Paul Masson's 71 Grabber

Thanks, Rusty! I'm very happy with the condition of the metal. Progress seems slow, but no matter how fast it does go, it would never be fast enough!

Thanks, John! Old cars never seem to stay on schedule, but are always worth it in the end. This cowl repair/painting has been the biggest hurdle yet. Once I get past the paint and cowl repair stage, everything should come together.

Thanks, Roger! I've been trying to get this thing done so I can get a picture of it inside the "Hot Wheels" box...

 

Got a few minutes more blasting in before the rains came on Sunday evening.

 

I have FINALLY rid myself of the sand-blasting monkey on my back!!! Two coats of POR-15 Satin Black, and the next step will be welding the cowl cover on. Feels pretty good, considering I started sand blasting when there was snow on the ground!

 

Looking great Paul......I know you've got to happy about getting to that point.

 

Looks great! Keep at it or you'll end up like me

 

Its great to finally put something ON your project as opposed to taking off. Looks good man!
You'll be done before me.

 

Thanks!! Speaking of putting stuff "ON"... I managed to 'insatll' some yellow paint on the inner cowl yesterday. This is the last time anyone will see the inside of this cowl!!

 

The cowl cover is welded-in and all of the welds have been ground-down smooth.


The adhesive from the masking tape here is about a year or so old. You know you've taken too long to do a project when the masking tape leaves a mess like this behind!


Cleaned all the 1 year old masking tape adhesive and grinding matter of the cowl cover. The cowl-to-fender brackets are lining up good and are the last thing I should need the welder for! Then it's PAINT time!!

 

did you test fit the wiper linkage?

 

Yes I did. I installed the wiper linkage, centered the posts in the holes and the cowl centered to the car. I then screwed the cowl cover down with self-tapping screws (about 12 of them) and then removed everything to paint the cowl pan, etc. When I went to re-install the cowl cover, I used the screw holes as alignment holes and then welded in-place. Thanks for the tip. I remember reading about your cowl replacement a while ago. I appreciate it!

 

what color will you be using? the same yellow as inside the cowl?

 

The firewall and everything forward of that will be Chassis Coat (Satin) Black, as it was originally. The front of the cowl and the majority of the brackets will be painted to match the yellow on the car. Inside the cowl was done with paint I had colour-matched, but it seemed a shade too bright. I'm going to see if they can soften the shade of yellow to better match the original paint when I paint the front of the cowl. It was close enough for doing inside the cowl, but I'm sure it will show-up if I used it on the front of the cowl under the hood.

In short, yes the cowl will be yellow, but a slightly better match than inside. The engine compartment will go Satin Black.

 

Switching gears from welding and painting, my cousin-in-law called me and informed me that he had finished polishing my Factory Aluminum Slots!! In person, there is some pitting that was too deep to get out, and they weren't perfect when I gave them to him, but I am super happy the way they shine!!! can't wait for 5-lug brakes all around!!!

BEFORE:



AFTER:



All Together...:

 

Those look awesome!

 

Thanks! I stole them from your backyard (Barrie, ON) for $180, including the four centers.

They aren't perfect, but they cleaned-up really nice!!! They'll match the patina on the rest of the car. I've always wanted a set!!! More motivation to drive this thing next summer!