289 USRRC build in Seattle

[Jphoenix]

More filling and sanding, going on day 7 (with weekends off) with good progress, getting the body and doors straight, true and properly curvy. Even the dogs are tired of sanding.

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[PNWTim]

Dogs know better...

[Jphoenix]

Dogs know better...

Indeed they do.

[Jphoenix]

Got the week off while the PPG CRE epoxy primer cures, so drove the bus home for some rest, beautiful country driving west out of St. Ignatius, MT. Spent an entire day of shaping, filling and sanding on the hood. The hood, doors and trunk lid are two pieces glued together and they all had seam voids, so we dug out a lot of the seams and filled them with heat-set, then Duraglas, then rage. Getting there. They'll block down the CRE next week and shoot the base coat on, PPG trim-coal metallic white with some pearl - my sister can concoct amazing colors. I'll go back and help put the body on and get the hood and trunk set before stripes.

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My experience working with my sister and brother in their shop has been eye-opening. There is so much work that goes into getting this body straight and the doors, trunk and hood straight and properly prepared - I had no idea. I think this 289 body was probably not the best to come out of the molds. It appears the rear trunk area of the body - not the trunk itself - but the fenders and turtle deck had gelcoat sprayed on after it came out of the mold. Likely the body sat somewhere for a while and it lost some shape and developed a hollow in both sides just aft of the front wheel openings. It's not obvious, but you can see if if looking in the right angle. Getting all that straight and proper takes a lot of time and careful sanding with long blocks. I'm learning a lot.

[Jphoenix]

PPG CRE epoxy primer going on. Almost 2 mil thick, plenty to block down.

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[Tooth]

Looking great. I spent a year of Friday's with my uncle (recently retired body guy) on my mark iv bodywork. I'd done bodywork before, but had no idea what I was in for on that thing. Was hoping the 289 body might be better, but it doesn't sound like it.

[Stangrob]

Jim,

BTW did you ever mention what your color scheme will be for your car?

Rob

[Jphoenix]

Jim,

BTW did you ever mention what your color scheme will be for your car?

Rob

White metallic tri-coat with white ghost stripes. Ghost stripes will be interesting: https://youtu.be/_bWp__5kEE8

[tundra2050]

I know my question is a year old and I may have missed it elsewhere, but did you go with the Moser axle and rear brake kit from FFR?

Thanks!
James

[Jphoenix]

I know my question is a year old and I may have missed it elsewhere, but did you go with the Moser axle and rear brake kit from FFR?

Thanks!
James

Yes, got them from FFR - sorry for the delayed response.

[Jphoenix]

Weeks of sanding and filling on the body, almost ready for primer.

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[Dmac800]

How is the painting going?

[Jphoenix]

Hi Don, It's on hold for the winter since I'm not fond of driving over the three passes with the bus - also it's deer season at the body shop and they're very busy replacing front clips, windshields and sometimes totaling cars. Lots of deer in the Mission Valley. I'll head back over in late March to get it finished, it's in epoxy primer right now, just needs to be blocked and then base coat, etc.

[Jphoenix]

How is the painting going?

A mild winter in the Mission Valley allows for some time to primer the Cobra. Fewer accidents due to ice on Highway 93, so sister Kathy got a few coats of primer on the 289. I'll head over at the end of the month to help blocking it out. Brother-in-law Pat and nephew Josh did all the major body work - and it was extensive to get the body straight and faired. As I noted in previous posts, this body was pretty bad - like it sat outside for a long time at FFR and warped in some areas.

I did some sanding when I was there last fall, but my skills are developing, but not nearly the skills Pat and Josh have, they are masters and ridiculously anal about stuff.


https://youtube.com/shorts/HLVbNrid7...Ov0c0XabxhKQmd

https://youtube.com/shorts/yV1aYeNxT...3PxOdrgVob4PeP

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