Drivers Side Fender

That is the truth. In the last 2 years, I have only come across 2-3 that were actually usable, and so I held on to the best one I had. Of course, when I went to get it sand blasted with some other parts, I found out I had more on my hands than I was ready for. Seems to be a little thin in an area on the top that I will have to replace…but how is that any different.

Anyway, I had to get it in primer so that it wouldn’t rust on me. Just a quick shot to get it covered, I will worry about it looking good once it is on the car and I plan on body working the entire car and that is when I have to worry how it will look.

Trunk Panel - Update

I recently updated a number of changes I have made and forgot to add this one. The way the trunk floor is set up I had to measure out and will have to fabricate quite a bit yet. So, I got the largest part of the project done awhile back - though it isn’t officially done yet.

The center piece will still need to have some reinforcement put into the panel with a bead roller, I just haven’t had time to get out to my buddy’s shop to do it. It will cover the gas tank and need to be removable for any servicing that needs to be done to the rear axle or underside of the car. Not a bit step, but every little bit helps. Fun, Fun, Fun.

Here it is with the beads rolled. Next step is to secure it to the brace with some screws.

And finally installed. I predrilled holes about every 4 inches or so and used self tapping metal screws to hold it down. I will put a soft gasket type material as well. Now I have to work on the side boxes to store the air compressors and mount the tank.

Custom Fabrication - Rear enclosure

I am not quite sure how I am going to do this, but I sure am glad that these old cars have so much space in the trunk. I am going to custom build two enclosures to go behind the rear wheels that can serve the purpose of storage and hold my air compressor for my front airbags.

Here is a picture of the passenger side which will hold the air compressor.

Another nice thing about an old car is that you can use it literally as the notepad for your project.

Now all I have to do is figure out how I can make one without having to weld up all the individual pieces.

Pa Dunka Trunk

Yeah….well, I have been trying to get as much done this week as possible. Having this kind of time off is really helpful. Even more so..is having other car guys off as well. I have been working mostly on the rockers, floors and patches. I ran into a problem with the rear door, but got that fixed. Yesterday, my good buddy Sawzall came over and helped fabricate the basis for the trunk.

This area was really weak because the lower trunk latch piece was rusted away as well as the entire floor was gone. So…we went to work.

Prepped the area for the welding we were going to do required the trunk to be attached and permanently fixed by some spot welds. Though the trunk needs to have the latch figured out yet, it had to be there so that we can see what needed to go where.

I will let the pictures speak…and yes Tuck..there is a really nice compartment for my guns….

This will be a great functional area, with a spot for the much needed tools and spare tire, the air tank, air compressors and storage for the road gear. I will let the pictures do the talking. I have plans to fill in the small pieces around the wheel wells and add more welds to certain areas. In counter clockwise rotation……

The big picture shot. There is a section welded to the original floor on top of the crossmember..

Drivers side wheel well

Rear area. Small notch is for the original gas tank filler tube to fit through.

Back lower trunk panel

Moving onward to the passenger side. The 1×1 square tube really strengthened the rear section….

Rear passenger side wheel well. There is little flanges on the fender panel that will allow a piece to be fitted to the area rather nicely…

This is how it worked. One long piece of metal fit under the car. Measured something like 68 inches long and 13 inches wide. This piece has been welded solid to the lower trunk latch and will be ground smooth and serve as a base for the outer spacer piece that runs the length of the car and connects to the two rear fenders.

This is the filler panels that both sides needed. I will fully weld them and smooth them out some. But no one will see this and I will make sure to undercoat all these areas to prevent further rust issues.

This was a big step in the completion of this project and one that I couldn’t have done by myself. Thanks Jeff.