Whats happened over the last 6 months ?
A brief story overview is available via the story tab on the website.
I'll pickup the story from easter 2009.
Just before easter 2009 we got some news that grandad's heath wasn't 100% and was in hospital. My mum and ross had planned on visiting lauren and myself in adelaide. At the last minute, we all decided to go over and visit grandad. Also we decided to bite the bullet and find a car trailer to bring the FC back to adelaide. I made a lot of calls and finally found a car trailer suitable for the trip.
When we arrived grandad's health had improved and was out of hospital which was a huge relief. The next challenge was to fit the engine and gearbox back into the car and sort out a clutch issue.
With everyones help we were able to get the motor back in the car and running. The new clutch was working ok, and the car was able to reverse out of the shed under its own power. Many thanks to everyone that helped.
Off the top of my head those that helped included
- uncle pete or big Pete as I used to call him as a kid - don't tell him I called him that.
- ross and mum - lots of help from these guys
- lauren and grandad
- grandma @ 79 years old helping push the car in and out of the shed !!
- eva, shirley and amanda - the moral support crew.
- and anyone else I've forgotten to mention here.
Next step was to tow the vehicle back to Adelaide. After 1000km's the car finally arrived in one piece. Our ford transit towed the trailer without too many problems.
Once it was back the next step was to get a few panel beaters to look at the panel work needed. The main rust work to be done was replacing the floor structure.
After a few quotes, Finch Restorations of Mt Barker was chosen for the job. These guys seemed professional and importanly could get started pretty much straight away and work on a 3 to 4 month turnaround. They were recommended to me by the sand blasting guy, who also owns a FC.
Website here www.finchrestorations.com.au
They've done some interesting cars like a ferrari and a rolls royce.
Now that the panel beater was decided, next job was for me to strip the vehicle and get it to the soda / sand blaster. Basically every single part and panel that unbolts, was removed from the vehicle over the course of a few weekends.
I was left with a rolling shell which was ready for sand and soda blasting after short tilt tray trip to Dudley Park.
Soda was used for removing paint in delicate area's, while sand was used for areas that wouldn't warp. A light sandblast all over gives the panels a "keying" effect which helps the paint stick without risking panels warping. Soda blasting is great but doesn't remove rust. Overall using both methods gave the best result. I highly recommend this bare metal process if you are restoring your car properly.
www.adelaidefastblast.com.au
I couldn't wait to see the car after it got blasted. Many people find their car ends up like swiss cheese after blasting since any rust holes are revealed. Apart from the floor, the FC was is very good condition for its age. A few people have commented on how good the body is. The photo album has a few photos of the car after being blasted - its kind of funny looking at the car with no paint.
Quickly the car was painted in etch primer which looks like a black paint. Without any paint the car can start to surface rust within a few days.
Since then, the finch guys have been busy repairing the rust. Most of the floor has been replaced with new panels. Some parts weren't available so custom made panels have been hand fabricated. Some of these are in the photo area.
The end result of the panel work is that I expect that you won't be able to tell where it has been repaired. A neat job has been done and a metal finish means that the car isn't going to be loaded up with filler.
Currently I'm expecting the color coats to be painted on the car at the end of July 09.
More updates to come - I promise !!
I'll pickup the story from easter 2009.
Just before easter 2009 we got some news that grandad's heath wasn't 100% and was in hospital. My mum and ross had planned on visiting lauren and myself in adelaide. At the last minute, we all decided to go over and visit grandad. Also we decided to bite the bullet and find a car trailer to bring the FC back to adelaide. I made a lot of calls and finally found a car trailer suitable for the trip.
When we arrived grandad's health had improved and was out of hospital which was a huge relief. The next challenge was to fit the engine and gearbox back into the car and sort out a clutch issue.
With everyones help we were able to get the motor back in the car and running. The new clutch was working ok, and the car was able to reverse out of the shed under its own power. Many thanks to everyone that helped.
Off the top of my head those that helped included
- uncle pete or big Pete as I used to call him as a kid - don't tell him I called him that.
- ross and mum - lots of help from these guys
- lauren and grandad
- grandma @ 79 years old helping push the car in and out of the shed !!
- eva, shirley and amanda - the moral support crew.
- and anyone else I've forgotten to mention here.
Next step was to tow the vehicle back to Adelaide. After 1000km's the car finally arrived in one piece. Our ford transit towed the trailer without too many problems.
Once it was back the next step was to get a few panel beaters to look at the panel work needed. The main rust work to be done was replacing the floor structure.
After a few quotes, Finch Restorations of Mt Barker was chosen for the job. These guys seemed professional and importanly could get started pretty much straight away and work on a 3 to 4 month turnaround. They were recommended to me by the sand blasting guy, who also owns a FC.
Website here www.finchrestorations.com.au
They've done some interesting cars like a ferrari and a rolls royce.
Now that the panel beater was decided, next job was for me to strip the vehicle and get it to the soda / sand blaster. Basically every single part and panel that unbolts, was removed from the vehicle over the course of a few weekends.
I was left with a rolling shell which was ready for sand and soda blasting after short tilt tray trip to Dudley Park.
Soda was used for removing paint in delicate area's, while sand was used for areas that wouldn't warp. A light sandblast all over gives the panels a "keying" effect which helps the paint stick without risking panels warping. Soda blasting is great but doesn't remove rust. Overall using both methods gave the best result. I highly recommend this bare metal process if you are restoring your car properly.
www.adelaidefastblast.com.au
I couldn't wait to see the car after it got blasted. Many people find their car ends up like swiss cheese after blasting since any rust holes are revealed. Apart from the floor, the FC was is very good condition for its age. A few people have commented on how good the body is. The photo album has a few photos of the car after being blasted - its kind of funny looking at the car with no paint.
Quickly the car was painted in etch primer which looks like a black paint. Without any paint the car can start to surface rust within a few days.
Since then, the finch guys have been busy repairing the rust. Most of the floor has been replaced with new panels. Some parts weren't available so custom made panels have been hand fabricated. Some of these are in the photo area.
The end result of the panel work is that I expect that you won't be able to tell where it has been repaired. A neat job has been done and a metal finish means that the car isn't going to be loaded up with filler.
Currently I'm expecting the color coats to be painted on the car at the end of July 09.
More updates to come - I promise !!
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