Area51Werks starts another Autotopsy Resurrection of a Factory 6, Welding is Done! Fixtures are removed Onto the cleanup and paint work. Options

[doug_b_928]

Amazing artistry, Rick!

[rick 918-S]

Slow night tonight. I am kind of stalled until the cowl cut arrives later this month. I want to see how much of the front is usable before trim too much more.

I started thinking about the car and how best to move it forward to it's next life. When Rocky had it he was invited into the very exclusive R Gruppe So Cal. The car still wears the banner on the windsheild. I'm not Rocky. I do not know any of the R Gruppe that I am aware of. I am not the one that was invited to join. So I am torn.

Should I complete the car as it was when Rocky ran with the So Cal gang or take it to another place. I don't have the 3.2 or the short gear transaxle. I have a 2.7S I got from Slits.

Here's my thought. Plan one is to complete the car with all the graphics like it was when it was crashed complete with the orginal R Gruppe So Cal banner on the windsheild. (Which I really do not have permission to do)

Or reinvent the car with an Alien Spin. Alien Graphics Flares and 16x6 and 16x7's

What say you...

[mepstein]

Your car, your choice. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[rick 918-S]

I think i should contact someone from the So Cal R Gruppe to see how they feel about putting the car back and leaving their banner. One of those situations where assking first may be the right thing.

Anyone know any of those guys? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[tygaboy]

I know a number of the members. And while at Rennsport, I had the pleasure of dining with Jessica, the daughter of R Gruppe founder Chris Huregas. I'll PM you some details.

[Root_Werks]

Really fun to watch you work metal, it's such a lost art! Even the couple of 356's I restored, the shop was all about cut out and replace. Really didn't spend much time metal working to save panels.

Using heat to get metal back where it's supposed to be is also an art. Sort of got okay at it years back. I'm certain I'd just punch holes in things these days.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[rick 918-S]

I had a section close to the arch over the rack that was really stretched. I ended up using the torch - hammer - quench - method. Old school.

[rick 918-S]

I had a nice conversation with one of the board of the R Gruppe. Short story from a long conversation is the windshield Banner will be coming off. If I could get it off without wrecking it I would send it to Rocky.

[tygaboy]

Glad to hear the R Gruppe stuff was worked out quickly. Now, back to the METAL!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[rick 918-S]

Parts Clip arrived. Originally a white car.

[rhodyguy]

WOW, that was a fast acquisition. The hood channel looks pretty good. Big cuts a coming. Following.

[porschetub]

Parts Clip arrived. Originally a white car.

Impressive work ,working on a compound curve and some rack pull outwards @ the same time wow, where do you plan cut for the clip ? ,I would assume forward of the wheel wells ?.
Great to see this car back Rick ,keep up the great work (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) .

[Geezer914]

That is some metal work! Very nice!

[rick 918-S]

Continuing to work the right inner panel. I am not sure you noticed but the depression on the wheelhouse was completely obliterated and wrinkled. In order to repair the shape I had to hammer it smooth first then put the depression back in. Here is a reminder of where this started.



Then the reshape



Then adding the depression back in. I started with the torch and a homemade hammer made of 3/4" roundstock with a bullet or rounded face. I just wanted to bump the metal down when it was mallable.



I spent about an hour and a half working the shape with hammers and dollies. When it was shaped and the lines we sharp I ran the planishing hammer thru the depression to smooth it out. Then used the shrinking disc to tune up the edges.





Compared to the donor clip

[tygaboy]

Your skill level is ridiculous, Rick. I'd love to be close enough to come hang out and watch. Thanks for all your effort saving these cars. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[burton73]

Rick,

Your skillsets are amazing, you are an artist in metal shaping and much more. Thank you for taking us on this journey with you. It takes time to document the work the way you are, so thanks a lot

Best Bob B

[rick 918-S]

So much more to do before I can say it's a usable panel. I have been eyeing up the parts clip thinking how easy it would be to just section in the whole thing. But the more I work on this wheelhouse the better it gets. I think I am past the hard stuff. The little dents and dings left will really not show as progress. But there are lots more big moves to make as it starts to come back to life. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)

[worn]

Your skill level is ridiculous, Rick. I'd love to be close enough to come hang out and watch. Thanks for all your effort saving these cars. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

My son says that a hammer is the most complex tool available: it never does exactly the same thing twice. My father used to say that all of the tools we now have were made with a stone hammer. Me, I say that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks really different and interesting. Only once in a while like a nail. Nice work!

[KELTY360]

Your skill level is ridiculous, Rick. I'd love to be close enough to come hang out and watch. Thanks for all your effort saving these cars. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

My son says that a hammer is the most complex tool available: it never does exactly the same thing twice. My father used to say that all of the tools we now have were made with a stone hammer. Me, I say that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks really different and interesting. Only once in a while like a nail. Nice work!

"Sooner or later, every tool becomes a hammer." - Garage Squad

[rick 918-S]

Started trimming the parts clip. I and separating the outer cross brace fro where it caps over the wheelhouse. I have done this before when I changed a factory wheelhouse on Juergen's 6. The spot welds are tiny and fairly easy to drill out. I will tig the holes when I put the outer cross brace back over the wheelhouse strut caps .



Working my way around the floor pan. I have most of the left side off. I have the bumper brace and the headlight brace trimmed.



The scrap pile is getting bigger.