Body back on frame---almost finished!

[69MyWay]

As you saw in the prior post, I finally got the rolling chassis back for this 71 project car.

I picked up a nice set of four wheel dollies. Man...was that smart thinking! Big lots had them for $20 each. It made putting the frame in place soooooo easy to drop the body down.

I balanced the body using my door support braces, then raised/lowered it with a chain hoist rigged to a support in the ceiling. Nice and easy...no strain, no worries.

With the four wheel dollies I put the chassis in the sweet spot and lowered the body until the eagle landed right on target.

Notice I wrapped the frame with plastic. This is to keep overspray primer/paint off the freshly powder coated rails.

I am fighting with the door jam openings right now. Not unexpected as the geometry has all changed since I replaced the bird cage.

You can see all the photos as well as the updated ones here:

71 Vette Project

 

[matchframe]

Looks good!

That's a great idea using the dollies to get the frame just right!

I see you have your help with you in the garage.

Bill

 

[Bob_K]

It's looking like a Vette again. Congrats!

 

[Enigma]

Looks Great!

Don't know where you get the time. Just doing the repairs I had took most of the summer.

How would you like to work on my birdcage next Just Kidding.

I would be interested in the total Hours spent on the project and the cost.

Enigma

 

[P-ColaVette]

Possible time off ????

Hi Chris !

Hey Chris, does this mean that you might be able to take a weekend off soon ? Like maybe this coming weekend, the 13th & 14th ?? You know where this is going, right ? MC III is almost upon us !!!!!! I may be coming to J-ville to pick up an X-pipe for my C-5 in a couple of weeks, and if you & Nicki don't make it to MC III, maybe I could visit with you at your shop ?



Steve.

 

[69MyWay]

Steve,

You are more than welcome to drop in.

We are actually going to be in a wedding now the weekend of the MCIII. I know....darnit!

As far as this 71 goes now, you will see slow incremental progress over the next couple of weeks. No more big leaps forward as I will be spending most of my time in the door jams.


I may be taking on a midyear for a friend of mine next. The birdcage in that car is rotted out. It is a coupe, and that will provide an additional chanlleng for me. Plus, it is a HIGH dollar car, so I am a bit nervous about taking a saw blade to it and hacking it up.

However, at the same rate, the only way for me to learn how it works is to jump in with both feet.

 

[69MyWay]

Don't you love the smell of fresh paint????

Well, the jams are all done, painted, and waiting to put the doors back on the car .

It will be going home this week.

We have pulled off the frame off, bird cage replacment, and misc. other things in record time. This total project started in July!

I just uploaded the most recent pics to the 71 vette project site.

 

[matchframe]

That is amazing speed! I bet that timing rivals many of the full time shops with several employees.

When you did the door jams, did you also paint the complete doors? or just the jams?

I would guess that the color you shot is the same the rest of the Vette will be.

Nice Work!

Bill

 

[69MyWay]

Bill,

I did not paint the outside of the doors, as they still have to be prepped.

Basically, after the doors go on, this car will be treated as if it was a 2002 Vette that had been keyed, or acid rain damaged. In other words, the jams will be protected (taped, covered, etc), and the exterior work will begin.

When it comes time to paint the outside they will be taped off, the outside shot..and it will all match (yes, the same color).

The owner came and looked at it last night, and we all went out for some BBQ. I think he is happy with the progress.

Now......the six speed swap can begin!!!!!!!!