Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Absolutely! Truck for grandkids someday, I hope.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

looks awesome

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Just finished this thread.. Outstanding!!!!
Question: who makes those valve covers???
Love the details you have added.

again, Outstanding!
Bill

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Thanks! The valve covers are by Billet Specialties. I think there are some other companies now making similar products as well.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Hi all, back with a few pictures after a recent visit to the body shop. I think there definitely is such a thing as "body shop purgatory," but progress is really happening, and the results are so much fun to watch come together. The guys at the shop are doing amazing work, as always.


Headlight rings came back from chrome looking perfectly smooth and oh so shiny - can't wait to see them on the fenders!
http://i.imgur.com/fk1W0m8.jpg


Speaking of fenders, the front fenders have final primer, have been final sanded, and are ready to take some color.
http://i.imgur.com/kyAHbHd.jpg


Speaking of color, a few parts are finally red, once again! It has been awhile, that's for sure. I stopped by while some parts were in the middle of being color sanded, so you'll see some parts looking shiny, some not so much. Like the hood here.
http://i.imgur.com/9PXd1Kq.jpg


Feels so good to see the cab back on the frame for the very last time and all red once again. I can't believe how much sanding there must be to do on a complex piece of sheetmetal like the AD cabs.
http://i.imgur.com/PvKxqk6.jpg


I'm not planning to fully upholster the inside of the cab. Want to keep a more classic, quasi-original look, so behind the seat just gonna upholster up to the belt line and then bare sheetmetal up to the ceiling for a simple headliner. That does mean way more prep work and finish sanding inside the cab, though. But I think having lots of the paint visible inside the cab will be a great look. You can see the area around the rear window getting finished off nice.
http://i.imgur.com/Jpqy5VY.jpg


Final finish starting to come through on the outside of the cab. I think the area that is going to be hidden behind the box may not get quite the highest level of polish, and that's just fine.
http://i.imgur.com/4b44cLZ.jpg


Doors are done and looking great! Can't wait to see them with the door handles, mirrors, and stainless window trim.
http://i.imgur.com/lRvFD9D.jpg


Inside of the drivers door. You can see I'm just planning on doing a simple rectangle of upholstery around the door and window mechanisms - like the stock cardboard parts. The rest will be paint instead of a fully upholstered door. I think the horizontal stamping on the inside of the door was just too cool to cover up!
http://i.imgur.com/7hng6JS.jpg


Dash and door jambs all polished up. Like the doors - can't wait to see the dash all assembles with steering wheel, gauges, glovebox doors, and trim. Hard to describe just how good this color looks in person - the pictures don't do it total justice. Just a gorgeous deep cranberry red - perfect for Marvin!
http://i.imgur.com/xThGWBh.jpg


I was disappointed that I couldn't get a very good picture of the beautiful gold metallic in the paint. You can just kind of see it in this picture where the cowl makes its curve downwards. It is such a nice bonus to the paint color - you don't really perceive it unless the light hits it just right, and then it looks quite brilliant!
http://i.imgur.com/MXZzQ5I.jpg


I'll get to visit again in about a month. Way too long for my patience, but I'll need to find a way to deal. Marvin will be at the mechanical shop by then, and there is a chance I may be there to hear the motor get fired up for the first time. Cannot wait!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Awesome! Beautiful color

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Hey folks - got a real quick update today. Wanted to put up some new pictures to show that progress in the paint shop is really happening! Marvin is looking real sharp these days and the 'light at the end of the tunnel' is starting to get a bit brighter. Spring is coming, and the thought of finally hitting the streets with Marvin is enticing. Rushed for time a bit this morning, so this will mostly be pictures without a lot of detailed commentary.


I think when all the small bits and pieces start being prepped for paint, you know you're getting closer to the end.
http://i.imgur.com/ltdsmtp.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KhkaaF1.jpg


Numerous batches of "bits 'n pieces" have been through the paint booth.
http://i.imgur.com/k9XwgkE.jpg


And, of course, sanding continues.
http://i.imgur.com/sRXOaLO.jpg


Doing some steering wheel mockup on the ididit column. Gonna look great!
http://i.imgur.com/wUhptKi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/aghYDKi.jpg


Finally getting to see the cab and some other parts after final sanding and final polish is a real treat. It is going to be very hard to be patient to see Marvin fully re-painted and fully re-assembled. He's come a long way so far!
http://i.imgur.com/Z4FBaJw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/dzhRp5C.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/RPbgdnj.jpg


Finally, the motor getting dressed back up before the inner fenders and radiator/core-support go on for the final time. I think the Jet-Hot coating on the headers turned out looking real nice.
http://i.imgur.com/SilhGrM.jpg


I hope I'll have more to report real soon!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Looking very good coming together!

Pella..I remember a lot of brick buildings in town, including the McDonalds.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

good god that looks awesome. I agree 100% with not upholstering the full door. There are so many cool original looking features that people blow right over and have no appreciation for. I like custom but when the little details get stripped, I often don't like that. I can't stand seeing cars that are old be turned into something so new and modern, like a boyd car, just not my flavor at all. What you got going on is a perfect combo. Its all about that contrast and some people don't understand that.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Killer paint! I can only imagine how excited you must be. This is gonna be one sweet ride.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Do you plan on having your front end aligned when you finish the truck?

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

That's Pella, for sure! They've got some fairly strict zoning regulations that call for any new commercial/retail building has to be built with a dutch looking style. Probably annoying to new businesses or builders but sure makes the town look nice.


