second chance two-tone

[snorkelcoupe]

Hey there Zilvia, so two years ago while I was working for a go-kart shop that was basically on a mountain top I'd take different routes to work every couple days. One day I spotted this two-tone coupe sitting under a tree. With it covered in green moss and passing by so fast I thought it was a green two-tone originally! It wasn't posted for sale and initially the owner wasn't willing to sell it. It had been off the road for 5 years since reverse no longer worked. After a couple months of stopping by randomly I made him an offer and he accepted. I could have gotten it for less but after selling the pop up front, engine and trans I had $350 in the car. So I'm happy with the deal. I'm currently a full time student who pays for this with livery designs, cutting decals and vinyl wrapping (Shorty's Designs). So progress has been slow and within my own means. I'm an OCD perfectionist so I'm doing my best to rebuild this car to a clean better than showroom state with my own style thrown in. Thanks for checking it out!

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/727/32617464984_e8ecbe86af_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RGi2XW)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/615/32646510953_3a381f8d6f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RJRUjv)

A quick power wash cleaned up the mess some.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/581/33077605570_5dc8759f2f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SoXnJj)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2849/33304840352_3176853072_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SK31Ho)

Started to strip out the disgusting and moldy interior.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3948/33304842392_9b2c42955d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SK32jy)

I picked up a white hatch for it's black interior bits, manual mirrors/windows and 5-speed. I decided to wrap the interior panels :coolugh: I'm sure it's not everyone's taste but I like it.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3911/33077601030_ddc639b552_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SoXmo3)

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https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4279/35419645511_e16dc082a6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VXUWBi)

When I get some more free time I'll post up the remaining pics from fixing one of the dumber things I've seen done to a car in an attempt to fix a problem. New front tubs, dropping the suspension pieces and wheels.

[idlebad]

In for updates! I'm ready to see where this headed! [emoji869]

[shinhed]

In for updates! I'm ready to see where this headed! [emoji869]

http://i.makeagif.com/media/4-04-2016/6iVtcc.gif (http://makeagif.com/gif/homer-simpson-car-roll-6iVtcc)

[snorkelcoupe]

What happens when you snap off the bolt inside the frame rail's 'weldnut' for the tension rod bracket?
1st try a screw.
2nd realize that doesn't work well.
3rd torch out the weldnut and the side of the frame rail to install a bolt and nut.
:picardfp:
The results are in . . .

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4214/35459732831_d7dce59734_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/W2spaZ)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4255/35203167520_e3cbd50553_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VCMrf9)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4284/35551147386_701651b113_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WawVx1)


I cut an access hole, ordered the proper size nut and made a flat plate for my roommate to tig weld. The nut and bolt were loose resulting in the driver-side tension rod bracket and lower arm mounts to be mutilated from the amount of movement. The nut and bolt worked their way through the frame completely till it was basically just a bolt hanging from the tension rod bracket. I cut out the cancer on the lower side and welded in a fresh piece.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4263/34780814073_f48706b25f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UZsLha)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/673/33077855440_3404471036_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SoYE1q)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3857/32646813043_2a470624e5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RJTs7X)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3700/33077855510_fe1194eb9d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SoYE2C)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4253/34749496904_12d60bc8d2_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UWGfLY)

It's not beautiful but it'll do the job, I still need to clean the welds up on the outer plate of the frame rail. The welder I was using was not the best and kept having grounding and feed issues.:-/

I pulled the single slammer out with the help of my buddy Matt, to sell to the local short track racers.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2835/33077599820_f665d572b7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SoXm2b)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/782/32646813583_c7d697e09c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RJTshg)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4289/35421764342_135c8ab294_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VY6NsS)

So the battery tray area had some rust.. so cut it out right?

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4214/34781028743_18e16ff99b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UZtS6n)

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https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4284/35203177980_23b6d91e68_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VCMumu)

I'll be back again to post more saved pictures, thanks.

[rawgarage]

Great start... keeping pop up front or going silvia

[snorkelcoupe]

Great start... keeping pop up front or going silvia

Thanks, I'm going silvia front, I still need lights, oem hood and oem fenders.

[d_nice]

looking good keep it up

[Malik]

good job this should be interesting.

[snorkelcoupe]

looking good keep it up

good job this should be interesting.

Thank you both, the support keeps me motivated!

[snorkelcoupe]

I pulled the rear sub-frame out and went to work cleaning surface rust and replacing the worn out bushings. I used the ES sub-frame bushing kit and cut them down 0.4 to help raise the sub-frame a little bit. This will be a more street oriented car so that was the deciding factor to no go with solid bushings. I may have gotten carried away two-tone painting my knuckles and RLCAs, thanks to Josh for helping plate them. I need to pick up adjustable arms for the rear but I installed the stock ones to test fit the wheels I've got for the car and get it back on the ground to prep for paint. The underside still needs another power washing (will be the 3rd time).

