Was today a great day or what... Got today and tomorrow off work as I an on Vacation. Today for me was good and bad.... First the good. I got a chance to go out and work on the Vette this afternoon. The plan for the day was to get in there and fix the upper shock mounts in the rear, and from there if there was time left, to make sure I had my measurements right as I plan on putting the coupe under the knife again tomorrow. I am going to finally get the rear fiberglass work done, and maybe the rear bumper cover done too. Idea in getting them complete is I also want to make a rear firewall. Then I can bolt the rear bumper cover on, and then measure and cut the wheel tubs.

All was going as planned until I was under the car working on putting the upper shock bar up in the frame and Wam the jack let go, and the car dropped to the Jack Stands.... Bad thing is the distance from where the car was, down to the jack stands was a greater distance than the distance between the top of my head, and the frame rail. I have a small knot on top, but my neck is killing me. I feel like I am 1/2" shorter.

I did get the project completed, and now all I have left in the back is to weld in the x-bracing for the wheelie bars, and then later I will come back and weld in a parachute mount. Beyond that, some clean up back there and it is time to button up the rear of the car until I get all of the electrical and fuel system that will go back there. That will just have to wait till the funds get there, but I still have a ton of interior work to take care of. I also have to take my Engine, bolt the trans case to it, and drop it in the car so I can fabricate a transmission cross member and get it put in place. Then the fun stuff begins.

Anyway here are a couple of shots of me welding the cross bar in.

Let's say it was your lucky day tachout, I am glad you are ok.  Your build is looken good and keep up with the good work.

Today was another good day for the Coupe, and the Vert even got a gift from the Coupe. First the Vert... I stole the Bra off the front of the Coupe, and started putting it on the Vert. In the morning, once it drys I will add the Velcro. Looks pretty good with the top I think.



Now for the Coupe.... Today it went under the knife again. Today I cut the rear panels and started the glass work. Here are a the progress pictures.


This is a before Picture.


Then I cut the part out, and removed the piece that was removed.


I taped the panel in place and went to the other side of the car.


Removed that part as well.


Taped it into place.

From here I went under the car and scuffed it up really good. Then I started in on the Fiberglass resin and mat. In the panel removal pictures you will see a piece that is under the outer panel. I did remove that before I did any glass work. I plan on about 3 layers on the inside, (Depending on how it feels) and then will scuff the outside and to atleast a layer out there before sanding it smooth and adding Fiber Filler to smooth it out and get the shape back. The hole in the middle of the opening created from moving the panel back will be filled with mat rather than filler.


Not a good angle, but here is what it looks like while it is drying. I will keep posting progress pictures as weather and temps allow.

This is cool what you are doing here.

Spent most of my morning running errands and then had a plumbing emergency (had to replace the P-Trap, and another pipe in the Main Bath). After that I had the chance late in the afternoon to go out and start doing some more body work. I have also decided I am not going to cut the rear bumper cover and try to reshape it. I am just going to move the entire rear bumper cover back and fill in the gap. Today I decided to do the exterior of the drivers side exterior of the panel. I am no body man by any stretch of the imagination but here is how I am doing so far.








I did some small sanding and filled the seams first. Then worked on thin layers and lots of sanding in between till it felt fair. I have only done 220 so far. Have a lot to do but once I get it done I think the sides will be perfect. I am going to work on the other side weather permitting tomorrow, along with doing some on the Drivers side. Hopefully I can get it close this weekend, and then start working the rear. Still am going to need to get the drivers side filler piece, and make the rear firewall. Will get the back together sooner or later and then will be doing the wheel tubs. Progress is slow, and is something I do around work, and family. I know that 90% do not read this, and that is fine. I am going to be able to say I did it myself, and did it on a budget and will be proud of this POS when it is done. To the 10% that still do read this... I thank you.

It's all good man. Slow and steady will get it done. Looks good.

On the filler.  A little dab will do 'ya.  Don't put so much on. You will just have to take off that much and makes the job harder to finish. 

Just my 2 cents.....

After the NASCAR race today I went out and pulled the coupe out of the garage. Once I get all the body work done, this is what the back of the car will look like. I am in essence moving the rear bumper cover back on the car 2-1/2 inches, and this is how it will look.



I then put the car back in the garage, and started working on the passenger side.






So far 3 coats of Long Strand Kitty Hair, and after sanding down each to get the contour I want, I have put a layer of Short Strand Kitty Hair. Once I get this all sanded, I will be close enough for me to primer and live with it until I take it to a real body man to clean up before I get it painted.

Got it put away with its sister!

Enjoying the journey.  Keep up the great posts.

Weather today was a real disappointment.  I had hopes of being able to work out there around the rest of the work I had to do, and had a specific plan on what I wanted done today.... Did not get there.  Was too cold to do anything more than some sanding.  I thing back years ago watching Tool Time and talking to his boys on the show about block sanding the Hot Rod.  Today my son was outside playing and comes into the garage and asks me "What you doing daddy."  I told him I had to sand down the body work I started and he asked me if he could help.  I could not resist not only letting him help, but grabbing my camera and snapping a few shots.  After I felt I had the coupe close to what I wanted it for the day, and knowing I did not have much longer I could work, I grabbed the rear bumper cover and bolted it on the car.  Then I put one of my filler pieces in, although not sized, or molded (too cold for body filler so I did not fit it) on the back of the car to see how it looked.  Took a few pictures and then put it away for the day.

This build rocks!