MIKE KE55

I've spent the last couple of days off the tools. I found a local sandblaster and got a $200 quote to have the engine bay done. It would be cheaper and easier than doing it myself and yield better results too. I will also get a quote for the underneath of the car so I can completely derust her. I've also been looking in to a homemade rotisseri. I'm thinking something to do with a block and tackle. We'll see. Tee'd up one of the trucks from work for next week to fill up with my recycling hoard so I will have some money for a welder and air comp.

Thanks for the info Izy. What would my chances with brazing?

So to surmise I am approaching the point when I need to choose a welder and commit to a purchase. Being a bare metal job I'm not sure of any legalities surrounding welding type.........

Really want bare metal in here.

Covering all the bases.

Think flame job over bare metal.......

Finished work and was home by one then spent the next four hours with my mate the grinder. Now I've cleaned up all the bodywork in and around the door cavities. I've also finished around the windscreen and the panel in between it and the bonnet. I've been through three wire wheels now and I'd say I've one or two to go. After I finish of some patches I've the engine bay to contend with. My bottom radiator support is cactus. Not the one under the radiator, the one under it. I've also got rust pitting that is messing with my Bare metal clear coat. I'm thinking of brazing for body filler now. I don't mind scars, just as long as they look tough, hehe.

Thanks NJ. I knock of work usually by 12 so I've got no excuse but finances for progress. Down the track I'd love a pp 12a in it for impractacalities but who wouldn't. For now I'm settling for a supercharger down the track.

I'm thinking of using a clear epoxy for bog..................

Last panel...........

Shiney.

Thanks Daisy70. I didn't realise it at the time but I think my bonnet is ke70 era. So today I slogged away at the boot lid and the front air intake panel that bridges the gap between the windscreen and the bonnet having smashed out the windscreen last night. I removed the rear glass by myself with the help of an extension cord then removed the paint around it. So left to strip is the engine bay, front end, rear end and around the doors. I'm gonna slap some flames on her to take the heat off the custom front end. They will extend pass the windscreen into the dash. Sweeeeeeeet.

The sleeper awakes.

Toughened.

So I got to work today stripped the other door. Now it's just around the windows and the boot lid to go. Began sanding a panel back to see what it will look like, very impressed. Then as a treat for over an hour with the grinder, I began reworking the front quarter and hammered out the more aggressive profile I was inspired by in last nights pic post. So here it is....

Deeper front edge angling down and back, tough.

Like this pick of the front subframe so much might model the quarter panel to suit.

Mah sex lady.

Just love surprises!

Much easier to see than have explained.

Was up in in the garage at 6:30 today. Dropped the passenger door out and wire wheeled it back to bare metal along with the drivers front quarter. Some of the metal I'm acid dipping is finished and now I will also add the door hinges. I need to pop out the front and rear glass but it must be a two man job cause I can't do it. Then I can remove the rest of the paint from the body. I'm including a pic of the quarter panels facing off so you can see the changes I'm making more clearly. I intend to twin pipe a muffler for the rear so I will chop the ass out and modify that too adding bolder clean lines from the base of the tail lights down.

Looking forward to cutting out rust and dropping in patch panels.

Clean at last. What an effort. Might have to polish it now.

Spot cleaned the rocker cover, it was full of gunk. You could imagine the valves and springs are also generously coated in crud. It's a dilemma because if I remove the head then it's all on and the expenses increase unnecessarily. This stage is all about body mods and roadworthiness. Stripped one from the quarter panel today. Just two doors to go (luv you hardtop) one more quarter and the boot left to uncover. Still dipping the front sway and assembly. As a heavy rigid truck driver picking up hard waste, 38 pickups today, I collect scrap metal. I'm using my scrap cash to fund this project so unfortunately I need to be thrifty, but by maintaining my build philosophy it is a very achievable goal. I will spend this weekend finishing the panel and door stripping then next week look at using paint stripper in the engine bay.

Beating away in the shed. Flat face. Straight up and down with a receding edge to the chin.