Took a big step today

[rficalora]

Loaded up the car & hauled it to the body shop... a few months & it should come back shiney & ready for wiring, plumbing, interior... and dare I say... Indy!

I have to admit, after working on it for the past several years, leaving it with someone makes me nervous though.

[mowog1]

Good news!

[Bill Young]

Wow, great progress Rob. First time I've seen a photo of the car together and it does look good. Really like what you did on the flairs and those wheels work great with the car. I know you can't wait to see it finished and in paint. See you in Indy.

[Bruce Mills]

When I have to ship my car off for repairs which are beyond capabilities (like body work and painting) I will go visit the guy doing the work, have a beer, dream of what it will look like and visit my car.
Congratulations on getting this far Rob. Your going to love driving it

Bruce

[ex-tyke]

When the fully painted car gets returned, it'll be all donwnhill to the finish line.
 A lot of us, that have been following your resto, definitely want to see it in Indy. You can pick up a couple of converts in Dallas on the way up!

[BlownMGB-V8]

I've never taken a car to a paint shop, and I'm afraid it shows. No doubt you'll be glad you left that part to a professional. Can't wait to see the results.

Jim

[rficalora]

I was going to do the finishing body work & paint myself Jim, but I've been at this about 4yrs.  When I added up the hours left & spread them 2 here; 3 there, it would just take me way too long.  I want to get it done so I can drive it!

[kstevusa]

Rob, it look great.  Paint and cosmetic work will finish it off.  Glad you were not blinded by the Light at the end of the Tunnel!
Look fwd to seeing you and car at Indy
SAFETY FASTER!

[tr6turbo]

Rob,    Looks Good.  Can't wait to see it at Indy.

[Mr. T]

Nicessshhh....Robbie

[Phillip G]

Texas Rob,

Lookin' good.  Great flare work !  You should be proud.

Do post photos on the return from the body and paint shop.

Keep them on the track,

Phillip G.

[mgb260]

Congrats Rob!! I've had my project around 4 years and I'm only about 1/4 as far along as you are.

[MGB SS]

Good to here Rob.  Flares look great.  Are those Mustang Wheels they do look and set well

Hope to see/meet you in Indy

Joe

[rficalora]

Went down to check on the car yesterday... They've been on it for a few days now & are making great progress so far

Holes are where the Crossfire mirrors mount (reinforced inside the door to handle the weight)...


This is the fender I put a patch panel on & filled the holes & seam...

[rficalora]

A couple more progress pics...


Omni rear flares widened to cover wider (54" hub to hub) rear track.  You can see the seam between the Omni flare & the extension I made toward the back.  He was grinding the welds on this one when I got there...

[rficalora]

 -- moved topic --

[rficalora]

Went to check on progress when I got back from Atlanta...  He has the fenders/flares blended in on all four corners, fixed some warping I made around the defrost holes when grafting in an early dash cowl, and was smoothing the engine bay when i got there.

[ex-tyke]

Whoo Hoo!.......Indy, here I come.....

[rficalora]

They're getting closeer.  The bottom has been prepped & is ready for the LizardSkin.  The can recommends applying when 70* or warmer.  It gives a longer cure time before painting when colder but they're concerned about adhesion if applied now so we're awaiting a return call from the factory rep.  Luckily the LizardSkin company is right here in Houston & the rep is responsive so should hear from him on Monday.  Plan is to do the bottom, then put it back on the suspension to finish the top.

The engine bay is close to being ready for paint, but a couple of areas need to be touched up first.  Same with the dash.  Here's what those areas look like now...



I haven't decided on switches yet so had them make the dash flat; will drill the holes (carefully) after I decide what'll go where.

[applebit]

any new updates?  I'm liking the wide body :-)

[rficalora]

Yeah, It was supposed to be ready to pick up yesterday -- but, of course it wasn't.  All that's left is to paunt the under side of the hood and trunk lids and to finish color sanding a few areas & then buff it out.  They said they were doing the hood/trunk lids on Sat so it should be ready by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Its a small shop and they bring all the cars in at night so it was packed in there Sat morning.  I got a couple of pics; will post them to my project page soon.