1KULC7
Well-known member
Well, we are getting closer, but still not there. Let me explain. Below is a photo of the front end. The grill, trim, bumper support brackets and bumper all put on...but look very close to the passenger side bumper...it goes upward and is crooked. Well, the bumper mounting bracket welded on the inside of the bumper has been damaged at one time. It was not noticable before because that side of the car was crooked because of the frame being bent upward. When we restored the frame to the factory specification, and the bumber brackets are mounted perfect, the damaged bumper is now is very apparent.
One import thing I have learned is to use recommended proven vendors, even if it costs a little more. So I did and used FRANFORD Plating in Philly, and it cost me dearly, over 1300 to do all the bumpers, but they stand behind their work. We called them and they told use to fix the bumper and send it back to them where they will strip it, plane it down again, and replate it.
So as you can see, when you think every is going along fine...now here are some other gremlins that have happended the past few weeks. Somehow a piece of the rare window trim has become missing, spent a day looking all over the country for a replacement, found one in California... The drivers side window frame is missing the window guide. The person who put the car together after the accident on the drivers side door, cut the track off so the window would fit better...had to located a new frame, they don't make them anymore, found one in Ohio. We thought we would have a problem with the trim on the windshield, went on no problem, our problem is with the weatherstripping on the rear glass, too thick for the clips. Have to take the good old dremal tool and trim down the weatherstripping so the trim can clip onto the trim clips under the weather stripping. Another problem is the window channels on the driver and passengers door. These MUST BE PERFECT when put in, however the channels I got from the vendor did not have the lower clips, so we purchased the clips separate...did not work, have to rebuy the channels with the clips already on them. The seat backets riveted on perfect and all the seat hardare replace and is perfect.
Now on the bright side, all the back pieces fit PERFECT as the photo belows shows...
This will be the only time you see this car with dirt on it...well thats shop dust.... Notice the fit...better then factory.
Next was the hood grills. I have the originals but used repros, they fit but not as good as the originals, so I am using the repros for now, we managed to make them fit. See photo below...
So now we are ready to mount the seats and finish the interior, the windows, including the window panels, and wait for the bumper to return. Still have to work on the engine pullys, got a pair of originals for an L76 (340 HP) engine, and replacing the idle pully to zinc coated, per what was on the car when it was built, the black painted ones came out around February 63, my car build January 24th, would have zinc...got to get it right.
Still have to replace shocks, and couple of other smaller items, then, with the grace of God, it will be ready.....
We keep on going.....take all winter to clean this thing
One import thing I have learned is to use recommended proven vendors, even if it costs a little more. So I did and used FRANFORD Plating in Philly, and it cost me dearly, over 1300 to do all the bumpers, but they stand behind their work. We called them and they told use to fix the bumper and send it back to them where they will strip it, plane it down again, and replate it.
So as you can see, when you think every is going along fine...now here are some other gremlins that have happended the past few weeks. Somehow a piece of the rare window trim has become missing, spent a day looking all over the country for a replacement, found one in California... The drivers side window frame is missing the window guide. The person who put the car together after the accident on the drivers side door, cut the track off so the window would fit better...had to located a new frame, they don't make them anymore, found one in Ohio. We thought we would have a problem with the trim on the windshield, went on no problem, our problem is with the weatherstripping on the rear glass, too thick for the clips. Have to take the good old dremal tool and trim down the weatherstripping so the trim can clip onto the trim clips under the weather stripping. Another problem is the window channels on the driver and passengers door. These MUST BE PERFECT when put in, however the channels I got from the vendor did not have the lower clips, so we purchased the clips separate...did not work, have to rebuy the channels with the clips already on them. The seat backets riveted on perfect and all the seat hardare replace and is perfect.
Now on the bright side, all the back pieces fit PERFECT as the photo belows shows...
This will be the only time you see this car with dirt on it...well thats shop dust.... Notice the fit...better then factory.
Next was the hood grills. I have the originals but used repros, they fit but not as good as the originals, so I am using the repros for now, we managed to make them fit. See photo below...
So now we are ready to mount the seats and finish the interior, the windows, including the window panels, and wait for the bumper to return. Still have to work on the engine pullys, got a pair of originals for an L76 (340 HP) engine, and replacing the idle pully to zinc coated, per what was on the car when it was built, the black painted ones came out around February 63, my car build January 24th, would have zinc...got to get it right.
Still have to replace shocks, and couple of other smaller items, then, with the grace of God, it will be ready.....
We keep on going.....take all winter to clean this thing
