Grant's Fe Project

[fe1957]

Given there has been not much posted in members rides of late I though I had better pull my finger out.
I bought this from a fellow in Towoomba about two months ago, and have been furiously collecting since.

While it came with some parts I suppose the impulse to buy came about because it had been completely restored in 1993 in Sydney so therefore it had good bones and a good starting point.(Not that you could tell now)

I was supplied with a packet fall of pictures from back then, it looked great red with white roof , paint and panel by Andy's restoration , the owner was "Lynette". I will scan some in when I have the chance.

Progress has been minimal at this stage, as I have been told to get rid of the other toys out of the garage first. So best results so far as been sourcing mint trim, polishing like crazy, restoring dashes\steering wheel.

The plan is to build a reasonably strong engine combination  so it will hold its own at nostalgia drags etc.
Have bought a efi 202\trimatic, I will turbocharge\ and fit aftermarket computer etc so basically most of the power will be generated from this ( don't plan on spending too much on the motor it self) . Usual mods to the auto\3000 stall etc etc

Hr front with hq-wb disc calliper combo and a hilux rear end\ chassis strengthening

The interior will basically be restored stock with the exception of eh buckets, oh and retrofitted air con ( the deal to get the other half\family into the car).

Exterior will be all one colour am leaning towards Mazda3 plum , the dark metallics really seem to set off the fe. Keeping stock body lines, and using the best stainless trim I can find ( so far looking good, if any one has some , I am keeping up to date my parts wanted thread). Re-chrome usual parts, I was lucking to pick up some nos for the grille, I am not however looking forward to paying the bill for the bumper bars  . I am still not sure with the rims, leaning towards weld prostars but I do like the classic simmons look.

Any way so far I have enjoyed reading all of the other posts in the members cars , it is great motivation to keep up the many hours of work ahead of me. I have also joined the Qld club, they seem an easy going bunch and very quick to offer help in finding parts, so I look forward in joining their events in the future.

That's all for now, thanks
Grant

[TTV6FC]

Looks like a great start Grant.I have been looking for one of those rare Nasco boot lid struts for ages,was that thrown in with the deal? .....;DCheers,Jamie.

[fe1957]

Looks like a great start Grant.I have been looking for one of those rare Nasco boot lid struts for ages,was that thrown in with the deal? .....;DCheers,Jamie.

Well spotted Jamie, maybe I should list it on ebay  And yes I think it still is in the boot.
G

[Ed]

Hey Grant,

thanks for posting up pics of the build, will be great to see a modified get built up.

Cheers

Ed

[fe1957]

Hi all, unfortunately the car is still down the back of my property, with a tarp on it (being narrowly missed by two fallen trees at the back and the front, I will take some pics  ). Have been busy buying all of the missing bits. So far I have been going well.
Above are the things I bought off ebay. Best buy I think are the 1954 chev arm rests $16, Followed by the radio $41. The other two items weren't cheap, but I am happy with the quality. The button was stated as having slight scratches but I used my secret polish and now it looks nos ( novus plastic polish for all the members, it is unreal the result you get, and used for many industrial applications).

I have had also had great help from two forum members Colin and Ken with some items I haven't seen on ebay or swap meets, thanks heaps Collin and Ken.
Some swaps meets have also been great , I will takes some pics of the mint interior light $5  , and stainless trim soon, the parts are collecting in my lounge  .

Anyway will update my parts wanted list and soon will start posting the pics on panel\paint and modifications.
cheers Grant

[TTV6FC]

Hey Grant,looking good.The bits are still out there if you want to pay for them.I picked up this Air Chief radio a couple weeks ago off ebay.It wasn't a real prize (or cheap)when I got it but after a couple hours of cleaning and repairing the cracks,it came up a treat.Cheers,Jamie.
]

[TTV6FC]

Try again....

[fe1957]

Hey Grant,looking good.The bits are still out there if you want to pay for them.I picked up this Air Chief radio a couple weeks ago off ebay.It wasn't a real prize (or cheap)when I got it but after a couple hours of cleaning and repairing the cracks,it came up a treat.Cheers,Jamie.

