Build #27 red and white 55, full body restoration.

[kelly saad]

Phenomenal work @kelly saad !
Can’t believe I’m only just seeing this now!
(WDE)
Probably for the best in order to keep this documentary clean and riff-raff free.
I’m in Cottonwood - let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

Thanks!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Phenomenal work @kelly saad !
Can’t believe I’m only just seeing this now!
(WDE)
Probably for the best in order to keep this documentary clean and riff-raff free.
I’m in Cottonwood - let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

See post 1371. Someone's not keeping up.

Build Post in thread 'A pig for Father's Day'

Nov 2, 2025

Kelly has started his own body rebuild thread in the 40/55 section. Lot's of great details being documented.

• WarDamnEagle

• 

 

[kelly saad]

I worked a little bit on some other small parts but now I will remove these. Im getting closer to being able to assemble the roof.

 

[kelly saad]

Looks like more bare metal in here. There is coating but its thin and may have not covered everything, specifically where the rust is at, looks bare.

This body is now getting wiggly and jiggly. Nothing left to hold it together.

 

[Martyt]

Someone got an “A” in metalwork. Nice work so far!!

 

[kelly saad]

Backside of the inner piece of the B-pillar. You can see the bare metal there underneath the rust. More evidence that coating didn't reach all the hidden areas, and this is most likely why the 55 rusts so badly. In my opinion anyway.

 

[kelly saad]

See the line where the coating stops. It was pinched tightly and the coating couldn't reach behind the two pieces. Above the screwdriver is bare metal.

 

[kelly saad]

This is my life. Had to buy over 100 of these.

 

[kelly saad]

Just removed this piece on the upper back of the body and here we have more bare metal. Seems that every piece along the upper structure where the gutters attach are bare metal inside with rust.

 

[kelly saad]

This is a factory seam and shows exactly how they attached it. Big gap, not straight and looks quite sloppy. Not criticizing, it's just interesting.

 

[kelly saad]

Im excited! I got several of my Vice Grips back. There were 4-5 holding parts of the body together.

 

[kelly saad]

Next step: Flip this upside down and remove the floor braces, inner fender halves, disassemble most of the firewall and take everything to the sand blaster.

 

[Ol Yeller]

Next step: Flip this upside down and remove the floor braces, inner fender halves, disassemble most of the firewall and take everything to the sand blaster.

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Starting to look like a model kit, freshly cut off the sprue. Wow.

 

[kelly saad]

Now is the time to scan parts! Haha

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I hope you’re keeping good notes Kelly. I would be just a little lost right about now.

Which is why it’s in your shop!

Edit: Should have said, "One of many, many reasons why it's in your shop."

 

[cruisermatt]

this is really something. Has to be the most thorough dissasembly and reassembly of a 55 ever.

 

[Ol Yeller]

and reassembly

 

[RUSH55]

 

[WartHog73]

Next step: Flip this upside down and remove the floor braces, inner fender halves, disassemble most of the firewall and take everything to the sand blaster.

View attachment 4115153View attachment 4115154View attachment 4115155View attachment 4115158

Amazing and scary at same time…!

 

[kelly saad]

Firewall disassembly now. Then we can flip the floor upside down.