Going to do the Bela Air as close to orignial as possible - with the exception of building block to the same they used in 54 Corvette. Who would have thought a Vette with a 6 cly?

Will do a frame off restoration. Need a bigger garage....

 

Did a little more work last night and this afternoon.

The rear door was pushed in a little more than I thought. Removing molding made it more visible.



Got some of it pulled out, but still have about 1/4" more to pull out.




Got left side all rough sanded. Roof is in good shape (was repainted just before my brother in law bought it - probably clear coat peeling) so it won't need as much sand.



Anyone know how difficult it is to pull windows out of rear doors? I want new paint to go all the way to under the weatherstripping on window.


Gotta take father in law to VA for lab work tomorrow morning - and then play hookey the rest of the day to sand the other side. Traveling to Austin at the of week so I want to get it ready to prime before I leave. Traveling 3 weeks in January so time will be crazy this month. Gotta maximize it!

 

It's starting to snow and get cold in some parts of Va, be safe

 

So I played hookey today...and worked on truck a little. Sanded the passenger side except lower part from front to back as I have to lay on creeper to get it. Will work on that tomorrow...Won't have ready to prime by weekend as I still have to wet sand entire truck. Hopefully I can get that done Saturday!



And my wife thinks I need intervention. I bought the 54 Chevy on Friday and brought it home on Saturday. Then, while driving throught he country, I discovered these:

Studebaker




Another old Chevy




And....anyone familiar with a 1949 Kaiser?




And there were about 4 old Ramblers also. I am going to get into sooooo much trouble...I can just tell....

 

rear windows have three bolts just have to pop the panel off.while you got the panel off on the driver side you might be able to push that dent out a bit. one of those ramblers wouldnt happen to be a scrambler ? would be a sweet deal if one of them were.

 

I will pull door panels off this weekend. Didn't get a chance to work on it today. I previously had panel off when I replaced speakers and door latch cable. Can't access back die of dent very well due to speaker hole being too hich and too far to rear. Studs pulled it out. Deepest place to fill was 1/16" and checked with straight edge.

I barely looked at Rambles as the Kaiser and Studebaker took my attention. I will prbably go back by there next week when I take father in law back to VA for appointment. FOund out from police chief who owns them, but owner is deployed to Afganistan right now. I know two of the Ramblers had posted no title available, but I know there is a way to get past that - just don't know what it is.

 

I consider something a success if I accomplish what I have attempted and if I learn something in the process. Although the accomplishing thing is going slower than I had anticipated, I have learned that I will most likely be purchasing a soda blaster rig before I start the restoration on the 54 Chevy. The greatest challenge for the Type A personality that I am has been the all too slow sanding process on the Ram. Lots of surface area and sanding all over with 150, then 220, and now wet sanding with 400 ( in the cool weather) is a slow process at best.

Well, back out to freeze my hands in a bucket of cold water!

 

Got a few minutes to work on Ram this evening (but had to stop for NBA game). Welded cracks in one fender. There was also a crack about 2 inches long that runs along the bottom of fender near the lower end of the brace bolted to edge of fender. Welded and ground that one also.



Had to remove the wheel to get enough room to hammer and weld, so I thought I would take a peek at rear brakes (did front brakes with susepension and steering work previously).




As I suspected, the rear brakes were as neglected as much as the rest of the truck! So when I get the welding and grinding done I will do the rear brakes and slap wheels back on before filling and sanding welded area.

 

Paint the drums too.

 

wow your coming along looking good