65 GTO

[Thumpin455]

Thanks..

Yeah the dash was rusted. It was rusted almost completely out, only the wiring and the steering column were holding in the original. This one is from the Tempest I eviscerated in the forest last spring. It was in much better shape. Still need to refurb the gauges and stuff too, the interior might take me a while since its lots of little things.

[NASBackyard]

Thanks for sharing! Great thread! I've been off the BS grid for awhile. Been doing other stuff and got a new GF. She digs the Olds though. I will never complain about body work ever again after reading this thread. it's guys like you he give others inspiration and hope that they can work on their own projects. I can appreciate what it takes what your doing. I helped do a small fraction of that type of repair when we did my Roadrunner. Makes me want to get my Firebird out for a spin.

[Thumpin455]

Well considering my body work experience was pretty limited until 2006, I honestly think anyone could do this, just keep practicing and dont be afraid of screwing up. If you make a mistake, you can always cut it apart or start over, even if it might be expensive.

Here is what I got done today. Finished the dash patch, came out ok, needs some work but its presentable and it gets an overlay anyway. Also decided to install the dash and the lower windshield channel, and it came out prety nice. The glass actually fits so I am happy with it. Just need to finish weld it.

It has a dash it it again, and its solid. It has been a long time sine the dash was an actual part of the car and not just sitting in there.

[Huskinhano]

Amazing! It must be nice to see light at the end of the tunnel...and not from a rust pinhole.

[Thumpin455]

Still finding pinholes, and welding them up. I have a line on a 65 LeMans post coupe, not sure if the guy will part with it yet, I could sure use the interior and small parts that are on it. Then I could either use that one for Dave, or build the post for me as a cruiser/street/strip toy with my 467. So far it appears he doesnt have any interest in getting a handful of $100s for finding the car.


The front window channel is done except for a bit of die grinder work in one corner. So I hit it with POR, brushed some on the fender where it was pitted and called it a day.

[Thumpin455]

The passenger side quarter had some rust pitting, and had been hit with a crappy repair, so it got cut out and I have a patch for it I will weld in tomorrow.

[SuperBuickGuy]

I've always wondered how well window caulk adheres to POR 15... have you had any trouble with keeping the window sealed?

[Thumpin455]

Its going to get painted over, so the sealer wont have to stick to it. Epoxy primer sticks really well to POR, especially if you scuff it a bit. This car will probably get the urethane sealer instead of the cat poop looking stuff, since it is much easier to work with and seals better. I havent put the window in yet so I dont know if there are any problems with anything, the glass I have is no good, but it has the right shape so I can use it to test the fit.

[Thumpin455]

My day got cut short, had to help someone with a 3rd gen bird engine swap. Still got the quarter patched, but I need to finish it and work the wheel well lip a bit. Seems to line up good with the door and will require lots less filler. It would be nice if I could get to where I dont use filler, but my metal working skills arent that good.

[Blazerteam]

if I could get to where I dont use filler, but my metal working skills arent that good.

[IMG]

You have saved a totally rusted out hulk,that probably wouldnt have been saved by others..be proud Thumpin.

[langleylad]

I agree , they don't make anymore of these . Great work .

[Thumpin455]

Had to patch the door jamb, there were pinholes there.



Started on the trunk seal lip, just have to do the curve now.

[Thumpin455]

Finished the trunk lip seal area, kinda bumpy but I can make it work. Still need to do the filler panel to quarter right behind the C pillar, then this quarter is complete. The reason I havent done that spot is I need to rework under the filler so it sits lower, and I am procrastinating on it.




The quarter from the Tempest had some rust at the front edge of the wheel well, so I patched that with a piece from the front fender patches I didnt use.



The door lined up easy with the quarter, the gap is a bit wide, but I can live with it.

[TheSilverBuick]

I'll be calling you when I get around to doing my Centurion!

[Thumpin455]

Todays work, finished the quarter panel, havent finished the grinding but the gaps are ok.





Got started on the drivers side fender too. There is an inner brace that was horribly bent and rusted on the replacement from the donor Tempest, so I needed to replace it.



Here is the brace, not welded in yet since I want to POR it first.