More drip rails & body work

It looks like I'm officially updating the blog again, and I plan on getting this on the road this spring. Tonight I finished up the drivers side drip rail and tackled the big gap at the back from the chop.

Drip rails

For some reason this idea came to me when I was removing the pile of metal that had been stored in the car over the summer and I had to see if it would work. I used the inside window trim from my model A, and on my shortened car one per side is all I need.

From this point I will be finishing both sides then welding from the inside and cleaning off outside tacks, the cleaning up, body work, etc. but these look the part in my eyes and its vintage steel from the car.





















A shot from farther back, you can see only the back section is on, I need to use the vertical piece that I cut off to finish the front part.

Another bead roller pic

With the real camera

It's time, once again.

I am back to work on the hotrod again as the heat seems to have finally left Michigan for awhile. I have been getting items together, getting the shop in order and preparing for the finishing leg of the car as I want to be driving it this spring.

I spent a couple nights turning an inexpensive vice-mount bead roller into a more usable tool that would handle thicker gauge metal and allow easier control. Sorry once again for the poor camera phone pics, I snapped them on my way out of the garage for the evening.

I started with this;


then built this;

More body repair

I finished up the drivers side body repair over the weekend, just need to create the new rear wheel openings then I can move on and do the same to the passengers as well.

Gauge panel

I cut the holes, mounted the gauges & ignition. I need to clean and paint everything then make provisions on the old cowl tank to clear the depth of the gauges.

Lokar nostalgia shifter

I've been waiting for this part for some time. I was finally able to order it from Summit yesterday and as usually, it arrived the next day - so I wated no time installing it. I did a full write-up on the H.A.M.B. as well of the install. Below are a few highlights;

Gauges & ignition

Just got my ignition switch, oil & water gauges so I decided to see how they are going to look/fit in the stock gauge cluster. I need to do a bit of work to get them to look the part but I think this is the layout I am going with.

Quick picture update....

Misc items - it's mockup time

I am on a path to put everything on the car that is supposed to be in there so I can get some of the fabrication items completed. Radiator, gas tank, lights, headers and other items have been put in place to I can start with wiring, mechanical, lines, hoses and all of that good stuff. The headers are not the final exhaust setup as I plan on doing a dual lakes style header setup on each side.

roof/visor work

Not too many updates but that doesn't mean things aren't being done. I am getting into tedious tasks now and have shied away from any deadline at this point as I am trying to get things exactly how I want them. Here is the drivers side roof to visor work in progress.