Projects Truck into a coupe- My next pet project

Made all of this today.
Drip gutters, trunk edges and the deck lid framing.
Great forearm and hip workout.
Where's the tequila ?

 

Well I've pondered how this could have happened for over a week.
I've measured everything 7 ways to Sunday with help. I knew what needed to be done but didnt want to do it or believe it. So i Called in some extra experience from 2 different gurus who confirmed my opinions. Nobody wanted to see this happen but I had to cut the quarter off.

The witness marks show how far it was off. Needed to pivot 3/4 of an inch and slide forward about 3/8 of an inch and then jack rear corner of the roof up almost 1/2".

It's amazing how much better everything fits but its just a infinitely frustrating event to grind off the body work and paint that was a significant part of the price of the project and the deciding factor to buy the project in the first place.

I do believe my goal of rolling out in End of April/May for spring has gone down the fucking tubes.

I'm gonna get drunk tonight and weld this fucking thing back together tomorrow.

 

Nice huh ?

 

Ouch! I was just discussing with a buddy tonight about how many awesome body guy/painters I've met that were horrible fabricators.

 

I missed something here. Why did you have to rework the quarter?

 

"threw several thousand in paint away"
Shiney paint aint all it's cracked up to be. I'd rather have it right than painted, keep up the good work we're watching.

 

Few steps backwards and everything is plumbed up right now.
Amazing how much better everything looks.
The quarter adjustment swung the ass end over onto center.
Skooched the deck lid 5/8 up on one side and 5/8 down on the other, that made everything nice and centered and symmetrical off the door jambs.

After that, needed to shift the body on my killer chassis- 3/16 forward on one side and 3/16 back on the other. Hey now the engine doesn't look crooked anymore either. The rear window isn't kattywhompassed anymore.

No compromise adjustments needed now.
The difference between before and after is dramatic.

 

You are doing it the right way. If you left it alone every time you looked at it you would be thinking about what you should have done.

 

I thought this was a cool shot.

 

Wound up needing this much pivot to get passenger side to match the drivers.
I'd say that's dramatic.

 

When I get myself into situations like this Sinatra's That's Life always seems to pop in my head. Sucks to have standards sometimes but pride always follows.

 

you had to do it, it sucked, it took time, and you did not plan on it. you made it right.....
i bet it feels good.

 

Made the deck lid.
Only difference is that this one is symmetrical and it fits.

Some layout, box and pan break, shrinker, Wheel the crown into the center.
It's a little more involved following the patterns but that's about it.
Had to modify the shrinker stretcher stand to get it in there but that was pretty easy.

 

makes you kind of wonder if they body guy went to catholic school and is afraid of rulers after dealing with the Nuns ... ( I know my buddy the accountant is )

 

It's really nice to know its right now,
But it doesn't feel good yet- and still have lots of block sanding to talk my shoulders into doing. They ain't talking to me as it is.

Sometimes I wish I could just let the standards slip and let stuff go. I really don't know how some guys do it. It literally keeps me awake.

Something needs to explain it, that's about as good as any and damn funny too!

 

there afraid of rulers from getting smacked on the knuckles all the time ... so they eyeball it . they won't go near long slender objects with numbers on it

watch the Blues Brothers when they see the penguin and see what I mean .

( no I did not attend catholic school but still know what happens from my friends who did )

 

Up to see where the new formatting is.

 

Headers mocked up.

 

I'm really digging them

 

Got the quarter all welded back up.

 

Trunk opening pieces made and welded in.
Wheel lip made and welded in.
Wheel wells all finished an fitted.
Made the deck lid got it fitted & its going out for Louvers



Edit: little did I know that I'd be cutting it all loose again!!!

 

Drip gutters too!

All this kind of difficult to do because the ass end of the car was like a slinky with all that metal removed. Measuring was futile because the heater kicking on would move it around. Clamping one thing moved the other. It was a dance to get it all square and symmetrical for welding. Major setback but I think that hurdle has been cleared.


My fab and forming, welding skills are dead on. I just wish I could get the metal finish up to the same level. I know there's guys who could smooth this out enough that a few coats of primer will be all that's needed.

 

Sweet headers!

 

This should be here too.
It's what led to me making the spring hangers a few posts back.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=863086

 

And now we are here .


Stripping the paintwork and bodywork.

 

Passenger side is the same .