51 Ford

[idrivejunk]

Well sir... nope. The vision in my head would be with camera position about 10 o'clock low and just about anybody's truck would work. Recently saw some photo work by a Texan that represents the typical Roth style depiction sans Fink but with photorealism. It intrigued me greatly and a wheelstanding yellow 50 with big RRT on the door rendered in my mind.

Not being a big fan of overembellishment, I like how your rig turned out with the smooth hood. Simple, clean, sharp.

Of course the idea is just that. Somehow I can't find motivation to use my own car as practice. I did do a hand drawn, computer colored version awhile back. Anyway... thats why I asked.

By the way, today I learned 68-72 el Camino and 69-70 Grand Prix used the same frame part number. Didn't know that! Or if I did, I had forgotten. Good example of useless info there.

Also BTW... boss liked the vent rendering.  And I am all set now, to show other trim designs if need be.

A week from now, I hope to be pretty close to releasing the F1 from metal jail. Customer visit time, and time to move it along. Drip rail shave still up in the air though.

Post another angle if'n you like, KB. My intentions are noble but my procrastination is strong. You gotta know I am about F-1'ed out by now. But this thread has lots of room.

[kb426]

After it warms a bit, I'll try to get a shot. It's a clear day so it's not a big deal.

[enjenjo]

By the way, today I learned 68-72 el Camino and 69-70 Grand Prix used the same frame part number. Didn't know that! Or if I did, I had forgotten. Good example of useless info there.

In 68 GM went to different frames on the coupes and sedans. 112" for coupes, and 116" for sedans. of course the wagons and El camino used the longer frame, fully boxed. Plus the Vista Cruiser, and the Buick Sport Wagon use a wagon type frame, but with a 120" wheelbase. So the Pontiac GP, and the Chevy Monte Carlo were coupe bodies on a sedan/wagon frame. The Monte Carlo, and the Chevelle used the same sheet metal on the body outside of the doors and quarter panels. Also the Chevelle, Monte Carlo, and the Buick Skylark used the same deck lid outside of the emblem holes through 72.

[idrivejunk]

I had caught onto the trunk lids. That back glass covers a lot of models too. Whats funny is I caught wind of the frame sameness off a Chevy forum but there was no mention of MC. Strange. The good ol' "A+" AKA G-body chassis. Ah yeah, make mine that!

Of course the only worthy item of note is, to me, that theres probably someone making a compatible aftermarket chassis already. I can dream anyhow. Early on, my frame was cracked at RR shock mount and then one day I backed up and had tire rub... the square of rail where the big oblong bushing'ed lower control arm rear mount goes just ripped out of the frame.  

But thats to be expected. Heck there was a tech bulletin while they were under warranty. My frame doesn't have big rust. Wonder what the diff is on a 72 GP. Still got one of those in the yard.

[idrivejunk]

After it warms a bit, I'll try to get a shot. It's a clear day so it's not a big deal.

Hey don't knock yourself out but theres another burnout opportunity if you move the truck.

Shoot for that wheelie angle , low as possible  

I figure I ought to practice reflections and fire breathing headers and tire smoke, etc. on something old enough to be cool.

[idrivejunk]

Thar she blows, as she sits now-



Planishing side vent area.

[kb426]

The sun is creating shadows from all angles.

[idrivejunk]

I think theres something there I can work with. Lines to trace are all thats needed for the idea. Much obliged and fire the wait race starter pistol once into the air.

Don't be alarmed if artistic privelidges are exercised on your pics, meaning I might change the truck.  

Theres something about the 48-50 nose, not sure what... but it might be fun to play. Got told we're leaving at 4 at like 4 til 4 today, and are off for 4 days.  

But F1 man piped up on the hood vent grille wanting to add a vertical bar in the corner, and boss reminded me it will be all painted... so I have a revision to do and dang if I didn't come up with something else I want to try a few minutes ago.

Ideas just erupt suddenly, but rarely predictably.      

[idrivejunk]

This is a bare-bones version of what I imagined.  

[idrivejunk]

[idrivejunk]

Got hood bolted on today mid-afternoon but have not yet re-established fit. Didn't stop dudes from taking pics. I didn't, of that.

Did pull up a KB pic once I got home and um...

Moved headlight panels forward, paint white

Moved signals to a square tube bumper bar...

that could poke through the sheetmetal

Thats most of what came to mind in a single ponder. For kicks.



[/i]

It may have got lowered a smidge. In places, for convenience. Ran out of time for plopping it onto salt.

[jaybee]

That's a great look, I like it.

[idrivejunk]

Well, thanks. I didn't "play" with ideas first, just played like it was mine and didn't fuss over it. Bumper is supposed to resemble a grille bar there.  

The yellow one sure was a dud, I'll stop there on it.



This (back to the 51) is the getting rid of stock hinge provisions on new hood-



This illustrates the precision with which the hood was made-



I took out the spotwelded stands on top of the brace, just outside center rib. Their heights match but that brace, oh man no its crooked as me. I made adjustable ones and evened out distance from skin top to hood bottom. The skin center line jives with hood bottom, almost, now. That was way off, and the brace will remain crooked but I am thinking of a part which will obscure that issue.

Only have one strut fully connected at the moment, kinda holds that side up so this is not to show hood gap. Just togetherness-



Aaaand got word first thing today that the job will be set aside with front half in primer and untouched bed. Due to customer situation. He's a contractor having trouble getting workers due to the unemployment compensation availability. Working 80 hrs himself a week and can't get to jobs so they slip away. Ramrod scenario, one guy making it yknow. Which is nobody's business but in this case I'd rather not leave you to concoct your own reasons.

[kb426]

That's too bad for him and your shop. I'm sure everyone wants to see projects finished.

[idrivejunk]

And how! Theres scads of junk I fixed running around but of the things I have built enough of to say I built on them...

Big fat goose egg. Nothing I've built has hit the road and I stand like 3 years deep in it, no vacations and no light work in between jobs. Almost a dozen years now, of no place to do bodywork on my own rides. Chin down.

Sure, boss taking two freshys a year to SEMA for a few consecutive years, then not having anything to show last year then this year no show either except a couple fine articles... must be a letdown.

We both have trouble keeping a straight face whilst running the gauntlet of worry. And thats life. Its been good and theres good ahead and its not like pausing one job for a money breather is a big deal, it happens and they do get done. But you're right, its disappointing news and a tough thing for me to keep my mind from running away with. Whenever I hear just keep doing what you are doing, I just have to make like I didn't and hurry more.

But its the darndest thing... a racket I guess... in his biz... ya gotta offer a whopper sign-on bonus to interest anyone at all. Hire one, they knock out a few jobs then are gone to collect more unemployment benefits. At least that was the understanding I took. If five guys hired on, everyone would immediately have plenty.

With just one guy, a trickle. So we get it in primer and store it in the third building until that trickle fills his money bucket. Like he said, its never a question of if, more like when.

Aside from all that... truly it means nothing to me but duty. Doesn't matter what I work on, each day I must be mentally prepared to suddenly abort the current task and start on a more horrible one. Collision work is that way full time but with no cool factor so that is built into me.

Blah blah and whats any different about this picture-  :?:



Hood is "latched" and gap is reasonable, thats what. Once I muster gumption to slide under there and reconnect the core support mount stands, buddy we cooking with gas! That means front end work is whittling right on down. I am going to have to spend more time flattening out the transitions at back of hood vents and such. But end of day I had both halves of hood latch mounted but the upper half's support piece did not get tacked to hood. Ready though. So I reached through the grille to close it fer braggin rights.