Update on my latest project - 68 GTO

Wow! That's all I can say, jmt>>>>>WOW!!

 

Thanks!
I am really looking forward to this summer!

 

With that GTO.....I would be, too! :banana:

 

I'm obscenely jealous.

 

I love seeing Pontiacs. I rarely see them.
There is one guy I see now and then getting on the freeway by me. GTO Convertible Nocturne Blue.
I think it must be around '64-'66. I didn't get enough of a look at it.

Your '68 is one tough looking car.

 

What an amazing transformation! Such an impressive build and beautiful results!

 

You should be happy, it's beautiful! Excellent job your doing.

 

UPDATE June 7, 2013

We've been on the road for several weeks; we returned from an extended (31 day) vacation trip at the end of May.
I picked up my stainless steel trim - all straightened and polished - and got started on installation.

I was able to get some loop carpet for the doors. Made my own bindings from some black vinyl I had laying around. They turned out great.

Here's the carpet cut to match the door panel shape:




Made the binding by cutting a 1.75" wide strip of black vinyl left over from a previous project:



Binding and carpet ready to be sewn. You sew them "face to face", then wrap the vinyl around the back of the door panel after bonding the carpet to the panel board.






At the same time, I also decided to move the 12V power port and the radio "Aux" plug out of sight.
The 12V port is now in the console and the Aux input is tucked up under the dash; not visible, but easily reached.





I made new water barriers for the doors using heavy-gauge plastic instead of the coated paper and replaced the foam seals around the door pull handles and window cranks.






I removed the stainless steel moldings from the door trim panels and polished the moldings.
Re-sprayed the trim panels with vinyl/fabric dye and put everything back together, including new "fuzzies".



Door trim looks great!






Moving on to the exterior moldings and trim...
I removed each wheel, undercoated the fender liners, touched up the brake drums and the visible portions of the frame rails.





Then I installed the freshly polished wheel opening moldings, new trim rings and snazzy new lug nuts.
Looks like new, except these are 7" wide instead of the original 6" wheels.






I decided to replace the side marker lamp lenses and bezels; the old stuff looked really bad when seen against the new paint.
Lined up the GTO emblems on the quarters...





I'm having trouble with the rear window molding installation.
First, I had the wrong molding clips; they were too short and made the moldings sit too low in the channel.
Even with the correct clips, the moldings don't sit flush at the bottom, left corner of the glass.


I think the glass is mis-formed, but I'm going to try to put some weight on the window when the temps get a little warmer.
Hopefully, a couple of days with 50+ pounds and temps over 80F will squeeze the butyl down a little bit.
No pics of this area yet; still working on it...

Still cleaning, but it's ready for our first show:

 

UPDATE: June 8, 2103.

Made it to our debut show today; the POCI Widetrackers 25th Annual Spring "Dust-Off" in Davisburg, MI.
It's almost 25 miles from my home, so I got a little seat time in!

The view from the driver's seat:


Speedo actually reads a little high...


At the show:


In great company!

 

UPDATE June 14, 2013

Getting close to "done"!

 

Nice. Can I have a ride?

 

You have done an amazing job you must be so proud!

How did the show go?

 

Wow, stunning job:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

Show went great!

Actually got a cute little desk-top award for "Design of Distinction". That means the Judges (who are primarily designers in automotive and related fields) selected the car as one of their favorite designs.

Had a GREAT day and met many nice folks.

When I get some time later this week, I will post up some pics in the "Shows" thread...but here is a teaser: