BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[Krieger]

That last version looks good. I think it would look better if there wasn't a "tab" above the window winder at 12 o'clock. Can't wait to see the aerosol black version.

[tygaboy]

That last version looks good. I think it would look better if there wasn't a "tab" above the window winder at 12 o'clock. Can't wait to see the aerosol black version.

@Krieger - Well OK, here you go! All I had was semi-gloss black but I can say I like it waaaaay more than unpainted. Rather than trying to "extend" the dash panel, I think it's better showcased by being the only raw aluminum in the car.

[914Toy]

This build is a class act (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[burton73]

This is looking very good in my humble option. One thing that might be really cool, is to have the recessed area in a different texture like RS wheel. It's the difference between polished and glass beaded finish but then bk anodized

I have a top slide on a 45 ACP that is a combination of polished and glass beaded and then blued/blacked or whatever they do on steel. It looks very cool. Very subtle but really very cool and above all super clean.

I am really liking it.

Best to you bud,

Bob B. Burton

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[Krieger]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) That looks soooo good!

[tygaboy]

I've been watching too many of those hot rod shows that also show the upholstery process and convinced myself that "if they can do it, I can do it!" Granted, this is pretty simple, but that's always a good place to start.

My door cards are done in a horrible carbon fiber-look vinyl so I figured no harm in sacrificing them to a learning opportunity.

I wanted to see if I could get a nice "sunken-look" panel so I cut a shape that follows the door bars and avoids the window winder. I also worked out the latch location. I want to update the latches to something else but I've not finalized that so went with stock for now. Anyway, I laid the panel on the door card and trimmed in about 1/2" from the edge.

[tygaboy]

Then I fitted the panel under the vinyl and using it as a guide, cut the foam to the exact shape of the panel.

[tygaboy]

Then it's a simple matter of riveting the panel to the door. I used rivet washers on the back side to spread the load and prevent the rivet pulling through the wooden card.
I didn't have enough of the proper length rivets, but you get the idea.
It turned out pretty well, IMO. Certainly not bad for a first go.

[tygaboy]

In the car.
As before, I think this will end up being a shape stitched into the door panel, rather than a metal panel. But I'll probably get these powder coated in the same matte black as the other interior sheet metal, just to see if I like that look. Maybe stamp them, too?

And yes, the visual gap from the panel edge to the door bar gets bigger once it starts to climb more steeply at the rear. I did that on purpose because I like that there's a bit of a change in the negative space at that point. To me, that's more visually interesting.

[Mueller]

Chris, that interior is getting be next level. As always super impressed.

[Krieger]

Here you go flip flopping things again! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) What color will the roll cage be?

[tygaboy]

@Mueller - Mike, thanks much for the compliment. I have to say, I'm really liking how the interior is coming together and it's always nice to hear others find it attractive, too!

@Krieger - Andy, I'm thinking the cage bars will be gloss black to pick up the same tone/texture as the shifter base. Then I'd apply some clear film to prevent scuffing. Or, I do the bars in matte black and apply gloss black protecters - that could work, too. So I guess the answer is "I haven't decided"! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

BUT, on a different decision front, the leading and likely winning exterior color choice is...

Brewster Green

I saw it on a new 718 Spyder this morning and it's a winner, for sure. Looks wonderful with bronze or gold-tone wheels, which is also where I'm headed. And it works well with the matte black hood vents, etc.
Thanks to @horizontally-opposed Pete for turning me on to this color in the first place.

[Cairo94507]

@tygaboy - Oh hell yeah! That is a beautiful color and with the flares it is going to show very nicely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[tazz9924]

god dang it i love this car.

[tygaboy]

After much behind the scenes head scrathing, design, prototyping and testing, I chucked it all, bit the bullet and forced myself to overcome the few items preventing me from being happy with the 944 latches.
It turns out that to make them work:
1. they sit too far out from the door so part of the rear of the latch base needs to be cut away
2. new mounting holes must be drilled in the door
3. when you pull the lever to open the door, the stock rod retainer clip fouls on the rear of the latch handle so a new rod retainer solution is required

#s 1 and 2 are pretty straight forward. For #3, I opted to drill a small hole in the rod end (see pic) then snipped the end loop off of a small spring. Once the rod is passed through the latch, I wound the spring end through the hole. Done and done.

[tygaboy]

I had a spare door that I used to prove out the position of the latch. It's important because, as I covered in earlier posts, the 944 latch locks, unlocks and opens the door, all with the single lever. Mounted too far forward, the door won't lock. Too far back and it won't open. There's a vary narrow "sweet spot" where everything works.

Anyway, when the door is locked, the lever sits flush with the bezel. When the door is unlocked, it sticks out a bit. I actually kinda like it: you get in the car, close the door and push the lever flush and the door is locked. Just pull the lever in a totally natural way and the door unlocks then opens. Plus, it echoes the door bar angle. Pretty happy coincidence.

[tygaboy]

Here's the latch in unlocked position.

But boy, the center area of that window winder sure looks boring, don't you think? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[tygaboy]

A few years ago, I was helping a buddy clean up his shop and he was tossing a bunch of aged-out motorcycle helmets. I noticed the visor fasteners on one of them and thought, "Those are cool looking. I'm going to save those, just in case I find a use for them..."

After staring at these doors for the past week, I remembered I had them!

It's only double-sided taped on but you get the idea. What I'll do is remove that inner step then machine a trench in the face and sink this into the winder. Makes a huge difference, IMO.

It's the little things.

[mgp4591]

That's just damn sexy.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[Dion]

Those door cards look sweet. Everything is tasteful.