Ack! bodywork nightmare

[Nathan289]

Ack, keeps getting better.

Passenger door is stripped.. no surprises.

Passenger fender is stripped.. yippy surprises..

Someone was nice enough to fill rust holes with bondo..

Good news is the paint is almost all removed.

Bad news, after really looking at the rear quarter panel, i discovered that the arch / curve of the top of quarter is flatter than the passenger side.

Either its a poorly made replacement, made to fit by flattening the arch, or the quarter is off an earlier car.. if earlier falcons even have different quarters...

My solution is to cut off the old one and replace it, or try and add more arch/curve to what in have.. not sure if that can be done.

[Nathan289]

Ok sanding is mostly done.
Just the front gravel gaurd and tail panel remain.

I started or as i should say attempting my hammer and dolly work.
So far i have successfully chased my dent up and down the quarter panel about 4". There is a skill I dont have and you tube hasnt helped.

Argh...

[Luva65wagon]

It is an art, for sure. I do pretty good at it, but the problem usually is that metal stretches when you hit it. You often need to shrink it if you work it too much, which is oh-so fun as well. Maybe YouTube has videos on shrinking sheetmetal.

I meant to comment about the previous photos - went forth and back between them to see what you were referring to - but couldn't see it. Just keep at it and remember even Chip Foose uses bondo.

[Nathan289]

Here are some pictures with a poor mans panel guage.

[dhbfaster]

Nathan, how's it goin? What's the latest?

[Nathan289]

Slowly stripping paint from the jams..

Im talking with Phil about possibly keeping him employed after he's done with a 4 door falcon..

I have a right fender to patch..

And 2 quarter panels that i dont know how to fix.

Oh and i learned that i dont have the skills for dolly and hammer work.. i make things worse..

[dhbfaster]

Yea, I know the feeling, sounds like my experience with some of the trim!
I know if I would have done the body work myself I would have made a lot of mistakes. There's a lot of satisfaction with DIY though.
..but some jobs are more difficult than others.
..sometimes there's just no substitute for good training and experience.
I like to believe I have some talent and I can do anything given enough time and do-overs...or, with a mentor or personal trainer...but sometimes it's better to do it right the first time. I only have one falcon and it's been in the family for 53 years.
You're lucky to be close to Phil...

[Nathan289]

Dennis,
Good eye..
Actually green car upper left is a subaru legacy.
Middle green car is a 56 ford sedan.. my friend is trying to trade me it for my falcon.. i like the car, but not willing to give up the falcon.
The white car you asked about is a Studebaker station wagon. Pearl white with purple and orange flames. Has a matching surf board too.

Theres a cool 50s chevy monster truck and a 49 merc too.

[Nathan289]

Got the windshield in today.
Got all the front trim on.

Only thing i have left on the outside of the car is door locks and antenna base.

I might be able to use parts from a spare lock to fix my broken lock.
I have no idea where the antenna parts went.

Speedo broke on my way home.. said i was doing 50 when i was doing 70.. i knew it felt faster. Oops.

Get home and run out of gas. Then the car wont start because i ran it dry..

Its been a long day..

Heres more pictures.

[ew1usnr]

Got the windshield in today.

Hello, Nathan.

How did you remove and re-install the top strip of windshield trim on the hardtop?

After you removed the top corner pieces, did just pull the top strip off horizontally (left or right) and slide it on and off of the clips?

Or do you lift it upward and then twist it forward to get it off the clips?

Can you describe how you took that trim on and off?

Thanks, Dennis.