5-15-09

Just found out that putting the roll bar in created a lot more work. I get to fabricate interior pieces to go around the roll bar. I was going to use the blast cabinet but, my luck the nozzle was broken. Once again progress slows. I will be taking up other interior panels soon to mock up the new interior.

5/8/09

The bracket I fabricated, now garbage because I found them new at CJPonyparts.com.

New bracket from CJPonyparts.com. The picture shows the cowl on the right, fender on the left. Taken inside front wheel well.

4/24/09

Above father-in-law's shop is packed with some nice cars, and some really exotic engines.

Front shot of roll cage. Not welded in yet just getting it in position. R-model style - ordered it from NPD.

Rear shot of placement of R-model roll cage. More welding ahead.

4/17/09

No new pictures, just worked on brackets for lower fender to rocker panel.

3-27-09

Finally getting the gaps right. I wish I knew what I was doing.

3-20-09

I lost brackets in the move, so I had to fab new ones. I have no fabrication skills at all. What should have taken 1/2 hour ended up taking 6 hours and wasted a bunch of steel on screw-ups. Bracket is for cowl to fender.

Feb. 27

Day went very well. I was able to get the majority of the panels on for first fit. Starting to look like a car again. Forgot L bracket for the inner cowl to fender bolt. Progress stops again. Now I have to learn how to do body work. Filler and Blocking after final adjustments.
I am starting to think about front suspension not sure yet either TOTAL CONTROL or GLOBAL WEST. Does anyone have any advice?

Looks like grind and re-weld edge to open up gap a little.


Deck lid sucks wish NOS was cheaper. Have a lot of work to do for final fit.

My dumb ass welded the holes for the valance screws, had to re-drill.

February 26

Have gap just about right. Taking twice as long as I thought it would.

I have a little work to do with fit on the apron.

Trying to work on gaps while bolting things together.

Shelby style hood and R-Model apron. Not fitting like it did before media not sure what happened?

Putting front end together again!!

2/19/09

Hurt my back last week, all progress on the car is on hold for a while. But I did buy a new RDI aluminum 427 small block with 9.2 deck height, and crank and rods. Should be at least 250 hp when done.

January 19, 2009

Hanging doors and fenders, adjusting gaps.

January 9th

The car is back now, time to make it look like the original (in the background of the next picture).

Just off the trailer and parked at RP Mack Motorsports

welds blasted and primed, interior and exterior

I am happy with the results so far. Media blast did a good job.

Engine compartment turned out nice. No surprises.

Hung doors and put trunk lid back on. Time to start panel fit once again.

January 1

Media blasting and etch primer is completed. Supposed to be delivered on the 5th to RPMack Motorsports. I will try to get pictures on here next week. It is finally off the rotisserie!

media blast

Car is still at the media blaster. So much for being done by Nov. 15. It isn't even done by December 15. Getting the run around when I call to check progress, and that is only when I can actually get the guy on the phone. Looks like I need to plan a road trip. Progress was slow enough before this without this guy adding another month delay.

11/14/08 media blast

Wow! I can't believe the cowl is solid

rear sail panel.
somebody must have had an antenna here

The roof is better than I had hoped.

So far things are moving slowly, but better than I expected.

Nov 2

Sid from Midwest Media Blasting picked up the shell on November 2 to take to his shop in Shelby. Should be completed by the 15th (hopefully!). I should have more pictures then to update.