My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!

[Modges'66]

I noticed while comparing my fenders to each other that a small area was missing near the top-front corner of my RH fender.....F-ing re-pops!
I decided to make a small three-sided filler piece, to weld into the void to complete the fender......So that it didn't have a big gaping hole that I would see every time that I looked at it!
Here are a few pics of the process. I still need to need to prime it, but now I will probably also fill the seams to match the headlight support.

[clemdaddy]

just read your build thread and yes, you are doing a great job but what really got me is your knack to find the small imperfections of the factory stampings and make it perfect. stuff i used to say 'thats the way it's supposed to be' i no longer think that way... wish i had caught this build before getting close to finishing mine.

keep it going dude... we'll be following.

[61 son of a Gun]

lookin Good !

[Modges'66]

Thanks for the comments guys!
I've been bustin a$$ to get this thing to paint before it gets cold outside.
I just started working on the hood....The final piece to the puzzle, and a real rough piece at that!
I hope to post some pics this weekend, if and when I make any progress!
I had never really looked at the hood since I brought it home. just hoisted it into the rafters to get it out of the way, and now that I'm starting to work on it, I'm wondering if I shouldn't be spending my time looking for another....Seems like somebody may have walked on it... Several times!!!

[Bomp]

Takes a lot of discipline to keep up the high quality of workmanship you have. I like it.
Great job I'll keep checking back.

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Takes a lot of discipline to keep up the high quality of workmanship you have. I like it.
Great job I'll keep checking back.

Thanks Bomp!
I don't know that i will be going through this exercise again real soon, so I want to make sure it is right this time!
I suspect that I will own this truck for a good long time, so I want to make sure it's up to show-car standards...My dad has been getting too many trophies at local shows lately, time to take him down a notch....Ha-Ha!

[Modges'66]

It seems as though the PO's answer to EVERYTHING was rust, seams, or dents, MUD THEM UP!
I am glad that I discovered this early on, and questioned all of the bodywork before just moving on in the build...I would rather do this correctly right-now, than to re-work things after the truck is painted...I told my dad that I would be done with bodywork, if I didn't have to fix all of the F-ups.
Sooooo, over 200 welds across the front of the hood to keep things on the seams intact, pulled, hammered & dollied dents to beat the band, & also shrunk metal in a few spots that were tin-canning, so that I could get to FLAT!
THIS HOOD WAS A POS! But I convinced myself that I was saving something on the point of extinction. I'm taking the long road on this, but I will be proud when all of the work is completed!
First pic shows an area that was mudded-up about 3/8" thick. I ground it all out & made a slide-hammer attachment in order to pull the dents out, and hammered & dollied the rest, then welded the seams to give support, so that the filler doesn't crack....If time wasn't an issue, I would look for a different hood!

[Bomp]

LQQKS great so far.

[Modges'66]

Here's some more pics of the progress!
Wait!...Double rainbow all the way across the sky ...OMG...Ha-Ha!
So this is what a half-gallon of plastic filler looks like!
I wasn't kidding when I said somebody walked across it several times!
But I think I have saved it!....Still an abundance of block-sanding ahead of me!

[Solo2002]

Great job on the hood this is my next step welding the seam solid and shaving the turn signals also I'm opting for the speedway headlights with the signals made in the bottom looks great keep up the good work
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[Modges'66]

Thanks Bomp!
I took my dad's pro-street on a cruise this past weekend, and now I can't wait to get my truck finished...He drove his Rat-Rod, and it has way too may HP for what it is, so that is all that he wants to drive now. Good for me though, What a great time!...

[Modges'66]

I finally got the my hood block-sanded this weekend (for the second time) and it looks like money!(making me happy anyway)
I couldn't be happier with the way that it turned out, I thought it was close to worthless!
So many dents & wavy areas, that I would have pitched it if I had another lined-up, but also had so much time invested that it would all be a waste if I did so.
Well, things finally came together, and it looks awesome...The outside anyway!
And why didn't I do the inside first? I had way too many dents to hammer out!
I also seam-sealed the front fenders to match the contour of the grill support.
Seamless beauty, hood & fenders both!

