I've had the driprails made for a while, finally welding them in. I leaded the seam between the rail and the 1/4, the gutter side will get seam sealer. 1 down, 1 to go
Flip side done Next up, I have lower sections for the rear fenders made already, I just need to weld them on. After that, the rear panel and tool tray need fitted and welded in, then I think I can start bodywork. This just may happen before the snow flies.
I really can't believe how amazing this is looking from what you started with. Going to be a great car!
I've been working off and on between the coupe and the Willys. I've got little nitwitty **** done I didn't do***ent, but I did get a set of Speedway bomber seats riveted together and mounted in the coupe. I haven't bucked that many rivets since working on IMSA GTP Light cars in the 80s. Thankfully I still had a rivet gun, I did buy a new bucking bar. Current status. I've also been working on building a couple needed machines. I built a handheld planishing hammer for less than $100. I wish I'd had it when I straightened the roof. I've also gathered the parts to build a pullmax style reciprocating machine I hope to have up and running in a couple weeks. I'll post pics when it starts to come together.
I had limited success having made something similar to your homemade planishing hammer using a palm nailer, my bottom planishing area is on a smaller scale & hinged at the quick air connect, I'm ***uming the vertical portion of yours free floats at the air connect, interested to see more detail if willing. While the available planishing hammers are pricy probably worth the investment if enough work to justify one, most of the sales info. has testimony on aluminum body vehicles so I elected to p*** in hopes future results on 18 ga. or so sheet metal will be shared by a someone taking the plunge. Ron
For those that asked The main components are an IR die grinder body and a palm nailer. I made a block off plate to seal off the exhaust ports in the grinder body. Then I machined a slug to fill the cavity and act as an air p***age through to the palm nailer. I connected them with a 1/4 pipe ******. Then I machined a piece to replace the nail holder and machined the retainer nut down so the anvil would stick through the base plate made from a piece of rectangular tubing. I then indexed the nut and welded it to the base plate along with the sleeve. The ******* is a piece of CR plate with an Alfa Romeo valve shim inset and welded. It's mounted with a countersunk Allen and nyloc nut through a piece of gas filler hose to allow movement. You're not going to knock big dents out or deep creases, but it will do final planishing much easier than using a *******.
Nicely done, you went beyond what I envisioned as my initial attempt was a cheap H.P. nailer primarily as I was unsure if it would work, but found using a carriage bolt insert m***aged to the proper contour duplicated the quarter reveal quite well, as said my arm & shoulders were giving out using the hammer dollies & slap tool as my avatar had incurred rollover damage, I later purchased an ***orted variety air hammer bit kit that gave good results as well. Thanks for the update & appreciate your photo's I'm sure others will benefit as well. Ron
You certainly have a project beyond the talent of those of us looking over your shoulder, the big issue I've struggled with was my avatar having been beat & banged on the dirt tracks, the panels were straightened so many times they were work hardened & subject to cracking, I've conceded to the fact it will require plenty of Bondo, but I'm ok with that as it will remain a dirt track car & retain its place in local area history.
Mercy! 17years of working on this. I’d have given up long ago. I love old cars but long term projects that I can’t drive and enjoy really de-motivate me. My hat is off to you for sticking with it. Hopefully you get to drive it before the next 17 years.
Snowed in and colder than **** so I spent the day in the garage. I lucked into a nice br*** Mustang radiator I'm using instead of the aluminum generic one I had. I fabbed mounts today for the radiator and front fenders, cleko'd in place until I get a chance to paint it all. If it had hoses and wiring I could drive it, it's that close.
Redesign on the fender mounts, the first version just didn't look sturdy enough. Last thing I want is to be a few hundred miles from home and have the nose start dragging.
Started working on wiring, I need to make it move under it's own power so I can move it in and out of the garage. Not sure what it weighs, but it rolls like a brick. I'm waiting on battery cable which should be here today. All the plumbing is done, I just need to bleed the brakes. With any luck I'll yard drive it this weekend.
The talent of the people on the Hamb never ceases to amaze me. From junk to a finished car, just incredible.
16.5yrs later, it moved under its own power. All I did was back it out and pull it back in later on. I still have wires hanging and various loose bits, but I don't have to push it anymore.
It's Aliiiiiive!! I've been watching this thread for a lot of years, and this moment is so well earned... nice going! Goes to show perseverance furthers!
I was 49 when I started this project. I built the g***er I had to sell in 2 years, so I figured I'd be driving it through most of my 50s and sell it at some point for a new project. I'm 65 now and I think it's going to be a permanent fixture along with the Camaro I've owned 28yrs barring some catastrophe. If all goes to plan, one of the two is going on a cross country trip in the future.
I highly recommend taking that 40 on a long cross country trip. I’ve taken both my T Bucket and my 47 Chevy on long trips. I think it’s the most rewarding thing you can do with an old car, especially one that you built yourself. I just put my GPS on “avoid freeways”, take my time, and get treated to some of the best scenery the country has to offer. Make it happen.
Regarding the statements and concern on how long your project has been ongoing...words of wisdom from an unknown source..."Don't let that 2 week restoration project get to you as those 9 months may be the most important 5 years of your life."
The Jalopy Journal
