Absolutely beautiful Steve. I love it!

 

love it

 

Made some more progress on the vista in the last few weeks. Got the inner wheel houses painted and installed plus installed the air cleaner and A/C hoses. Still waiting on the interior to get finished. Here are some shots of the engine compartment pretty much done. Steve

 

I detect a red/black/chrome theme there.... Just curious about something. I notice you painted the plastic inner fender liners the same color as the metal. Did you use a special paint to do that?

 

Steve!
What unbelievable craftsmanship!
Thanks for updating the pictures , I had lost track of your progress this summer!
Nice!

 

Allan, I cleaned them with oven cleaner and 409 then wet sanded them with 220,360 and 600 grit. sprayed them sems adhesion promoter then base cleared them. Time will tell if it the paint will stay on. I got them in without hurting them so am happy so far. Steve

 

The engine bay looks great! I really like the painted firewall and inner fenders.

 

Looks like the car won't be out this year as the season is almost over. I did get the hood on and lined up as best as possible. This repro hood from the parts place is ok for the money. It fits but not perfect. My interior guy finall fonished the front seat and need to pick it up and get back in the car so I can test drive a little before winter. Here are some shots of the hood. I have another question/opinion on the roof rack do I just put the rack back on without the extra ribs that lay on the roof or the complete rack?? Steve

 

Looks awesome!
Don't rush it! Finish it the way you did the entire job.. Perfect!
Thanks for loading recent pics!

 

Nice! That's their steel lined hood? I see what you mean on the right side about the fitment where the hood is slightly higher than the fender. Will you have to shave some of the fibreglass at the rear where the cowl stainless goes?

re: roof rack. I would say put it all back on. Just having the bare bones outline of the rack somehow wouldn't look right. IMO it would add to the overall appearance since you've also taken the time to collect and install all the side stainless. It would be a shame to skimp on the last few detail parts. Aren't there roof bosses for the bolts to attach that trim?

 

Yes Allan that is there steel lined hood and its not a bad fit just wish if you are going to make something make it right. I already have installed the rear lip stainless and it sticks up a little at the corners like the hood is not shaped right there. I would not have used this on a stock restoration and would have paid the money for a Thorton and probably should have for this car but live and learn.

I already have all the stainless ready for roof rack and will probably do the whole rack. I was lucky as all the pot metal corners for the rack are pit free and the chrome is still nice.

Thanks for the positive comments on the car.

Steve

 

Steve,

Congratulations!! You're car is spectacular and the craftsmanship is absolutely top shelf!

Randy

 

BEAUTIFUL paint, Steve! I love the custom stripes/panels on the hood. Brilliant! Keep up the good work.

 

More progress on the vista. Got the front seat back and back in the car. Also assembled the roof rack and installed on the car. Here are some pics. Steve

 

It's all coming together now Steve! Nice!

 

Looks great! I like that you used the Rallye 350 style stripes on the sides of the hood scoops. Don't feel bad about the fitment of the hood. Most factory OAI hoods don't fit that good either. I test fit 3 original hoods to my W-30 before i found one I liked.

 

Thanks for the positive responses. Will be having all the fixed glass being installed in a week or so. I have some water spots on the vista glass that won't clean off. Does anyone have any suggestions on cleaning this?? I have some rouge that has to be mixed with water and buffed that I may try once the glass is installed but would like any other suggestions. I also am looking to replace the strip on the back gate that fills the opening between the bottom of the gate and bumper. I took the original and stripped it to the metal core then made a vinyl strip and riveted it to the original metal and brackets but not happy with it. Looking for ideas for this also. No new pics right now. Steve

 

Try white vinegar......works on matte finish paint for waterspots.

 

Back in the day the pros used cerium oxide. I have some, but I have no idea where it came from. It's a powder and you just spritz a little water onto the glass, dust on a little cerium oxide and buff it with a wool pad till it dries. As it dries it gets picked up by the pad. Spritz on a little water and it's back on the glass. Pretty neat. It'll take out .002"-.003" scratches, so it should work on water spots.

Try #0000 steel wool also. It will not hurt the glass. A third trick would be just using buffing compound and a wool pad.

I just found your project thread and can't wait to see more! For now though, it's time to hit the sack. Keep up the great work. You're almost there!

 

Thanks for the ideas guys. I tried the white vinegar and steel wool without success. I have some glass rouge I will try later. I got all the glass back in and some of the widow trim back on. Still waiting on the interior and visit him again next week. Steve

 

Try this.

 

You could also try claying the glass.

 

Thanks for the tips. I will try those ideas. Steve

 

Beautiful

 

Just a update on this project. The car is all together and running/driving. I have only put a couple of miles on it but will start driving it more soon. Still need to charge the A/C and recheck all my brake and hose connections. Will post some more pictures soon. Steve

 

That's a real tease. Looking forward to the pics.

 

I'll add to the tease:

 

Mike - I have a question about the alignment. Why does an A body need 4 wheel alignment? I can understand the front end, but there's no adjustability I know of on the rear.

 

Talk to Steve. I pulled the pic off FB

 

Pictures please you're killing us here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Allan.. On my machine at work you have to use all 4 heads even though the rear is not adjustable. That was the first time I used that machine but worked out well. I will have pictures soon. Steve

 

Steve, it looks great! you really did a nice job on it!, now all you need are some "kids" for the back seats. LOL Hey, thought you'd like to know, the W-30 is going to be in Hemmings Muscle Machines sometime soon... 6mo. to a year, maybe soon...as they have never had a 69 W-30 in the mag. before.

 

x2

We want to see the finished product! LOL

 

What is the wheel/tire combo with back spacing? I like that look and am debating on 15's or 17's for my wife's 68 vista. Looks great.

 

OK I got some shots of the interior to start. I think the colors look good with the exterior colors I picked. Steve

 

That is one awesome buggy! You shoulda been in the Oldsmobile design department in the '70s. Maybe they'd still be around today.

 

Steve - that interior is a thing of beauty. Did you do the designs and color schemes yourself?

 

Took some shots outside tonight but it was a little dark. The colors really pop in the sun and will get some better shots this weekend. Steve

 

Thats great Joe that car defintley deserves it. Let me know what issue so I look for it. Steve

QUOTE=W-30 Joe;706860]Steve, it looks great! you really did a nice job on it!, now all you need are some "kids" for the back seats. LOL Hey, thought you'd like to know, the W-30 is going to be in Hemmings Muscle Machines sometime soon... 6mo. to a year, maybe soon...as they have never had a 69 W-30 in the mag. before.[/QUOTE]

 

Yes they are with the help of my wife. I think I came up with a different combo. Steve