First full build!! (not pt though)

[jst8a5.0]

Well, I have done several minor builds but this, my friends, was the first full build. We started with a real basket case "Arizona car." I live in Arizona and I can guarantee this is no car from around here. Here is the rust and removal of it. Most was mechanically removed and some blasted, like the tail panel and other parts that were hard to reach. Unfortunately there are gaps in the process because I either became wrapped up in what I was doing or my hands were too dirty to touch the camera. I will go through the entire build. Will post pics later.

[jst8a5.0]

This was typical of this car. There was a political campaign sign over this and the other side. Road tar, the original parts store bondo junk, screen, newspaper, jb weld, etc, was stuffed into rust holes until they were full and then pop riveted together. I am sure many have seen these "fabrication techniques" before.

[jst8a5.0]

Oh and I forgot to mention the most important part of this. This is a tribute build for the owner. When he was a child, he and his dad would take long drives in his dad's convertible Caprice. He was always promised, "This will be yours when you are old enough to drive." Well, it was stolen before he could get behind the wheel and he always swore he'd have one one day. After many years, he married and started trying for a child. When it wasn't happening, they saw a doctor. He informed them that they would be unable to have a child and it really took it's toll on the couple. After a few years surprisingly, they had what they always wanted, a little girl! She progressed like little girls should but one day after she turned 2 years old, had a fatal heart attack. They were devastated.

Forward a few more years and he and I meet after he sees a job I completed. We get going on this and now he's got a piece of his daughter back. He is driving the wheels off this car. It recently took best of show at a local car show. We are very excited!

[jst8a5.0]

There was a limited budget but we got it done. There is POR 15 on every suspension part after sand blasting. New bushings, springs, tie rods, ball joints, etc. Rear end redone, new steering box and pump, engine and trans redone. New brakes, components and lines. As far as body goes, new quarters, lower front fenders and one fender lip from donor car, 3 new floor pans, entirely new fabricated trunk floor (no replacement parts) new fabricated trunk body mounts, the bottoms of the doors fabricated and leading edges of the doors fabricated as seen in the pic, welded in metal in trunk, fiberglass dash and door panels. Console, and sub box are on the way.

After the metal was sound, the body lines were sharpened. Once again this was my first attempt at this. After the body was blocked and blocked and blocked again, again, primer was shot over the whole car and more blocking took place. after the car was smoothed to 600 grit, it was sealed, painted, 2 toned, then cleared. After that the wet sanding began....more blocking.

[jst8a5.0]

Primer and block. Prep for paint.

[jst8a5.0]

paint and clear, shhhhh....no booth, yet.

[jst8a5.0]

All done and with miles .

[jst8a5.0]

And what makes this "Baby Girl" is this.... The mural on the trunk was done by a local airbrusher and mimics the tattoos that the customer and wife got after their daughter passed. I built the dash with the lexan cutout for the vents and where is says "Baby Girl" it lights up pink when the lights are turned on. A tear was definitely shed when I turned it on in front of the fam for the first time. It was a total honor to have been able to transform this car for the owner.

[radrambler]

wow

whata story..nice job.

tom

[jst8a5.0]

Gee. Thanks for the "support" B.G. It's not really my thing either but when a company is this young, you kinda need to do what comes through the door. It was still an honor to do my part and help make a dream happen and a family closer.

P.S. If you could kindly look past the style.....