Body Shop - Prep and
Work
The prep work for the body shop was done
in the garage of my home. So, I didn't have access to a�lot
of�mechanics' tools. As with most shadetree mechanics though, necessity
becomes the mother of invention... |
Note�the door�has been removed
and there is�some cancer�just forward of the rear wheel. You can
also see some of the original surf green paint just forward of the door where
the front fender usually covers. |
After deciding to�do a frame-off
restoration, I had to�figure out a way to�support the
body.��I decided�to�use�some�lumber. This picture
shows the 4"x4"s sticking out from�under�the�drivers�side
door.��As this was a one man job, I had to carefully
&�slowly lift the body about 4" at a time.
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This picture shows the�front of the
vehicle being lifted up off the frame. Note the�beams under the body.
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| The picture on the left shows
the ladder frame structure�I made to support the�body. It may look
crude but it was quite solid and didn't buckle under the weight of�the
body. You can see the frame being pulled out from under the body. The picture
on the right shows the frame completely free of the�body...for the first
time in 40 years....and rolling out into the driveway! |
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I took the Chevy to Drezek Environmental
Stripping Service (DESS) in San Juan Capistrano for stripping and bodywork.
�DESS is a well known SoCal Hot Rod shop. Baking soda was used to strip
the old sheet metal. �The picture on the left shows the car after stripping
and initial primer. �The door is still attached. |
The bodywork begins. �Note the patch
panel in place on the left quarter panel. |
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Work progresses on the passenger side
and floorboards... |
Passenger side quarter panel takes
shape... |
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The following two pictures show all the
work that went into the trunk area. I've always wanted to tuck fat meats
under the stock fender panels. �I had DESS extend the inner fenders
about 4". �This will provide enough room for fat tires mounted onto
a narrowed rear end. �You can see how much cutting and welding is involved
in this process. �The bottom picture shows that the passenger side is
further along. |
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