#81 ready for primer and paint!!!

[pjkaiser]

The body is moving along, trunk is next for primer and engine compartment for paint.

I needed to make the better accelerator linkage.   I was able to have a loaned part to make a duplicate for him as well as for me.    After finding the correct size (11 gauge) metal sheet, I had access to a power shear (much easier) and cut these pieces.   

I then started to experiment with the best way to proceed.    I tried quite a few times till I settled on what looked like the finished product.  I didn't have the equipment to put the  dip for the spark plug wire, so I left it out.  It just needs a little longer spark plug wire.

It took longer than I thought and the ends were quite expensive for what they are. 

[MarkH]

Very nice work!

[pjkaiser]

Well, ran into a bit of a problem!  When we moved the body from vertical to horizontal, pressure was put on parts of the body.   A piece broke off and ended up becoming a big air bubble from the factory.  You can see the way the fiberglass cloth had ridges and valleys creating this very large air bubble, some can be seen in the side view.   Glad I caught it now, not later after painting!!    The body is still really strong as there are three good layers under all the body and I will build this back up with fiberglass and it will be done soon.  We will be taking a break, later next week, on working on the body till after Thanksgiving, I have to clean up the driveway so we can eat on the driveway.  We'll have over 20 people here for Thanksgiving Dinner. 

[joefrazer]

I'm surprised that didn't pop sooner with all of the flexing the body did over the years. And yes, now is certainly better than later!

[pjkaiser]

Quality must have been really "good" back then!!!!!

The first picture is of the previous hole, repaired, in the right rear upper quarter panel where there were gaps between layers of fiberglass.  These were sheets of fiberglass cloth, as you could see the waviness of the cloth under the hole.

Found another one at the lower right front quarter panel, just in front of the door.   Lots of dirt built up between the layers.  Over a 1/4" deep to the lower layers!!  I will fill it on Sunday and hope no more of these show up!!!

We are now doing the final block sanding of the outside of the body.   Hope to paint it after Thanksgiving.  I need the week before Thanksgiving to clean up the driveway as we will have over 20 people here for dinner.

[52 Muntz]

Wonderful progress. You mentioned you used a "fibreglass primer" . What specific product are you referring to?

[pjkaiser]

I have help from a professional painter and he is doing the work.  I attached a picture of the Polyprimer, it's pretty high end.  It soaks into the fiberglass and bonds to it making it stronger.  The color and clear coats are from House of Color

I just completed one of the second part of the accelerator linkage, the part mounted on the firewall.  The materials I used are in the second picture, one round piece is the rod for the pivot, the second rod it half-inch tubing for the pivot to go into.  Lots of drilling and welding.

Making the pivot required machining, couldn't do it myself as I don't have the equipment.  The original is on the Left.   I finished it off by drilling the rod hole and tapping the mount.

The last picture shows the original on top (loaned to me), the one I made on the bottom.   I used 1/2" steel rod and a mounting screw ball welded to the rod and ground down to look like it matched. 

[MarkH]

That's really nice work. My brother has the use of a machine shop & has made a couple pieces for me, one a modified pivot similar to yours.

[pjkaiser]

Finally got enough paint to do the outside of the body on Friday.  First, we needed to do the trunk area.  Did that on Saturday.    I have to do this in sections since doing this in my driveway without a paint booth.   Next will be the doors, tops of the hood, trunk and convertible top panel.   This should go pretty quickly now.   I want the body done by Christmas, then comes the frame and drive train!!

[52 Muntz]

Gorgeous. Nice to see it coming together.

[pjkaiser]

We have had a lot of rain and cold (to us in So. Calif.) for the past three months, now we are back on track.  These parts were painted today in 80 degree weather.  It was 94 yesterday!!   This is the final paint, just needs color sanding and buffing and they are done.   We just need to do the other door and seats, then it is on to the body.   There is a light at the end of this tunnel!!!!   There is a little more body work to do.   When we got the chrome parts back last September, they were all fitted to the body.  One of the tail light housings, the headlight rings and the grill all need to be refitted.   Minor stuff but adds to the work.  Then the body will be ready to be painted on the outside.  All the rest is finished.   I'll keep you posted with the progress.

[darrin502]

Nice work total show quality.
I finally got my yellow darrin back from the body shop. Looks great, working on the chassis all the plumbing, brakes done suspension done engine done. Won’t be long till car is done. Nice to finally be able to assemble a car.
Lee

[pjkaiser]

Well, its finally done!!!!   Painted and clear coated today, yea!!!

Final paint and clear coat that will need to wait about two months, for me to re-energize, for the color sanding and final buff.   When I get out of my stupor, I will start working on the chassis and drive-line.  I have most of the parts.

I still have to work on the windshield, install it, then bring the parts to the upholsterer.  All parts have been either painted, chromed or tumbled and zinc plated.   I'm looking forward to getting my driveway back.   We (the painter and I) have been working on my since last March off and on.   

Enjoy the pictures!

[MarkH]

That clear sure makes the color pop...……..very nice!

[pjkaiser]

When we got back from Nationals, I had an appointment with our Local Dustless Blasting person.  What a great job, in only 2 1/2 hrs, it's ready for paint after blowing all the sand out of the rails.   I put it on my trailer and took it home.  I started painting the frame yesterday, painting it one section at a time.    I still have the major suspension parts needing to be blasted, I will do that when I'm ready.

What a surprise, the car # is tack welded on the right front spring tower.   It's pretty obvious once all the dirt and stuff are removed.

In a week or two, I'll be ready to start putting things back on the frame------ there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!!