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/32646812863_fab3d1f81f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RJTs4R)

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[midship_runabout]

What a save. Great work so far!

[TheRealSy90]

I cringed at first when you cut out the front tubs, but you're redeeming yourself lol.

[snorkelcoupe]

What a save. Great work so far!

Thank you, I'm doing what I can for the moment!

I cringed at first when you cut out the front tubs, but you're redeeming yourself lol.

Haha at least I wasn't cutting off the quarters! The decision to cut them out was based on how far gone the passenger side was. I could have just fixed the whole rusted area but decided to just go a step further. They still need some work before the bay is ready for paint.

[CHiNo4ReaL]

Doing a great job!

[fallen_51]

This is coming along nice !

[snorkelcoupe]

Doing a great job!

This is coming along nice !

Thanks for the support!

[snorkelcoupe]

Christmas 2015 I came back home to find my dad put a ton of time into polishing the valve cover as a present. Too stoked on it, he's the man.

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I can't deal with the rustycrusty even if these parts aren't normally seen there was still tons of rusty dust coming off them. I just knocked off the rust the best I could and shot them with some rust prevention paint.

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I machined a new steering column bushing just because I had free material for it.

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The whole bay harness laid out and labeled so it can be condensed and tucked.

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If you've ever lost a penny I found it . .

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So last summer I pulled the trigger on some wheels. I think they were in Tokyo Xtreme racer Drift . . .? Pretty sure that's where I fell for them. I also saw this add a few months before seeing these for sale.

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They're 15x7.5 -2, not sure if I want to rebuild them or not. I also happened across these for a unbelievable deal, listed as "yokohama wheels." Also featured is the ugliest corner on my car . . . I can't wait to strip the paint and bondo off of it. :coolugh:

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Thanks for looking out, NISR20MO.

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[[F]rea[K]listic]

I can't believe you found this sitting under a tree and that it still is in such a good nick!
Nice work, like where you are going with it!

[tuzzio]

Dude buys hot fire tail lights and doesn't even post about it. the disrespect.

[snorkelcoupe]

The aero should be arriving in the next week. It'll be a good time for a small update.

[FaLKoN240]

This is a good thread. I like the attention to detail. And that valve cover looks pretty sweet!

[FKNGRSY]

That valve cover is dope! Good work so far.

[snorkelcoupe]

This is a good thread. I like the attention to detail. And that valve cover looks pretty sweet!

That valve cover is dope! Good work so far.

Thank you! I hope to continue to have decent contributions to the site.

[snorkelcoupe]

Around last Julyr my friends and I rolled the car outside to start blocking the car and marked out all the dents as well. The poor car is littered with them.

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A reminder of how disgusting and dirty this car was when I found it.

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The donor car I got the trans from had a little mishap and the timing chain guides wedged up with the timing chain. Resulting in oil being all over the place not to mention years of the normal grime. So my friend and I got to cleaning.

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August rolled around and I found a deal on a Silvia front I couldn't pass up. The front included OEM metal fenders. They had a ridiculous thin layer of plastidip sprayed on them. I ended up spraying a couple coats of plastidip in order to remove the original layer. It worked pretty well except for on the top halves of the fenders. WD40 did the trick to remove what was left over.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4740/39172799165_141c48ec71_c.jpg

These trips and the bumper are for sale btw!! Check the VA FS posts.

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One of our kittens helping out.

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Quick test fit of the Advan Onis on the front. Ft. our bipolar tabby. Also the reason I keep the roof covered... the cats love sitting up there.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4656/39136974125_af622e0545_c.jpg

September, I picked up a Bride Artis 1.2 as well for a good price. The bottom of it still needs to be re-glassed. :picardfp:

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Stripped it all down to clean the fabric and add new foam.

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I just need to get a headpad for it and it'll be good to go...

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I was able to meet Koguchi at the Quickstyle event and we exchanged stickers. I cut him a Koguchi Power sticker I had drawn up for a work project. It's awesome he posted a picture of it on his IG account!

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My friend Josh decided to ruin my bay harness with me.. :wan:

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Cleaned up what I guess is the OEM doughnut.

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We did a quick test fit of the dash to line up the fuse boxes with the glove box and see how much space was available.

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Replaced the upper control arms on my dad's truck and test fitted the wheels he should be running! 15x10 AR blades.

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Cleaned up the steering firewall boot with a repaint and new seal. Also painted the steering shaft while I was at it.

