1965 Pontiac Bonneville 2+2

[doorsovdoon]

7 hours ago, Tom Geiger said:

On some American convertibles of this era, quarter panels, tulip panel (panel between rear glass and front of boot lid) and boot lid can be different shaped parts. 

Also the rear seat in a convertible can be more narrow to account for the pocket on each side that the roof bows fold down into. Sometimes with models of that era, the kit manufacturer only tooled the convertible interior and put it in the hardtop version of the kit too.

I only noticed the differences after I cut the roof off! I've cut the panel back to the trunk line so I can rebuild it up to parcel shelf.

[doorsovdoon]

ok, I've decided to shelve this project for now. It's way beyond my skill level after cutting so much out! I also broke the windshield frame while handling it, so before I get too frustrated I've put it away until I gain a bit more experience in this. Sorry guys, I tried and failed but at least I know box stock is my level at the moment. 

[Slotto]

Noooooo! Don't give up so soon. Get yourself some Testors 3502 and weld that windshield frame back together

[randyc]

It was going well... Sorry it's taken a bad turn.  

[espo]

23 hours ago, doorsovdoon said:

ok, I've decided to shelve this project for now. It's way beyond my skill level after cutting so much out! I also broke the windshield frame while handling it, so before I get too frustrated I've put it away until I gain a bit more experience in this. Sorry guys, I tried and failed but at least I know box stock is my level at the moment. 

I would also like you to reconsider this build. Any problems you may encounter I'm sure that there are many here that will offer ideas on how to overcome them. I think you're a better builder than you give yourself credit for. 

[doorsovdoon]

It's going to take a bit more than glue to fix this. I'll get back to it eventually.

[blunc]

you could make it a bubble top

[doorsovdoon]

8 minutes ago, blunc said:

you could make it a bubble top

I'll think of something. I still have the pick-up tub from the 1970 Pontiac. I can't scratch build so it'll never be a car again so will probably end up being a custom pick-up.

[blunc]

don't discount your skills, you can bend plastic to your will.

[doorsovdoon]

18 minutes ago, blunc said:

don't discount your skills, you can bend plastic to your will.

ah well, it's a good candidate to practice on. Maybe an ambulance, or station wagon custom.

[Ace-Garageguy]

On 7/20/2020 at 10:01 AM, doorsovdoon said:

 ...so before I get too frustrated I've put it away until I gain a bit more experience in this...

Don't feel bad. I've been in exactly that position literally dozens of times.

We learn and grow in any endeavor by pushing ourselves past our perceived limits.

Sometimes we fail.

But if we persevere, eventually we find we come back to a project that was beyond us once, and it seems easy.

it was your build here, by the way, that inspired me to find that kit to do a mild custom I'd had in mind for years. So thanks.  

[doorsovdoon]

Thanks for the kind words, Bill:) I'm more upset that it was a build people were looking forward to and then it just fell apart as soon as it started. Can't help but feel like I let everyone down, I know that's not the case but you get what I'm saying.

[Slotto]

It's ok Gareth. I was kind of excited to see that you and I were doing essentially the same car at the same time. About 3 years ago I was working on a 56 Bel Air and I cut open the doors and trunk. The hood was already off and that body was so flimsy it literally broke at least once a week. I stuck it thru and was able to finish it. Here it is. Take your time and when you feel up to it, do a little. Consider your Bonnie a learning car. The next time you try this, you will know what works and what won't. And you may be able to figure out how to fix things that you previously couldn't.

[doorsovdoon]

Thanks, Steve. Yeah, I'll get back to it eventually. Nice work on the 56 Bel Air!  If I'd cut open the doors too that really would have been the end for this kit, lol.