Time is FLYING by. The last week or so, we got the body remounted back on the frame, put the doors on, painted the engine compartment, REpainted the dash (the "new" color), and have been prepping the body for paint. We hope to paint it the base color this weekend! The Autorama is coming up fast, and we still have a TON of work to do I'd also like to publically thank 57JoeFoMopard, and Slowandlow63 for stepping up to the plate, and really putting in some quality time working with us. Help like theirs will hopefully get us finished in time for the show. These guys have really been putting in a great effort, driving long distances (Joe from Delaware, Bill from Woodbridge) to my shop to volunteer thier help. We all appreciate the effort, and hope we can re-pay them someday. (I'd like to especially thank Joe for helping work on a customer's car, to keep him off my back!) Anyway, the next step is even MORE blocksanding. Ron figures we have over 700 hours in sanding right now, and there is still a bit more to go. I literally was bleeding all over the truck on Saturday. The sanding has left very little skin on our fingers, and mine stated bleeding where it was all worn out. I hven't got a lot of good pics, but here are a couple. The cab, back on frame, with doors on. The engine compartment, I mixed my own version of Kandy Kopper, and put it over a "Metajools" basecoat. What a brilliant basecoat it is for candy! Vic, Ron and I arguing (AGAIN), this time over how the perforated metal trim should look on the sides of the rear windshield.
wow, what a monumental undertaking to replicate this truck, thanks for doing it. alot of people are going to get to see the "kopper Kart" in the flesh that never would have otherwise. you guys rule! i wish i was close enough to volunteer some help. you'd have to run me out of there with a baseball bat!
Like I keep telling Vic, Mark I'm just happy to have the opportunity to work with you guys on this project. We will have basecoat on Saturday if I have to come down everday this week after work and bleed all over the place. My hands hurt like hell today. I had to use extra Victoria Secret hand lotion to compensate. I'll see you at the very latest on Sunday to help argue about the scallops, and tape til the cows come home.
It REALLY is coming together, and I'd like to second Billy's thoughts that it really is an honor to be even remotely associated with this project. I distinctly remember when Mark, Vic and Ron first started on the metalwork, and to see it now ever so close to paint almost brings a tear to my eye. I'd also like to add that to progress to this point in a mere 18 months is nothing short of monumental, but far short of a miracle. This is not a "pro" shop in the sense that we have an army of paid employees block-sanding day and night, water jet machines, in house CNC capabilities, or even a bathroom for that matter (not counting shrubs). The shop is very well equipped for complete projects from metal fab to finished paint, but I think it's biggest asset is it's people. The Kopper Kart speaks volumes of the character, dedication and talent of this team, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. There is a fleet of awesome cars with the "Customs by Flash" crest on them, and I think some of the best work is yet to come.
mark,,, call me if you can use some help on sunday..... i can spend the entire day (7 am-whenever) if you need me to do anything,,, jim
I keep saying...Vic is perfect HAMB material. I don't know why he doesn't post! That's a French kiss, FYI.
Paint this weekend? I think we need to get Vic out more. I'd say we should take him to Hott 22, but considering he's making out with inanimate objects, he might be a liability in a strip club. Approximately 37 days to Detroit and counting....
Hott 22 is full of crack whores which would be perfect for Vic, but I might puke. Mark call me if you need me to come down tomorrow or Friday after work. I'm anxious!
Great project and great story. I will be watching for progress pictures. Short fun story here......... As a senior in High School my Dad finally gave in to me and let me have all of his old car magazines from his collection in his Navy locker (not the nudies though!!). As I was going to school I would take a few issues to look through and everyday a few new ones would take their places. My English teacher told us it was research paper time so I decided to take advantage of the situation by doing my research paper on long lost and found HotRod Customs. It was perfect as I could look at all his old magazines all day long and in class as I did "research" on the old customs. I basically did y whole paper on the AlaKart,KopperKart,Hirohata Merc,and many many more that have been found and restored. Dad is gone now but I still go back to those old magazines and look through them once in a while.
The Jalopy Journal
