The day has finally come to start on Doug's car. Best we can tell it's a pretty solid car. But we won't know the
truth until all the paint comes off.
The parts that are here on site were unloaded and labeled.
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentInitial list :
1. Replace rear tail light panel with donor.
2. Replace rear half of trunk floor.
With removable heat shield3. Install 6 motor mount
4. Cut out holes for 6 oil tank
5. Replace back portion of floorboard
6. Make passenger seat adjustable like later cars
7. Install fiberglass wood framed GT hoods
8. Make minor seal channel rust repairs on both doors.
9. See if we can do some rust repairs on both valances
Plan is to have the car stripped here on site. History has it, the list will probably get a little longer after it's stripped.
So time to dive in the deep end. I take a few minutes to survey the donor tail light panel. The rusted off trunk panel is a little concerning at first glance.
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentHere's why we're changing out the tail light panel and the rear half of trunk.
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentThe rusty old trunk came out/off without any issues.
Added 7/7/2106Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentSo on to removing the qtr. panel corners. Once again I'm using Rick's grind down and pop off spot weld removal technique. I've given it my own twist. To eliminate as much damage as I can to the piece/panel we're going to reuse. I cut down the welds on the side that will be discarded with the 3" die grinder on a mandrel. Like so ...............
Click to view attachmentI did drill an 1/8" hole in each spot weld to make sure I didn't miss any spot welds. This section is 3 layers thick in places.
Once again, to eliminate potential damage I take things out in 2-3 inches sections. You can see the remaining section of the rusty old trunk floor next to the support.
Click to view attachmentAt the end of the day it came out relatively easy. A couple nicks, cuts and tears to weld up. But it's in good shape.
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentTomorrow I'll get out the steam cleaner and get all the grease cleaned off. Then maybe I'll blast the paint off. That will be followed by getting the torch out to remove the corner tail light brazing.
Click to view attachment