435 replies to this topic

[derrin71]

Got the passengers side guard done this afternoon. The best panel i've found on the car so far. No rust (YAY!!), only a couple of 'elbow dints' on the top of the guard. Just had to fill in the aerial hole and a couple of holes from a badge which had been bogged up.

[Tyre biter]

Better than nice Derrin - bloody well done.
What is next?
Also, how did that section at the rear go where you had to cut to widen the back-end a little. I'd love to see some pics about what you did there and the end result.
I think it was very brave to do what you did however you took on that problem head-on and kudos to you. I wish I was as brave in remedying some of the problems I encountered at the back end of my shell.
Cheers, TB

[derrin71]

Thanks for the great coments guys.
Basically i cut along the side where the quarter joins up with the rear panel with a 4" cutting disc.
Dad then flogged the shit out of a block of wood i held up against the inside of the small spoiler lip with a 2lb hammer!! We kept checking the gap by closing the hatch.
I then made up a small triangle section to fill in the gap.
I trust the old man, he was a panel beater and spraypainter for 30 years. He did his trade for the local Holden dealers and learnt to lead wipe, file finish, english wheel etc. Doesn't seem to be many left with these skills anymore.
Tomorrow i might start on the nosecone.

[derrin71]

Got the nosecone stripped today. Whacked a coat of etch on it and test fitted it to see how it looks.



Only a few small dents, especially along the bottom where the car must have been taken off-roading. A little rust also along the bottom. Someone had filled it in with lead at some stage.



I cut it out and welded in a new bit.



Someone had also butchered the numberplate mounting brackets and tried to tear them off. I took them off and fixed up where they were spot welded on. I don't need them as i am running a front spoiler.

[derrin71]

It's been a couple of weeks since my las update so here goes.

I finished repairing the drivers side front guard and have test fitted it to the car.



I have stripped the bonnet on both sides and primered it ready for a little work smoothing out the top.



I've worked out that a combination of paint stripper and a wire wheel gets paint off about 5 times faster than just the wire wheel by itself. (makes a hell of a mess though!)



I also had a package arrive yesterday with some new suspension gear in it.



Back to work tomorrow so there will be no progress for the next few days.

[Tyre biter]

Looks fantastic Derrin,
Love those trailing arms

I can't recall if you have said previously - what colour is it going to be?

Cheers, TB

[derrin71]

I've had many shades of green in mind, Lettuce Alone, Jamacian Lime to name a couple but i think i have finally settled on the original car's original colour, Mint Julep. Only after seeing one at Motorex in that colour. There's nothing like seeing a colour in the flesh to help you make a decision. I want to to the interior in the original cream colour (not sure of the code, the interior is a loooong way away) with golfball inserts.

[derrin71]

Finished off the bonnet today, wasn't too bad except for a large dint right above the catch, looks like someone was having trouble closing it once and got a little heavy handed and dinted it.



Stripped the cowl vent panel. I didn't like the holes left for the windscreen washer and the small indentations in the panel for them.( My windscreen washers have been re-routed through the plenum chamber) So i filled them in and also the 4 small indentations.
The cowl has 4 indentations, the other two seem to line up where washers would be if the car was LHD? Has anyone else noticed this?





Finished off by priming both sides.



Next job is to start on the drivers door. It has some rust to fix. Only time and some paint stripping will reveal how much.

[308 Sunbird]

Just read the whole thread start to finish- great work!

[Tyre biter]

Coming along really nicely - fingers crossed on what you find...rather don't find when stripping the driver's door - it's nice to get a break now and then.
That scuttle/plenum chamber cover/cowl or whatever it is called is a bastard to rub - you go through easy-peasy and each of those grills is a PITA.
Hadn't noticed the indents in the scuttle before - I'll go and check mine.
Mint Julep - Great choice!
How long until some colour goes on do you think?
Cheers, TB

[derrin71]

Thanks for thecomments. The plan has been to have it painted before the end of the year. It all depends on dad who will be laying on the colour. I am on leave from work from mid December until late January, i will be dissapointed if it isn't done by the time i go back to work.
As i said i wasn't sure about the colour, you can still see patches of it where the pinchweld goes on etc. Seeing a whole car in that colour finally sold it to me. It will feel good to have at least one factory thing on it. Time for lunch then back to the shed.

[derrin71]

Thanks for thecomments. The plan has been to have it painted before the end of the year. It all depends on dad who will be laying on the colour. I am on leave from work from mid December until late January, i will be dissapointed if it isn't done by the time i go back to work.
As i said i wasn't sure about the colour, you can still see patches of it where the pinchweld goes on etc. Seeing a whole car in that colour finally sold it to me. It will feel good to have at least one factory thing on it. Time for lunch then back to the shed.

[derrin71]

Thanks for thecomments. The plan has been to have it painted before the end of the year. It all depends on dad who will be laying on the colour. I am on leave from work from mid December until late January, i will be dissapointed if it isn't done by the time i go back to work.
As i said i wasn't sure about the colour, you can still see patches of it where the pinchweld goes on etc. Seeing a whole car in that colour finally sold it to me. It will feel good to have at least one factory thing on it. Time for lunch then back to the shed.

[Tyre biter]

Sounds like a good plan.
I wasn't too sure on Mint Julep myself, especially after seeing it go on at first in the engine bay - I though whoa that is a strong colour - much greener than I had anticipated but I have to say it is growing on me and more so since the black-outs have been done - are you going back-outs?
Still wonder if I should have gone Palais White as I had always dreamed of owning a hatchback in that colour scheme but like your wish to remain original with colour, I too wanted the car to be original, just in my case I am going as far as I can including the interior trim.
I have to agree, the colour (Mint Julep) is much better in person than any photo does justice - I've mentioned a few times in my build thread that for some reason the green just doesn't photograph well but buggered if I know why - I am sure someone with a photography background could explain.
As I said, keep the pics coming - really enjoying seeing your car come together.
Cheers, TB

[derrin71]

Thanks Tyre Biter. Not going with blackouts as such. There will be some contrast colour but i might keep the colour and style to myself until it's done. My car was originally a 4 cyl sunbird so originality is no major factor in my plans.
Thanks for the comments, i have been keeping an eye on your build thread as well. Keep up the great work.

[derrin71]

Update time,
Stripped the drivers door, no bog thankfully, the area surrounding the door handle has been pushed in a little but not too bad,

Found a little rust, not as bad as the passengers door.



Cut it out and replaced with new steel.


Just needs to have the repairs smoothed out with some bog ths then repair the outside.

[derrin71]

Finished the drivers door today,



also stripped and primed the drivers side door jamb.

[TempesT]

must be hot in ur shed down there.... was hot enough outside at dysart!

It looking good dude

[derrin71]

I've got 4 whirly birds on the roof, seems to keep it bearable.
If i can pick up a large evap aircon one day i will fit that, then the shed will be perfect.

[TempesT]

haha the big swamp box,

depending on where your roller doors are... I had a mate that use to wet down the edge of the concrete under the roller door, crack it open and work it like his own little swamp box. It took the heat out well,

[Statler]

Another hatch in the district won't go astray.

Shell looks great! I can't wait to see it colored in.