Finally the last item on the wife's list is complete. Spent the last 3 weeks building a new kitchen. So the garage time begins. I continued scuffing the high build primer in preparation of a final coat before paint. Still have some welding work at the bottom of the trunklid but not much. I also found and bought a new trim pan for over the fuel tank. Mine needs more work than I'm willing to put into it after finding a fiberglass one. I'm not a big fan of fiberglass parts, but this isn't structural, and the quality is so good, the only people who will know are me and anyone watching this thread. My plan is to be in paint in the next 30 days or so. I'm finally able to put all my time into garage time. Hopefully nothing will get in the way. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Indeed, your gas tank apron was pretty shot - you're even luckier that you were able to find one in glass. Keep up the great job on the body! Just wondering, how are you going to paint the body in your freezing shop?
My oldest son works at a body shop. We will put it in a heated booth when the time comes. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Very good - we're all looking forward to seeing this body ready for paint! You'll be cruisin' and looking great for this Spring/Summer!
Progress made today. Completed welding up the firewall. Built a trunk latch because I let mine go with the second trunk lid I built and sold, and haven't found the original style latch anywhere since. I then setup the rain gutter over the drivers door. Needs some welding, and cleanup but it's on there atleast. I used a set made for model a that were simply straight channels. Quite a task getting them bent to fit the car. Going to be real cold here tomorrow so I think I'll take a day off. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Looking real good - you didn't have the original rain gutter that was on the body or maybe did not come with 'em? I thought all of these early bodies had them.
Yours looks like it had a pretty fancy latch.On my dodge fast four this is all I have ,looks original but isn't much more than a handle and a key lock.Your car is looking great.
The passenger side gutter was destroyed beyond repair by a tree, or pipe or something. It pretty much destroyed the door even. Originally they were more round. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The one I let go with the other trunk lid I built was from a mid 30's Chevrolet trunklid I had here. It fit the post in my car like a glove. They must have been very similar. I patterned this one from memory of it. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Managed to get the other rain gutter on today. One step closer.... Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I completed the trunk latch today. I also completed welding up the lower edge of the trunklid though it needs some finish work yet. Nocked down gutter welds from past couple days. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Final fit the latch in the trunklid. It was actually harder than I thought it would but I nailed it. Functions perfect. Homemade latch is pretty fitting for a homemade trunklid I guess. Still messing with the gutters, but I spent most of the day finishing some bodywork. I even started to cleanup the lower trunk lip. It won't take much to complete. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
31 Dodger...I'll always try to help out where I can. However it should be noted I'm not a professional and while I'm happy with how mine came out, I was worried sick the gentleman I built the last one for would not be happy. I was so glad to hear he was pleased when it arrived and they set it on the car. If I can be of help let me know. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Today was spent finishing the decklid. Using a shrinker/stretcher to form it leaves a slightly rough edge on both sides. You really have to be careful to shrink every spot the same. This took quite a bit of learning with my first attempt. With the deck complete, I used a coat of body icing all around the edges and even down on the areas affected by the shrinker. I also completed the lower edge in the same manner however also using a flat file to get a nice clean edge on the bottom. All that's needed now is prime, paint and final installation for it. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Lots of progress today. Patched lower edge on the driver side of the cowell, then made the welded on tips for the start of the sill plate for both sides of the car. I had to replace about 15 inches of the body where the sill plate bolts on the passenger side. Lots of small finish work completed today. I even managed to get the visor prepped. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Wondering what you have planned for taillights, knowing that you're almost at this point finishing the final body work. Really nice job on the body work!
I was thinking United Pacific tailights. Thought I'd paint the housing to match the car and mount them along the outside of the frame behind the tires. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
After a busy week, I'm down to knocking down a layer of body icing on the roof. I'll finish it tomorrow, spend a couple hours cleaning up all the dust I've made this week, then the final coat of primer will go on. I can't believe It's almost time to paint. This has been a long time coming. I'll post pics in primer tomorrow evening if all goes well. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I had originally thought about mounting them over the tank cover just like that. They look good there. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
With the intense progress you made up to this point, we're all very confident in your abilities... Keep up the GREAT work!!
Well..... I've been at it all day today. It's been a long one for sure but well worth it. I think I'll take a break. Sent from my SM-S727VL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The Jalopy Journal
