Ace-Garageguy Posted July 30, 2012 Author Posted July 30, 2012 Thank you all again for the interest and kind comments. Not a jell of a lot of progress, but some is better than none. I've extended the front and rear cowl panels. In front, I'm moving the windshield back, so I need more sheetmetal under it. Also, the windshield frame is going to be more of a removable roadster style, so I want the illusion that the cowl flows all the way into the top of the instrument panel. Think Porsche Speedster. In the rear, the very thin strip between the backlight and the decklid was just too narrow, so it got widened too. The body is also very fragile, and adding this little reinforcement will stabilize things, a lot. On the underside, I've reinforced the fitted styrene filler panels with fiberglass and epoxy resin. I've also reinforced the insides of the front and rear pans or valences the same way. There's a lot of bodywork to do everywhere, and I hate to have things cracking as I'm working, so I go for overkill at this stage.
Pat Minarick Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Thank you all again for the interest and kind comments. Not a jell of a lot of progress, but some is better than none. I've extended the front and rear cowl panels. In front, I'm moving the windshield back, so I need more sheetmetal under it. Also, the windshield frame is going to be more of a removable roadster style, so I want the illusion that the cowl flows all the way into the top of the instrument panel. Think Porsche Speedster. In the rear, the very thin strip between the backlight and the decklid was just too narrow, so it got widened too. The body is also very fragile, and adding this little reinforcement will stabilize things, a lot. On the underside, I've reinforced the fitted styrene filler panels with fiberglass and epoxy resin. I've also reinforced the insides of the front and rear pans or valences the same way. There's a lot of bodywork to do everywhere, and I hate to have things cracking as I'm working, so I go for overkill at this stage. Very nice work!
Johan020 Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 This is a great Looking Dart in progress Cant wait to see it in paint
Ace-Garageguy Posted August 5, 2012 Author Posted August 5, 2012 (edited) Trimmed up the extended front and rear cowl fillers, began lengthening the copied Saleen hard tonneau, and found a nice Impala dash that picks up the shapes of the head fairings, and echos the quad taillights. This is pretty much the final top-down profile, seat location, etc. The black on the windshield is a mockup for a somewhat thinner surround similar to that found on the last production T-bird. EDIT: Think I may have to raise the extreme rear of the bottom of the quarter panel just a little.......and the fairing for the headrest needs to come forward a bit, and up just a bit to more fully shroud the seat. It needs to be a little stronger and cleaner.......and the taillight lens is drooping just slightly........yeah, that'll fix it. Edited August 6, 2012 by Ace-Garageguy
Ace-Garageguy Posted August 23, 2012 Author Posted August 23, 2012 (edited) Not a lot happening here, but the rear valance got the lower section of a Corvette C5 spliced in. I like the vents and the lighter look of the tail now, and the exhausts will exit in the center, C5 style. Edited August 23, 2012 by Ace-Garageguy
cobraman Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 Very cool. Looking forward to the day it is in the Under Glass section.
Greg Pugh Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 How in the heck did I miss this one?? What a cool restoration! I love it when a model that most people would throw away, gets a second chance at life. You're doing some great things here. Inspirational for sure!!
JasonFL Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 Really liking what you did there with the roll pan. I may have missed this in an early post but what tail lights are you using?
Ace-Garageguy Posted August 23, 2012 Author Posted August 23, 2012 I may have missed this in an early post but what tail lights are you using? Taillights are back at post #67 on page 4........
JasonFL Posted August 24, 2012 Posted August 24, 2012 Taillights are back at post #67 on page 4........ I went back and found em, not sure howi missed it. they are going to look good with everything going on with the rear. Can't wait to see them with the vette roll pan and the exhaust.
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 30, 2012 Author Posted September 30, 2012 .....made molds of the door-skins from the original, trim-removed body panels. Molds popped off, left hand one cleaned up. Why am I doing this?
Ace-Garageguy Posted November 5, 2012 Author Posted November 5, 2012 Not a lot has happened on this lately, other than working on hinge designs for the panels. Not happy with anything yet, but some tweeking may get it. Also having some little issues with how the tonneau is going to fit and be removable to show it with the up-top.
Ace-Garageguy Posted November 10, 2012 Author Posted November 10, 2012 Got the tail just about done.... got most of her in primer and tried a different windshield..... and tightened up the front pan and grille surround.
cobraman Posted November 10, 2012 Posted November 10, 2012 That is sooooooooooooo cool. Can't wait to see it finished.
Pat Minarick Posted November 10, 2012 Posted November 10, 2012 Really nice! Can't believe what you have done .
Ace-Garageguy Posted November 11, 2012 Author Posted November 11, 2012 (edited) Thanks guys. Glad you're enjoying the progress. Have to finish the firewall / trans tunnel and the panel hinges, plus finalize the windshield design. Edited March 21, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy
Dr. Cranky Posted November 11, 2012 Posted November 11, 2012 This is coming along well, Bill, a pleasure meeting you at the ACME in Atlanta. Looking forward to seeing this one in paint there next year. Cheers, DC
Wheels Posted November 11, 2012 Posted November 11, 2012 Looking Good!! Can't wait to see what comes next!
transmotion Posted November 11, 2012 Posted November 11, 2012 what a great model.....back in the day my old man had a car like that......sweet
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