My son Dan assembled the grille he designed and printed in Renntech's 3D printer. He is also a perfectionist when it comes to his craft so he wants to make some final tweaks but it looks like it's going to turn out exactly like he wanted it to. Here's a picture he sent me from his cell phone. We'll post more on that as things progress.


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Love the grille Lou. Looks fantastic. Classic yet modern at the same time. Would love to know more about the process. I imagine its all CAD and laser...

I wanted to do the same with mine. Custom one off but not too out there. We made mine out of metal which was very time consuming with several tries to get right. Looking back CAD would have been way easier and faster. We just didn't have that option.

The joy of modern technology :lol:

Keep up the great work. Car is already bad a$$ and can't wait to see color on it. Kevin and the team are doing amazing work.

Holy crap!!! I've heard the term 3D printing but never really new what it was. That is so f-in cool!! :thankyou:

you better sell these when your done. !!!!!!!

Here are some update pics

Since I'm a clean freak and plan to keep the bottom of the car looking nice we decided to paint the bottom with semi gloss IMRON vs. a bedliner or other rougher texture coating.

I realize I may be giving up some sound deadening quality of other coatings but that is a trade off I'm willing to make for a very sanitary bottom that I can periodically make look like new again.

Of course, that decision required some pretty intense preparation of the bottom.

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Once all the basic prep and seam sealing was done inside and out, Nathan laid down a coat of epoxy primer on everything. Having the tub on the auto twirler made it a heck of a lot easier for him to get to every single nook and cranny.

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After the epoxy primer was applied, Nathan then sprayed Imron to the inside, bottom of the floor and the firewall.

Next the painted motor and trans were assembled back into the subframe so it could be put back into the car along with the rear end.

The exposed aluminum portions of the engine and the transmission were painted with a high temperature nano ceramic coating so they will look new and fresh for years to come.

V8TV puts the drivetrain back in before doing the final bodywork so all the gaps and body lines will be perfect and not shifted due to the weight of the driveline.

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The subframe and drivetrain are wrapped to protect them during the upcoming bodywork and paint phase.

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Great update. Getting close. You've got to be excited.

Wow a lot of progress. Its really coming together. I like the idea of the Imron paint its almost indestructible. Looking great!

I agree nice update

Woohoo!! Starting to resemble a car again!!


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Adam and Nathan modified the front valence to make it flow better with the custom hood they also built per Dan's design. Knowledgeable 1st gen eyes will notice that the center hump in the valence is gone.

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We need to decide what color to paint the grill before Nathan starts spraying colors. We're torn between black for the more sinister look and titanium to match the Forgeline centers.

Tough decision even with the aid of renderings.

Black Grille:

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Titanium Grille:

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Titanium Grille for sure, its such a nice grille to lose the details in all the black. Project is coming out great.

Completely agree.

Yup titanium would be what I would do!! Looks great Lou!!

I vote black to go with the other accessories of the car. Both, hockey and hood stripes are black, the lower, front valance is black and the hood vent is black. I just think it would all match better. The titanium wheels would be just the perfect touch to not have too much black.

X3.

Don't disappoint us Lou. :D

Hmmm........I'd match the grille to the wheels. Either rendition looks great, though my personal preference is leaning to the darker grille as it fits the overall scheme.

Subtle twist: Orange door handles (like the mirrors) with black anodised push buttons?

What color are your wheels, chin spoiler & the Stripe going to be on the car ???

I like the Titanium but it may be close to the wheel color and then the stripe might be a different color. So there may be to many colors merging together in such close proximity of each other.

Maybe match the Grille & the Chin Spoiler to tie it al together.

This has been one of the hardest decisions on the car. I think the wheels are dark enough that the grille, tail, and wheels should all match.

But... (Lou don't kill me for saying this.. )

It's only paint! It could change if need be. We could shoot it in the wheel color, and then change it back to black if it's too "loud", but I really think the lighter shade will better show it off.

Today Nathan is working on the rear deck spoiler to suck it down to the decklid and make it fit the car better.

Hey Kevin

Where is the thread on the Boss 302

There are so many subtle and cool features to the car that speak for themselves to the discerning eye that too many colors in the scheme would detract from those features..........IMO

It's looking great............less is more!