I really appreciate your comment. When I first started the build, I was planning on "smoothing" out a lot of elements on the truck - such as shaving the cowl vents, drip rails, door handles, firewall stamping, and hood center strip. But as things progressed, I realized I really wanted to keep all that original personality because Marvin has always been to me a nice old truck and I still wanted Marvin to have that aura about him. (even though underneath the sheet metal, he's been upgraded)


Excited is definitely the right word! Home stretch now.


For sure. Right now the goal is for Marvin to be fully complete with assembly in time for an indoor car show in mid-April. But that won't necessarily mean ready to hit the streets. After that show, Marvin will need to hang tight in a garage until the winter conditions fade to spring and all the salt and sand get off the road. Then will need to go through a full phase of drive testing and "dialing it in." Will get the fuel, ignition, and transmission computers set up correctly, adjust brakes, coil-overs, steering, and alignment. Make sure gauges, lighting, radio, a/c, etc. are all working correctly. So once the warm weather comes and Marvin has gone through a couple weeks of "commissioning," then will be ready to hit the road - can't wait!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Take some pictures of the washer arrangement on the upper control arms when he finishes the alignment.
You are running a power R&P right?

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Yep - power rack and pinion. Will definitely post pics of the upper control arms once alignment is finished.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Just curious, why do you want a pic of those washers? You add or remove those washers to set the caster so it could differ depending on the rake of your truck.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Even with the rake and ride height set,the X member was set level.
Looking to see what others had when finished with alignment, as instructions indicate 3 washers fore & aft for 6* castor

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Hope everybody is having a good weekend! Wanted to post another quick update. Things are really starting to happen fast, for sure.


The list of little bits n' pieces that have been painted keeps growing. You might also be able to see in this picture that we got the driveshaft finally - one step closer to Marvin being "technically" driveable!
http://i.imgur.com/A1PXvpF.jpg

Front inner and outer fenders are on, along with the core support and radiator. These are all "final" installed, which is just so awesome. Marvin is starting to look more and more like his old self. And his new self, I guess.
http://i.imgur.com/CPR8EZN.jpg

The new headlight rings look stellar on the truck. I may see if those headlights themselves caan be scooched back towards the cab just a tiny bit more.
http://i.imgur.com/Wq9wObs.jpg

Been imagining this for a long time, and now it is incredible to finally see for real. Marvin's new engine is fully dressed up and right at home inside a cradle of deep red. It is so much fun to see something that has been bouncing around in your head as an idea for so long finally become a reality!
http://i.imgur.com/8QddafD.jpg

Last, here's one from the archives. Marvin looking pretty darn sharp at a parade in 1984. Nice glasses, Dad!
http://i.imgur.com/l8M9Hjl.jpg


Marvin is about as far along at the body shop as he's going to be for now. Early next week, he's going back to the mechanical shop for a lot of final assembly. All the little bits and pieces he needs to fully run and operate correctly. (hoping we might be able to hear the exhaust note in a couple weeks' time!) From there, back to body shop to get the doors and glass installed. Then a quick visit to interior shop. Then back to body show for hood, grille, bed, bumpers, etc. Should be a lot of progress in a pretty short amount of time! I think this speed of progress is the delayed benefit of the truck essentially getting fully built and then pulled apart again prior to paint. More updates in a couple weeks!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

I think you have raised the bar with this build.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

WOW I love it. Great job!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

This truck is looking outstanding. Huge props!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

its crazy when years of images in your head finally come to life. You think many times it can never happen or hard to imagine it. but hard work pays off. nice work.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Looking very nice.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Hey everybody, just a handful of new pictures to share today. Marvin has been moved back to the mechanical shop and is getting the royal treatment on all the details that will make him "go," but you probably won't be able to see when its all said and done. Getting closer and closer to the goal of being mechanically complete by mid-April!


I think the paint keeps looking better and better every time I see it!
http://i.imgur.com/IlAhxyY.jpg

Doors aren't polished yet, but the hood is all done. Hanging on the wall until needed. This is a good reminder of why I love these AD trucks - the big curved lines just look so good!
http://i.imgur.com/wk4JF93.jpg

New driveshaft is in, and the entirety of the exhaust has been installed. Like the headers, the Jet-Hot coating looks good all the way to the exhaust tips! Won't really get to see much of it except for the exhaust tips most of the time, but I'm told this coating is really durable and long lasting, so that's just fine with me.
http://i.imgur.com/CjKuxYF.jpg

A little further back, the fuel tank has been painted and mounted, and the fuel lines have been bent and installed. Also can see some wiring for the tail-lights and fuel pump waiting to be used. We ran this wiring through the frame rail to get to the back of the truck.
http://i.imgur.com/YQ8MJ31.jpg

And speaking of wiring, that's really the majority of what's going on right now. Wiring, wiring, wiring, wiring, wiring. Did I mention wiring? It is incredible the amount of thought and detail that the shop is putting in here - the harnesses are all being built from scratch exactly to length. Such an important part of the final result, but in the end, you won't really get to see any of this. I guess some of it will show whenever I have a need to tilt the seat up so get to all the electronics underneath. Kinda crazy how much wiring there really is. Looks kinda wild right now, but in a week, it should be all buttoned up!
http://i.imgur.com/5idu3Kj.jpg

And just because I can't help it, a couple more pictures of the engine. Looking so nice and ready to run! Maybe next update I'll be able to post a video of the idle.
http://i.imgur.com/Mohoi4A.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SbuQjHP.jpg

Might be a little while until the next update, but might have some carpet and upholstery to show for it. Can't wait!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Marvin is coming together very nicely with so many interesting details to notice. One is the upper radiator hose. It likes like the steam vent hose connects to a block half way up. Haven't seen that before. Anyway looking really good!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

looking amazing. Can't imagine how many hours are into this truck.