[Bomp]

Again......................Great Job!!!!!!!

[clemdaddy]

that's some good stuff....

[McMurphy]

Looks great man!
I am itching to get back on mine this weekend too !!!

[Modges'66]

Thanks all for the comments guys!
I am glad that you took time to stop by!
My painter buddy took time this week to come & look at the progress that I have made & was impressed.....But now he needs to find time in his schedule for it.
I may end-up helping him get a few jobs completed, so that he can get to this sooner.
We have done this several times in the past, and it all works out.

[Modges'66]

I didn't get a chance Friday-night, or Saturday to work on the bodywork, so I resorted to working on my instrument panel...
My intentions were to clean up the factory bezel, and to paint it. By the time I was finished, it was polished, and I made a filler panel to cover the existing holes, as I am not sure that I will be needing any of them.
Here are a few pics!
It is amazing what a person can do with a little #800-grit, scotch-brite, Kitchen-cleanser, & Mothers mag wheel polish!
This will be soooo sweet to look at!! I am stoked!

[AJII]

Awesome build!!

I've been looking at the Dolphin gauges..what's your initial impressions of them? Do the sending units come with different adapters for different thread sizes?

Thanks!

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by AJII

Awesome build!!

I've been looking at the Dolphin gauges..what's your initial impressions of them? Do the sending units come with different adapters for different thread sizes?

Thanks!

Thanks!
These gauges were included in the many boxes if stuff that came with my original purchase of the truck. I don't know squat about them, and I have always been an Auto-Meter guy.
My dad said that some of his buddies have them in their street-rods, with no complaints.
I don't know if the senders come with adapters for different hole/thread sizes, as all of the original packaging has been opened, or is gone altogether.

[AJII]

Thaks for the reply!

I'm so jealous of your build...your talent is amazing!

[Bomp]

[Modges'66]

Thanks guys!
I don't think that I'm asking for much, I just want this thing to be perfect.
I will settle for a little less if I have to, but when I'm working on this truck I can't shut it off!
I don't know when anything is "good enough"...I can tell when my dad say's "who's gonna see or notice THAT!
MY BIG CHARACTER FLAW.
I just want to wind up with something super-special, and not ever think in the back of my mind "I wish that I would have did this differently".

[tommys66]

Originally Posted by Modges'66

Thanks guys!
I don't think that I'm asking for much, I just want this thing to be perfect.
I will settle for a little less if I have to, but when I'm working on this truck I can't shut it off!
I don't know when anything is "good enough"...I can tell when my dad say's "who's gonna see or notice THAT!
MY BIG CHARACTER FLAW.
I just want to wind up with something super-special, and not ever think in the back of my mind "I wish that I would have did this differently".

I totally understand! I've also spent many hours on areas other people will never notice. The difference is you know it is right. carry on!

[McMurphy]

Your hood really does look great man....
I think I am going to get a GMC hood in the next week or so.
I need to start collecting all the junk yard items I want for the winter, already dipping below freezing here (was 29* yesterday morning).

I bet you are crusing in yours before I am in mine !!!

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Your hood really does look great man....
I think I am going to get a GMC hood in the next week or so.
I need to start collecting all the junk yard items I want for the winter, already dipping below freezing here (was 29* yesterday morning).

I bet you are crusing in yours before I am in mine !!!

Hey! you really are back!
Happy belated Birthday!
Thanks for the comments, I can't wait to get some paint on this thing!
Thinking of going with current model Corvette Jet-stream blue with silver roof & interior.
I may start spraying the bottom of the cab, door jambs, & interior pretty soon.
I'm pretty stoked!
We're trying to get a plan of attack together, as it is gonna take some floor space to paint the entire exterior at once, but separately.
Are you kidding me? 29 degrees?
Last weekend it went into the 60's here, and it felt like freezing to me!