1969 Road Runner facelift

[northerndave]

Wow did we have a nice evening, 70 degrees, first time this spring it's been that warm.

So I put the back wheels on the groovy chicken and rolled it outside.

My youngest helper was on the job with me tonight.

I decided to pull the front windshield trim and peal the vinyl top tonight.

This is the trim removal tool I made several years ago using what was a plexiglass cutter at one time. I ground the cutting edge so it wasn't sharp anymore and I cut a little hook in the blade.

This is how it works, sneak it behind the trim and hook the clip to release the trim.

The front stainless came off really nice, didn't fight me at all and I was happy to see the clips in decent shape and the windshield tray looked decent too.

It's going to clean up really nice, a little pitting but no holes.

I'm seriously considering cleaning and rustproofing around this windshield gasket as best I can and leaving it installed for now through the paint job since we can't get these gaskets right now.

If it works out the way I want it too I will be able to remove the trim next winter and replace the gasket at that time and rust bullet or POR15 behind the gasket on the metal before reinstalling the glass. And that shouldn't effect my paint job at all.

 

[LeeBoy]

Looking great and I'm diggin those vintage Keystone's

 

[northerndave]

Thanks, I uncovered some factory T7 bronze under the old vinyl top and in the sunlight I have to say it aint half bad. The color I chose is actually a little closer to T5 I think (more copper) and I'm getting more exited now to see it done.

 

[Propwash]

Niffty little tool Dave..Good idea!

I was hoping to see something topless today :downtown:

 

[northerndave]

I really don't know if the vinyl will be going back on or not.

I might stick my 6 vinyl top trim holes in an envelope and send them to you because I'm not sure I'll be using them.

:grin:

I really haven't made up my mind yet, I suppose it will look good either way.

 

[northerndave]

I got the long seam finished up on the RH quarter skin, but that was about it for today. I have to pack the truck for a road trip very early tomorrow morning, plus our daughter has prom tonight.. busy around here.

So, this is all I will get done this weekend.

 

[Superfreak]

Looking good Dave.
What did you use to flange the edges of the upper 1/4s?

 

[northerndave]

It's a pneumatic flanging tool, air over oil I think actually. Hole punch on one side and flanger on the other side.

Jury is still out on the top seam vs side seam for 1/4 skin... but actually I am liking the top seam option so far.

The real test comes when it's time to dress the seam with some metal 2 metal filler, polyester glazing & sanding.

But from what I can tell so far the rippling from the weld (probably impossible to completely get away from) seems very minimal.

I think it will be really easy to deal with.

 

[Propwash]

Hmmmm......Father of a daughter who is going out for prom night. You're probably outfitted either like John Wayne or John Rambo. Can almost hear your radio blaring that country song "cleaning my gun" from here Dave. LOL

Thinking about skiping putting the rug back on top eh? I was looking forward to watching that white hat special roll out of your shop..Well, they love to make the rust I suppose... Either way,that color you're going with will look great on that car.

 

[northerndave]

We all survived prom just fine, thank god.

I could really go either way on the top Will, not too worried about the rust stuff because I'll have the roof sealed up much tighter than the factory did and these cars won't see regular use with 4 seasons of exposure like they did back in the day...

I've still got a little time to figure it out.

I'm on the road today, a nephew's confirmation about 200 miles away then we are picking up a project for my wife. She's buying her dad's old 79 F150 4x4 pickup that she grew up with.

So I guess I know what the next project in line is.

:grin:

 

[rp27g8]

DAVE,
Looks GREAT!!! I've been away for a couple days and WOW you work fast! I saw you were talking about a shrinking disk. They work very well and a "brown belt" should be able to handle it easily. A friend bought one and used it on a roof becaus of a couple dents and oil canning. That thing was slick with very little effort. Came with great directions and there are plenty of videos on youtube.
How did the quarters fit in regard to length from front to back? I was going to do my convertible th old way with a seam around the perimeter but I really like how you did yours. I have a set of older skins but I may go ahead and buy AMD from Jeff if the lenght is right on and do what you did. The skins I have now are a bit long. Keep the awesome pictures coming!

 

[northerndave]

Thanks man, I think length on the AMD skins was real good. Good from top seam to rocker and wheel house too. Only problem I had was with the trunk ext drop length, buggers are short. Mine were anyways, almost like they were the wrong ones.

 

[northerndave]

I was going to go to bed but I hear Usama bin laden is dead. So, this old Marine is going to have a beer.

 

[moparstuart]

I go away for a little while and 1/2 the cars back together

 

[northerndave]

Hey!!!


How are ya man??

 

[northerndave]

The many, many tack welds that it takes to cover a 7' 4" weld.

After a little grinder and sander work.

 

[Propwash]

Looks Good! You probably got more shielding gas than breathable oxegen in your shop by now Dave...

 

[northerndave]

Just a little short burst of work on a thusday night. I aint touched the car since about noon saturday... feelin guilty about that.

Long work day planned tomorrow (day job) and also saturday... so I probably wont get a chance on the bird till Sunday.

 

[northerndave]

Welding the trunk latch box and tail pan braces back in.

Doing some sanding outside.

Trouble with the door handle holes..

Going to have to do some welding there.

 

[Aaron]

Great progress on the car!! I was wondering what you used to drill all the holes in the new trunk pan before you put it in? I am installing a two piece trunk pan in my stepfathers 69 Satellite later this week. I really like the tip of using paint to transfer the frame location to the new trunk before you drilled the holes.