mattb73lt

Back in front of the barn, today, so I can get stuff done and get this thing running!

I think that’ll be a stretch, I’m hoping for running and moving by then. Lots of work to finish, but with just the hood to do, it’s mostly assembly work.

Just the hood to go now!! There are some loose pieces and some touch up work to go, but the bulk of the painting is behind me. What a good feeling!!! And I brought some toys home from winter storage today, too!

The second coat and sanding of the primer really helps to add to it.

Yes, single stage. PPG Concept. Synthetic acrylic enamel.

Damn!!!! I'm not an expert but I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night!! This paint is pure magic!! It makes me look like I have an idea what I'm doing. It took about three mixed quarts to cover all the surfaces and edges, close to what I thought it would. So, no left over unused paint. Look at the gloss and reflection of the last picture.

Yeah, we’re getting that weather tomorrow. Friday is supposed to be 62* and I have to work tomorrow so all is good.

Two days of prep sanding and the fenders are hung and ready. Friday should be the day to throw down some color. Just the catwalks and hood to go. The hood will need a bit of time to fix and re-assemble. Progress!!

The shelves are filling up, again. Just the fenders and hood, plus a few minor parts, to go. I'm going to be really pissed if I get Nuked before I finish this truck!!!

L parts pretty scarce, as you're aware, especially cab parts. Fenders are a whole separate issue, as there's several variations. Splicing a few together might not be too bad to make a good pair.

I had a good mentor show me a few tricks on doing bodywork that I've built on since. Patience is key to having it come out to where you want it. Sometimes you have to redo your work, as in the radiator shroud. This truck has been my biggest and most challenging project I've ever done. I just want it a certain way, but want to be able to use it and enjoy it without it being a barn/hangar/trailer queen.

It would be cool to build a 0 mile truck out of that RD!! I could think of several versions of what I'd like to build.

Ok, that'll do. Don't know what I was thinking when I painted it the first time, but it's better now

No, they're just Home Depot specials I've had forever. The other ones are Eastwood padded workhorses for bodywork which are great for this stuff. And you're right about collecting up stuff for a decent shop!

Jackstands? I see two different types of sawhorses if I'm looking at the same photo? No, I was never at an auction in Oxford.

Block sanded both fenders and made some spot repairs to a few areas. Then hit them with another decent coat of epoxy primer. The second coat adds some real depth to the paint when you shoot the color. Tedious and time consuming to do but worth it for the look, plus block sanding them makes them look really straight. I also had to pull the shroud back off the radiator for a re-shoot. I did the radiator back about 4-5 years ago and all my other paint work has come out so nice it made it look like crap. So I scuffed it down and hit it with some high build primer to fill in the pitting that was showing. I tried taking a picture of the left fender to show the difference of the second coat to the first coat from 2/23, but the resolution doesn't really show on the computer. Anyway, it's just primer not gloss black. I'll let them sit for a while before a final sand and then paint.

Here's another.

Seeing this coming together is really gratifying, dirty and crappy at times, but days like this are great!

WOW, that's all looking so nice!! Great work. I had to do the same with my instruments and go with Stewart-Warner's. They're close, but the best thing is the newer ones are internally lit.

It is nice when things start to turn one solid color. It starts looking more complete and finished. I started doing smaller batches because when I’m doing finish work I seem to get a better product and can concentrate on that individual piece than running back and forth to cover several. Large batches, like the frame parts, I wasn’t so concerned with gloss but more for coverage.

1961H67, I was wrong it is almost daily! Wed,Sun and today. Three batches this week, but just the headlight panels today.

I think I'm gonna need another gallon of paint to finish all this up. The weekly load of red, two more down and a few small pieces done

I have to agree with a lot of what AZB755V8 said. I was trying to be non-specific on the value of your truck and speak more of the emotion of making a decision before you're ready to do so. I do feel the value of the truck is well north of that value stated. Trying to put a value on something that you've poured so much into (time, money, effort and desire) is very difficult. Many people that knew your father should be willing to help in your endeavor. Many posts here have mentioned things that you should take into consideration in making your choice of what to do. But, only you can know what's right for you and your memories of your father. I wasn't going to post these pictures, but they might be appropriate for your thoughts. This is a picture of my father with his beloved Cadillac at one of the last shows I was able to get him out to. He even picked up a trophy for it that Wayne Carrini presented to him. I maintained that car for him for over 15 years and modified it with power steering and brakes so he could drive it longer as his Parkinson's got worse. When he no longer could drive it, I chauffeured him around to shows or just to take him out to lunch in it. Looking back, now that he's gone, are memories that are becoming priceless. For now I'll keep it and enjoy it, but it will probably go at some point, when the time is right. Matt

My condolences. It's a beautiful and desirable truck. It's value should be inline with the above statements. Unless circumstances move you otherwise or if you have no desire at all for it, I would suggest holding on to it for a while and maybe mothball it for a period until you have a clear mind on what you want to do. A similar thing happened to me with my father's '41 Cadillac. Not my kind of car and not one that I would pursue, but it was finished and drivable and actually has turned out to be a fun social car to drive around with friends in or go places in.

There’s no rebuilding this. Such a waste.