Project Slantfish

[ec_co]

Repaired radiator is back, they did a so-so job in the looks department, but if it holds up that's all I care about for the moment. Trans in process of the rebuild now, had one chewed gear, but all ok otherwise. Received my Hurst package (this made me giddy, I've always wanted a pistol grip shifter). Received a lot of the rest of the parts I'll need to put it together (soft bits, suspension parts).

Still need a front brake kit. rebuild of the 8 3/4 would be nice + putting in 3.55 gears - we'll see on that though. Trim/brightwork still at the restorers'. On the engine I don't think that one's getting done this year, hopefully next year. Every once in a while they pop up on Craigslist cheap though, so I might get lucky.

Body/paint in progress, waiting on the trunk pan. Otherwise he said it's in great shape overall, it's all stripped. Found what looks like prior damage to the driver's door by maybe a baseball that they badly repaired, a little work around the shock tower brace as well. He thinks he'll be done by end of February. 

[mtull]

The plaque is a dedication that I mounted to the dash giving a little history

Love the plaque, great idea!
 

[Katfish]

Next year on the motor?
What's the ETA for first drive?
Keep chugging, eating the elephant 1 bite at a time......

[ec_co]

Next year on the motor?
What's the ETA for first drive?
Keep chugging, eating the elephant 1 bite at a time......

Possibly, just gotta see how $$ plays out. Hoping for a first drive by end of summer, but you know the whole 'hope in one hand ...' saying. Like you said, just got to keep chugging along and we'll see what happens. At this point I'm just glad to get this far and if the engine takes an extra year to finish, that's not a big deal IMO. Body/paint is the huge critical item that will finally be completed, the rest is manageable

[ec_co]

In progress. Front passenger apron straightened and repaired. One quarter size fix on the passenger door. Driver door got hit by something the size of a golfball and Bondo repaired. It had been repainted in the past, probably in '71 or '72 because the paint is just a hair darker than the original B5. I talked to my dad and he said it's never been in an accident that he was aware of nor had it been repainted, so it was definitely done before he bought it in 73. Regardless, it'll be better than new when I get it back.

[ec_co]

Rebuilt 4spd OD picked up.

[ec_co]

Trunk floor is out! Fenders and doors done.

[ec_co]

New pan is in. I know it's not an easy thing to do, he was able to get it in as one piece by sliding it through the rear Gap. Put in the new Bilsteins while in there. The cross brace is solid, just some surface rust.

[ec_co]

Received my rebuilt hinges back from Leo, dropped those off with the painter. I also got the parts needed for the four-speed bell housing conversion from Brewers, those got dropped off too.

[ec_co]

Doors are on, fenders and Hood as well for alignment and gaps. Used an AMD fender on the driver side because the original was crushed by a tree branch, mostly good fitment but a little bit tight on the corner and the front edge to the lower header panel is a little off too. Gaps look good otherwise