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Customs The Mild Custom Transformation, mama's 55

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Roothawg, Aug 23, 2018.

  1. BuckeyeBuicks
    Joined: Jan 4, 2010
    Posts: 2,705

    BuckeyeBuicks
    Member
    from ohio

    What ever happened to the Comet you bought in Union Furnace, Ohio?
     
  2. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 2,381

    Outback
    Member
    from NE Vic

    Looing good, keep us up to date!
     
    Roothawg likes this.
  3. TikiTyme55
    Joined: Apr 28, 2016
    Posts: 245

    TikiTyme55
    Member

    Still have it. We painted it Black Cherry which was the original color. But did not take it down past the color that was on it. Tjat bit us in the ass. So tje grandson is doing the work to repaint. received_10209162027073227.jpeg Screenshot_2017-02-19-18-31-03.jpeg

    Sent from my LGLS992 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  4. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

  5. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    I am doing a lot of mechanical upgrades over the winter, so the body mods may be a while. Next obvious mod will be lowering it with the Aerostar springs and 2” blocks in the back.
     
  6. BuckeyeBuicks
    Joined: Jan 4, 2010
    Posts: 2,705

    BuckeyeBuicks
    Member
    from ohio

    Glad to see it is getting some love:cool:
     
  7. 57JoeFoMoPar
    Joined: Sep 14, 2004
    Posts: 6,138

    57JoeFoMoPar
    Member

    Just lowering it and dumping the diving board off the back will give it a whole new attitude. I'm a firm believer in waiting to do body mods until you're mentally prepared to do all of them. That stuff has a propensity for spiraling out of control really fast. I'm speaking from experience. I realized my "scuff-and-shoot" had gone drastically off the rails as I was removing the windshield and dashboard.
     
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  8. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    Yep. The interior is out right now. Taking it all to the upholstery guy in a few weeks. This led to putting dynamat on the floor and ordering new carpet. Might as well add the stereo to the list, since I am recovering the door panels and package tray. Yeah, I know what you mean. It's mama's car....happy wife....happy life.
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2018
    Sancho and Dan Hay like this.
  9. straykatkustoms
    Joined: Oct 30, 2001
    Posts: 22,308

    straykatkustoms
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  10. Shave the hood, door handles and trunk, lower it 5" all the way around, put some pipes on it, 53 Ford hubcaps and beauty rings and go. Should take about a week.
     
  11. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    IMG_0786.jpg IMG_0787.jpg

    I ordered rear springs yesterday. St Louis Spring is making a set of 4" drop for me. This weekend I am going to do some misc stuff. I dropped off the motor at the machine shop today. Should be back in a weeks. I need to make new patterns for the door panels and the package tray. Trying to multitask to keep everything moving forward.

    A couple of pics showing the contrast with the before and after. The exhaust shows how much the Connie kit was sticking out.
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2018
    droppedstepside, alanp561 and Sancho like this.
  12. You did right by calling St. Louis spring. I have Jamco's for the Buick and they are terrible. Way too soft and lowered it a lot more than the advertised 3".
     
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  13. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    I always hate ordering any advertised drop on springs. I did see a couple of folks on the Hamb that have these springs and they look pretty good.

    The original springs are wore smooth out.
     
  14. Junior Stock
    Joined: Aug 24, 2004
    Posts: 1,891

    Junior Stock

    I have had good luck with a local company in Fort Worth. Called them up and told them what I was after then picked them up the next day. Installed, they came out with the drop I asked for. Have not gotten the car running yet to see how they ride.
    The springs they have built for my race car worked as expected so I have no doubt these will as well.
     
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  15. Silva
    Joined: Apr 28, 2005
    Posts: 476

    Silva
    Member

    Mercury Montclair accessory 4 bar hubcaps are the ticket...


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Sep 28, 2018
    droppedstepside likes this.
  16. Champion Spring downtown?
     
  17. Junior Stock
    Joined: Aug 24, 2004
    Posts: 1,891

    Junior Stock

    Yes Fort Worth Champion Spring they have been in business since 1928
     
    Dan Hay likes this.
  18. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    So, I have been taking care of a few things. I pulled the interior and when I got the carpet out, the floors needed some attention. I ordered the drivers side rear floor pan from EMS. Good quality and fit. A little more money, but it sped up the install. I opted to blast the floor and change the pan. Then I used POR-15 and painted everything, including the trunk.
    73DDED79-638E-4F6C-8812-69C1E788408D.jpeg 96E58F6D-F1BD-48B1-9A26-8BC90BD52628.jpeg 0A290625-A56E-4E85-B065-CB70346BAB32.jpeg CDF193C1-6D02-42AA-BEA4-1995F6EAFB29.jpeg B6BE895F-9267-46C8-85E9-47733CC07F93.jpeg 7B88DEFB-76A5-4C45-A07C-1BEEE07E5AD3.jpeg
     
  19. Subscribed


    Walt
    Outsiders CC
     
  20. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    I tried my hand at building a sound system. I am driving my audio buddies crazy. I’m no carpenter so, no jokes about my box. I built one to replace the cardboard divider between the rear seat and the trunk. I am not an audio guy, I just wanted a little bass, so I added 2, 10” subs behind the seat. I have 4, 6.5” Rockford Fosgate 3 ways for the rear package tray and kick panels. I am adding a Memphis amp, which I am still saving my pennies for.
    D1AABB30-3100-4922-9E16-1BDA4F0BE046.jpeg
    When I get it all done, it will be basically invisible. I am building a close out panel to hide the box in the trunk. The idea is to get it upholstered to match the interior.
    91FAFDC0-B5AA-451A-825D-BA256291F8EA.jpeg

    88F36E50-C8B9-4157-AF97-E07D44ECF1F4.jpeg Been knocking around in the shop for the last few weeks. I added a layer of synthetic jute backing. Next is the layer of mass loaded vinyl. I picked it up on Amazon for about $120. It looks to be about .250” thick or so. The difference this will make will be susbstantial. The car had nothing but rust and carpet in it before. Anything I do will make it better.
     
  21. Latigo
    Joined: Mar 24, 2014
    Posts: 739

    Latigo
    Member

    Great looking ride. Sure doesn't need much.
     
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  22. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    Been piddling in my spare time. Not a ton of progress, but I am juggling multiple projects at one time.
    I am not an upholstery guy by any stretch of the imagination, but I made a close out panel to hide the sub box in the trunk. Some day, I will get real upholstery. It’s better than the plaid plastic mat that came in it. I do have respect for upholstery guys. This is not as easy as it looks.
    66C781DF-ADCF-48F2-B886-FC3B8FFDC9BA.jpeg
    120CBA8C-CA72-42D0-97D9-E38D862462E4.jpeg
    I cut the mass loaded vinyl and glued it back together, sort of like a sewn carpet kit.
    It will make a substantial difference in the road noise, especially since the old carpet was glued directly to the floor with no insulation.
     
  23. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    D0541E35-539D-4059-8D58-4CB3FF8AE511.jpeg Before


    1B91A0C3-4F8B-4093-B499-E781BDDC5685.jpeg
    After

    I got a couple weeks off so I figured I would start trying to knock off some things in my. “To do “ list.
    I partook in the forbidden fruit, of which I can not talk about. Just know that while partaking in this forbidden fruit, I also installed the Aerostar springs. And threw the Olds caps on to see if I liked em. I think they are an improvement.

    I changed the shocks while I was at it. I have to finish replumbing the brake lines and a few other odds and ends. The stock rear end is shot and marks it territory, so a rear end swap is in the works for next week. I have a new set of 4” lower rear leafs to install at that time.

    It’s hard to see the difference in the shop, but it is an improvement. I'll roll it out after the rear end swap and try and get a similar pic, so you can see the actual difference.
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2018
  24. The Olds wheel covers look good.
     
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  25. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    Thanks Phil. I kinda like em.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  26. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,052

    wicarnut
    Member

    Nice Work, admire your ambition, anxious to see your finished "vision"
     
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  27. I always liked those Olds caps on those cars. I have a set or two myself. Looking good and those Aerostar springs ride great in those cars!
     
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  28. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    34DCFB5D-C8A0-4E68-A5AE-CBEA6CAD6289.jpeg 4104AF38-DA56-45A9-83B6-C956230A644D.jpeg 55D34BFB-685C-4948-8424-2D6491784859.jpeg 52964F09-BF57-4669-AA5F-B5F277545BC6.jpeg 284F6A18-8E10-4F66-A427-03F9EF52A0A2.jpeg D36D5455-24D5-49ED-89F4-5D6E4D7C7730.jpeg 73D739B9-6B8D-491D-99FD-E399B9700818.jpeg So, haven’t had a lot of free time lately, but I did narrow the 8.8 Explorer for the 55. I bought a spare short axle. It’s about 3 inches shorter.

    I rented a pipe cutter to cut the housing. It makes it perfectly round with no distortion. It’s not a speedy process. I cut it up close to the center carrier to reduce warpage.

    I left the sway bar mounts for future possibilities.
     
  29. Unique Rustorations
    Joined: Nov 15, 2018
    Posts: 623

    Unique Rustorations
    Member

    Good build, just read all of it. Good job on fixing the floor, I will never understand how anyone can “restore” a car and not start inside and do the floors and trunk first. I also agree with your thoughts on upholstery work however where I live getting the seats back from them in a timely manner is tough. I told myself the next set I’m doing myself good or bad. Along with you my wife owns and drives 2 of our GTOs so her ideas and thoughts matter, not just what a restoration guide or the internet says. Keep up the good team work! Randy


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  30. 392
    Joined: Feb 27, 2007
    Posts: 1,206

    392
    Member

    Nice looking ride to start with. Great work, should be a fantastic cruiser.
     
    loudbang likes this.

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