Most liked posts in thread: Isobell, The RatRod Project

So true!...

Ok so in between rain clouds the lighting is horrible, and posting pic's here from my phone make things worse, but here are a couple...







After all the nagging you all did, I figured I would try out some bullet holes... First time in, well forever... Didn't turn out half bad.

 

Done done...

6 MONTHS!

10 Gallons of reducer...

15 Ounces of various flakes, pearls, and dry candies...

7 DIFFERENT MINI paint colors...

2 Base rust colors...

1 Gallon of clear coat...

1 Quart of flattening agent...

COUNTLESS hours looking, thinking, and working...

Think I nailed it, and to me it is PRICELESS!

(Pics will be coming, I am enjoying a victory smoke and beer as it all sets)

The final clearing process had one hell of a hiccup... One that could have left me ruined!

I was going to refill the Sata Jet (paint gun) dropped my air line, and the connection fitting split into two pieces!
Thinking fast, I shut the air off at the main valve, don't think I have ran that fast through the shop in a LONG time! Luckily I soaked the floor, and it only kicked up a minor amount of dust... Had the fitting switched out in less than a minute, and got right back to spraying!

Don't get me wrong, there are a few imperfections, but I think that is allowable on this build.

 

Teaser pic...

 

$$$ Is all it takes to do just about anything Don! I totally agree that it needs a working engine.

Here's some pic's though... Its realty all I can do.

Just phone edits, will probably get some better shots up soon.







Do I want to keep the front euro plate or not?















Repeat shot with a different camera effect...



:beer

 

Freeze plugs... I don't know why, but I am in love with this one...:ihih:





Maybe, its the meth...

 

Still making progress...



Tomorrow will be all about the new pieces of the framework... The top rails need extensive modification, and all the rivet holes need drilled, then a good polishing...

Sunday after I can get all my measurements (from the actual box) I will start making the filter plate... I got a chunk of 3/16 aluminum from work for FREE, so that is what the plate will be made from. (Overkill! 1/8 would do the job just fine.) I also snagged some 1/8" plate from the scrap bin for the retainer plate... Wont be able to do much with that until the rest is semi assembled for the sake of getting it right the first time. (I know, I am one to talk about getting things right on the first try!)

 

So I have decided to look more into a house that needs work, but comes with more land, and more privacy.

This place could become my new home...







I know at 1000 SQ FT its not much of a house. I don't need much though as long as I don't start reproducing.

The kicker of this property...
It has a small garage on a concrete slab, perfect for MINI storage...





Inside the shop...





That I could turn into a nice little paint shop! It is a 30 X 50 with the one separated stall.

Not to mention...

This would be my front yard!









It all sits on a 13.25 acre lot, backed by National Forest land!

Could make a nice headquarters for Dick's Garage, and it would only set me back $100K! However, the house itself needs about $50-$75k in the remodel... So basically all said and done I would have a full buy in at the same price as the turn key houses that sit on less than an acre that I have been looking into, and I wouldn't need to fight to get a shop built!

I have been pre approved for a substantial loan through the VA, so if this stays on the market for a couple months, I will have you guys over next year while you are visiting the Dragon.

 

Another one done...

 

And 50 years of age in one day!

 

No pics today, I just couldn't get any decent ones. There just isn't enough space in front of the garage to back far enough off of it to take it all in.

I have started reassembling things... Hunting for the right hardware is a pain, because it has been almost 3 years since I took it apart!

Erik, not smoking lasted about 6 hours... Then I woke up. Its not like I really tried though, but I still plan on it.

Don, no engine quite yet. I still need to paint the bumper caps, and get all the little stuff I know the donor needs. Plus I still need an ECU thanks to Mynes. $2.5K For a ViPEC before I can even start it up.

Wmwny, I am looking foreword to it! Unless some local friends stop by, you will actually be the first to see it completed!

Nathan, its almost time to change the pic's that show up with the thread... They will be coming.

A big thanks to EVERYBODY who has followed this build so far. And to all the people who have helped source or make parts.

I am not done yet though, still have a few twists coming with some of the trim to complete the look.

 

A quick couple of pic's... :beer



Close ups... (note the spots through the candies)





And one monster edit... (just for S&G :lol

 

Thanks.

I am going to need to change my lid design a little. There just isn't enough meat around the hole for the NACA to be durable.

Now if I was doing a production style open back box without the NACA inlet, my original design would be perfect.

And in other news...
Now all I need is a fridge, and a TV, then I would never leave the garage in the summer!

 

FINALY! A day that it was warm enough to go out and do a little work!

I got the filter retaining plate made for the intake. Now all is good to do the final assembly of everything but the front panel and velocity stack inlet... Which can be done in the house, so that will be coming soon.









Now it needs to warm up! Monies are going to be tight, but I have a few months till the Dragon... Its doable!

 

A little test fitting...







And as much as I hate unbolting the NACA duct it had to be done... I've got to do a little trimming, and need to remake the piece of aluminum that mounts to the top of the back wall. Not a big deal, I was actually expecting to have a few more hiccups with this project than I have had.









Thats all I've got for now.

 

I dont really drink anymore... Think I might of had a 6'er since the new year!

2015 is going to be a good one for me I hope... No more smoking, no more binge drinking, and I finally get to drive my R53 again!