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8.  Final Body Prep

11/12/06: The shell is at MuscleCar Metal.  I stopped into see the progress and Tony is in the final stages of stripping the shell down to the internal "skeleton" (see the pics of the 'scrap' metal removed from the shell).  It will actually be torn down a bit further than these pics show.

11/19/06: Well, the sandblaster didn't get the "skeleton" back to Tony as planned, so Tony was only able to get the floor done. In the grand scheme of things, no big deal, it's only a week...but I am ANXIOUS to see the completed shell!

11-26-06: The shell is starting to go back together and the tail panel and the quarters are in place.  The tail panel was kind of a pain for Tony as he had to re-use the one that came on the car...So it took a little "tweaking."  No one reproduces this part for a Firebird.  I also took pics of the "skeleton" which has been sandblasted and epoxy primed.  The shell should be completed by the end of this week.

11-28-06: Tony's work on the shell continues at a good pace.  The skeleton is back on the floor and the wheel houses are installed.  Looks like shell completion by this Sunday.

11-29-06: Tony has the rear back on the floor and over the skeleton.  Another 4-8 hours of work and the shell should be completed!

stripping down the shell
stripping down the shell
stripping down the shell
stripping down the shell
Scrap metal
Scrap Metal
Floor jigged-up and done with frame rails
Floor jigged-up and done with frame rails
Floor jigged-up and done with frame rails
Floor jigged-up and done with frame rails
Floor jigged-up and done with frame rails
Floor jigged-up and done with frame rails
Floor jigged-up and done with frame rails
Shell Reconstruction
Shell Reconstruction
Shell Reconstruction
Shell Reconstruction
Shell Reconstruction
Sandblasted and epoxy primed skeleton
Sandblasted and epoxy primed skeleton
Skeleton back on the floor
Skeleton back on the floor
Quarters and tail pan are back on
Quarters and tail pan are back on
Quarters and tail pan are back on
Final shell assembly
Final shell assembly
Final shell assembly
Final shell assembly
Super TIGHT seams
Super TIGHT seams
Final shell assembly
Final shell assembly
Final shell assembly
Final shell assembly
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
12-9-06 Shell Completed
 

12-2-06: Getting closer!   I was at Tony's place today (Saturday).  It should be done tomorrow!

12-3-06: Back at Tony's again today (Sunday).  Almost all of the metal is in place, mostly welding left to do.  It will be finished today!

12-6-07:  The shell is done!  Tony is taking it off his jig and putting it back on the bodyshop's rotisserie for a Saturday delivery. I will be posting LOTS of pics of the completed shell on Saturday (12-9-06).

12-9-06:

The shell is completed and back at the bodyshop for seam sealing, primer, and final paint on the bottom, firewall and jambs.  Tony did an AWESOME job on the shell.  The body shop hopes to be done by January, but I am not holding my breath.  THE COLOR WILL BE TUNGSTEN GREY CLEARCOAT METALLIC WITH SILVER STRIPES as found on the new Ford GT.  However, the stripe layout will be the original '69 Trans Am scheme.  The bodyshop will install the subframe on the shell.  Once I get it back to my garage (rolling), I will be working on getting the engine installed and get to work on the interior.

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