My AAR Resto gets serious

[jimynick]

Welcome to my world Greg! I thought mine'd need 1/4 skins and some patching in the doors- you know, just a few things. LOL! THEN I had it media blasted and it turned into a lace curtain! I only tell you this to fortify you, while, as you mentioned, you go down the rabbit hole indeed. You can pretty much count on the trunk extensions being punky, but that's not a total bad thing, as changing them makes getting the one piece new floor in. As for the roof, it all depends on your bodywork skills. I hear the new roof panels seem to fit well and with the water getting in above the w/s, there may be more rot lurking inside it. Buy lots of spot weld cutter bits and grinding wheels and lay in a few spares when Harbour Freight puts their 4" grinders on sale. You can guess how I know this. But, it's a nice piece AND it's worth doing AND you'll enjoy it even more once done, so good luck with it! 

[Topcat]

Hey AARuFast,
I appreciate the support, I am actually toying with the idea of changing the color to FM3.
I always thought that was about as sexy as you could get, that hot pink with the AAR stripes and blackout.
We'll see, I have quite a bit to do before I need to make that decision.
Greg

If we hung out and started talking what color to paint it, I would try to convince you to keep it the original color. It's your car and do as you please.

Just not alot of AAR's out there that are still alive.   

[AAR6BBL]

jimynick,
I appreciate the feedback, once I get it stripped down the rest of the way, hopefully by the middle of next month
then I will get it blasted and see what I really have.
I am reasonably proficient with a welder, although not a lot of sheet metal expertise but I am pretty good at learning as I go and thats half the fun right? 
I have a small machine shop (lathe,mill, etc.) behind the house so I have most of the equipment to make & fab stuff. Right now I am using it as a catch all for pieces coming off. I just wish I had a 20'x40' so I could spread out a little more. But I remain inspired by those of you who manage to do this in a 2 car garage, or in your backyard!
The good thing is once you start you have no choice but to continue. It's not like I left breadcrumbs and can find my way back!!

Mike,
Yeh I know I have that argument with myself on a daily basis. One side of me says it's an original #'s matching car don't mess with it, then I see a picture of a pink one and my knees get weak and I start 
It's not that the FE5 looks bad or anything, I just have always loved that FM3 with Organasol look!
Good thing I have a lot of time to figure it out, maybe you can convince me as I go along.
Greg

[DODGE1933]

Another FM3 car in the area would be nice but I agree you need to keep it as original as possible. I am in the process of building an original FM3 TA right down the road in Vallejo. Mabe we can hook up and exchange ideas. I have been working on mine for a little over a year and had a lot of the same rust issues in the same places you have. Don't give up it can be done.

[Topcat]

When either one of you are ready to buy sheet metal parts, I would consider contacting RPS.com.

They're in Hayward, CA.

If you give enough lead time, he'll waive the shipping cost on your order(s) once he hits 5 grand order all at once from AMD.

[anlauto]

Most AMD dealers offer FREE SHIPPING on everything....Check out EBay for the best prices, better yet contact Dave at Roseville and get a CC.com member discount

[AARuFAST]

Hey AARuFast,
I appreciate the support, I am actually toying with the idea of changing the color to FM3.
I always thought that was about as sexy as you could get, that hot pink with the AAR stripes and blackout.
We'll see, I have quite a bit to do before I need to make that decision.
Greg

Hell No do not change the Rallye Red.
Our AAR was Dark Ivy Green hated the color it needed a repaint so I chose FM3.
My son was 16 
If you are single and young FM3, why, my son came home with tall blonde chicks over the years. Haha.

[cwestra]

I went through the same dilemma with my car regarding paint color.  Mine is originally an FK5 car (Deep Brunt Orange) and I recall wanting to paint it either FE5, EV2, or FC7, because I really didn't like the FK5 color.  I ended up going with FK5 because I knew it was best from a value standpoint.  Looking back, I am glad I did.  Most people I talk to either like the color or agree that you should really stick with the original color on a car like that (regardless of the color).  Hey, FE5 is a great color.  I would definitely stay with it.

[anlauto]

DO NOT CHANGE THE COLOUR

[AAR6BBL]

I really appreciate all the feedback from everyone!!

Dodge1933: I would love to see your project one of these days, my son actually lives in Vallejo. An FM3 T/A is really a special car.

AARuFast: I am old and divorced, been through the tall blonde stage, and at this point much prefer my black lab.
Leaves me more money to spend on the car and she is content to lay on the mat and watch me work on the car.
Haven't found a blonde willing to do that yet!!

Mike & Alan, I promise before I make a decision on the paint I will hash it out on line.
I realize it is my car & my decision, but I also have an appreciation for the history of the car.
The Rallye Red does look sharp although as I tear into it, the exterior (repaint obviously) seems to have more orange in it then the red I find deep in the bowels of the car.
There are some mods I plan on doing, for performance and driveablity but nothing that can't be changed back (I will be saving original parts). I plan on continuing to drive this car "like I stole it" because that's the whole purpose of owning it. It makes me

I will post more pics after the weekend, I am off Friday so hope to do a 3 day marathon on it.
Greg

[dfrazz]

ARuFast: I am old and divorced, been through the tall blonde stage, and at this point much prefer my black lab.
Leaves me more money to spend on the car and she is content to lay on the mat and watch me work on the car.
Haven't found a blonde willing to do that yet!!

I haven't found one either...

[anlauto]

I haven't found one either...

Like finding  BigFoot

[MOPAR FANATIC]

  you guys crack me up.................. 

p/s,if you find one,send her sister my way. 

[AARuFAST]

From Dark Ivy Green to Moulin Rouge.

[AAR6BBL]

Evening all,
I think that my next expense as I finish the teardown over the next few weeks is going to be a rotisserie. You guys can weigh in on any suggestions you might have. Both the US Car tool unit and the Autotwirler look like good units. I have a MaxJax lift in my garage, but can't see doing the metal work I already know about without one. I am going to build a K Frame dolly so I can drop the motor tranny & front suspension out as a unit, but with the price of steel,casters, jacks etc. I can buy a rotisserie almost as cheap as building one. After getting a quote today on the media blasting from the place my paint guy recommends, I may spend the money on the twirler and blast it myself. Anyone ever try doing this at home, or in a garage?
Greg