Progess on the Chilly-Challenger!!

[Bullitt-]

Man that dash repair looks good in the pics....what's your secret?....as for the cad paint, not very convincing

[e-tek]

I hear ya....Here's a DIRECT comparison ....I think I'll have to redo it again  !!

This time maybe I'll spray a SILVER base, then dust the gold and green on that. (The directions say GOLD, RED, GREEN)

[e-tek]

This weekend I also got the rest of the dash done - had to use the cap as there was too much damagage on the original pad. I had it smoothed out OK,
but if a crack would have reappeared later I'd have to shoot myself! I also refurbed the radio and sprayed a few other little things...the fun continues.













NEXT!!!

[e-tek]

Also found out today I was sent the wrong carpet. The Year one tag said "70-74 Challenger", so it took me a while to decide it really was 6" too wide on each side and a foot too short....then looking closer, I see the manufacturers tag says "70 Challenger 4 spd." - I friggin WISH!!!! Mines only a '74 Auto. More time to wait....

[dutch]

wow.... nice truck, 
I don`t remember seeing on of those before   

[e-tek]

1946 Mercury 1/2Ton. Apparently very rare. Has the original Nickel-only plated mouldings on the hood sides (They didn't do chrome in war-time). The previous owner swapped out the front moulding s with chrome items, but I still have the original nickel-only items.

[hemiken]

That is a super rare truck.  Would not be many around anywhere, Mercury's equvalant to the Jailbar Fords of the same year.  But the Mercury's were aimed at a higher dollar market than the Fords.

[bb71challenger]

Cool. I never even knew Mercury ever made a truck at all.

[e-tek]

Cool. I never even knew Mercury ever made a truck at all.

Only in Canada. But now collectors the world over want them.

[kmyles]

And some miscellaneous bits went together or are process now....

Wiring is going back in. Labelling everthing certainly helps!! I'm still not sure about the shiny electrical tape. I might prefer a cloth "hockey" tape....Comments? As well, I'd like it to look as straight and neat as possible, while being stock....any ideas?



The carpet is too wide and doesn't appear long enough. I can see trimming the sides...but should I have to add to the end?!



I really like trying to re-use everything. Refurbishing the rubber plugs for the floor and trunk isn't oo hard.



And a trunk load of bits and pieces....



Thanks for looking!!

How did you refurb the rubber pieces

[e-tek]

The rubber plugs were soaked in lacquer thinners. It gets ALL traces of paint off and softens them. Be careful after they've been soaked overnight as they get really soft until they are dry - at which time they become perfect.

This weekend it's the headliner, re-install the dash and either recover the seats or paint the door panels. I'll have to re-texture them, alog wiht the A-pillar trim pieces.  Unfortunately I found the carpet was for a M/T, so back it went for an exchange. I don't really  want to do the seats just to leave them lying around to get dirty...

[somedaysoon]

 e-tek , how do you retexture the door panels and how does it look when done.?  Thanks Pete

[e-tek]

I'm gonna start on the door panels this weekend - not sure if I'll get much past the cleaning and repairing though. You can purchase SEM Texture in a can. They specialize in plastic parts - cleaners, coatings, paints, etc. You can spray it dry to get that stippled look, or a little wetter to get a textured dash look. It looks good once you do the entire part.

I wasted a bunch of time here because first I had to return the seat covers due to them missing some pieces, then I had to return the carpet as it was for a M/T....that's holding up the interior. Today I got the grille and door panels down from the shelves...but now I have too many things out and about...which I hate becuase then I just run around doing a lot nothing insead of actually finishing one thing at a time!!
Tommorrow I guess I'm going to do all the seats - then wrap them up so they don't get dirty, then start on that grille. Film at 11.

[e-tek]

After 3 (yes three) sets of PUIcovers from Year One, I finally said F#CK it and ordered a set from Legendary. What a friggin' difference!! Starting to look like a car again! Just sent the bumpers, mirrors, HL trim rings, out for re-chome. Engine was tested on my home-made test stand and she rocks!

[kmyles]

Holy Cow does that look good Wish you were near as I'm sure you 've got a few tips and tricks up your sleeve after this build!!