Projects Recreating the jesse lopez coupe

"Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby..."

 

I had a friend call me today to see if I was ok. He said he hadn't seen any posts and wondered if something had happened. My reply was "you mean like having a heart attack out in the shop, and nobody finding me", his reply was..."yeah". This does happen to this age group, it's not unheard of.

I said "I'm ok, just batteleing the fit and operation of these parts that now don't fit and operate like they did before sending them out". He asked "are you learning anything worthwhile?". I said "yeah, to never try anything like this again".

So, to everybody else, everything is cool, pluggin' along, everyday getting closer to being done. The two big adventure's that are looming are actually taking the car out to get it aligned, and finish up the exhaust work.

 

Glad to hear you're doing good and there's still a little progress on your Ford! Can't wait to see the garnishes back in there.

 

LOL us old guys better remember to carry your mobile phone into the workshop. That way if you "fall and can't get up" at least we can call for help.

 

God if I die suddenly I hope its in my garage working on the Ford, and not at my desk at work!!

 

Hey guys, g/ma is taking me on another one of those cruises, all next week, see ya when I get back.

 

Don't fall overboard, we need you to finish this car.

 

Seems the front end has about half your time on this project, but it, along with stance, is probably the single most important element. Impressive. Bon Voyage!

 

Damn..glad you are back with us. Godspeed on your health issue. Followed your build from day one and can't tell how much I enjoyed it. Cruise should be good for you. I half expected to see the car at Texas roundup.. maybe this spring.

 

Hey, I'm back, rested, fatter, and ready to get back to work, too much food, not enough walking, and boring to boot.

Good news, the health issue that I described didn't happen to me. It happens to this age group. I'll have to give you that, but take one away, because the doctor told me today, that there's going to be a new member of the family one of these days, a new knee. The fun never stops.

 

YESSSS! Glad you will be back "Faster, stronger, etc.."! Will that be the "gas" knee or the "clutch knee" Jer?
p.s. I just might get my coupe done before you if you don't get goin' here!

-Dave

 

OK, what the heck is going on, is this thing stalled, stolen, did the shop catch on fire, (he sold off the unfinished project, didn’t he) or what???


I’m glad you asked. Actually, it’s darn near finished. I’ve been “hung up” on these w/s stainless piece’s for almost a year. It seems that I cannot find anyone that can successfully weld them up (although they continue to give the impression that they can). I’ve spent $300.00, plus all this time, finding this out, and I ain’t done. This has created a major roadblock at the cowl that has put the spotlight installation on (permanent) hold.

I finally called Junior thinking that he would have a stainless guy on staff , and I could send him my piece’s, with a template , and he could weld them up. He said that he did, and confirmed that these moldings are VERY difficult to deal with. He also added, that because of these dynamics, the way this was dealt with “back in the day”, was to fit them and then fashion a small cover for the joint and call it good. Huh (?), another “oh, shit” moment. I have everything over at the stainless guy that did Junior’s car for this. DON’T ASK ME WHY I DIDN’T DO THIS TO START WITH. I don’t have a GOOD reason.

The complicated vent glass geometry is now further complicated because of the now LARGER garnish moldings after all the copper plate build up. I’ve had the door panels on and off so many time’s that I’ve worn them out. All this requires steadfastness, determination, and resolve, to push through to the other side.

I went out and removed all the “parts” from the trunk, and the interior, vacuumed the carpets to give me a boost and it worked. I can see how close I am to being done. I’ve installed the glove box door, the radio speaker bezel, and the dash looks done.

I’m having son Dan help me get Junior’s car ready with an intense detail . I think I might have both these cars done in a month. Pics to follow shortly.

 

So happy to see you soldiering on, and making progress -- one way or another. Know that you have a lot of support out here in cyberland.

 

can't wait... ! thanks for the update Jer !

 

Jerry, you have my favorite two cars on the Hamb. It's a bonus knowing they're both local. You're so close, can't stop now!

 

Gettin' there (again).

 

Looking Great!!!!!
Torchie

 

That you are Jer ! very nice !

 

Significant event today. It was so far out of alignment that you could just barley push it. I drove it around the parking lot. WOW, it sounds wicked. The tech drove it on and off the rack. I did appreciate that. [/ATTACH]

 

Sure looks good out in the sun.

 

Looks great Jer! Getting closer. I can't wait to see this all buttoned up.

 

looking sweet Jer !

 

Got to the muffler shop the other day.[/ATTACH] [/ATTACH] Jesse had stock mufflers installed to keep things quiet. Duals were actually against the law back then. ANYTHING that the municipalities could think of, was put on the books so that the cops could boost income for the cities.

 

Well this is great, I'm finally gettin' this part done.

 

But wait, Phil wants to know, "do you want me to crush the pipes so that they can go through here?" HUH?

 

nice !

 

Ok, so no doubt that industrious kid (Jesse) couldn't keep from choppin' stuff up. I should have realized that the chrome extensions wouldn't go through those holes. I must have been doin' something else. I got Phil to get me back, and over that rear axle, before I said that I would take it home and do the mods that are now obvious. I've got to do something about the L. side bumper bracket too.

 

I love your car Jer

 

I'm glad to have you back Bobol.