Hey Jamie, I fixed your post (one to many close brackets). Radio looks good, I think I found a website that sells new faceplates I will pm it to you.
You also remined me , if anyone has an awa chrome face plate and are willing to sell\deal pm me and we can talk.
thanks

Grant

[fe1957]

Finally dragged the car up from the rear paddock  on the weekend.
Inspired by all the pics from the nationals I had to begin the hard yards 
As previously said I bought the car based on it having good bones, and so far has not disappointed thank goodness

Have baremetalled both guards, no rust just some dents to refix

What a job, I suppose this makes a difference in the final result 

Good old glad wrap trick, works well, not to many coats

Getting there

Half hour later, looking good, excellent welded repair

I am going well tonight, why not continue

Hmm, either I didn't put enough stripper on , or it doesn't work as well vertically, this took an hour or so,but still very happy with end result, I think I am going to not run special badge etc, looking for a cleaner line, what does everyone think? I still plan on running all stainless trim though.

Did this last night.

So far this week I am travelling well, I plan on updating regularly now so don't be afraid to remind me if I have been slack!!!! I need the motivation to reach Orange, so that is the goal.
I also hope to inspire a few more forum members to put up pics etc ( especially the queenslanders!!!!)
not just the regulars as it makes for a great forum

cheers
Grant

[customFC]

Hey Grant.
Nice start to the project.
Looks like some good metal there......bonus!
Keep us up to date, always interested to see new cars being brought back to life.
Regards
Alex

[TTV6FC]

Great work Grant,keep up the progress pics.Doesn't look like a lot of rust in the shell?Cheers,Jamie.

[FC0058]

Hi Grant
Good to see another car making its way back on the road. Great work so far I will be watching your progress. As you said the car seems to have good bones.

Cheers Jim

[fe1957]

Thanks for the support Alex and Jim

Great work Grant,keep up the progress pics.Doesn't look like a lot of rust in the shell?Cheers,Jamie.

Your right Jamie , it has had plenty of repairs though, but so far for me there are only improvements\ larger tunnel, firewall holes to weld (It is not one of my strengths so I am hopefully pulling in a favour of a mate  )

cheers
Grant

[fe1957]

Stripped the bonnet tonight, all good no rust only a couple of dents to fix
Off to a swap meet tomorrow, then will tkae suframe off.
Will post some more pics then
cheers
Grant

[fe1957]

Stripped the bonnet tonight, all good no rust only a couple of dents to fix
Off to a swap meet tomorrow, then will tkae suframe off.
Will post some more pics then
cheers
Grant

Sorry members I am very slack on posting pics, but i will try to add a few more.
Car is finally back on its feet , thanks to Keith,Simon and Greg from the qld club, we also mounted the front end what a B@#ch



Pic taken tonight, will take a few day shots, colour is burgundy. You can see the chassis strengtheners in place. Hole on right is for 3 inch turbo dump pipe. I have got most of the doors straight and bonnet. Front end is built so should have that  in by end of the week.

cheers
Grant

[Just40]

looking good big fella.....

[OldGMHolden]

Hi Grant,
Excellent work!
But I have missed something here, what's the gladwrap trick?
Cheers,
Gaz

[vmx-mxr]

Oldie but a goodie.

Most if not all conventional paint strippers have an active compound called methylene chloride suspended in a wax agent which is formulated to allow the highly volatile (ie it evaporates very quickly when exposed to a normal atmosphere) MC to stay on the job long enough to do it's job of breaking down the paint for removal.

After the stripper is applied you overlay the stripper with glad wrap to help in reducing the loss of the active ingredient due to evaporation so it can be more effective. When you are ready peel away the plastic and away ya go !

We all take the stuff pretty much for granted but it IS DANGEROUS so please take heed of the information provided in the link below;

http://www.nicnas.gov.au/publications/nicnas_alerts/alert_3_methylenechloride_pdf.pdf

Happy stripping

Dave Mac  

[fe1957]

As promised a day time shot



Front end cleaned and assembled, its a rods racks




And it is in no real issue, need to grind a bit of lower control arm as steering arm restricts turning circle



One guard almost repaired 

[fe1957]

Oldie but a goodie.

Most if not all conventional paint strippers have an active compound called methylene chloride suspended in a wax agent which is formulated to allow the highly volatile (ie it evaporates very quickly when exposed to a normal atmosphere) MC to stay on the job long enough to do it's job of breaking down the paint for removal.

After the stripper is applied you overlay the stripper with glad wrap to help in reducing the loss of the active ingredient due to evaporation so it can be more effective. When you are ready peel away the plastic and away ya go !

We all take the stuff pretty much for granted but it IS DANGEROUS so please take heed of the information provided in the link below;

http://www.nicnas.gov.au/publications/nicnas_alerts/alert_3_methylenechloride_pdf.pdf

Happy stripping

Dave Mac  

Thanks DM, also a good idea to scratch paint with 40 grit