63Ragtop

one good thing about the new factory location is it's next door to the strippers.Paint and Metal Strippers, not the other kind!So I got my old header pipes out and they cleaned up very nicely.before.after.looks almost the same in the photos but all the old paint, carbon, sealant and flakey rust be gone!saved a load of time trying to sand a bunch of snakes. still sanding, hopefully for the last time!

sexy as seats bro, sexy.

Ngaruawahia?

Engine bayback of dash/trunkdoor jams and inside of doorsinner wheelwellsand back side of rear valance.Done.

and this it todays efforts.holy shit painting a car takes ages!!!this was about 5 hours work, sanding down all the insides of the bonnet, engine lid and all four fender.I was hoping the do the insides of the doors aswell but didn't have enough time.I don't think I used any filler inside these panels because why? except for the engine lid around the vents, so the finish isn't great and the bonnet had to lay on some cardboard on the floor. less than ideal but its all shiny and red and thats the main thing!

This!is my new best friend.Going back again.don't leave those chrome knuckle guard things on your car to long!thats a bunch of rust and a small hole in a stupid ass place.primer on small things. Last bit of the old red paint getting sanded down.going back looking at the old pic of the sides it looked okay, after I worked it over with the 2x4 it needed alot of work, I must have but a good 8 hours into each door and quater panel in this thing.getting closer and closer to top coat!finished up at about 6pm, temp was dropping, gun was blocking up and spraying like shit, hopefully it will be okay.last little bit under the tank/beam mounts.

okay so going back a wee bit, I had to find all the bits and bobs from their hiding places.made sure the new lights workedhad to make a few small repairsshut up! it might work!!! got the front seal holder on and bare metaled the whole thing, kinda had to as there was much missing.extreme close upgot some mud mudded on.started on the rearI hope I never have to do these again, very tricky, not 100% happy with the back one but, its done now.also repaired the very top points of the rear valance, when I removed it all those years ago, I'd had to drill out a spot weld right on the tip of both sides, so I had left it in the toohardbasket till now, welded it up and ground it down in a few minutes really, guess I have learned a few tricks on this project?

keen on a post apocalyptic kombi camper like this one.

still sanding....

epic build mate!

so cool, can you make me one??

Thats a shitload of work Man, well done!

nice work on that tunnel!

pointless photo.hung the front fenders, almost looks like a car!Started work on the front valance.

getting there bro.

bit more progress.body on wooden stand.doors bogged and primed.fenders bogged and primedtook a lot of work, many late nights, all day Sunday and half of Monday.A little tip, don't try welding 6 fenders together to make two, so much work to make them look good Still heaps to go!life looks like this now.time to finish up the shell and get those valance's done!

this is the target. thanks photoshop.

That's the stuff rusty, so far so good, will see how it goes once back on the road. update just of you 86, bodywork sucks!

This is my life nowsanding sanding and more sanding.had to buy some more Autothane primer filler, 4lts used up already, all the small removable parts are primed, working on the doors, then the front fenders, going to take the shell off the spit this weekend so I can finish up the front and back ends, aiming to have it all done by the end of the month, BUT, my work is relocating at the end of the month and have just started paying us Monthly(broke ass) the Mrs is filling in for her charge nurse who has just resigned and is working full time for the next month and a half not to mention the boys Rugby is starting soon, we're going away in the school holidays and all the other normal day to day shit like mowing the lawns and other diy crap still needs to be done!Fuuuuuuk.YeaHaw!!!

do it! do it! mount go pro and post video please! haha. nice work man, sweet kart.

had a busy week and weekend, got the first couple coats of red on the car.did the bottom and the inside and dash area,pretty pleased with it, did one coat on saturday, missed a couple spots, worst thing that happened was sweat running out of my glove on the wet paint, bugger it! gave it a wipe with thinners and it came really nice on the second coat today. Got a few small runs but stoked with it. not bad for a rookie!

that looks super sweet indeed! does this mean you'll lose the mirror tints, cause I hate them. Also that shit all over the fire is fucking with my OCD something wicked, what you need is a polished stainless louvered firewall, that would make lidless cruzing sparkle like the star you are. hehe.

Awesome work man! such a mean looking wagon, well done getting it back on the road. Gives me hope for mine!

Got some more thinners and got the front under bonnet/boot painted next.tried to get a good coverage on everything.over the years many stone chips had done a number on the paint under the arches.one more wire wheel dead.had a crack at heat shrinking some of the mess I'd made of the front quarter, worked a wee bit, stopped it popping in and out so easy.bog time!I spent Monday, Tuesday and Wendnesday night last week from about 9pm once the kids were sorted and the next day organized, sanding, sanding and sanding till about 1 or 2 am.And finally on Thursday night.a bit of etch.followed by...just the engine bay and the front valance to prime.but that will have to wait till it's off the spit as I still need to spot weld the bonnet seal strip on both valances as the frame it's bolted to is in the way.still needs heaps of work, found a few dips and bumps after the paint went on, needs lots of sandpaper marks filled in/sanded out, but I should be able to do the seam sealing and smash some red on the bum soon!