My Cuda Project Part II...now at Bruning Auto Design

[HaulinAsp]

Originally Posted by Bruning Auto Design

Ned definitely got the shaft as well...

Growing list of issues...

-Wheel tubs were butchered; quarter panels damaged (warped) during the process

-The spoiler and deck lid are beyond repair - new deck lid and spoiler in the works

-All the patch work (door handles, marker lights, etc) were warped to hell - poor fitment, bird poo mig welds, not metal finished.

-Hard stone grinding disc used on the quarter skins, firewall, tubs, so there are tons of thin areas with holes

-Inner fenders had over a ½” of bow to them. Seams are lap welded, pieces scabbed over the suspension mounts, poor fitment at the subrails (filled void areas with weld).

-Cowl patches butchered (previous patches cut out and replaced)

-Firewall warped to hell from various patches that were poorly done (cut out and replaced)

-Front core support wasn’t straightened out before the inner fenders were attached (straightened, ready for new inner fenders)

-The car was bent upwards from the sub rails forward (snow plow effect). The front end relaxed over 1/2" once the inner fenders were cut out.

-The tunnel was butchered. Ned worked on it quiet a bit, and we addressed the opening shape during the firewall fab process (smooth continuous radius).

-The rocker replacement on the driver’s side needs to be replaced – bowed, fitment is terrible, lap welded on the bottom.

-Weld seams at the qtr panel to sail panel flange had to be cut out and replaced. The panels weren't lined up before he went to town with the welder. The seams were then ground down with a hard disc, which created thing areas next to the weld. Impossible to metal work the area because of the over abundance of weld even if the metal wasn't so thin around it.

-Driver's side quarter panel alignment at the deck lid was longer than the passenger side (corner structure wasn't supported correctly during the skin install). The shape didn't match either when looking at the car from the back.

Holy Christ ! At least now it is in very capable hands.

[96z28ss]

I didn't know that there have been some site sponsors and kind people that have offered help.
I think this type of info needs to be out here in the forums. No need to be humble and shy about it. Places that step up and help people out will get my business for when I'm looking at buying stuff. We all help each other out and make our Lateral-g community stronger.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Thanks guys..

Mike at MuscleRodz... thank you very much for the trunk lid and patch panel

Mario..... thank you for the offer. Paint is a good 8-10 months away, but I'll call you if the offer stands that far out.

Bob..... thanks for pointing out that in many ways I got screwed way worse that Tony did...but I'm not going to go there.

Tim and TJ... thank you for all your hard work and all the ways you are trying to help me out. TJ and I must have exchanged about 100 emails in the last 2 weeks and everytime we get on the phone its an hour long converation about the car. Thank you....

[DRJDVM's '69]

Updates.... Tim has been cutting the car all to hell. Everytime he turns around there is some aspect that Chris butchered... what the hell he was thinking is beyond us all..... I've decided to open my own shop and have my 6 year old son do the welding... it would turn out just as nice...

So ....more carnage.... you may want to have a garbage can near by to catch your vomit...

Anyone like modern art?







Now that is quality craftsmanship at its finest....

[DRJDVM's '69]

This is the firewall piece after it was cut out.....nice and flat.....did you guys know that metal likes to warp when you heat it up to 1000 degrees with a MIG ? I guess Chris didnt...


Chris filled the rear seam..welded it when the panels didnt real line up and then ground the hell out of it. The metal was so thin Tim could crack it with his finger.....


Its gets better...... with all the sheetmetal work and heat he put into the front end with all the overzealous MIG work, the front driver side corner warped upward about half an inch !! When Tim cut all the junk out it actually sprang back down to where it should be.... Tim is gonna get it all lined up right....

[DRJDVM's '69]

Okay....now the "after" stuff....
New firewall....nice, clean and FLAT.....



Trunk gaps and the seam was cut out and a patch welded in...


New cowl patches done..


This is the ride height we are shooting for... it looks like with the 20's in the rear we may have to mess with the mounts to get it to sit right..

[Vegas69]

Ouch...but that cuda is bad dude!

[awr68]

Yeah that's some nice work! Even if Chris' 'employee' did the work, Chris NEVER should have let it get to that point!

Looks like Tim is doing a great job like we all knew he would!

[joe440]

thats gonna look sweet sitting like that, coming along good!

[71dusterjon]

sad you cant trust anyone these days with your valuables. car is looking better though.