Batt box rust I also managed to fabricate and weld my core support patch and inner fender patch. I had mentioned earlier that I was going to use yearone patches... It turns out that they are only for 70-72 skylarks, and would require modification. For the $170, I don't want to have to modify. Here is a shot of the core support. Tomarrow I will grind down the welds on these pieces, and sandblast them, to prep for paint.
inner fender Here's the inner fender. I am relocating the battery to the trunk, and The rust really wasn't that bad, so I used 20 gauge "black" sheetmetal instead of the 18 gauge I have used on everything else.
I also did some work on the dash. Installed my new Hot Rod Air vents, preped my panels for the radio hole and the glove box lock, and prepped the glove box to be welded shut. I will post on that tomarrow. On the plate for the weekend... Fabricate the patch for the rear window channel, fabricate the surround for the Hot Rod Air heater controls and finish welding up the dash. Stay tuned for further updates.
Thanks Adam, I get a warm fuzzy whenever I picture what this thing is going to become. It is a lot of work, being a pioneer (everything has to be researched carefully, and %90 of it fabricated) but I hope it will be one-of-a-kind when I am finished. Chris
Dash progress Managed to get almost all the cutting and welding done on the dash today. Here is a shot of the unmolested dash, prior to modification.
Dash progress First I started by templating the radio opening in posterboard, and creating an 18 gauge sheetmetal panel to fill it. Next I fabbed a small panel to fill the glove box lock. I removed the glove box door stop (the curved guide) and the hinges. I will use the old door to fill the hole, since the proper style lines are already present, and just weld it in. Next, I measured 3" up, and centered all four "Hot Rod Air vents where I wanted them. It was critical to ensure that I could work around the dash bracing for the vents, as they extend almost 2.5" into the dash. Once I was satisfied with the location, I used a 2.5" metal holesaw from Lowes to punch the holes. Worked beautifully, A nice tight fit on all the vents. I did have to create some notches in the dash framing behind one of the center vents, and the drivers side vent to allow for the hoses to be routed efficently. Here is a pic of the dash with the vents cut out.
Holy smokes! It looks like you've got 5 different things going at once, when are you sleeping? Great work by the way. :bglasses:
Dash progress After all the cutting was done, I put all four vents in with the hoses on, to ensure that Everything cleared. for the fittment I used Hot Rod Airs' ball type vents from their 67-9 Camaro "Sure Fit Kit" to keep that 60's theme. These are chrome plated plastic and will be replaced by there polished aluminum version after paint. I decided to make sure that everything would work before I spend $90 each on those suckers!!!
Dash progress Here is a shot (not a very good one) of the notching I did on the center brace to clear the vent and hose. This was a pain in the A$$, since the clearance for my die grinder was so tight! I wound up digging for a mostly used up cutting wheel, and going through the hole I cut for the vent.
I also removed the ash tray, and drilled the spot welds to remove the face. Tomarrow I will weld a length of "piano hinge" to the face. I trimmed the excess metal around the opening in the dash, and created a posterboard templete for my recessed heater control panel that will reside there. I found an air conditioning shop (the house type) in town, these guys are masterful at fabrication. They will have my recessed panel ready for me on monday. I'll post a pic then.
Wheel/tire combo Well that's all till tomarrow.... I will leave y'all with a sneak preview of the wheel/tire combo. Just had them mounted today.
Phil, I wish!!! It'd be a lot cheaper! I am doing all my own work, except for the actual color coat on the body. I have struck a deal with a bodyshop in Barstow. Wilson's auto body. They are fairly new in the biz, and looking for all the military customers they can get, so they allowed me to use them in trade for my big mouth, and car contacts in the area, Plus a fair amount of cash for supplies, ect.
I was wondering, I could not place the surroundings in the pictures and was wondering if they had moved the craft shop there on base. In anycase your doing a great job. I look forward to seeing somemore pics.
Finally Finally, the next installment. I have spent many hours (sometimes all hours of the night) on this thing so far, and the end is no where in sight. I have stripped the body down to bare metal, and located several small crinkles that need attention.
