Paul Masson's 71 Grabber

My windshield experience killed my motivation. I did it twice my self and it leaked both times. It had never leaked before. I then had a glass shop put a new windshield in and they said they it still leaked. Tried to blame it on a rust cowl which I know isn't rusty. I got irritated and just parked the car. Moved on to other things. Maybe I'll get going on it again one day.

 

David:

I had a similar issue with my first Maverick. Three windshields later, it got so bad, I ended up selling the car. I have talked to the glass guy I'm using a bunch of times already. He's walked me through all the different steps he's going to take and all the proper materials he's going to use. He's no stranger to the old stuff, and he's an independent glass guy, not a Speedy franchise. He's willing to come to my place and do it all, along with the vinyl roof and headliner. His services come highly recommended by my super detail-centric uncle who lets this guy work on his cars (C3 vette and C6 Z06). This guy even wants me to bring in sample pieces of metal with the POR-15 on it, prepped the way I will prep my roof, so he can do some lift-tests with the adhesive and vinyl before he'll commit to doing the roof with POR-15 as a base. He's really good, so hopefully everything goes well. My guard is already up, based on my previous experience, but my confidence in this guy is high.

One thing I've found with this build is that not one part of it can be rushed. Of course, I would have loved to have driven it this summer but there were more times I didn't feel like working on it than there were days I did. I don't usually do well or get very far ahead if my heart isn't in it. You'll find another burst of motivation soon and you'll be back at it again! There were a few times last year that you made progress beyond anything I have ever seen. Take the time you need, catch your breath and go at it again! Just don't throw the baby out with the bath water!!

You've come so far with your car, and I know once the timing is right, you'll be back in the saddle again! My plan is to have this car running again before blugene can remind me of yet another anniversary of having this car apart!!

 

Lookin' good Paul...

I sure hope my windshield doesn't leak, AFAIK it hasn't been wet since was installed almost two years ago... Still waiting for someone to give me a good swift kick in the ass to get my motivation flowing again...

 

Very nice! I cannot wait until I am at that part.

 

Thanks guys!! But I'm still 38 spot (plug) welds, 3 quarts of POR-15, and a firewall's worth of interior attachments (up to and including the dash and steering column) away from even THINKING of calling my windshield guy!!

Wouldn't have even made it THIS far without the phenomenal support of the people on this Forum!

 

Got the cowl-to-fender brackets all welded-in tonight! Hopefully that's the last of the welding on this car!! I also welded the ends of the hood hinge threaded inserts to the inner fender aprons as a precaution. No time like the present (bare steel, before paint)!

Passenger side cowl area prepped for welding with weld-through primer.



Drivers side cowl area prepped for welding with weld-through primer.



Passenger side cowl-to-fender bracket welded into place!



Driver side cowl-to-fender bracket welded into place!


This should conclude ALL the welding required on this car from here on out!! You can FEEL the difference in the front end of the car with these brackets welded back in!!

 

Passenger side welds ground-down smooth and coated with primer.






Driver side welds ground-down smooth and coated with primer.





Windshield edge ground-smooth and primed.

 

looking good! neat idea to weld the hood hinge nuts. seen quite a few ripped out.
are you thinking of getting an export brace or monte carlo bar? now would be the time for test fit...

 

Thanks! I have had to deal with several hood hinge nuts spinning freely in the past. I somehow doubt I will ever have to worry with THIS car, but better safe than sorry! I welded them from the back, so as not to ruin the engine compartment side, but they should never be seen once the hinges are in place.

No plans for any Monte Carlo or Export bars/braces. Stock, stock, stock!

 

Got the Grabber Yellow paint thrown at the cowl. I used too much when I painted the inside a few weeks ago, and I ran out of paint while I was painting the area ahead of the door hinges.

 

Looks good! Paint looks like it will blend right in.

 

Looks good Paul!!! Almost there now...

 

Thanks Brad! I sure hope the paint blends well. We'll see what it looks like once the tape comes off. I'm hoping the addition of all the trim and other pieces will help make the paint more un-noticeable. When I painted the inside of the cowl, it looked too "bright" and shiny, but it did tone-down a lot after a while.

Thanks!

 

That's coming out really nice!! I’m really enjoying the detail you are putting into each step!

 

Looks good, I bet it feels good to get that major cowl project knocked out......

Wheels came out nice too!!!!!