Hot Rods My first headlining act.. 61 Bubbletop

I'll be here all week..

OK so now all that's out of the way, I know I haven't posted in a while but I thought this would be kinda neat to show. For a while now, I've been working on a 61 bubbletop Impala. Put new quarters on it, painted the underside, topside, underneath the dash, etc.. the owners quickly getting everything assembled back together. So the next step was the headliner installation, so the interior moldings could be reinstalled. So this morning, after cars&caffeine, I headed up to to where the car lives. (Mobile.. I know right?!) Anyways, here's a few pictures of the end results.




The fact that the pattern of stars align, from piece to piece, when they sewed it, is pretty cool. Attention to detail that people won't ever notice.

 

Perfect way to compliment the "bubbletop" Looking good , post a pic of the car if possible. Thanks.

 

Worked at Ford Motor Co. (San Jose/Milpitas plant) in '67, started in Trim Dep't. My buddy Raible would jump into an empty 'hull', right out of the paint after-furnace, sit on a bucket, hang a headliner, glue the front, sides and rear with a small 'mop', out of a glue bucket. Never got a drop on the visible side of a headliner! (2 minutes tops!)
Moving assembly line...
I'd be hard pressed to do one period. Kudos to you for tackling this difficult job!

 

Beautiful !

 

Here's a couple more pee-chures!

 

Man that's discouraging the way it mixes up the order of the pictures, when it places them here.

 

The owner and his wife, are really happy. Makes it all worth it! Thanks

Funny, cos I could imagine the whole scenario, as I read your post.!!!

Much appreciated

 

Big block and a stick shift... RAAAAR!
Real nice job on the headliner. Attention to detail. If you hadn't take the time and effort to line up those little stars, it might've been seen.

Sent from my VS835 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I color sanded the clear, before he picked up. He has most of his work done, and then I can finish with the cut and buff

 

Haa.. it might could!

 

Another thing.. that dustless blaster pushes the glass into everything an EVERYWHERE!!!!

 

My man! Yeah.. Johnny Gee!

 

Long time Jay. Always good to see your work.

 

My love for old cars, got me that particular job on this 61. I'm also working on a 24 Dodge roadster with an Al Simon chassis. That'll be a neat thread, to start soon. Currently working on a Chopped in '53 '29 Ceedan, also.

 

I've done 3 headliners. They wear me out. Love 61 2 door hardtops. My first car-250.00, owned by a little old lady. You did a great job.

 

I watched my dad do 5 of mine, plus 10 more of his. It just takes time, like my uncle said. There's definitely tricks to it.

Being this body was stripped, it takes time installing new track strips, and then make room for the mirror, and the backsides of the interiors, moldings and holes. Over the past three weekends, I'd put in some time and not take up his whole Saturday. (And mine) Today was a "pay off" day, for sure. When you start to see results, and you can't stop smiling cos the customer is just as stoked.

 

Great job! The shots of the naked quarters got me stirred, don't blame you or the owner for getting excited. Please post more pics of this Beauty, Carp.

 

Beautiful work

 

So what's the story on the El Camino it ever get finished?

 

I took mostly video shots, an only a few pictures. I tried to capture the platinum pearl on the roof, but cell cameras aren't very good at that

 

Thanks man!

 

I picked up some more (hopefully) good hood hinges, as the ones I have on there, are junk. I've been working on others stuff, plus life happens.

 

Killer bubbletop! Got any more pictures of the rear end and frame bracing?

 

Beautiful '61. Can't wait to see it finished.

 

Beautiful work. Curious about the drive shaft, 2 piece or one? I left the two piece in mine and always wished I had not! Many cut the bottom of the tunnel but strength of the tunnel is compromised somewhat in that process. Have seen others try to stiffen it up with top bracing.

 

Thanks. I don't have any pictures of the chassis, other than when we married the body back on it. The car was on the dolly he made, when it was at my place.

 

It's a 2pc with the rear being rather short. He designed it years ago, and drove it everyday, before the tear down. Even tho the driveline guy said it wouldn't work. So, I don't know.

 

Nice job. Tricky thing, headliners! With dustless blasting do you /should you still wear a mask? Passenger side rear, is that going to tighten up!