FLHCAHZ

I was able to get the console out last night. Didn't even break anything. I put it on the bench and started cleaning it so it's ready when I'm going to put it back in. Came out better than I had expected:

The carpet and padding is out! Wore lots of ppe to safeguard against the mold and mouse droppings. Working to remove the floor console now. I have a few stuck fasteners soaking in penetrating fluid and hopefully will get back to it on Sunday.

Some minor updates: I am gutting the interior of the car so I can assess the floors and do any patching while the welder and fab table are out. The drivers side bucket seat was a huge PIA. Had to cut one of the studs off and the seat (power) was stuck all the way back, blocking access to the nuts. I was able to get it to move forward to get the rear nuts removed. Now just the center console and I can tear out the extremely gross carpet and padding

Nice LeMans!

Thankfully there is no front license plate requirement in Pennsylvania

Whilst coming up with a plan for more sheet metal work, I decided to remove the bumperettes and try the new swap-meet air cleaner on for a visual Big change in the looks of the front end with the bumperettes removed!

Killer '57 Mike!

No worries about that! I am way too excited about this car. The Riviera nationals are in Gettysburg Pa July of 2026. My wife and I are looking forward to making the short trip from the Pittsburgh area.

Slow but steady progress on the Riviera project car. Nothing worth noting with pictures though. I am working on getting the rest of the interior stripped, waiting on the assembly manual to de delivered. I want to be very careful with the center console/ shifter. I don't want to break anything (can't just pull another one off the sprue!) I can get into cutting and welding again (wife was away, we live in a rural area. She said she didn't want to come home and find me bled out on the shop floor.....sheesh)

Time for some mild updates! I dropped the fuel tank off at the shop, and dug into the trunk mess: After working with various tools for a couple hours. I gave up on getting all the roofing material off and went underneath. I quickly became obvious that this car sits very low, and I really don't wants to trust jack stands extended as far as I would need. In addition, I want the weight on the wheels. This will help me keep everything in its natural state when I start the fabrication for the new trunk supports and body mounts. I did some research and built cribbing: I was unsure about the cribbing at first (and so was my Wife!), but after getting the car on the cribbing it is as sloid as can be. The cribbing did not make any sounds when I lowered the car onto them. I've opened and closed the doors, trunk, and deck lid - the cribbing is solid! I will still leave a jack at each end while I am underneath the car, but this this give me much more room to work. And the dogs approve.

While I'm waiting for parts. I decided to work on getting the wheels cleaned up. I was going to change them, but they are growing on me. I worked a few hours on the back wheels and got most of the pitting and rust off.

I broke down and ordered a trunk pan for the Riviera. Hopefully get to the steel supply house on Friday to get the rest of the materials for the cross members and body mounts

Well, I dug unto the fuel system. The tank is not terrible, but after removing it, I found some rust issues that are going to take more time and fabrication work that I had planned on. I was hoping to get away with some patching in the trunk, but now the whole pan needs to come out and some new cross members need to be made. On a happy note - I get to use my welder!

Worked on polishing the left quarter and cleaning the body spear last night:

For Sure. I have "Clay Barred" it twice and got the paint smooth as it gets. It really did pull a lot of the impurities out of it. I'm doing my best to gently message the paint back to some shine and clarity. It really has come a long way so far. At this point I am not using any machines, I'm doing all the polishing by hand. I have not touched the deck lid yet. I'll wait 'til the whole car is as good as I can get it then compare it to the trunk lid the difference will be amazing. I will be sure to post pics if anyone is interested.