The driver's side was removed much easier than the passenger side
since the braces had been located and less rust made for more cutting.
|
Overall, the braces were in good condition. However, the driver's side
has even less of the toe kick area left.
|
What a difference between the new and the old.
|
The braces were cleaned as good as possible, waiting for POR 15 to
be applied.
|
The rust at the back is even more obvious with the floorpan removed.
|
The driver floorpan, screwed into place.
|
Both floorpans in place and very little rust left on the floorboards.
Just two holes above the pan in the left side of the toekick area.
|
To get to part of the floorboard, the driver fender had to come off.
Remember that this is a unibody, so there isn't much more to come off
other than the front fenders, doors, and hood.
|
The inside of the headlight area on the driver fender. Surprisingly no
rust through and no putty.
|
The rear lower corner of the fender, only 2 small holes.
|
The rear upper corner. Obviously the fenders were on the car when
the white paint was sprayed. The rust is all surface rust.
|
The front lower corner. Overall, the fender is in very good shape.
|
However, the cowl area has some problems. The inner fender/engine
bay looks fine though.
|
The welded seam of the upper cowl area is rusted off and flaking apart.
|
The bottom of the cowl has a large hole, similar to the floor pans.
As this is a unibody, this area is structural and will need to be rebuilt.
With the seam sealer all around the area, this was probably the same
seam sealer that draws moisture and doesn't let it go, holding it and
causing rust, same as in the '56 Chevys.
|
Once the pans were in place, Dad decided to reinstall the seat to locate
the bolt holes for it easier in the pans.
|
Look Mom, I'm driving!
|
Pans in place and seat reinstalled, Dad got a hair-brained notion
to fire it over and take it for a test drive on the street.
Nevermind that the carb wasn't tuned and the engine hadn't been
rebuilt yet. Between the carb from the 144, the carb from the 200,
and some good ol' ingenuity, Dad got the car running ok. And, yes,
that is Dad's '56 Chevy wagon on the rotisserie in the next bay.
|
Even more fun was that Dad had never driven a 3-on-the-tree. He
quickly found reverse and third, but kept missing first. Several
tries and he finally found first and second, so they head off.
|
The vehicle makes a couple of trips up and down the street before
Dad decides he has the hang of the shifting pattern.
|
One happy kid! There is still a very long way to go on this
vehicle to get it restored by Nov 2013, the date he can legally
drive.
|
