Erik’s 1970 Barracuda convertible project..... update!!

[xx88man]

Looking good! It's great that these guys could step up and help you out!   

[ErikR]

........and the brakes needed attention. rear shoes adjusted, system bled again, brake light switch/bracket adjusted.

A big improvement but scary compared to modern brakes!

[1 Wild R/T]

........and the brakes needed attention. rear shoes adjusted, system bled again, brake light switch/bracket adjusted.

A big improvement but scary compared to modern brakes!

And why I try to get guys to make non-stock changes... I understand wanting to keep things original but if your gonna drive it especially in modern traffic some stuff needs to work better than it did in 1970... 

I'm assuming 4 wheel drums?  Cause honestly I've got 11.75 discs & I can stop pretty well, not 4 wheel ABS & big brakes well but well enough for trying to run in normal big city traffic....

[ErikR]

Live and learn for me Randy! I know pro mechanics like you have been there / done that firsthand and know what's what, but for me this was a learning experience the hard way on proper metal, body and paint work.

This post is about me moving on and living with my car for now and the guys that stepped up big time to help me out.

Mike Ross and his crew will re-do the bodywork/ paint next year to the level that is appropriate for this car, and for now I will rack up the miles.

It's such a good cruiser, I'll have to list all the shop that refurbished parts for me since they are top notch.

My engine guy Jimmy is a hard-core racer / engine builder. The motor he built is really great but he also did my rear 3.23's and they are too tight! So my winter project will be to get a 3.55 set up from Dr. Diff and go at it.

More to come on my car, but for now a big thanks once again to Mike and Jim for getting me on track with this project.

[ErikR]

I've got discs up front but all 4 in the future would be a good plan. I do plan to dive it so the shock/suspension upgrades you mentioned will certainly help.

[RUNCHARGER]

Not to judge or crank things up again but that paint was obviously rushed. It may have looked okay when first done and all the checking and sanding scratches happened as it gassed out. Anyway glad you're moving on.

[1 Wild R/T]

If there are discs up front it should at least be able to stop reasonably well.. I'm sure Mike & his guys have done what they could with whats there.. I wonder if different brake pads would make a difference... There's some really good pads out there.. And garbage...

[AH1S]

Good to hear it's back and in much better shape than when you got it back from Alan.

[ErikR]

Thanks guys 

[BFM_Cuda]

Purple & White convertible is about as good as it gets...   

Glad you are getting things sorted out and are able to enjoy it a little before the white stuff gets here.

[Ric]

Glad to see you are getting to the point, that you can enjoy it....I had issues on my end also, that why I got involved and did it myself.....

[Chaos-N-Mayhem]

That is going to be a neat car when finished!

[HEMICUDA]

Not to judge or crank things up again but that paint was obviously rushed. It may have looked okay when first done and all the checking and sanding scratches happened as it gassed out. Anyway glad you're moving on.

The "checkering" was there when the car was wet sanded/buffed, anyone that worked on that car seen it, Helen Keller could have felt it.  The paint is a minor issue, we will have to completely disassemble the car and start over, straightening out all the unfinished metal and body work.  Erik's car is far and away the worst "bargain"100K+ restoration I've ever seen.

[HEMICUDA]

Here we soft edged the top of the door to fix all the chipping from using incorrect belt molding clips.

[HEMICUDA]

This picture clearly shows where it was tried, without success, to blend the corner of the deck lid opening.  Probably an area that was buffed thru.