Projects Recreating the jesse lopez coupe

man o man did this thing turn out amazing

 

Then there 's this.

 

Well I've talked about my challenges that advanced age has brought to the party, there's just some things that I can't do. Mostly dealing with my compromised eyesight. Son Dan has been a life saver in so many ways. With the issue of getting these cars ready to sell, its helped in keeping him motivated. Him and his brother Tom are going to split the JCC 50/50 because of their help which is in the Jr build story.

 

Looks like a fun project.

 

Well, let's get the JCC'S f wheel/tire "knocked out". I'm continually amazed at what it takes to do stuff that I've never done before. We must start here.

 

First cut.

 

View attachment 5566666 Here's the wheel done. It reveals that the inner raised part must be cut down because this is a reverse wheel. I've put the lathe away, so I must find a way to remove this inner "hump".

 

I'm getting a little ahead of myself here. First, we need a hub cap on that "hump". You see a pickle jar with a lid, I see one with a hub cap.

 

I think that the pickle jar lid is the right shape and with some help can become the hub cap.

 

Well, we've got the hubcap done and in the right position which shows that life is a period of adjustments, and we need one.

 

This is what I used to ' remove the hump, oh yeah, it worked good.

 

You lost me getting from pickle lids to bullet hubcaps?

 

That pickle jar lid, is now the hubcap!

 

With the hump gone, we discover that the hub cap is too small

 

Here is the whhel glued in place with the enlarged hub cap resting in place.

 

Well, it needs a little more "tweeking" to look right. We will do that later, here's the original and the imposter together .

 

Can you use the Chrome paint on it ?

 

Good question Frank. With what little work I've done towards solving an important part of the project, I've got the chrome marker pens and they looked like they might work. They looked great at first (very bright and shiny), however after a while they dulled down and I don't think I can make them work. I've
got the Alclad products and will see if they will work.
This is part of the project where I definitely would appreciate any success stories that might be out there. I think the model car/plane guys have experience with this situation.

 

Have you tried the Molotow chrome pens? They sell them at Hobby Lobby. I have a couple for model cars but haven’t actually used them yet.

 

W0W! This might be "just what the doctor ordered". I have a different product line, but it looks like the same type of stuff. Just what I needed (we'll see). Thanks Doc, AND this wouldn't have happened without you, Frank.

 

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a ho ho hope that all is well with you, and yours.

 

Merry Christmas Jerry !!

 

Merry Christmas from Oz!

 

OK. it's time to give 2023 my best shot. Son Dan has a new job that puts him in the office of a big Mercedes dealers collision shop writing estimates and he's doing well. He's jacked up about learning how you deal with insurance companies to get paid. Unfortunately, it's on the east side, which means a longer drive and less time to help me. We'll have to see how this goes.
Meanwhile Dads work on wooden cars continues. Here's a look at the rear of the "car", that needs that "spear" to the taillight. I've put down some k36 primer where the skirt will go to make sure it doesn't "rust" there. Old habits die hard.

 

Your son Dan needs to learn the P pages well to get the most $$ out of the repair. the biggest eye opener I had when I went to Tech Core and saw how they did time studies. It's amazing what they tell you is included that's not included in the time studies. It's more like this is what we are going to Pay for the repair Divided by the Labor Rate Determines the Hours for the job. Frank

 

Ah, the p pages, yup your right Frank. These days they are in the computer programs that every collision shop uses. However, they (the insurance companies) still try to control how the shops communicate with them. Dan has an analytical mind and that is what pulls him in to the minutia of the programs and how they do, or don't work.
I am amazed at what the shops get paid for compared to when I was doing this. If you are on Facebook they have a robust collision section, just type into their search bar, Texas Collision group. They talk about all the current problems and solutions. (?)

 

]5624180[/ATTACH] let's get this thing done.

 

Here's the "woody" in Feather fill .

 

Guide coat.