Introducing Myself & Rebuild Photos

[David70FJ40]

The background is a '68 GTO. There is also a Challenger and 'Cuda, 70's vintage. The shop does good work, not cheap, but good work. I have to go back tomorrow and will try to get some additional photos. BTW The '68 GTO is for sale, $15k and might take less with a good negotiation.

 

[David70FJ40]

I started the rebuild in Feb and had a goal of completion in June. Now I am waiting on Pacolonline to get a front floor (was supposed to be ready to ship in mid-July but that passed), RSCP was supposed to ship some parts on Monday but that didn't happen and I have to have their parts so I can take it to the body shop for rust repair and painting.

 

[David70FJ40]

Arrived today via FedEx from Real Steel Cruiser Parts. Relatively quick turn around and quick shipping. The quality of the parts looks very good. Rear sill, rear cover, l & r quarter patches plus a new tailgate to replace the one rusted out.

When the body shop is ready, I am just about, waiting on Pacolonline to complete the front floor. I called in early June and the lady I spoke with said mid-July. In mid-July she said August 1st. On August 5th she said she would check and give me a call back. No call yet and no part. I would rather have theirs over RSCP since it is supposed to be one piece.

 

[David70FJ40]

I received my recovered seats back today. Here is what I started with.

Here is what they look like after being placed in the 40 temporarily.

Once the 40 goes in for body work I will have a frame fabricated for the seats so they work as they should.

 

[joyRidaz]

View attachment 1117173 Arrived today via FedEx from Real Steel Cruiser Parts. Relatively quick turn around and quick shipping. The quality of the parts looks very good. Rear sill, rear cover, l & r quarter patches plus a new tailgate to replace the one rusted out.

When the body shop is ready, I am just about, waiting on Pacolonline to complete the front floor. I called in early June and the lady I spoke with said mid-July. In mid-July she said August 1st. On August 5th she said she would check and give me a call back. No call yet and no part. I would rather have theirs over RSCP since it is supposed to be one piece.

What are pieces below he tailgate and in between the 1/4 panel patches?

Very much looking forward to this thread! Those new steel parts look great. I especially am digging that tailgate.

 

[David70FJ40]

Those would be corner channel patches. They are inside the rear bed next to the tailgate.

I was a little let down with the tailgate, there isn't a back on it so I will have a fabricator make one to clean up the appearance.

 

[Rice]

Seat looks nice. Lov'n the outrigger oil pressure gauge.

 

[David70FJ40]

The oil pressure gauge was an afterthought when I was checking to see if the oil pressure sending unit I purchased really worked. No pressure showed. I finally realized the aftermarket dist clamp was holding the dist up just enough to not contact the oil pump. I replaced the clamp and suddenly had 50 psi at idle.

The seat is very comfortable and should fit nicely once a real seat bracket is made. The addition of a tilt steering column will help as well.

 

[David70FJ40]

Arrived today, a rear tire carrier and full step protectors from 4 Plus Products. To say they are well built is not giving them enough credit but they exceeded any and all expectations I had. Good products and money well spent. I will post photos once the rust is cut out at the body shop and the paint is on.

Tomorrow the last of the parts from BTB and SOR.

 

[David70FJ40]

Arrived today from BTB Products in Nevada.

Like the gauges but the finish on the aluminum plate leaves a lot to be desired. BTB overcharged $10.00 for the plate, forgot to send one lamp for the turn signal indicator and sent to the wrong address, in short didn't pay attention to the order as I sent it in.

 

[Rice]

Arrived today from BTB Products in Nevada.

View attachment 1119482

Like the gauges but the finish on the aluminum plate leaves a lot to be desired. BTB overcharged $10.00 for the plate, forgot to send one lamp for the turn signal indicator and sent to the wrong address, in short didn't pay attention to the order as I sent it in.

That looks nice.

Bias disclosure:

 

[jamesurq]

Very nice! Can you let me know the name of the upholstery shop you used? I need to get my wife's car's seats recovered.

 

[David70FJ40]

Sumner Upholstery in Thomasville. His work is usually very good but I believe he rushed my seats a little. He did a better job on my wifes 300M a few years back. If you go there be careful, he will talk your ears off and you can dicker with his price. Don't take his first offer!

 

[Rice]

David, I know you haven't been sitting around doing nothing. What's update on the 40? Sorry have not been down to see it yet.

 

[David70FJ40]

It was hauled to Tinman in T'ville last week for rust repair, painting and fabricating the seat mounts. I would like to get it back this week but I believe it will be after Labor Day. Jason stopped by just before it was hauled off.

 

[David70FJ40]

BTW Did I see your 80 on E. Lexington?

 

[Rice]

Jason's or Alex's 80 perhaps? I took the 40 to school one day last week but the 80 has been sitting. I enjoy driving it except for listening to the engine knock. Still looking for right replacement motor.

 

[jfz80]

Sage green 40th anniversary perhaps. That might have been me. Was up and down Lexington all day on parts store runs for another local's 80 and put in some hours on the white 74. it starts and runs now .... But a bit rough till carb is addressed.

It was great to meet you and pour over the 40 for a while. Can't wait to see it upon return; especially after bolting on all the goodies.

 

[David70FJ40]

Had the 40 hauled off to the body shop and hated to see it go but I knew when I received it back it would be in better shape. I went by the shop today to pay the first weeks labor cost and was able to see what had been done. All the rusty areas have been addressed, the door sills are clean and straight, the rear sill is in and the rusty quarter areas are gone and he did wonders on the floor. I almost ordered a complete front floor from Pacolonline and I am glad now I didn't. He fixed the hump and will be working on the seat mounts next. I will be adding a rear gas tank and getting rid of the bomb that is inside the passenger compartment so the filler was moved from the side to the rear and kept recessed so I wouldn't accidently back into something and damage the filler. He also had some ideas for the replacement tailgate I purchased and will be working those details out tomorrow.

If anyone is interested, the shop in The Tinman in Thomasville. His labor rate is only $35/hr, his work looks to be first rate and he is easy to get along with and work with. I will recommend him. OK..I hear the questions, why didn't I do the rust repair myself? Simple! I know how to work with wood and have been doing that all my life but metal and welding is totally foreign to me so I gave it to an expert.

 

[David70FJ40]

UPDATE

Just returned from the body shop after rust repairing and painting. The shop did a great job although they had to repaint the hood this morning and the shades are different. That can be done next week.

Photos below.







The gas tank is now located in the read of the vehicle with the filler neck in the rear. The tailgate was originally a bolt in but they asked for the hardware and converted it to a real operating tailgate. The seat brackets are first rate and the height is perfect. Thanks to Rice for his suggestion to use Sebring convertible seats! Now all I have to do is reinstall everything I took off for painting, get the switches installed and the new gauges, tires, get the top repaired and wait for the Aqualu half doors to arrive. JT Outfitters was asked to order a set in late July but the sat on the order and didn't make the order until 9/21. I am almost ready to tell them to keep the doors and order them directly myself.