65 GTO

[Scott Liggett]

Re: 65 GTO

Wow, Todd, that quarter panel looks like Frankenstein's monster right now.

I'm anxious to see the final product.

[Thumpin455]

Re: 65 GTO

I cant wait to see it finished too!

Got some work done today that will show in pics, started on the rear window. Had to resurface my anvil first so I could get a nice straight angle first. Yesterday I cut some strips from another hood that had a nice body line through them, it made a very nice curved angle I could section and use for the window channels. I think the first part came out ok, needs some work but its nice and solid now.

[DanStokes]

Re: 65 GTO

Do you have the glass for a template? Seems like that would help assure a proper fit when you're doing such a BIG repair.

Again, great work
Dan

[ponchoman]

Re: 65 GTO

This is a great thread. You could make a "how to" video out of lots of this - except it would probably scare the hell out of people when they realize just how much work is involved. Great stuff!

[Thumpin455]

Re: 65 GTO

I dont have the rear glass, but only the outer channel was rusted away, so I am forming the new one to the inner. It should be pretty close and besides the windows in these cars use urethane or the cat poop sealer stuff and that takes up any large gaps pretty well. Also the trim can be used to cover up anything that I dont get exactly right, so I just need to get it close. I wish I had the back glass, it was gone when I got the car. I havent ordered one because I have no place to keep it until I am ready for it.

A video of this would be pretty boring, watching an old fat guy limp around banging metal against different objects then welding and grinding.. There is a reason most people dont take on a car with this much rust, they dont have as much time as I do. I am getting better at this sheetmetal welding thing though. I hope I can finish the other side today and get started on the front.

Thanks again guys.

[Thumpin455]

Re: 65 GTO

Just need the part that has been on back orde for the bottom and the rear window is done. Well just a bit of grinding to do on the drivers side where I made it a tad thin. It will still take some filler but at least the windows wont leak water anymore.



Also drilled holes in the floor pans so I can finish welding them tomorrow, after that and a bit of grinding/trimming on the seams then I will finish the drivers side quarter repairs. After that its on to the door jambs and the front window.

[fahrenschnell]

Re: 65 GTO

You make me feel Lazy.......good work

Seth

[SuperBuickGuy]

Re: 65 GTO

nice work..

[Thumpin455]

Re: 65 GTO

work is progressing.. Just nothing really interesting to take pics of, unless you like to see welds ground down and dents bumped out. I did get the control arms bushed and mounted, gont one spindle and spring in then the spring compressor decided to take a dump as I was doing the drivers side. Stripped the threads right out of it, and there is no way to put the spring in without a car on the frame or an engine in it. The good part is once the front end is together, I can stuff the engine and trans in and get them all lined up. Probably the easiest way to get to the trans bolts is to yank the body..

It wont be done for the May 5th deadline, but with luck I can have it painted and waiting on glass, interior, bumpers, trim, and wiring. I can always take it down there on the trailer and show it to him almost complete. I think we are planning some sort of surprise party for him, gotta talk to the mom in law about it and see what she has cooked up.

The filler behind the rear window is in, so that is next up. I am so very tired of seeing that crappy paint on it.

[ponchoman]

Re: 65 GTO

Pulling the body makes lots of stuff easier to do.

[DanStokes]

Re: 65 GTO

This may sound like a dumb thing to say, but THANKS for saving this one. There aren't a ton of these cars out there and most folks would either see it as a parts car or simply junk it and you're using your skills and mad effort to bring it back. Future generations will thank you.

Dan

[98ciHemi]

Re: 65 GTO

I drove by your house yesterday. ;D ;D

[SuperBuickGuy]

Re: 65 GTO

I drove by your house yesterday. ;D ;D

dang, you're so famous that you have stalkers ;D

[Thumpin455]

Re: 65 GTO

Doesnt sound dumb Dan, I like the idea of rescuing the energy and effort that was put into the car the first time, rather than running it through a shredder to become a new Kia or a dishwasher. Sure its more work than starting with a rust free shell, but there are far more rusted hulks than rust free shells, I am not afraid to take on a bit of rust.

Why didnt you stop in Walt? Pretty hard to miss with all the Pontiacs in the yard, isnt it?

I did more work on the GTO earlier this week, yesterday was in the teens so I stayed inside and cranked the wood burner. Just need to get out there and take some pics and get more done, its supposed to be warm tomorrow, a balmy 42F.

[Thumpin455]

Re: 65 GTO

Got more done today, couldnt take the cold tonight and I am hungry so I quit at 2200. Got to looking at the kick panel area and it was pretty bad under the dash mount and all the way to the floor. Quite the air leak, probably make for a very chilly left leg at 60mph. So I chopped into it and started bending, trimming and welding.

Also did a bit of grinding on the A pillar I started the other day, its coming out nice. The structural part of the pillar was good, so it just needed the cosmetic piece on the inside where the glass rests. So I built that out of Suburban hood, the channel in the underhood bracing that is on the edge near the spring mount was almost a perfect fit. Might as well use bends that are already in the metal right?

Here it is before, you can see the patch in the lower rear jamb and the grinding Dave's grandson David did on the floors. Kid busted his tail for 5 hours grinding welds, totally used up the wheel on the grinder. Kid is quite the worker, wish he was more into cars.






This is after a bit of work, need to trim the flange to the lower channel that fits over this part. Lucky for me that make that piece, otherwise I would be having a really fun time making it and getting it to look decent.



The patch on the inside came out nice, doesnt have to look great since the dash covers it.



If I could work more days each week and didnt have to help friends out, I think I could get quite a bit done on this metal work thing.