Rust is one thing. Parts availability has a lot to do what what's salvageable there. But when you factor in collision damage and someone's past efforts at repair...
you do some great work , man take a bow , I don't think id be that enthused to save it , unless I was retired and needed something to keep me in the garage lol
Thanks for the kind words guys. I'm surprised myself how much I've enjoyed this car. I'm certainly ready to be done with it. That has more to do with it being my last. So if any of you go out and buy some rusted out POS, DON'T call me. I'll be busy working on MY stuff!
Well it's been a while. Too many projects! I was able to pound out some parts for the bird in the last few days. This first pic. is one of the aftermarket parts that the owner supplied. It was pretty much junk, but I was able to make half of it usable. The part that goes around the grill was too short, as is usually the case with aftermarket ****.
I really haven't had much chance to use my pressure forming machine. It's a simple arbor press with a br*** and hard rubber bottom die, and a slightly crowned top die. It's a slow process, but easy on my hands, and precise. I Started by pressing in the "valley" area. once the shape started developing I made the edge of the grille opening with a hammer and several anvils. The last picture is after some time on the planishing hammer.
The pressure forming was working well, but slow. I needed some serious stretch, so I fired up my home made helve hammer. This tool get's it done!
After much hammering and planishing it's starting to take shape. It's ready for t******* and final shaping. Thanks for taking the time to look....Eric
After watching my dad all these years I've also learned this. Seeing how some customers treated my dad is just unacceptable just because they couldn't afford the bill for quality work. Your metal work is awesome and I can't wait to see it all done.
Hey Tin, That's some tasty metal shaping you've got goin on there! Most of the early italian sports cars ( the ones that now sell for six figures+ !) were built just the way you're rebirthin this bird, small hand shaped panels, **** welded together, planished and filed flush. Most of the pressed formed panels for the small coachbuilders didn't come to use until the sixties.
Over the years I seen more T- birds in the shape that you started with.Panels off bent cars put on bent car.Hats off to you for fixing this mess.
Been a while since my last post. Got distracted with another project, but I'm back on the bird & my Stude. Spent some time yesterday welding. Filled in some areas where the A/M parts were too short. Now that I have enough structure welded in I can turn the car over. In this picture you can see the "truss" I built to support the bottom of the car at the body mounts. To you guys working on the ground, or jack stands, get yourself a rotisserie!! It will be the best investment you ever made!
Still hammering on the bird when I can. Ended up splitting the front lower fender section and welding it back together. Much easier! Had to add in a small section at the top, where it got too thin. I'm pretty happy with the end result. What I learned on this side will make the other side much easier!
Whats under rusty parts??............... More rusty parts!! I'm making this area in three pieces. I could buy them for 300 each, but everything I've bought so far has been ****, so I'm building them. I made masking tape patterns from what was left of the parts. Almost got the first side done. In the last picture the dirty part is the fresh air duct for the heater. It also has a piece that bolts on under the grille. There's a lot going on in this area, but I looks like it's going to work. Cat's good with it so far!
Hi Eric...heres a couple pics of one I did about a decade ago, it still looks like the day it was finished
Hi Eric.Outstanding work.Maybe a good name for that bird would be"Pheonix". Good luck.Have fun.Be safe. Leo
how much time did it take to make support structure for the 'Bird to go on the spit-roaster? My brother has just put his project on a rotisserie and reckons its awesome too..but I've always been concerned about welding pieces in with the weight supported wrongly
Not all that long. Maybe 4 hours. Spent more time measuring than building it! I should have used 2x3, it would have been stiffer. With the bracing in and the "truss" I can turn the car over without it moving, but it took a lot of bracing. Well worth the time and materials. Once the bird goes back on it's ch***is, I'll build one for the stude. I'm going to one piece the cab and front end, so it'll be long enough for the cab to rad support. I can't wait to get the stude on the rotisserie. Best tool I've ever bought!
subscribed!! i love panel forming without all the fancy gear, so much to learn, even the critter is interested in the build.
It's been a while since my last update. I've been cranking out parts and patches. Nearly done with the patching. Got the right fender welded together. Moved to the left apron and fender. The aftermarket apron was too short. Imagine that! So I made on and got it welded in.
The front of left fender is the last and most difficult part I have to build. Actually this is the most complicated part I've built ever!. I ended up building this in several pieces. Had to patch the flange and opening a bit too.
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