I like them both but leaning towards the black. You can't loose either way.

Kevin I noticed you used Evercoat polyester high build filler for your final blocking on Lou's car. How long have you been using this product and have you had any shrinkage issues??

I'll get you some of the good stuff!!! :_paranoid

Oh and let's see some updates please??? :flashie:

My friend swears by the Evercoat featherfill polyester primer. Since it is a polyester, its intended to dry and shrink one time and its done. He's been spraying for about 2 years now and i haven't heard anything bad come back yet.

We have been using Evercoat Quantum1 filler and their Super Build 4:1 polyester primer with great success. We apply them over an epoxy primer over bare steel.

Both of those products are easy to apply and sand, and they pass the 500 salt spray test, so they are excellent corrosion inhibitors as well.

We have not had any shrinking issues with these.

If you're inclined, here are some videos that cover our bodywork and paint process:

Thanx Kevin!
I saw your video that's why I ask. In the past I used a similar product and I swore I would never use it again . I can't recall the name that's how long its been since I last used it. But it was a disaster!!

Some of the older fillers and non catalyzed products were bad on shrinking. Especially if you topcoated them quickly... in a production shop, you might spray the poly filler in the morning and paint / clear in the afternoon. That can be a recipe for sanding scratches to come back later, as the poly did not have time to cure. We've been burned before, too.

Great job on the paint/body and very informative. Thanks!

I changed to the quantum filler earlier this year and like it even better than the extreme I was using. Plus it is cheaper in the end since we almost never need putty filler anymore. I have not used their superbuild filler. I used to use the slick sand but got away from that and went back to rust defender and have been using urethane high build for final sanding.

Fantastic build, progress pics, and dig the driveline upgrade!
Can't wait to see this one completed.

I'm not sure if you are aware; however Lingenfelter now offers a blower snout to run the larger 2300 series blower on the LSA motor. Maybe something to look into :unibrow:

Things continue to progress. After some trial fitting of the grille and passing one of Kelle's tough quality control scans, Nathan applied the Evercoat Super Build 4:1 polyester primer and guide coat.

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I kind of like the custom, hand painted, zebra racing stripes. hehe

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If you look at the third and forth pictures fast they look like drawings instead of photos. I drool every time I see that hood! Nice progress guy's and Kelle.

It is kinda surreal looking... like a giant birthday cake or something.

A couple years ago my wife said to me. What seems more likely Horse with Stripes or a Horse with a Horn ??

I am really looking forward to seeing this car in person. Maybe when I head down to Kenny's in a month I can stop by and see it in person. ???

You can come and see it anytime. The shop is nearly always open!

Thank you and I hope to see you guys soon

I have thought about mentioning something here for a few days wondering if it was the right thing to do or not.

In the end I decided to follow my heart.

Sadly, Kevin of V8TV lost his father last week. Please include Kevin and his family in your prayers as they navigate through this difficult time.

Since I have been one of their customers I have seen Kevin, Kelle and their team power through adversities as they emerged, even when they had no control over them. They always do so without complaining and very rarely ask for help.

I think that speaks highly of their character, confidence and capabilities.

I never met Kevin's dad.

As a father myself and from what I know about Kevin as a person, I suspect he was a good father and I can't help but to believe he was as proud of Kevin as any father could be.

May he rest in peace, free of pain and worries.

Sorry to here this. Our prayers are with you Kevin.

So sorry to here this. I will keep you and family in my prayers and I pray Jesus will provide comfort and peace during this difficult time.

Kevin sorry to hear about your father, I'll keep him and your family in my prayers.

Kevin .... sorry to hear about your loss, keep your father close to your heart and your prayers. I will say a couple prayers for your father.

Kevin .... your father will be there with you in the garage!

Wow, thank you everyone for the kind words. Lou, you are very kind and thoughtful for posting this. Lou has been very supportive of Kelle and I during difficult times with both our parents, and we appreciate the support and prayers.

My dad was a mechanic in the Air Force and then a Police Officer.. he taught me how to use tools, how to think problems through, and how to accept failures as challenges. He cared for people more than anyone I know, even complete strangers. He will be missed, but he is always with me in spirit.

Thanks again, guys.

:cheers: