Chevelle updates - Page 20

VintageMusclecar · #**191** 06-04-2011, 09:09 PM

And we're back again.

After three attempts at finishing the hood, hopefully...hopefully...HOPEFULLY that nightmare is now behind us.

Here's Bodyguy a couple weeks ago having just blocked the hood again in preparation for buffing;

...and here he is after having just stripped it down to start over again after applying the adhesive and foam:

In Bodyguy's own words..."in all my 30-plus years of doing body and paint, I have never had to deal with anything like this!"

Gott'a love them repop parts [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Anyhow, it now appears the hood has been stabilized, and it will be shot for (hopefully!) the last time in the next day or two.

On the plus side, Bodyguy got the cowl panel and bumper filler panels done this week...and I finally got to see what the paint will look like in direct sunlight:

At this point, we're almost a month behind schedule thanks in no small part to that POS hood. Bodyguy informs me that he hopes to have the car done by the end of the month or thereabouts...barring anymore snafu's of course.

Him I have faith in....the car...not so much.

More eventually.

**Xplantdad** · #**192** 06-05-2011, 03:46 AM

Wow Eric, I really like that blue in the sunlight. Great choice!!

**mockingbird812** · #**193** 06-05-2011, 06:03 AM

Very nice Eric. That color really POPS!

VintageMusclecar · #**194** 06-05-2011, 01:24 PM

Thanks guys [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Here's a little better zoomed in look at the color:

Trust me, it looks even better in person.

The color is exactly what I was looking for, which provided an immense relief after the recent string of so many set-backs and disappointments.

VintageMusclecar · #**195** 06-06-2011, 06:54 AM

I just wanted to take a few minutes to clear the air about something if I may;

It's no secret that this project has me more than a little aggravated at this point...my tone in this thread over the last couple of months should make that pretty obvious.

With all the set-backs I've had to endure throughout this project with sub-par work from outside sources to the outright garbage repop parts that I wound up having to use because original parts couldn't be located at any price, it's obviously taking its toll. I won't even go into the fact that I was completely "mislead" (ahem) in regards to the condition of the car to start with by the previous owners...that story should be obvious by now.

Putting aside all the grief I have had to endure, at this point I'm more frustrated by the grief Bodyguy is having to deal with now.

I was obviously up-front with him about the issues I knew about when he first agreed to take on this project, but some of the issues that cropped up once the primer, fiberglass mat and bondo started to come off wound up being fairly serious issues--issues that neither he nor I were anticipating.

-Having to re-straighten the frame that was supposed to be straight from the previous frame shop

-Having to pull the upper dash chassis out to take care of more rust that couldn't be seen earlier

-Having to fix the trunk gutters on the new quarters (I won't lie, that pi$$ed me off more than I let on)

-the GARBAGE deck filler panel that took him several days to get fitted

-and let's not forget the hood and the inserts...the one item that's set us behind schedule more than all the other issues combined to this point...

There's numerous other issues I don't really care to get into publicly at this point, but suffice it to say I know this car is wearing thin on Bodyguy's nerves and patience, and it pi$$es me off that there's nothing I can do about it to make things any easier for him. He gave me a screaming deal on this job, but now he's gotten into considerably more than he had anticipated initially--through no fault of his nor mine.

I've already kicked in a fairly good sized "bonus" and I intend to do so again when my situation permits...but while I know that it's appreciated, it still doesn't make things all right. Even though I know it's not my fault (nor is it his), I feel guilty as hell that he's wound up having so many other issues to deal with that weren't part of the original deal.

Even so, Bodyguy has exhibited nothing less than the patience of a saint throughout this entire ordeal. I can't begin to tell you how much I admire and respect that.

Anyhow, lest I continue to ramble, please accept my apologies for being such a grump as of late. I just wanted you to know part of the reason(s) why.

**SS427** · #**196** 06-06-2011, 03:40 PM

From "Bodyguys" stand point and likely knowing that you can not afford to pay much more than you have, this thread and your word of mouth is often times all we "restoration shops" ask for over and above as those will pay dividends for years and that is why it is so important to take care of our customers. Even though he will not get rich off this job, I will bet he will 'get rich' off your referals for years to come. That is sometimes more important than making all the money in one place. You likely already knew that based on how you run your business.

VintageMusclecar · #**197** 06-08-2011, 11:21 PM

Brief mid-week update;

Stopped by the shop to drop off the fuel tank & straps and to help Bodyguy turn the hood over so he can get it painted--hopefully for the last time. Bodyguy reports the hood is now stable and he does not anticipate any further problems with it.

*fingers crossed*

When we arrived today, Bodyguy was in the process of wetsanding the decklid, which he said turned out great. He also has quite a bit of wetsanding done on the DS door and fender, so we're still making some progress.

Starting to see a glimmer of light at the end of this tunnel.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">From "Bodyguys" stand point and likely knowing that you can not afford to pay much more than you have, this thread and your word of mouth is often times all we "restoration shops" ask for over and above as those will pay dividends for years and that is why it is so important to take care of our customers. Even though he will not get rich off this job, I will bet he will 'get rich' off your referals for years to come. That is sometimes more important than making all the money in one place. You likely already knew that based on how you run your business. </div></div>

I knew you would understand. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

VintageMusclecar · #**198** 06-11-2011, 09:25 PM

Well, as the old saying goes, "the third time's a charm".....I hope.

Bodyguy seemed pretty confident that we've got that stupid hood licked now, but I'm not going to breathe that sigh of relief until it's been cut & buffed.

The decklid is mid-way through process...

...as are the drivers door and fender...

...while the pass. side door & fender patiently await their turn:

Bodyguy was in the process of taping up the trunk & interior when we arrived today.

He's going to do the final blocking & wetsanding on the roof in the next few days, and once we resolve the issue of where the hole is supposed to be located for the rear antenna, the back of the car will shortly thereafter be ready for paint.

God willing and the creek don't rise.

x Baldwin Motion · #**199** 06-11-2011, 11:31 PM

The antenna mounting hole is 1 1/8" diameter located midway, 1 1/2" between the trunk opening lip and the fender peak and 26 3/16" from the rear of the fender, the seam between the fender and fender extension. (info from Chevelles.com)

I am sure you don't want all the info about the rear antenna being for AM radios only, right?

VintageMusclecar · #**200** 06-11-2011, 11:57 PM

Thank you! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

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