Projects A late introduction-Junior Conway coupe build

Com'in home and some shots of the original for comparison with previous pics.

 

As close to perfection that a talented man can get to:

 

There's a lot going on right now. We might be at a crossroads of sorts. Son Dan is very frustrated with the problems/progress at the moment. Iv'e had to explain to him that what we're involved with is very different than the structured/production environment that he (and I) are used to. We've only been at this for about 9 months. These projects can (and do) take years. All the unknowns and the unreliable people that you try to depend on. The parts gathering (and reconditioning) that's another world away from collision repair on late model cars.

Having the car up in the air like it was revealed some issues that have to be dealt with. The last trip to the paint booth did more damage than we originally thought. We just initially saw the damage to the front gravel shield at the bumper brackets. The crazy driving and the gyrations that the car went through and the flawed tie down method that was used has caused damage to the ¼ panels. I think there was some flex to the body during the coming and going. Once again the car photo's well. As with all pics of cars on the H.A.M.B. seeing pics and seeing the car in person are two very different things.

Kurt McCormick has told me that all the damage to his cars has occurred during the transportation (towing) process. That's why he's set up his cars to drive. I have to say that I thoroughly understand. I told you I don't like this part.

The ¼'s need to be blocked and probably repainted. There will be things that can be attributed to 57 tech but, not stuff like this. I suppose there could be some that would say oh, come on lets get this done, but I doubt that. There is a previous repair (last owner) on the r. fender that we thought was good that has failed. That has to be fixed also.

I'm realizing that upholstery is out of the question until the spot light part of this build is finished. The templates that I got put the lights in the wrong place. The A pillars will have to be welded up and redrilled. How do I know this? The latest close up of the windshield (RikHovingKustoms.com) reveals this. The pic shows the handles pointed towards the r/view mirror (not down). I'm happy to report I just found and purchased a beautiful set of 552's, the correct type, from Ron Mullane (Slo Pok).

Thanks Rik. No seriously, this is all good in the sense that it insures that the finished product is what it needs to be with minimal compromises.

After a lengthy discussion with Dan all is well.
Ah, the adventure continues.

 

Your dedication to this build is second to none. I am continually impressed with the attention to authenticity, and the overall quality of this build.

Thanks again, and again, so much for sharing it!

Todd

 

Distasteful but necessary.

 

The mailman has struck again!!!!!

 

Iknow, Iknow, but we want to keep them reasonably clean while all this dirt is flyin' around.

 

Don't forget to not let the black part of the tire touch the white part! It will stain.

 

Ok, guys/gals Mom has "had it" we gotta get outa here. We'll be gone for a couple of days. i'll check in when we get back. Dan will continue the "process". ONWARD!

 

It was great to meet you guys today. I'm glad I was still there when you came by. I can't wait to see the finsihed product!!

 

Well we're back. We headed for E. Texas. We did stop and see The 235 Kid at Hatfield Restoration. We just about missed Pete (The Kid) who gave us the tour. Very interesting. An example of what happens to a car guy (Gary Hatfield) that stays with his passion. A house, a couple of wives, and many employees and out buildings later you have a restoration/hot rod shop with decades of history and credibility. I wish I had continued with the original dream.

We ended up in Jefferson Texas and stayed at the Excelsior hotel that was built in 1840 and remodeled in 1960. We stayed in one of the original rooms. Very cool.

Ok, we must get the next (last?) batch of chrome ready to go up north and, deal with this next (last?) body/paint issue dealt with. Then its off to the upholstery shop.

 

please fill me in on the rims, very nice !

 

They are the stock 15" rims taken apart, chromed, reversed and reassembled. See post #400. Jr's continued quest for "modern" made this happen. They are said to be the first set done like this.

 

Ain't this fun??????

 

were the valve stem holes welded shut and redilled on the other side? or do you now fill it up on the backside of the wheel?

 

They were welded up and redrilled. Iv'e put tubes in all four tires as a safety measure.

 

Looking good buddy!

 

I don't like gold/bronze powder. If your not careful it will "stand up" on you. Then it really likes the clear.

After all the grief iv'e been through with the Appletons Iv'e really gotten a nice set, and after holding the brackets up for a fit these will be easy to do. I'm going to do a tech on the installation.

 

Ok, we're going to start the spotlight install/correction. You have to check out post #209 to see what I received from Dick Jackson. I thought this was correct (as he did). I was cloning Jr's car and Dick was showing me how he's always done these. I thought everything was cool until Rik posted the windshield close up pic. That forced me to go back and look again at all the pics that were available. I noticed that the pic of the hood open had a look at the spotlights that I had not paid attention to earlier. It shows the handles pointed towards the rear view mirror more than down, just like the w/s pic. A closer look at the interior shot (with Jr on the phone) also shows this. We were always puzzled by the red (above the glove box) thing in that pic. Jr confirmed that he had painted the handles the body color. Everything is falling into place (starting to make sense) now. So, do I have to change this? Yes. Does this suck? Yes. Should we have been more careful? Yes. The next clone we build (ha!) will benefit from this experience. But I do consider this kind of stuff critical on this build. I can't shake the feeling that we are on holy ground. So that makes this ok. Thanks for hangin with us

 

Looking sweet...

 

It's good to be on the other side of this. The skirts have felt like second class citizens for some time.

 

I have a strong suspicion that the pictures don't do the paint justice...looks like glass!

 

What color is the paint? Is it custom mixed or a stock color? Thanks, Todd

 

It's a modified stock GM formula. The Mica (pearl) is replaced with metallic to retain the traditional look and keep it correct for the era that these (metallic) custom colors were mixed in. This is the time frame before pearls, candies, etc..

 

Here's a look at the process for those not familiar with installing Appletons (Iv'e never done this before). The handle must be removed from the housing (top screw). The shaft must be pulled out of the housing. The grooves on the handle shaft make the bell (bulb housing) move by meshing with the grooves in the shaft. The shaft will be inserted through the outer bracket (on the A pillar) after its correctly positioned. The bracket is located, the guide (shown) installed, and drilled with a ½" drill bit.

 

Very nice. Those spots can be tricky the first time.

 

Hey! Just checkin in. My computer died Sunday. Just gettin this one up and goin. Appletons are lookin good and on track. I'll post pics as soon as I have this configured.

 

Ok, you can see where the bracket was located prior to this redo. I had to blow up a side shot to get a feel for the correct height on the repositioned bracket. The bracket seats itself to the A pillar because of the shape that fits very good. The bracket #'s are L-975 and L-976.

 

that makes me nervious ! looking great !

 

Ive' got the brackets located and mounted and the 1/2" holes drilled. The chrome windshield mldgs (inner) may need to be notched. I'm not purposely drawing this out. It's sandwiched in between other things that need to be done.