Thread: I think we see the finish line!

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Don - it has become a real work of art - tho I still have to get used to the flatted black. You and your sons need to be congratulated

Those cowl bands are something else - as they really don't fit as well as I would like. Add the rear hood bracket, a couple of clips, fenders, etc in the way and then you need some extra arms. I used what seemed to be about a half roll of that blue tape for mine and prayed as I 'forgot' (ya know about CRS?) to do a fit up before painting but installed it successfully without scratches.

Thanks Dave. Yep, the satin black is not for every one, but we can't imagine any other shade for this one. It allows the shiny powder coating, stainless bolts, and chrome stuff to come through as the focal points. To us it just says Hot Rod as opposed to Street Rod. (nothing wrong with Street Rods, just not what he wanted for this particular car)

Those cowl bands are a bear to intall. We spent one whole weekend a while back, trying to figure out how to get it put on straight. The original Model A cowl top has 3 bumps in it that hold the band in place, but the Brookville smooth topped one doesn't have them. So we made up 3 special little bolts to accomplish the same thing. But even then the band needed some reforming with hands and a rubber mallet to get it to conform. Once we had it right we tightened it down and let it stay on the body for a long time so it would take the shape and keep it.

Every time we went to a show we would look at other model A's and talk to their owners to get tips on installing it. The final solution ended up being those little clips that go on the sides and hold it from slipping forward. Once we had those in place it became much easier.

Don

Don - Don't take me the wrong way with the paint - I'm just not used to it yet

You can see what I have to hold my cowl band in place on mine. If I wasn't using the cowl lights, the neighborhood kids might have learned a few new words. Oh yeah, I forgot about the rubber hammer and a piece of neoprene I made up to fit mine. Then of course, trying to get that nut on the stud and a wrench behind the firewall leg

No offense taken, Dave. I realize paint is a very personal choice and if we all liked the same thing it would be pretty boring.

The cowl band and lights look really good on yours.

Don

Hey Don looks like both of you are amazingly close to the line now, great stuff

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Thanks Dave. Yep, the satin black is not for every one, but we can't imagine any other shade for this one. It allows the shiny powder coating, stainless bolts, and chrome stuff to come through as the focal points. To us it just says Hot Rod as opposed to Street Rod. (nothing wrong with Street Rods, just not what he wanted for this particular car)

Those cowl bands are a bear to intall. We spent one whole weekend a while back, trying to figure out how to get it put on straight. The original Model A cowl top has 3 bumps in it that hold the band in place, but the Brookville smooth topped one doesn't have them. So we made up 3 special little bolts to accomplish the same thing. But even then the band needed some reforming with hands and a rubber mallet to get it to conform. Once we had it right we tightened it down and let it stay on the body for a long time so it would take the shape and keep it.

Every time we went to a show we would look at other model A's and talk to their owners to get tips on installing it. The final solution ended up being those little clips that go on the sides and hold it from slipping forward. Once we had those in place it became much easier.

Don

I keep pushing Dan to put the body on his rpu because I know once he sees it there it will really kick him in the tail to get it running. He was hesitant to do that because he was worried the upholstery guy would be climbing all over his frame when doing the top. But this guy knows his stuff and has been doing it for over 30 years and works on some high end cars, so that shouldn't be a concern. I also think it would be easer if the car comes back from the upholstery shop with the body already on the car so we don't have to remove the top to pick the body up with our gantry.

Mainly though, I am just anxious to see the body on the car...........one less piece laying around.

Don

I am with you Don, you tell Dan to get that body on and fixed down correctly as all the top trimmers down here require the car to be almost runners before they do the trim. The last thing anybody would want is to remove any of the upholstery to finish the car when the trimmer has it looking fantastic. And anyway, upholsterers have enough off cuts of material to use to protect the car while being working on.

Can't wait to see this one completed.

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

I am with you Don, you tell Dan to get that body on and fixed down correctly as all the top trimmers down here require the car to be almost runners before they do the trim. The last thing anybody would want is to remove any of the upholstery to finish the car when the trimmer has it looking fantastic. And anyway, upholsterers have enough off cuts of material to use to protect the car while being working on.

You're right, Whiplash. When we visited the guys shop he had the 55 Chevy he was doing wrapped up like a Mummy. Sheets and towels everywhere to protect it. That gave us a lot of confidence in his work. He seems to be very professional.

Steve, me too!! I think Dan has finally run out of things to do on this one and is also tired of spending money on it. Time to get it DONE!!!

Don

This weekend was MONUMENTAL!! We installed Dans body and bed on his frame for the final time! Got the top bows installed so we can take it to the upholstery shop probably next Friday, when we pick up my 27. Everything went great on putting the body in place, didn't scratch or nick anything, and it all bolted on as it should.

This is a day we have been waiting for over 4 years to see happen, and we had to sit back in chairs with a couple of cold ones and just stare at it for a while. Wheeled it outside today for the first time as a complete car, and took some pictures.

Final bits of work yet to do are finishing up the 32 grille shell and insert, some wiring and brake work, plus other minor stuff. But the hard work is behind us, and we couldn't be happier. Dan has done an incredible amount of work on this car, and it was good to see him starting to realize it is almost done.

Don