Loaded68W34

Over the holiday I got the driver side stripes done, driver side inner fender cleaned up, and the front end just about fully assembled. The hood/ driver fender need some adjustment yet and I am waiting for the new bumper to arrive. Then it should be time to take the car out for its first drive.


Notice the extreme fading just behind the battery area.






I got the idea to use a razor blade from scrappie's W30 thread. It worked really well and saved a few hours worth of work.


Although still visible, the fading is much less noticeable now.

Still keeping my eyes open for a reasonably priced set of 442 alternator cases.

scrappie

You work fast and the fender wells look great from here.
Must be excited to drive her!

Loaded68W34

Got a few final details wrapped up.
Blasted the parking lights, then repainted the inside white and cleared the outside:




Installed the correct tilt column locking plate and cover (purchased from "been there") and replaced the broken key buzzer switch while the coulmn was apart:

Before:


After:



Finished the 2-way power passenger seat tracks. These started out as 66-70 cadillac Eldorado passenger power seat tracks and I combined them with set of A-body tracks to make them work.
Example of Cadillac tracks:


Finshed passenger tracks:

Loaded68W34

Other than a few items to check off when I have the time, the car is essentially done. I still need to make some final adjustments to the hood position, and get the front bumper to fit a little better (along with installing the rest of the bumper braces), but at this point the car is on the road. And yes, it is fun to drive!

dc2x4drvr

Nice work, as usual!

scrappie

Good for you and congrats!
The seat tracks look new. What was the process you used to make them look so good?

Loaded68W34

I blast the tracks and then spray them with a coat of bare metal spray paint. If the tracks have little to no pitting, sometimes, I will use metal rescue and clear over them.

LNCTIME

Looks amazing. Great work and detail.

no1oldsfan

Very cool. Great to hear it's on the road. Looks great. I bet it is fun to drive. Better get used people talking to you. Turned out great.

dc2x4drvr

Nice work, Tom….question, have you charged the AC, and if so, which refrigerant did you use, did you changeout the compressor oil?
Thanks

Loaded68W34

I have not charged the A/C yet. I will wait until spring. I will be sure to update at that point what I use.

dc2x4drvr

Ok, I’m looking at Red Tek..

David Sloop

Turned out great!
Dog dish hub caps are a nice change from the usual rally wheels.

Loaded68W34

Took the car to Ocean City, MD last week for the spring show. Had a little rain on Fri and Sat, but other wise a really good trip. Between driving the car down and back and running around all weekend, I put on about 600 miles. I used envirosafe to charge the A/C and it works great. Here is a pic of the car sitting between my brother's 61 Falcon wagon and my dad's 77 Pontiac Can Am.


On Sunday, I came across another neat patina 71 possible W30 (original OW trans). Green bucket seat interior with his/ hers shifter. Looked like it was painted in the 80's or 90's.

no1oldsfan

Very nice. It must feel great to put some miles on your car. Cool group shot. Interesting colors on that other 71.

scrappie

Tom,
What brand is the bare metal spray paint? Is it something off the shelf at a big box store?
Thx

Loaded68W34

I would have to check, I use a bunch of different brands depending on the color I am trying to get. Most come from ACE or Advance.