I think we see the finish line!

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Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

I am with you Don, you tell Dan to get that body on and fixed down correctly as all the top trimmers down here require the car to be almost runners before they do the trim. The last thing anybody would want is to remove any of the upholstery to finish the car when the trimmer has it looking fantastic. And anyway, upholsterers have enough off cuts of material to use to protect the car while being working on.

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You're right, Whiplash. When we visited the guys shop he had the 55 Chevy he was doing wrapped up like a Mummy. Sheets and towels everywhere to protect it. That gave us a lot of confidence in his work. He seems to be very professional.

Steve, me too!! I think Dan has finally run out of things to do on this one and is also tired of spending money on it. Time to get it DONE!!! :D

Don

This weekend was MONUMENTAL!! :D We installed Dans body and bed on his frame for the final time! :D Got the top bows installed so we can take it to the upholstery shop probably next Friday, when we pick up my 27. Everything went great on putting the body in place, didn't scratch or nick anything, and it all bolted on as it should.

This is a day we have been waiting for over 4 years to see happen, and we had to sit back in chairs with a couple of cold ones and just stare at it for a while. Wheeled it outside today for the first time as a complete car, and took some pictures.

Final bits of work yet to do are finishing up the 32 grille shell and insert, some wiring and brake work, plus other minor stuff. But the hard work is behind us, and we couldn't be happier. Dan has done an incredible amount of work on this car, and it was good to see him starting to realize it is almost done. :D

Don

Awesome looking Don and Dan and thanks for taking my my advice on bolting it all together. 4 years is a long time but some builds can and do take longer sadly. Heck going through some old photos I now know that my Bucket has been off the road since November 2007 so I really need my knees done so that I can get back too work so that I can afford to spend money on the old gal again and finish it for good.

Looks great Don. Hoist a few for me! Your son is one talented young man, heck they both are!

Its all looking good,Don..thats a nice wee rod,and I bet those rear tires go up in smoke easy too...:LOL:**)I bet you guys are so pleased to have it so close to finished..Skid video coming up is there??:cool:

Hubba hubba, i love hotrod porn pics :LOL:

looks excellent Don, I can't wait for a ride !!!

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

This weekend was MONUMENTAL!! :D We installed Dans body and bed on his frame for the final time! :D Got the top bows installed so we can take it to the upholstery shop probably next Friday, when we pick up my 27. Everything went great on putting the body in place, didn't scratch or nick anything, and it all bolted on as it should.

This is a day we have been waiting for over 4 years to see happen, and we had to sit back in chairs with a couple of cold ones and just stare at it for a while. Wheeled it outside today for the first time as a complete car, and took some pictures.

Final bits of work yet to do are finishing up the 32 grille shell and insert, some wiring and brake work, plus other minor stuff. But the hard work is behind us, and we couldn't be happier. Dan has done an incredible amount of work on this car, and it was good to see him starting to realize it is almost done. :D

Don

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Terrific profile!! Ya done yourself proud Danny, and have made dad very proud to boot. You're almost there. Are you going for a modified Bob Lee style top?

One detail suggestion; a two stripe ring around the caps in maroon would give you a nice, subtle counterpoint that wouldn't distract but would add some interest.

Looks great! The hard work, long hours, and attention to detail always make a project worthwhile! Congrats on a very well done project!

looks great and that white firewall really sets the engine. great job.

Very, very nice - most of us here have been waitin' for this day. Those skinny bologna's - I'll bet they'll smoke up a storm cloud:LOL::LOL:

Thanks everyone for the compliments, I'll pass them on to Dan. Although he is kind enough to say he and I built this car, the truth is, he did 99.9% of it. I was there to help lift heavy stuff, push it outside for painting, and sweep up sometimes, but he is the one who has hung in there for all these years and had this vision. No matter how I tried to get him to rush things sometimes, he wouldn't take any shortcuts. To say I am proud of how the car is turning out would be an understatement.

Bob, good suggestions on the striping. He is hoping to hook up with Skratch (the pinstriper who did my 23 and Don's 23) to have some subtle work done, and I will mention the wheels to him. As for the top, not familiar with the Lee style top you cite...........do you have any pictures?

The top he is planning will be done in a traditional style, with stitching around the side window opening, down the sides of the top, and around the rear window opening. He has ordered a 32 glass back window and frame from LeBaron Bonney and is going to have the upholsterer put that into a zip out rear window flap. The material came in, it is an off white to match the firewall and seats. Here is a taped up version of what profile he is shooting for. (if the back were slanted more it would hit his head when driving)

Don

Nice shape Don.

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Thanks everyone for the compliments, I'll pass them on to Dan. Although he is kind enough to say he and I built this car, the truth is, he did 99.9% of it. I was there to help lift heavy stuff, push it outside for painting, and sweep up sometimes, but he is the one who has hung in there for all these years and had this vision. No matter how I tried to get him to rush things sometimes, he wouldn't take any shortcuts. To say I am proud of how the car is turning out would be an understatement.

Bob, good suggestions on the striping. He is hoping to hook up with Skratch (the pinstriper who did my 23 and Don's 23) to have some subtle work done, and I will mention the wheels to him. As for the top, not familiar with the Lee style top you cite...........do you have any pictures?

The top he is planning will be done in a traditional style, with stitching around the side window opening, down the sides of the top, and around the rear window opening. He has ordered a 32 glass back window and frame from LeBaron Bonney and is going to have the upholsterer put that into a zip out rear window flap. The material came in, it is an off white to match the firewall and seats. Here is a taped up version of what profile he is shooting for. (if the back were slanted more it would hit his head when driving)

Don

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Thanks Steve. It is pretty much what it had to be. These rpu bodies are tight on space and Dan wanted the standard length Brookville vs the fat man version, so that sort of dictated the size of the top. We have shown the upholsterer every picture we could find in magazines of tops Dan likes, and Dan has been very specific about where he wants the stitching and snaps to go, so it should turn out ok.

I think Dan used my 27 as a test mule. He let me get my upholstery done first so we can see if the guy does nice work, before Dan takes his car to him.:LOL::LOL: BTW, I keep wondering how my work is coming......he is supposed to have it done this week and I am really anxious to see it in professional upholstery for the first time in it's 20 year life.

Don

that was very astute of him :LOL:

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Thanks Steve. It is pretty much what it had to be. These rpu bodies are tight on space and Dan wanted the standard length Brookville vs the fat man version, so that sort of dictated the size of the top. We have shown the upholsterer every picture we could find in magazines of tops Dan likes, and Dan has been very specific about where he wants the stitching and snaps to go, so it should turn out ok.

I think Dan used my 27 as a test mule. He let me get my upholstery done first so we can see if the guy does nice work, before Dan takes his car to him.:LOL::LOL: BTW, I keep wondering how my work is coming......he is supposed to have it done this week and I am really anxious to see it in professional upholstery for the first time in it's 20 year life.

Don

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Don - I really like that top opening shape - it looks very similar to mine - I dislike the standard OEM style 'A' top .

There is a little problem with peripheral vision and with my full fenders/running boards, a bit of contortionist work getting in and out, but maybe you and Dan are not quite so tall. I've only had mine on once since the final assembly just to try it for appearance and vision sake, so haven't developed the 'in-out' technique yet.