Pearly Gates

[TopherMcGinnis]

I'm a HUGE ZZ Top fan. I've built a couple Eliminator coupes, built a '66 C10 painted Pearl White with a Pearl Red roof that I named Apologies To Pearly. I've got this '66 C10 under construction that I've named Pearly Gates. I opened the doors suicide style, reverse hinged the hood to fold forward, hinged the tail gate and am running led lights to light the headlights, tail lights and gauge cluster. 

[Oldriginal86]

My favorite year Chevy truck. Love what your doing with the modifications.

[Zippi]

Good looking 66 pickup so far man. Nice work. 

[TopherMcGinnis]

Since there's a show in January not too far from me, I thought I'd get on this and finish it 😳 I'm trying to suicide the doors. So far I've attempted 6 different configurations and I just can't get it to work. I know the body isn't straight up and down, but dang. 

Anyone have pointers?

[BK9300]

I've only done a couple opening door sets, on big rigs way back when, but it seems to me that using two hinges per door might help stabilize your doors.  I would also run your inner strip of styrene all the way around your door to give it better support when the door is closed.  I haven't used them myself, but seems that tiny magnets in each door jamb and inside each door also hold the doors in place quite securely - lots of work to do all that but might be worth it.  Great idea to suicide the doors!

[TopherMcGinnis]

Here's the other side. The door rubs the body, and moves forward when it does open.

[TopherMcGinnis]

I used some magnet wire to bend up a different style hinge. Needs some tweaking, but, I think this is going to be the ticket.

[STU111]

G’day Topher, l wondered how Pearly Gates was going since you posted a pic of it on my recent 66 chev pickup WIP. Those suicide doors are going to look trick when you get the hinges sorted. I’m a big fan of 60’s pickups, so I’m following this one. 👍🏻

[TopherMcGinnis]

7 hours ago, STU111 said:

G’day Topher, l wondered how Pearly Gates was going since you posted a pic of it on my recent 66 chev pickup WIP. Those suicide doors are going to look trick when you get the hinges sorted. I’m a big fan of 60’s pickups, so I’m following this one. 👍🏻

I had a '65 in the late '90s. Warmed up small block, dual Cherry Bombs, tilt column and power steering. I bought it for $700. Pulled the oil plug to change oil and 2 gallons of gas/oil mixture came out 😳 That prompted the rebuild right off the bat. Funny how times change and people pay big money for a paint job like that 🤣

I've built a few of these trucks. I really like them.

[STU111]

On 11/23/2024 at 12:10 AM, TopherMcGinnis said:

I had a '65 in the late '90s. Warmed up small block, dual Cherry Bombs, tilt column and power steering. I bought it for $700. Pulled the oil plug to change oil and 2 gallons of gas/oil mixture came out 😳 That prompted the rebuild right off the bat. Funny how times change and people pay big money for a paint job like that 🤣

I've built a few of these trucks. I really like them.

Quite a few classic Chev pickups have been imported into Australia by collectors over the years and they pull big money when they come up for sale, unfortunately a little bit out of my price range, so I’ll have to stick to building 1/25 scale versions. Your old 65 looks cool with that patina, these trucks still look good even with a less than perfect paint job. That’s a nice looking collection of builds you have there. 👍🏻

[TopherMcGinnis]

1 hour ago, STU111 said:

Quite a few classic Chev pickups have been imported into Australia by collectors over the years and they pull big money when they come up for sale, unfortunately a little bit out of my price range, so I’ll have to stick to building 1/25 scale versions. Your old 65 looks cool with that patina, these trucks still look good even with a less than perfect paint job. That’s a nice looking collection of builds you have there. 👍🏻

I have quite a few customers there un Australia I've restored wiper motors,  and headlight motors for. The car scene there is awesome! 

[TopherMcGinnis]

I'm going to put this back in the box for a later time. It just isn't working out. The body has cracked in 2 places. I fixed the 1st one, this one just happened. I think I'm fighting too much of a body indention.

[1930fordpickup]

Bummer. I was hoping to see this done with your magic touch. 

A friend has a 67 c10 that has a  chopped roof, suicide doors, the hood opens to the front and he has a 70 chevelle hood scoop/bump molded in. He has owned it for 40 years I believe. Still not done, but he does have it home now. 

[STU111]

G’day Topher, sorry to hear that. The mods you planned for it sounded very interesting. Sometimes it’s best to step away and have another crack later.

[TopherMcGinnis]

15 minutes ago, STU111 said:

G’day Topher, sorry to hear that. The mods you planned for it sounded very interesting. Sometimes it’s best to step away and have another crack later.

Yeah. I'd like to get that figured out. It didn't go flying 😁

[Steve H]

Hi Topher, liked the way this one was headed. I will watch for it to resurface… If the hinges are still giving you fits, have a look at the tips and tricks section. There is a “pinned” thread on hinges with lots of great ideas. Just a thought. 

[TopherMcGinnis]

23 hours ago, Steve H said:

Hi Topher, liked the way this one was headed. I will watch for it to resurface… If the hinges are still giving you fits, have a look at the tips and tricks section. There is a “pinned” thread on hinges with lots of great ideas. Just a thought. 

Headed there now