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Almost done

HSLDmark

Freshman Member
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Customer car. Should get delivered early next week.
Before
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After
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Turned out nicer than expected. Very sporty! You know, I really should take a picture from the side. Didn't realize until now that I haven't.
 
pretty
 
Very nice.
 
Nice work!
 
looks wonderful b sure to send completed pic are u a shop or a home builder either way nice work
 
Must be a shop, look at the lift involved. I wish.

Lovely work, clean, and well assembled.

Going to be a nice ride for sure.
 
I'd like to see those two rear shots next to each other for the before/after effect. I hope my Mini looks that good when it's done! NICE work!
 
I know, I know, you were just waiting to hear from me concerning what is wrong.

Well the only thing that grates a bit is the engine color. I have gotten use to the proper OD green.

What a nice job thouth, hope it runs as good as it looks.
 
jlaird said:
Well the only thing that grates a bit is the engine color. I have gotten use to the proper OD green.
Where do you get the right color?
 
Now I assumed that it was supose to be a modified Bugeye so most anything goes. Heck I even have a blanking plate on the fuel pump hole.

Engine paint, the real deal, Moss. Also wheel paint. Two cans each will do the job.
 
Truth be told, the engine color grates me more than a bit. The problem is we are a business. At what point do we stop getting it perfect and settle for a happy medium? Engine color would seemingly be be one of those easier tasks to get right but circumstances just happened that we picked out the closest color while at the paint store. Could have and will order the correct color for the next one, if there is a next one.

FWIW- This car was done by our shop for a customer whose father drove the car while in college. Time passed and the poor thing got set outside to rot. Our customer got the car from his father and called us about restoration. Our initial plan was attack the rust issues, put disc brakes on the front, get it running (1275 was already out of the car), get it safe to drive. No more - no less.

I was so impressed by this customers reasons to put this car back on the road that he received quite a few "freebees".

One of the things is that he will have the chance to throw his father the key to it and tell him to take it for a spin. This is something that I was unable to do for myself/my father. The 1924 Model T that my grandfather bought new was given to me by my father 25 years ago. Over the last 20+ years, I have remade every piece of wood on the car, rebuilt the motor and am currently 1/2 way done with the body work. My dad died this past April. I never got the chance to "throw my father the key". Work, space, lack of funds, other obligations, and other hobbies always got priority. I'll finish it one day but it won't be the same. I was determined that our customer would not only be able to take Dad for a ride but to be able to take Dad for a ride that resembled the car his Dad remembers.

While the above diatribe has very little to do with the color of the paint on the engine, it needs to be noted that some corners(in my opinion) were cut due to the huge cost of doing a perfect restoration. Those little dollars add up quick.

Things that I would have done different now that this is done.
1. Engine paint - correct color
2. New seat tracks for the drivers seat
3. Better paint job on the wheels

Things that went better than expected.
1. Service from most suppliers
2. Vendors on this site
3. Customers willingness to stick to the plan even when that meant more $$$.

Car did not have the trunk floor replaced and should have but the expense involved did not fit into the budget. Whole car was media blasted so rust will not get any worse.

Hood was damaged and bent from a previous accident. Money was not available to do a proper straighting/repair. It looks OK but it irks the heck out of me personally. (I'm anal to a fault)

All in all, I think that our customer get a car that not only exceedes his initial expectations but looks bitching too.

<span style="color: #FF0000">I so want to be there when he and his father go for that first ride. </span>


This site has been a tremendous resource for a shop like ours that dosen't specialize in AH's.

Part of the reason our customer gets his car back in this shape (even with the wrong color engine) is because of the the people on this site.
 
Again, I think it looks like a wonderful ride and wish it was in my garage.
 
How long did it take?

Let's see. Our first contact with the customer was in Jan 07. Our initial estimate was aproved around the first of March. Billable hours - somewhere around 120. Actual hours - 200+. Actual hours includes sourcing parts/ ordering parts, outside labor, etc...
 
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