[62131]

Yes that over head panel really looks better than the box design everybody uses.

[32chevy vett]

The arthritis may hurt your hands. But you still have great metal skills. Keep up the good work. I wish I had someone like you when I was a kid.
You would not been able to get rid of me.

[sammons]

Thanks 32, now with no grip left it's really challenging.  I sure wish I could have found a kid interested in learning. Kind of like girlfreinds, they all want to go out in the cars when they are done, but complain about me spending time on the build

I haven't had time to get back on the coupe headliner. I'll have to section it out like a chop top job to get it to fit. I've been over seeing a rebuild of my freinds chevy wench truck. We stuffed a Cummings in it 15yrs ago and painted it. It got run down with heavy use and some rust issues, so it was time for a complete (chassis, motor, body) he painted it yesterday and wants me to try to layout some flames tonight. Don't know if my hands can stretch out tape anymore, but i'll try. He will be helping me with my chassis rebuild this winter (if I get that far)

[chopper526]

Keep the faith, Sammons, just keep moving forward a little at a time. I thought I might have been the only one with a headliner problem, but I guess not. Are you going to use metal on the headliner too? Good luck with the flames. And, I am sure you will be driving by spring!

[sammons]

Chopper I thought about going all metal, but that would be the easy way out and not the look I want. It will get a bow style in the center, with the extra material streching forward to the windshield.  I'll be ordering two '66 mustang headliners (in Dk Red) to do the job. I should have enough on one, but too close to call.  I'll then figure out how to apply it to the rear (top/back window area). I have an idea involving partial bows and foam. We'll see.

[chopper526]

Sammons, good luck with the headliner, I think I can sort of picture what you are shooting for. I went the easy way. I just reread you entire build. You did more since March than I did in the 4 years I have owned my car! I don't see where anything can slow you down!

[sammons]

Thought I was recovered from laying out flames monday night, wrong. Only got a couple hrs in today, but it's progress. Looks like my dumb idea is going to work, at least the rear inner metal part.
I cut two 2" wide X 38" strips of sheet metal, (that's as long as my brake will take)bent a 90°, then formed it with my shrinker/stretcher to fit around the rear window and spliced together (where the wood use to be. Then sectioned out the old rear top and spot welded to the oval i just made. Maybe tomorrow i will get a corner (or two hopeful) cut and fit.

[ghost28]

You are rockin on that car. Great job, and great ideas.

[TFoch]

Excellent metal work!  Keep them pictures coming!

[chopper526]

Sammons, no kidding, man, that looks awesome. I don't know you, but it doesn't look like a little arthritis is slowing you down much. Go man, go!!

[sammons]

Thanks for the nice comments fellas, I'm trying. It's just really a pain in the a$$ waiting for someone to show up to do alot of cutting or holding for me. I was use to doing everything without any help. My buddie Tom's brother has moved back here for a while and gave me  a hand yesterday, hopefully today also.

Chopper, nice job on the chop. I find masking tape very handy on the processes also.
This is what really has me slowed. This is as far as my right hand will straighten out. Believe it or not a year ago it just looked like my left hand does today.

[chopper526]

Geez, Sammons, I'm really soory, that's messed up and you're a young guy. Just hang in there and keep the faith, you have a lot of talent, buddy!

[Dugeman]

Wow ! To perform that caliber of craftsmanship with two good hands would be something ,  but to perform it going through what you are with your hands is Amazing. Great metal work. On a side note what shrinker/stretcher are you using ? Best of luck on the rest of the metal work.

[sammons]

Dugeman, I cought them on sale as a pair from Eastwood. I made a simple bracket that bolts on with two bolts and simply slides into the vise and you just snug up the vise. I need to make another ( tired of swapping them out) with out the hook that slides over the end of the vise jaws, it WILL walk up on you!!
The bracket base plate is 1/4"x10.5"x2.5". The bottom clamp bar is 5/8"x5" square bar stock. The vise hook is 1/8"x4" angle iron. Need to measure the thickness of you vise jaws on the highth on this. Works great.

[sammons]

 Well no help today, so I didn't get much done. I did get the inner corners cut and fit. Maybe you can see what I was after anyway. I'll be happy with it, now when that's welded in I can bend the sides up and connect. I'll have to make provisions for the headliner bows to set in. So I best get the headliner ordered so I know wher to put them.