The panel shaping stage for the roadster is done! Before blowing her apart and removing the wire frame buck we dropped the hood skin on to more or less complete the lines.

 With the panels stripped from the buck and painted Ford engine blue, we can now start assembling the body on it's own!  This is always a great milestone.

On another note, I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Cheers!

Good for you Nick! Don't you love it when a plan comes together! Looking forward to seeing more of your incredible work!
Merry Xmas & Happy New Year to you and yours!

Hi! I hope the new year is treating everyone well.

Here's a small update. We've started assembling the body as a stand alone structure.

After clamping the two side sections to specially created jigs, a lot of time is spent ensuring that each piece is correctly aligned before the next part is brought into the picture.

 

Nick....if you could do that in and hour...with comercials.... you would be a TV STAR

Amazing......simply....Amazing

lamo

I have worked 8 hrs just to make a bracket....that nobody will see

The junk on tv distorts real life and fills potential customers heads with BS

You Sir...are an Artist..... and yes....with pleasure I will drop in....i will call before I come Nick

Welded panels first 10 min.....bodywork next 10 min......paint in 10 min......cruising and picking up babes last 10 min

easy peasy......where do I sign up?

 

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Thanks!

With most of the exterior panels done, preparations are being made to transfer the body from the frame table.


Roadster mated with it's rolling chassis! On second thought the wheels are a bit on the small side...


Steve's new full time task... making a few tweaks and preparing the hood's sub-structure for the exterior skin.


Layout work has started on the material for the chassis... As much as I enjoy sheet metal shaping, I can't wait to get into some heavy metal forming.

Thanks very much Nino, really appreciate your enthusiasm for this project! We're having a lot of fun shaping this roadster for Gus as well.

Originally, he wanted us to customize the '37 Ford that he's had sitting for a number of years... you know chop, shave, new chassis, body/paint, etc... But after seeing the R2 build and what we can do with metal on other jobs he gave me a 'wishlist' for how he was seeing his dream roadster. We feel extremely privileged to be given the opportunity create this roadster as well as share the progress here... and while it's not what most guys expect to see in a typical hot rod build we're honored to see all the support.

Thanks guys!

Developing adjustable jigs to hold the front suspension components in place while mounts are created on the frame.


Windscreen perimeter takes shape. Still need to round the outer corners... but only a tad as the owner is contemplating the idea of a carson top. The wipers tuck out of the way under the hood giving the roadster a nice clean look.


These arrived this past Monday! Chevy Cobalt taillights will be integrated into the roadster's rear fascia.


Layout begins...


Windshield perimeter frame completed. Can't wait to get the glass made and installed!

-- Edited by invision on Friday 27th of March 2015 09:12:57 PM

Hey Nino, after i completed shaping and installing the outer skin I added an internal structural reinforcing member. It starts about 2/3 of the way up the perimeter frame and extends down into the A-Pillar. Once all this was welded up, a sheet metal cosmetic piece was formed to cover the backside (seen from the inside of the vehicle) of the frame.

Any new progress on your build?

Pictures would help illustrate the area you have to work with. You are on the right track though... to spread the pillar's forces down and laterally as much as possible. Nothing with with a little over engineering as long as its within reason. :D

I don't get up to your neck of the woods too often. When you get your camera going, shoot a few photos over to my email and I'll have a look see. If I come up with something I'll share it with you in a sketch.

invision wrote:

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 Took a number of years to get over that anxious feeling of cutting into a 'finished' panel.  Now, it's just part of the process. Starting with a smaller hole, I work my way up and continually check the taillight fit.


 I am really glad to hear I am not the only one who feels like that. And I still don't like it!  Owner pays $500.00 plus for a quarter panel and then I have to weld it, beat it, pull it, stretch it etc to get it to fit and line up right. Uncomfortable!   Then I worked with a more experienced bodyman /painter and he had no problem getting blocks of wood and prying and beating the panels.  I guess it's perspective.  The part alone does nothing for the car unless it is attached and finished. LOL  Unbelievable workmanship.  Really enjoy this build.  Thanks for all the pictures and text.

Rich

 

The outcome is great, as usual.

Made a little more progress on the roadster. With holes made and the front independent suspension mounted work can start on the headlight brackets.

Thank you, thank you very much Sir. Now that the weather is decent and if you are in the neighborhood.. you're welcome to check out the madness in person.

Interior's ideation sketch.

Moving forward with the interior... mocking up the tunnel and dash.



The owner wanted to integrate the instrument cluster and dash from one of his donor Mustangs. So after a nip here and cut there ...we shoehorned it into the roadster.

A little work on the roadster's core support.


Frame spends some time on the rotisserie... smoothed and primed.  Before block sanding and finishing, the roadster will be reassembled for final metal fabrication and detailing.


Body also gets a 'turn' to finish the underside.

 

I agree Glenn. I wish my bathtub or even the sink were that clean. Wow.

Beautiful!!

Nick,, its just outstanding, a true work of art.