Brad' second '70 Cuda and first (and last) restoration project

[GranCuda1970]

Thanks You!!  those were great reference pics some of the best yet! I have saved your photos for when my clips arrive. I may have to move the line a bit on the drivers side rear frame to mount the Factory rear sway bar on my 8 3/4. I did not take before pics when I pulled them and my memers is not as good as it used to be.

[usraptr]

Work for Ron, my body man has slowed down, so he has been spending more time working on the 'Cuda.    After a couple of days of body work, sanding and detail work the rear quarters and rockers are ready for primer.     He plans on shooting the first coat of high build primer tomorrow.  I can't wait!  It's been a long 2 1/2 years getting to this point.  Here are some pics.

[usraptr]

WE HAVE PAINT!!  Well primer at least.  Got the first coat of high build primer applied today along with the guide coat!  I'm so excited I swear I won't sleep the night before we spray the black!!   

[dutch]

getting closer 
will you finish the car yourself when the bodywork is done?

[usraptr]

Dutch,
Yes, I will reassemble myself with a little help from my son.  The current plan is for Ron to paint the rear quarters, roof, rocker panel, engine, passenger and trunk compartments.  Then he will work on the doors, hood and fenders off the car while I start reassembly of the interior and  drive train.  That way hopefully he will finish the paint/body work on those parts while I get the car back together.  I've already been restoring some parts and as seen in prior posts and done some reassembly under the car.

[Challenger III]

Great Progress! 

[usraptr]

As always seems to be the case, just as we start to make some progress, Ron get's busy at his real job!!    Car has been ready for paint for over three weeks and is just sitting.    Hopefully this week.  In the meantime,  I finished re-doing the drum brakes on the rear.  Painted the rear drums along with the red band and installed new wheel cylinders and shoes after cleaning and painting the backing plates.  I had ordered a replacement spring kit from Classic Industries but wasn't really happy with it so I cleaned and re-used the original springs and hardware.  Since everything I read said the red strip was applied with a paint bush on the assembly line, I also used a paint brush and was not real careful about drips or "staying within the lines," so to speak, to give it a more authentic look.  I'll also posted some of the "after" brake pictures in the Reference Pictures section.  Anyway, here are some before and after picture so of the brakes. 

[brads70]

Looks great!

[usraptr]

We made some more progress today.  Painted the passenger and trunk compartments.  Here are some pics but it's really hard to get a good pic of black, especially with a flash.  And remember that I applied two coats of undercoating to the passenger compartment so the paint in their will not be smooth.  One step closer to outside paint.   

[usraptr]

A few more pics.

[NHawkins]

Impressive (and diligent) work.  Patience is a virtue!

[usraptr]

Okay, need some help here.  It's been so long since I took the car apart I don't know the answer for this. My body man is working on the doors and he has a question regarding the side view mirror fasteners.  Currently on both doors, one mounting hole has a screw type rubber grommet in it and the other hole is empty.  Also, the door skin where the empty hole is has a small raised dimple around it while the hole with the grommet appears to be flat.  So No. 1, is the second, empty hole, supposed to have the raised dimple around it?; and No.2 what kind of fastener goes in the second empty hole?

BTW, we're talking about a 1970 'Cuda here.

Thanks
Brad

[dodj]

The name of the fastener is a riv-nut. It installs like a pop-rivet but leaves a threaded hole. A riv-nut tool looks quite similar to a pop rivet tool, but you screw the riv-nut onto the tool then insert the riv-nut into the hole then squeeze the tool like a pop rivet gun to install the riv-nut. I think they are about $25.

[usraptr]

Thanks dodj.  So I assume there is a riv-nut in both holes on each door?  Just seems weird that both my doors are missing the exact same riv-nut, if that is true.  And the raised dimple around the hole is normal?

thanks again,l
Brad

[johns cuda shop]

Love your car!! Nice work on the restoration.The door mirror takes a 10-24 thread rivit nut. Harbour Frieght Tools has the Rivet nut tool for $16 ,it even comes with several size rivet nuts .