|
|
Post by geezerman on Sept 3, 2015 15:17:39 GMT -6
An almost complete new kit that was in my care package.
I dug out from my display case of my favorites, a 2006 build that I wasn't completely happy about the chop. I was (and still am) reluctant to eliminate the 'B' pillar and make a hard top. Just seems to be a cop out way to chop a top. OK, at the time, I chose to just close in the rear quarter windows. Have never liked how it looked.
Anyway, I'm thinking to chop this one, leaving the 'B' pillars in. I also think I'll do a "Bonneville chop", slanting the windshield for more visibility. I haven't decided yet if I'll section it some. And, MAY go skirted tail dragger.
Unlike my first one that had a 1 piece floor/frame, This kit has more pieces. Had a little fiddling to do with those X members.
And trying to get a small warp straightened.
Didn't have a good dropped axle, so I salvaged a front end out of pickup truck, and removing the 40 front cross member, I'm fitting this in it's place.
I may have to do something with that frame X member after all that work getting it straight, because I found another Viper engine in the salvage.
|
|
|
|
Post by geezerman on Sept 4, 2015 15:07:42 GMT -6
Well, so much for their fancy schmancy cross over.
|
|
|
|
Post by bob29579 on Sept 5, 2015 16:57:45 GMT -6
Looking good. I wonder what they do with all the viper stuff and leave the engines ? I've done a 40 with a filled in back window too and I never liked it, either. I wonder if there is a viper limo out there someplace...
|
|
|
|
Post by geezerman on Sept 6, 2015 3:52:42 GMT -6
In the big salvage box that was sent to me, Bob, there were two Viper engines, and one body. Most everything in the stuff appeared to have been messed with and abandoned out of frustration. The Viper body was pretty much pristine.
|
|
|
|
Post by bob29579 on Sept 7, 2015 13:05:54 GMT -6
Lot's of good parts cheap off of nascars, my next favorite is vipers and porsche and all the exotics like that. There is always something in those boxes that anyone can use. I think I have a bunch of those boxes too that were started then given up on.
|
|
|
|
Post by geezerman on Sept 8, 2015 10:18:42 GMT -6
OK, I am backing down on this baby.
Sectioning may cause more problems with hood clearance that I don't want to fight with. I already have to do some serious firewall work. And because it's looking so good, I may abandon the top chop. Lazy ol' man still has some work to do getting the tail down.
|
|
|
|
Post by dogfish7 on Sept 8, 2015 11:52:58 GMT -6
Now you're talkin!
|
|
|
|
Post by bob29579 on Sept 8, 2015 15:04:25 GMT -6
Don't let us rush you, we're just glad to watch. You get it the way you want it.
|
|
|
|
Post by geezerman on Sept 10, 2015 3:07:54 GMT -6
She's up on 'er wheels with the engine installed.
I have never shaved the tops of the tires, before, to get clearance to drop a body, But fudging on out of sight stuff is not against my morals.
I have modified the Viper intakes and have them tucked behind the radiator.
Moderation is not really my thing either. When I chop a top, I leave no doubt that it has been chopped. I usually lay out my chop lines with 1/4 inch tape. So, I usually have a lot of wiggle room. Showing marvelous restraint, I'm using 1/16 inch tape to lay out the lines on this coupe.
With my chopped pieces laying around, it doesn't seem as easy as it used to to get them all aligned.
I keep seeing this , that I have lying over on the other table with the salvage stuff. Not exactly a confidence builder.
|
|
|
|
Post by geezerman on Sept 10, 2015 14:23:58 GMT -6
Got the 'Road Kill' out to see if it was worth the effort compared to a stock height roof.
Not too bad.
Then I had to set them next to the more extreme chop.
|
|
|
|
Post by bob29579 on Sept 10, 2015 18:25:35 GMT -6
This chop looks just about right. I like it best of the 3. That other confidence builder you have needs to be set up as if something jumped on the roof or was dropped on it. The more I look at these 3, the more I think you got this one dead on.
|
|
|
|
Post by geezerman on Sept 12, 2015 17:14:00 GMT -6
Took a pretty good hunk out of the firewall.
|
|
|
|
Post by geezerman on Sept 17, 2015 11:53:50 GMT -6
Got to set out in the studio today give my legs a rest! Two days on a ladder destroyed them for anything else !
Working on the body work, and cut down the inner door panels.
|
|
|
|
Post by bob29579 on Sept 18, 2015 12:34:32 GMT -6
Looks like someone dripped candle wax on it...
|
|
|
|
Post by geezerman on Sept 19, 2015 19:25:07 GMT -6
That's Bondo spot putty along with some red oxide primer sanded thru. 
|
|
