This is what I brought home in January, 2005.
Ironically enough, the before and (what I plan to be) the after pictures, except the primer on the fender skirt and the gas filler won't be there any more.
This is representative of what kind of rust issues I faced. It looked like this on all four corners
This is representative of what kind of rust issues I faced. The air box wasn't cut away, it rusted away. It looked like this on all four corners.
The first order of business was to get rid of the old cross member and put in something cleaner.
Chassis, stripped bare, ready for powder coating.
Ford 9" housing, 3.70 Strange 3rd member, TCI four link.
Back from powdercoat, starting to attach stuff
Rear disc brakes. I powdercoated the calipers to match the final finish.
I'm getting close to where I can start this baby up for the first time
. . . After powder coat
Home-made hydraulic clutch set-up
Sheet metal has a way to go
The only repop sheet metal that didn't give me fits, the Mar-K bedsides. I wish they'd do fenders and doors.
Power to the wheels for the first time in nearly three years.
Ride height is pretty much set.
First day at the body shop. First order of business, fix the gaps and align the panels.
Now that's what I call a good gap.
The seat is out of a Ford 150 narrowed 5". I really liked the contours.
Out of the booth and in the sun for the first time.
Finally, back home.
Secret Audio head under the seat with a small subwoofer. The stereo control is in (what's left of) the glove compartment.
Plastic headliner covered with perforated vinyl.
Mar-K bed products.
Tony Stewart's (yes, THAT Tony Stewart) learning how to park his houseboat moored on Lake Norman.
The only evidence of my first project, a 1950 Chev. coupe (note the short back window) that I bought for $50. This was taken mid-build, sometime in 1969. By this time the truck axle (state of the art at the time) and 265 v-8 had been installed. Before it became roadworthy, the back fenderwells were cut out to make room for the pie-crust cheater slicks.
My scooter, a 2002 FLSTC (heritage classic) customized by me.
On a labor day 2000 jaunt up to Mount Wilson with a few other Datsun Roadster owners, Jay Leno happened to see the group and stopped to chat (his first car was a Datsun Roadster). This was his vehicle du jour, an Oz Rocket. (That's me in the ball cap.)
Here I'm explaining the finer points of car restoration to my new best friend. He really appreciated my sage advice.
Since I prettied up the truck, I figured the garage needed some attention - new epoxy floor.
