Bodywork, traditional style.

  It's been a rough couple of months here at the 51 ranch. In March, we had issues from the collapsed main drain line ($1850 to repair), then in April, without changing our income or deductions, we went from getting a couple hundred back during the Bush presidency to owing over $3000 in the wonderful world of "Hope and Change." But hey- at least Chevron and GE didn't have to pay anything at all, so I can feel good about paying what the billionaires didn't have to.

  At any rate, these events have had a negative impact on the project. The plan was (and still is) to have the car on the road for a while this year. Run it ugly, have some fun with the family in it, then blow it up and start in on the bodywork this fall

  Unfortunately, one thing between here and roadworthy is tires, and those won't come cheaply. And the rewire will be a case of getting "nickle and dimed to death." Honestly, I want to push forward with the original plan, but I'm also formulating a backup plan to keep progressing even if it doesn't hit the road this year.

  The plan is BODYWORK. I'm going to save the really nasty rust work until last (floors, rockers, and rear quarters), but I can work on things like doors and fenders before that. That's the plan for now, and we'll just have to see if I'm able to get it on the road this year. Anyway- on to some metalwork!

  You may remember the 1950 Chevy front fender I scored the week after I got the car.

  Not too bad, in actuality. Plenty of surface rust, a few dents, and holes for trim that I will not be reusing. In addition, there was one area of rust through, just behind the front wheel arch. The first step was to strip off the old paint and brush away the rust. I followed it with a coat of Eastwood's version of POR-15 (paint over rust) paint on the inside, and a thin coat of rust converter on the outside.

In this picture, I've already cut a patch section for the rusted out area, and marked where I'll cut the old metal out.

  Now, in addition to doing this car in a traditional style, in many areas, I'll also be using traditional techniques. For the body repairs, I won't be using a MIG or TIG welder, I'll be using an oxy-acetylene torch with a size 00 tip, and hammer welding. I started by welding up and hammering the trim holes along the side.

After welding and hammering, before grinding.

  I'll be going with a frenched antenna (or two) on the rear fender, so the antenna hole has to go.

Coating stripped away

Patch section clamped in place for tacking

After welding and hammering

After grinding. No filler needed, here- just some high-build primer and block sanding.

  I got the rusted area cut out and was ready to start welding in the patch when 51Chick informed me that Easter dinner was ready, so you'l have to catch the end of this part of the fender at a later date