Spring 2010 Update - Natalie

After three months of nasty, cold, wet winter weather it warmed up enough today to where I was finally able to out and wake Natalie from her slumber. Bolted up the two 14 inch rims that I'd picked up a few months ago, they still need new rubber but I really like how they make the rear end look. My buddy from down in Georgia had sent me a pair of fourteen inch dog dishes that are an almost exact match for the ones I used to have on my '63 wagon... I put them on while I was at it. Mucho appreciateo Pete! *heh* Let's see, what else... installed the new replacement wiper arms (Natalie's were missing when she got here). I ended up getting two pairs after a spring in one arm broke from rust. The newer set is in much better shape so now I've got one spare arm just in case.

And finally, after sitting without being started for three months I fired her up today. The quick shot of starting fluid I used probably wasn't necessary since she fired right up without hesitation.

Still lots to do. Brakes. Floor pan. etc. Nice day for putzing around tho.

edit: 3/7/2010 - 3:53pm -- updated photos

Week 70 - part 2

Still working on getting the rest of the right quarter panel stripped of paint and body filler. The damage to the sheet metal is all the same - small random sized dents, like someone shot a bucket of gravel out of a cannon at it. It really has me stumped.

Also got the rear panel knocked out while I was at it.

Week 70 (behind the bondo)

Started tackling the right rear quarter panel, the one with 100 pounds of bondo smeared on it. I was almost afraid of what I'd see as the DA sander peeled away the layers of paint and filler. What I found was almost surreal. The metal is full of ripples and horizontal slash marks. I'm really not sure what caused it as it doesn't look like your typical impact damage to me. And the damage to the sheetmetal starts pretty high up. Dunno. May be time to seek out some expert advice here.

Here's a before and after shot.







And here's shot of the left rear fin after I finally got the rest of the paint sanded off. The complex curves here are beautiful.





Guess that's it for now.

Week 69

Slowly stripping her many layers of paint. No less than six in places!

Factory Primer
Factory White (for sport tone, goes up 2/3 of the way in spots)
Factory Maroon
Yet another coat of Primer
Dark Green
Metallic Green

Whew!

Week 64

Got a bit more work accomplished today - find myself still removing bits, it never seems to end. Spend way too much time trying to get the front brake lines and couplings off intact... that turned out to be a total waste of time. Finally took a mini coping saw to the mess and cut the lines at the fittings (since it's all gotta be replaced with new anyway). Also got the power steering pump and hoses removed, without making too much of a mess. Cough. Cough.

Also spied some interior trim that I missed, around the windshield and dash, so got that all taken off as well.

Slow.Steady.Progress.