So Im to the point where I need the Nova body at the house in order to make progress so I brought it home this weekend and had time today to get some hours in. Here's what I started with...after I braced it up and removed the rear quarters and tail panel in order to remove the old rusty rockers.
Here's a shot from what used to be the rear! Along the way I found several areas where I'm gonna need to fab up some patch panels but shouldn't be anything too terrible. I did go ahead and decide to order up a new package tray panel given the current condition of mine. If I don't replace it I'll never forgive myself... besides, I need the rear seat braces since mine were haphazardly cut short by the Blue-Tongued Devil!
After some help from my Dad, my kids and their friends, we got the body set down on the floor pan assembly! That felt really good and although nothing is squared up, tacked down or flanges dollied, it was starting to take shape...so far I'm really pleased with how well everything seems to line up. There's plenty of fine tuning to do but no major issues so far.
Wanted to hang the quarters back on the check fitment to the rockers, etc. after seeing that, I just had to throw some of the other stuff on there to see it looking like an actual car. Once I get it squared up and tacked down I'll begin replacing the other panels and dialing in the fitment. I'll need to install the upper/lower cowl panels, inner/outer side cowl panels, rear package tray panel, rear filler panel, DSE mini tubs, firewall, etc. etc.
Finally got the remainder of the necessary parts to fully assemble the body shell. Now hopefully I can carve some time out this weekend to get some things permanently in place.
I ended up springing for new package tray sheet metal as mine was pretty rough in one corner, had been butchered for speakers at some point and had also fallen victim to some clown with a torch who cut the seat support braces off short...surprisingly, those seem impossible to buy, new or used! I knew if I didn't replace it now, I'd never forgive myself. One cool thing is that it comes with new trunk hinges and torsion springs.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Hybrid Mode
