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View Full Version : I can't come up with a cute project name, but the story is good



CraigMBA
04-01-2007, 02:03 PM
Where were you April 1, 1998? I know where I was.......

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/weddingpictures-1.jpg

Yes, today is my aniversary. Yes, this is my first wife. Yes, I still have her. I got this car in 1984. Yes, it's my first car. Yes, I still have it too.

Back then, I had enough money to buy the parts or pay somebody to work on it - not both. It was dead stock untill the Mrs. and I started dating. C-4, 2 barrel 289, four wheel death drum brakes, and no A/C. That didn't work out so good in Fresno. I could take it, but the Mrs. rode one time in 105 degree heat and said "never again, get A/C or something." That kind of kicked off the project that grew out of control while I was collecting AC parts. I wound up with a set of brakes off a '68 GTA my buddy parted out, and wound up with GW uppers, PMS springs and bump steer kit, home made lowers, MP rear leafs, a T-5 swap, a roller cam 5.0....................and all was good.

Then I moved to SoCal and wrecked it commuting from Chino Hills to Beverly Hills one morning at 5am. I got it apart, but never quite back together and then I bought a business. Five years later, here's where we are at:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/carltonscar71206094-1.jpg

I talked one of my customers into doing a core support and both PS aprons. After he got that in, he called and asked "Hey, we're slow. You want us to strip the whole thing?" I said sure. Two days later, he calls back "Hey, this thing needs quarters and a tail light pannel" which turned into "Hey, we need a trunk floor and outer wheelhouses".

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/carltonscar71206098-1.jpg

Which is where we are now. When I saw it last monday, it had another fender on it. Hopefully next week we get the other fender on it. I gotta pull the motor and trans out next so I can fix the shock towers.

My goal is to have the body assembled and gapped by May 1, the chassis assembled and sorted by June 1, and final dry fit by July 1. Spray it August 1, and spend the next three months putting the car together like a big model in my spare time. Provided I don't run out of money first.

23 years is a long time to have a car, er, I mean money pit like this one. What the hell, it's paid for. Several times over.

CraigMBA
04-05-2007, 04:28 PM
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/weddingpictures002-1.jpg

'73 drum spindles, billet caliper brackets, drum brake hub.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/weddingpictures001-1.jpg

Assembled, need to figure out how I'm going to fabricate a bracket to hook up the brake vent hoses.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/weddingpictures003-1.jpg

Ready to be installed.

Bill Howell
04-05-2007, 05:47 PM
Cool story and nice project. Keep the updates coming. Should be something the Mrs. will enjoy riding in once it is finished.:cheers:

Ralph LoGrasso
04-05-2007, 09:42 PM
I'm glad to see someone making progress on their car. Keep us posted.

Jim Nilsen
04-06-2007, 04:53 AM
Maybe it should be called, LEGAL LIMIT, since it is over 21 now!

Bandit
04-06-2007, 09:53 AM
Congrats on the anniversary, my wife and I just celebrated our 3rd on April 3rd!
Cool project--don't worry that it has taken so long to get to this point--I am sure it is just going to be that much more satisfying when it's finished!

sprbxr
04-07-2007, 05:35 AM
I am glad to see I am not the only one that has projects that progress slowly. Makes me feel better about the pile of parts in my garage.
Justin

CraigMBA
04-09-2007, 08:47 AM
Thanks guys.

I think this is V.5 of "legal limit".

The first shot V.1 was in 1985.

I got rear ended by a drunk in 1988. That was V.2.

I drove the car to college for five years, and it got destroyed in the parking lot by 'other people' who had trouble parking making it rougher than when I got it the first time. That was V.3.

The Mrs. didn't like no AC and I didn't like not stopping. That was V.4.

Build - Drive - Destroy - Repeat

I think I have a sig now.

novanutcase
04-09-2007, 03:15 PM
Just call it "Project 1" since this is your first car!!1

CraigMBA
04-09-2007, 03:50 PM
My bodyman fixed the gap left from the great quality repro quarter panels (/scarasm) with a piece of .120 wire and a little filler. He also filled in the gap between the quarter and the rear decklid sheetmetal.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

I need to measure the rear end for wheels and install the brakes, then pull the engine so I can fix the shock towers.

Tune in next time!

CraigMBA
06-08-2007, 09:16 PM
Some more progress:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/6807011-1.jpg

I have installed the brakes and am mocking up the lines.

Not shown was the shock tower "realignment" courtesy of a portapower and a mig welder.

I'm planning on installing the torque boxes and sean welding the whole engine compartment hopefully by next week. Plus, now that I'm on that chassis rack I can move the car more easily making it easier to shoot the undercarrage and engine compartment in the booth.....

ProTouring442
06-10-2007, 02:36 AM
I love the sig!

Congrats on the aniversary, way cool!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

HEMIDAYTONA
06-11-2007, 04:27 AM
how bout a calender girl......Mrs. April

deuce_454
06-12-2007, 03:22 AM
since its a white mustang... how about "pestilence" the first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse

"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer"
Revelation chapter 6, verse 2.

but for cute, i guess its not the best choice... perhaps the calendar girl suggestion was better.. or perhaps "sally"??

CraigMBA
06-12-2007, 07:48 AM
Sally's no good. That's my wife's best friend from HS. Nice girl, no dice.

"Pestilence" is pretty good for the wrong reasons. The car is '65 Sunshine Yellow, soon to be either 2003 Ford Competition Orange or 2003 Land Rover Tangeirs Orange.