It should be coated with something. I sprayed some rustoleum on it after I got it bent half way. The bottom isn't shown in the pics with the exception of before I sprayed it. I have weld through primer but it wasn't really necessary since that area won't be welded.
Do you think it would be possible to make a single complete roof panel from the hole forward. Basically I'm thinking one panel from drip rail to drip rail including the visor... or is the visor itself too complex? Might be more work than grinding the welds for 4 separate pieces. My 5 window in waiting is identical to yours, but much rougher, so I'll have to replace the side panels as well as making the roof panel.
Sounds like it would be a lot more work then making it in multiple pieces. I dunno how you would ever maneuver the whole roof in a bead roller to do the visor. I find myself other trying to make too complicated of a piece and just end up cutting it apart to finish it
Got the visor finished up this morning. I punched some holes in it with a dimple die. Now it's sure to go fast haha.
I spent the day working on my rear lower corner piece. I started by making some patterns. I tried making it out of one piece but couldn't get it through the bead roller. I ended up cutting it into 3 pieces. It took a lot of shrinking on the pullmax to get the right shape. It sucked to have to cut it but it made everything a lot easier.
there is a small steel bracket spot welded inside the skin at the upper beltline... it anchors the outside door handle screws... no one sells it... made one this week... pix if you want ? ...207-786-4795
We are free to enjoy things like old Fords because we have people like you supporting our country. We have always been great and you can't Trump that.
Great chop, cleaver corners, looking good. Waiting to see how you do the wheel wells. Lots to learn on this thread, thanks.
Nice work. I wish I had just some of your metal skills. It is looking good. Enjoy the chop except don't get a crick in your neck trying to see stoplights......I watch the walk/don't walk signals some.....it helps. My coupe is chopped between 4 and 5 inches.....I would not chop any more.
Make your self a scrapbook of this build and use it as a resume. Your developing some great skills. With your military service and schooling you will be a great addition to a shop. Thank you for your service.
I got around to making the rear inner trunk panel today. The trunk lid fit like crap. It wasn't flat on the bottom. I trimmed it and welded the seam up. Before. After. O yea, and now it's a trunk instead of a rumble. I still have a lot of little stuff to do on top of the wheel wells. Tomorrow is the last day of body fab. I start refinishing in a couple weeks. I should be able to finish everything there. The goal is to be leaving with a painted body in the next 3 months.
Man you need to start your own Model A panel business! Looking good. We are moving to Rapid City next week. Need to meet up with you. I was up at the Hot Rod Institute a few years ago looking around.
Geez, it's the model a body repair express! You are trudging through it on no time flat. I am starting to do the body work myself. Thanks for posting this loose "how to".
Great job my friend. Glad to see our guys on the front lines have such great metal skills. Good luck with it and thanks for serving!
I got back to school today to find my parts from Howells finally arrived. Kinda weird since I cancelled them but o well. They're surprisingly nice. It's too bad the company sucks as far as customer service goes.
It's chopped 5 inches I got right back to the grinder this week. Here's some new pics. They still needed a little work. This Lazze bead roller is pretty much the best thing ever. The inside bottom die is just a guide. I tipped the edge up around the upper die. Then I just had to shrink the curve. Trim to fit and start welding. I did the wheel well to the curve on the table.
Thanks for showing the wheel wells repair. Is the panel a reproduction, if so where did you get it. You did a great job. Unfortunately, I don't have the equipment, but at least I know how to do it. Thanks.
The Jalopy Journal
