up and tacked together.