Vista Body on Rotiseri
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 455
Well after a fun filled summer of cruise nites and shows I am back on the Vista Cruiser. Started fixing some dents in the spare tire well and the rear cargo floor well. I also worked teh paint off the right rear quarter that had been sectioned in at one tme. I will hopefully get a lot done over this winter and have it on the road in the summer of 2011. Here are some pics of the progress.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 136
From: Orlando, Florida
Rotiserie
T-Riffic job on the "long-roof". Not a big Cutlas fan, but do like the wagons. Steeling some ideas from y'all to use on my '64 Starfire Ragtop project. I like the "hoop idea" But I think I can borrow a traditional unit from a friend. Will definitely have to brace the body. Keep us posted and lookin' good.
Damn, just thought of how many extra little pieces you must have laying around, being that this is a wagon/4door.
Although from the looks of your garage, appears that you are no stranger to organization. 
JT
Orlando, Fl
Damn, just thought of how many extra little pieces you must have laying around, being that this is a wagon/4door.
Although from the looks of your garage, appears that you are no stranger to organization. JT
Orlando, Fl
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 455
Been working on the vista but the pictures are the same so no new ones. Have blocked and primed the roof and quarters a couple of times and am happy with those areas. I ordered the paint and will be painting the bottom soon and then will paint the roof then get the body back on the frame and get started on the doors,gate,hood and fenders. Getting there!!
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Not much new to report as the holidays are here so not doing much. I got the paint and the roof and bottom are ready for paint. Have decided to do the roof first then mask it off and do the bottom. Been spending a lot of money on parts when companys have a 10-15% off sales. Trying to save a little money here and there. Everyone have a safe Holiday!!
1971 Vista Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 35
From: Chattanooga, TN
Envious
Hi Steve, I just checked your whole build log and I can only say how envious I am!! You are doing the job right, 100%. Frame off with rotisserie. It looks great! I'm working on my '71 now and you've inspired me. I'm not going to go to the same extent as you, though (I just want it to look good at five feet, not five inches).
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Thanks for the kind words. Was able to get color and clear on the bottom of the Vista today. Pics are a little foggy because garage hasn't cleared out yet.
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Thanks for the positive comments guys. The color combo was tough but ended up being the first colors I looked at (Also was reasonable cost wise). I didn't know how the Red and Cinnamon would look together but I like it. Now to get the rest of the body ready for paint.
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Been working on the Gate,doors and fenders. The gate had been hit 2 times I had roughed it out while still on the car and there is a lot of plastic on it but not no rust issues. The right rear door had a good crease/dent in and small dents in the other doors but no rust. I did tear down the engine it had been a .030 rebuild at one time but a couple of the TRW pistons were scuffed pretty good. I plan on putting some bullet pistons and eagle h beam rods. I also ordered the wheels and tires and hope to see them in about a month. Hope to get the gate and doors primed this coming weekend. Pics
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,430
From: Northeast Ohio
Looking good, should be downhill all the way now.
It must have been a real bear to do all that work to the tailgate with the emblem and Vista Cruiser script still on it?
Big Red gum is cinammon flavor, so red and cinammon do go together.
Should name the car "Gum".
It must have been a real bear to do all that work to the tailgate with the emblem and Vista Cruiser script still on it?
Big Red gum is cinammon flavor, so red and cinammon do go together.
Should name the car "Gum".
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Yes I will be X sanding these a couple of times before color. I do have a window fan going so I am safe for the most part. I have painted several car in this area so think I am ok.
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Blocked out the doors,gate and the reproduction sport mirrors. Reprimed the doors,gate and primed the mirrors. Block out this stuff once more prime and sand with 400 and these pieces will be ready for color. No new pics as everthing looks the same.
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Got the doors,gate and mirrors ready for paint after a scuff sand of 400. Put the final coats of primer on the front fenders so they are a scuff away. Started on the parts place repro. OAI W-30 hood and this will take some work as it is not to straight as cast. I fixed a couple of bad lows with some plastic and hand boarded the gel coat to get it fairly straight. Put 4 coats of urethane 2K primer on it today and the blocking will begin. I can't believe I just opened my 5th gallon of primer surfacer on this project. Here are some pics of todays work. You can see all the pics at my web site and click the vista cruiser tab http://67.240.170.27/
Last edited by 70vista; Apr 3, 2011 at 05:47 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 455
Just a little update on my project. All the body panels have there last coats of primer and just need to be final sanded before color. Got the engine block out to my friend Bills shop (BTR performance)and we will be doing a 496" Olds stroker with Bullet pistons and Eagle 7.1 rods. The "E" heads are done and according to Bill someone did a decent port job on these at one time. The goal is a 400 HP engine with loads of lower end torque to move this boat. I need to come up with a game plan to paint the rest of this car. I plan to paint the rear gate opening and rear gate jamb plus all the pieces that bolt to the gate.
Then I will get the gate and doors back on the car for final sand and paint. I have the use of a downdraft spray booth at work and think I will use it this time. There still is a lot to do but still plan on getting out this summer. No new pics this time do do the the car pretty much looks the same.
Then I will get the gate and doors back on the car for final sand and paint. I have the use of a downdraft spray booth at work and think I will use it this time. There still is a lot to do but still plan on getting out this summer. No new pics this time do do the the car pretty much looks the same.
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Got the rear gate jamb,gate hardware,sport mirrors and gast tank closeout panel painted this weekend. Nest up paint the underside of the hood,core support and rearend housing in gloss black. Then back to to the getting the rest of the body put together for paint. here are some shots of the weekends work.
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Was able to get some stuff on the Vista recently. Final sanded the door openings and the door jambs,hung the doors and got the gate back on and adjusted. Working on final sanding the outside of the doors,gate,fenders and hood then will be ready for color. All the engine pieces for the 496 stroker are almost done and rearend,transmission parts are almost all bought. Here are the pics of the recent progress.
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Finally,Finally got the color on the body. The color is sinful cinnamon and will be razzleing red where there was woodgrain. I was able to use the spray booths at work for this car and what a treat. There was no cloud of overspray around me all the time like at my shop. Here are a few pics. Starting to see a dim light at the end of the tunnel.
