[Essex_29]

Thanks TFoch!
62131, I like tall tires and the classic look that goes with them,
but it's all a matter of taste.
Rattiac, chopper526 and sammons, even the modern
thread pattern doesn't bug me too much anymore, since I think it
looks so much better with the slot mags and tall tires. I like
widened steelies a lot, but the mags are a win this time.

Aprons on the to do list today. I have the driver's side one
done for now. In time I'll continue working on them when it's time
to get them to work with the running boards and fenders. Right
hand side apron is cut and ready and all parts made, but the
mounts still have to be welded to the frame and the apron
itself mated to the mounts.



Also started working on some small gussets for the B-pillars. So, looking
forward to start making the floors now. I have no idea how I will do the
bead rolling in the floors. Hoping to get an unusual idea, for a bead
pattern or something, but still no fun ideas...

[EDNY]

Essex_29  Happy Birthday!

[62131]

Essex_29 Happy Birthday hope you had a great day























-

[Essex_29]

Thank you So much!
Yes I had a great day, spent most of it in the garage too 

[TFoch]

Happy Birthday Essex_29!  Keep at it!

[chopper526]

Happy Belated Birthday, buddy!!

[Essex_29]

Thanks again to you all!

Spending a lot of my energy nomming birthday goodies today, there wasn't
much energy left for work on the Buick. I got some work done on the right
hand side apron, though, the mounts are welded to the frame. Mounting
holes still have to be drilled in the apron, so not done yet.

Gussets at the bottom of the B-pillars are finished.



They aren't very big, but I hope they'll help stabilize the center of the body
a little bit. Also welded in were the small pieces of sheetmetal shelving
around the gussets that the floor will lay on and be spot welded to.

The gussets came out pretty small and tidy, and I hope they won't be too
much in the way for someone trying to get into the back seat.

[Essex_29]

Finally got a good day's work done, even if it's just a normal tuesday.
The final four body mounts are done now.



I realized that the K-member is at the same height as the frame rails, so the
body brace would probably start rattling at some point if it's not bolted
down here properly. The last two already made flushmounts were welded
in (foreground in the left pic).
The right pic shows one of the the rear most body mounts, and as it's at
the rear corner of the body, the bolt head doesn't need to be flush. Instead
I just welded in a short bit of   ¹/₈" wall tubing with ¹/₂"
inner diameter, so the body frame/brace won't get crushed.

When all this was done the bracing inside the body could be cut out.



So now the body is almost ready for the floor, and I'm looking forward to
that. Actually, there's a few things...

[chopper526]

That turned out really good, looking great! But, could you not have taken about 1/4" off the top of the crossmember?

[Essex_29]

Sorry chopper526, I don't know what you mean, cutting 1/4" of the top of
what crossmember?
If you meant where I put two more bolts to keep things from rattling, so yes, I
guess I could have, but it doesn't hurt to have the body fastened to the frame
in a couple more spots. My wife will no doubt ask me to put in seat belts, and
they would probably be fastened in that general area in that case.

Right there in the center of the floor, there will be a little but sturdy bent piece
bridging the body brace over the prop shaft tunnel. I'm hoping to get back
the prop shaft before making the trans tunnel, just to be completely certain
that it's made high enough.

[TFoch]

Looking good Essex_29!

[chopper526]

Sorry chopper526, I don't know what you mean, cutting 1/4" of the top of
what crossmember?
If you meant where I put two more bolts to keep things from rattling, so yes, I
guess I could have, but it doesn't hurt to have the body fastened to the frame
in a couple more spots. My wife will no doubt ask me to put in seat belts, and
they would probably be fastened in that general area in that case.

Right there in the center of the floor, there will be a little but sturdy bent piece
bridging the body brace over the prop shaft tunnel. I'm hoping to get back
the prop shaft before making the trans tunnel, just to be completely certain
that it's made high enough.

Yes, that is what I meant, but I am seeing better what you did. And, 100%, you have to put in seat belts!

[Essex_29]

Yes chopper526, I'll put some belts in it for sure. I didn't have any in my
Essex, but all my later cars and builds have had them.

Not much done the last few days, saturday is usually my best day of the week,
but I had to be on a course all day, then the wife's car needed some attention...
The right hand side apron is done, though, so something. I also started
cleaning up some engine parts, they need to be painted sooner or later anyway.



I lost half of the exhaust on my daily, so I have to address that very soon
too. Can't procrastrinate with everything indefinitely.

I played around a bit and tried the rear wheels in the front. It makes for
a very special look with 375/60-15 tires. I got inspired and did a kind
of a half assed concept to try the idea. Big tires all around, front half
fenders, rear fender faired into the running board, and pulled out in
a drop shape like an air plane landing geat spat. Front wing, and
probably a diffuser in the back.



Funny how low the roof looks, almost as it would be chopped an
inch or two.
I hate it when people put the year of the car as a racing number
on the door. So I'd have it at least one year off, just
to annoy people.

Photoshop is a great tool for trying out ideas, and to see if they
have any potential.

I met my machinist today, he'll hopefully get to re drilling my drive
shafts for five on 4-¹/₂" bolt circle soon,
so I can ge the wheels bolted to the axle.

[Essex_29]

When I bought the slot mags I made this concept. This is kinda
what I have aimed at and gone towards all the time.



I will probably bob the rear fenders a bit, or shorten them (same thing?). The
engine in this pic is a lengthened nail head, which would be an awesome engine,
had it ever been produced.
This is probably pretty close to what I will do, with the addition of glossy
black, and maybe flames. I haven't painted flames in many years, and went
with sating black and scallops on the Essex.



The "moon tank" in the front was kind of a novel idea, it is a shortened air
tank from a truck to which I welded a filler neck, cut up in an inconspicuous way.
I then made a tray for the battery in it.
I assume not many rods have the main battery switch under the moon tank.

[62131]

I like the concept picture, to me it sets great and just plain looks cooool