1975 in Philadelphia PA

[lmg1974]

okay so I decided that I am not a fan of the digital gauge cluster. Something about an old muscle car not having the sweep of needles on analog gauges. So I decided to make a full on gauge panel.
pictures and how to coming up shortly. Stay tuned!

Current parts list 1/8" hardboard ( finished)
Equus gauges set (speedo /tach/ oil /volt/ temp and fuel )
lots of 14 gauge wire ( many colors)

[lmg1974]

as promised, updated progress pics... Due to my work restraints, I do not have time for stripping the body and performing body work and paint. Luckily my family is involved in the body business and, a couple of my good buddies work there. Pics focus on her 2 main areas of repair ( the only rust areas on the entire car...) both front fenders and the rear quarter glass. Neither spot was as bad as I thought.


day i dropped her off, driveway was all muddy from rain and snow last week.


concern area as it is known to be problematic...


after the windows popped out


other side


smoothing out the rough spots


as she sits right now


left front fender fixed, new metal in and smothed up.

thats where I am at currently. I also decided, while shes in body shop jail, I am not as fond of the digital dash as I thought I would be. So, I built a new cluster. Started with a piece of cardboard to use as a template. Then I bought some 8th inch thick hardboard/ masonite. If I had a bridgeport or a machine shop I would use that and some steel or aluminum. Anywho...


panel prior to sanding and paint


panel sanded and painted, all but the Equus oil pressure gauge installed.


home made harness, soldered and taped for insulation.Literally plug and play.

Something about a muscle car needing to have the sweep of analog gauges, it just doesnt feel right without them.

[kimrobertson]

Looks like great progress! Love the gauges! I like needles that move too.

[lmg1974]

UPDATES!!!!

been busy rebuilding the top end ( new head and everything else) on a s10 I got for 500 bucks. Needed top end done but body is cherry so I did it. Now I have a nice cheap truck to beat and get parts in.

The nova simply needed to be taken to bare metal. Thank god I have a great body shop and they are really good friends of mine. We took her down to the metal to find very very little rust and, no accidents and only 1 repaint!

pics below....

this was after applying the filler to smooth out some small ripples, still needs a block sanding. the hood apparently came off an LN model cause it had a hood ornament at one time, either that or this car had one from the factory.


see comment above. Spots had some ripples and gouges...


this area just had some mud put on.. hasnt been sanded yet.. most of that will be sanded off. When you go to a shiny dark paint, gotta get the body STRAIGHT.


Just the other side. More finish work. Sanding all day tommorow to get her right then she gets primered!

Thats about all guys. Gotta do the brakes on the wifes mini van in the mornin... then Im a body work fool.

ttyl folks!

[lmg1974]

updates....

the nova is in primer and is still being block sanded. Took a few shots of that. Also the Seats are done , I picked them up from the upholstery shop today in between a million other errands. Enjoy the pics... Ill update more soon.


sitting out in front of the paint booth waiting for finish sand before going in for a coat of Black Cherry Metallic.


glass back in and repairs done.


other side. Yes, all the glass is original.


front buckets with beefed up side bolsters (originally 3rd gen camaro buckets.)


original seats redone to match the new fronts.

So close to being done.. I am like a kid at christmas....

[Oldyeller77]

Nice progress!! Im looking forward to seeing it in color.

[lmg1974]

ladies and gentelman...for your viewing pleasure... the nova is home....










just letting the paint and body speak for itself. Now if my carpet would ever arrive...

[77-427-5sp]

shiny i like it

[kimrobertson]

Looks good! What kind of paint did you use? Single stage--2 stage?

[lmg1974]

Single stage DuPont with integrated clear. Considering shell spend 5 months a year in a garage... I figured I'd try it out. 5 years from now when I redo her again I might do something different. Looks great considering I haven't even wet sanded her yet.

[kimrobertson]

Originally Posted by lmg1974

Single stage DuPont with integrated clear. Considering shell spend 5 months a year in a garage... I figured I'd try it out. 5 years from now when I redo her again I might do something different. Looks great considering I haven't even wet sanded her yet.

Was that acrylic enamel or something else?

[lmg1974]

Acrylic enamel. Integrated clear. Metal flake/ clear second coat.
I really need to wet sand her in a couple weeks. I'm tied up right now at hospital. Wife is having an emergency c section. Be a bit before I get to touch her again.

[novaboy009]

You've got a new baby?!?

The car will be the least of your problems for a while here. My life didn't get back to even close to normal until after the first three months or so.

[lmg1974]

well yeah.... im in maternity with the wife now... i was fast tracking the car to be done before the baby came.. but wife starting going downhill fast. So we had an emergency c section this afternoon, wife is only 31 weeks along.. so Kyra is a premie. Dong fantastic though. 3 lbs even and 15 and a half inches long. BREATHING ON HER OWN!!! tough kid.. shes adorable!

anyway all thats left is laying the carpet and seats in, reattatching the bumpers and drive her. Almost finished it. With help well be ready to roll in spring!

and i will happily and gratefully thank all you guys for your well wishes and prayers. It is appreciated and recognized.

Updates will be as soon as things start getting normalized again!!!

[kimrobertson]

Originally Posted by lmg1974

well yeah.... im in maternity with the wife now... i was fast tracking the car to be done before the baby came.. but wife starting going downhill fast. So we had an emergency c section this afternoon, wife is only 31 weeks along.. so Kyra is a premie. Dong fantastic though. 3 lbs even and 15 and a half inches long. BREATHING ON HER OWN!!! tough kid.. shes adorable!

anyway all thats left is laying the carpet and seats in, reattatching the bumpers and drive her. Almost finished it. With help well be ready to roll in spring!

and i will happily and gratefully thank all you guys for your well wishes and prayers. It is appreciated and recognized.

Updates will be as soon as things start getting normalized again!!!

Glad to hear your little one and your wife are doing well! My daughter just had a c-section duaghter last Friday morning...after 53 hours labor. Fortunately all is well with them also. Congratulations! Prayed for your wife and daughter today.