JOZW30's 55 88 LS2 build
#204
Thanks gearheads!
I haven't done body work before, but Google, YouTube, and a couple of forums have made it tolerable for me and I think it's going to be pretty straight. The guy that's going to paint it for me is going to come over when I think it's ready and check it for me. He'll let me know if it needs more work. It's amazing how not straight a fender can be even though there is no apparent damage........
I just wish it was painted already. If the car didn't need so much sheet metal repair from the mice destroying it, I would have left the cool patina and the car would be finished.
I am working hard not to make a show car out of this thing.......
I haven't done body work before, but Google, YouTube, and a couple of forums have made it tolerable for me and I think it's going to be pretty straight. The guy that's going to paint it for me is going to come over when I think it's ready and check it for me. He'll let me know if it needs more work. It's amazing how not straight a fender can be even though there is no apparent damage........
I just wish it was painted already. If the car didn't need so much sheet metal repair from the mice destroying it, I would have left the cool patina and the car would be finished.
I am working hard not to make a show car out of this thing.......
#205
Final stages of sanding the primer now. Finish blocking with 220 then 400 wet and off she goes for paint. I am sooooo sick of block sanding!!!
Hopefully back in the garage painted the first week or so in January.
Shipping out my pot metal pieces for plating this week.
Bumpers next month.
Things should pick up again after the holidays as final assembly can begin!
Everyone have a Happy Hoildays!
Joe
Hopefully back in the garage painted the first week or so in January.
Shipping out my pot metal pieces for plating this week.
Bumpers next month.
Things should pick up again after the holidays as final assembly can begin!
Everyone have a Happy Hoildays!
Joe
#206
Oh, and I think I found a cool back seat! Will need some custom side trim and package tray, but it look like it will fit pretty nice. In fact, I think I'll be able to use the metal hangers that are on the 55 for the seat back.
It's a 68/69 Toronado seat. I'll have the interior guy match whatever pattern I use on the front buckets......
I love the cool speaker grill in the center. I may tie my subwoofer box into that somehow?
It's a 68/69 Toronado seat. I'll have the interior guy match whatever pattern I use on the front buckets......
I love the cool speaker grill in the center. I may tie my subwoofer box into that somehow?
#209
Oh, and I think I found a cool back seat! Will need some custom side trim and package tray, but it look like it will fit pretty nice. In fact, I think I'll be able to use the metal hangers that are on the 55 for the seat back.
It's a 68/69 Toronado seat. I'll have the interior guy match whatever pattern I use on the front buckets......
I love the cool speaker grill in the center. I may tie my subwoofer box into that somehow?
It's a 68/69 Toronado seat. I'll have the interior guy match whatever pattern I use on the front buckets......
I love the cool speaker grill in the center. I may tie my subwoofer box into that somehow?
I have the same seat with the speaker in it from a 68 Toro . I was thinking of doing the same thing ( if I live that long ) with the stereo speakers . I actually got the top half of the seat to fit my 72 CS decent , but the bottom doesn't fit at all . Since the seats are toast in my 72CS , I was deliberating putting that top half in the back with the speaker in it .
edit .... I think your seat may be from a 69 , it looks a bit different then mine .
Last edited by oldsguybry; January 20th, 2016 at 11:17 PM. Reason: Added Info ...
#213
#215
Thanks Oldsr4me, slept well, I don't get all excited any more as some thing always comes up with this stuff. Hopefully I am still going out there today to approve the finished paint work.
If that goes well he is dropping the car off at the glass shop tomorrow to have the front and back glass and stainless installed.
If that goes well, the car should be home before the end of the week......
I'm probably 8 months to a year from completion. Maybe sooner if the money is there and I find a reliable upholstery shop.
If that goes well he is dropping the car off at the glass shop tomorrow to have the front and back glass and stainless installed.
If that goes well, the car should be home before the end of the week......
I'm probably 8 months to a year from completion. Maybe sooner if the money is there and I find a reliable upholstery shop.
#216
Thanks Oldsr4me, slept well, I don't get all excited any more as some thing always comes up with this stuff. Hopefully I am still going out there today to approve the finished paint work.
If that goes well he is dropping the car off at the glass shop tomorrow to have the front and back glass and stainless installed.
If that goes well, the car should be home before the end of the week......
I'm probably 8 months to a year from completion. Maybe sooner if the money is there and I find a reliable upholstery shop.
If that goes well he is dropping the car off at the glass shop tomorrow to have the front and back glass and stainless installed.
If that goes well, the car should be home before the end of the week......
I'm probably 8 months to a year from completion. Maybe sooner if the money is there and I find a reliable upholstery shop.
Good luck today!
Bob
#217
Car is done minus a few pieces of interior trim which will be painted tomorrow! I really happy with how the pant looks. I'm pretty proud of my bodywork too, the car is really straight!
Glass tomorrow, hopefully home by Thursday!!!
Glass tomorrow, hopefully home by Thursday!!!
#221
Your project looks great Joe, but it's your patience and your attention to detail that deserves kudos. I'm sure you're happy in your job, but there's another field that would benefit from your talents.
I know how important attention is to detail. I've been in business for almost 38 years and we've succeeded because of our attention to quality.
It's good you can roll up your sleeves and do a lot of the work yourself. Keep up the good work, but try to speed up. Were anxious to see the fruition of your labor.
I know how important attention is to detail. I've been in business for almost 38 years and we've succeeded because of our attention to quality.
It's good you can roll up your sleeves and do a lot of the work yourself. Keep up the good work, but try to speed up. Were anxious to see the fruition of your labor.
#222
Joe, I know on mine, I browse a photo I want, hit download, wait for it to download, then once it's downloaded, I hit browse again, but don't close it until you've downloaded all the pics you want. I usually do a max of five.
#223
Thanks guys! I really love the freedom that doing this custom has given me. I've learned so much doing this car. I don't think I'd do another nut and bolt restoration.
Oldsr4me, Appreciate the props! I can't wait to see it all together either, I've had this picture in my head form the day I got the car home. There were times when I thought about going in a different direction, but I stayed true.
My hope is to have a unique 55 88. It's why I avoided the basic "billet" custom approach.
Anyway, I'll post more once I get the car home and start assembly.
Keep us posted on your build as well. I enjoy learning from other people's adventures as I much as my own!
Joe
Oldsr4me, Appreciate the props! I can't wait to see it all together either, I've had this picture in my head form the day I got the car home. There were times when I thought about going in a different direction, but I stayed true.
My hope is to have a unique 55 88. It's why I avoided the basic "billet" custom approach.
Anyway, I'll post more once I get the car home and start assembly.
Keep us posted on your build as well. I enjoy learning from other people's adventures as I much as my own!
Joe
#224
On the pictures, I think it has something to do with my loading them form my iPad.....
I never had the patience to move pictures to a hosted site then insert with the url, stuff.
I never had the patience to move pictures to a hosted site then insert with the url, stuff.
#232
Assembly continues....
Discovered that I had a truck drive by wire throttle. The guy I bought the motor from must have swapped it. I had to modify a new GTO unit to fit the Lokar pedal and of course it has different mounting points. I ended up welding an adapter plate to the toe board with tapped holes. Was a little nervous taking the welder inside the finished car, but it came out nice.
Put the driver seat and console back in to make sure it was in a good spot.
Discovered that I had a truck drive by wire throttle. The guy I bought the motor from must have swapped it. I had to modify a new GTO unit to fit the Lokar pedal and of course it has different mounting points. I ended up welding an adapter plate to the toe board with tapped holes. Was a little nervous taking the welder inside the finished car, but it came out nice.
Put the driver seat and console back in to make sure it was in a good spot.