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So in October I ordered the aero for my car through Mastermind NA. They were super helpful and professional. The parts finally arrived last Wednesday.

TBO front bumper and their rear spoiler. Neither one was fitted properly for the pictures. Just simple mock up. Also the first time I've had the Onis on the car front and rear.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4655/39193306525_67e035d6de_b.jpg

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I'm really motivated to move forward and finish up the work that needs to be done. Maybe this will be updated in another 6 months..

[deolio]

man this thing is gonna be good!

[codyzsilvia]

Ahhhh, so you were the one that posted the TBO stuff on 757 Nissan! Awesome work man, loving it so far!

[Krusty_s13]

Going to be good!

[smellslikecurry]

this is perfect

[ANVIL]

Nice work! What skirts are those?

[xBtony]

I have a two tone that was sitting in someones barn for 6 years, cool to see a similar find. Love the direction you're going, looking great so far!

[Compressorsurge]

This build will be amazing. Love the work you did on those tubs!

[kneeecoo]

That valve cover is gorgeous

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[snorkelcoupe]

man this thing is gonna be good!

Ahhhh, so you were the one that posted the TBO stuff on 757 Nissan! Awesome work man, loving it so far!

Going to be good!

this is perfect

I have a two tone that was sitting in someones barn for 6 years, cool to see a similar find. Love the direction you're going, looking great so far!

That valve cover is gorgeous

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Thank you all for the positive words of encouragement! I really appreciate it!

This build will be amazing. Love the work you did on those tubs!

Thank you! I'm about to redo them so there's no overlap :facepalm: and finish welding them in.

Nice work! What skirts are those?

Thank you, I think they're OEM Chuki skirts.

[EFITTZY]

Great work so far man! Glad to see you are saving this one. I would love to stumble upon a two tone. Subbed for future updates

[snorkelcoupe]

Earlier this year I picked up an OEM Silvia hood that had seen better days.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4755/39325016154_043484b182_c.jpg

After I started power washing away all the mossy mess.

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I found the hood has multiple layers of bondo/primer/paint

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Test fitted the hood, it lines up pretty well.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4771/39806138495_9658f7316e_c.jpg


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4779/25830093687_cc25afe95d_c.jpg


I'm thinking about either just replacing the hole with new sheet metal or going with the TBO hot dog vents.

I also found the culprit who decided to cut Missouri into the hood. :picardfp:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4722/26289278308_249a5379d4_z.jpg

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The next update will include all the work I did to re-do the tubs.

[Malik]

looking forward to it... that hood might be diffitcult to salvage.

interested to see what you do.

[TheRealSy90]

I was hoping you somehow had found the Sealazone aero for it. But the TBO stuff is great too! Love the style you've got lined up for this car.

[s13driftnut]

So far so good man, keep it up!

[slowmovingvehicle]

you have any pictures of how you mounting your wing to the trunk?

[snorkelcoupe]

looking forward to it... that hood might be diffitcult to salvage.

interested to see what you do.

Agreed it's certainly rough. If my current plan doesn't pull through then I'll take it to my friends at Yocums.

https://www.facebook.com/YocumsRodShop/

I was hoping you somehow had found the Sealazone aero for it. But the TBO stuff is great too! Love the style you've got lined up for this car.

Believe me I looked before purchasing the TBO stuff. :-/ Thank you!

So far so good man, keep it up!

Thank you!

you have any pictures of how you mounting your wing to the trunk?

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/836/28180704077_ebc4b3d449_n.jpg

But for real that's a good question, when it comes time to mount it I'll make sure to do a small write up.

[snorkelcoupe]

you have any pictures of how you mounting your wing to the trunk?

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u191058386

Mounts like this and that real decent sorta double sided tape will be the move

[snorkelcoupe]

Small update but heavy with photos. Late April - Early June I wasn't happy with the overlap design of the tubs. Soooo I cut the vertical pieces out and proceeded to fully weld the tubs in so they were flush. I seam sealed everything up and I hit the front wheel wells with bed liner.

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[ILoveMyRHS13]

Looks fuckin' awesome so far, dude!

[tuzzio]

Very nice work. Keep it up.

[snorkelcoupe]

Looks fuckin' awesome so far, dude!

Very nice work. Keep it up.

Thanks guys! As always I appreciate the positive feedback and motivation :rawk:

[jumpman2334]

aaaaaand that folks is how you do tubs. very nice!

[snorkelcoupe]

I've just been knocking out some small stuff during the course of the summer and early fall. The time has been spent cleaning up more rust in the engine bay, SEM dying the rear seats black, painted the steering rack and finished cleaning the transmission.

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What're hog rings? :rofl:

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I painted the trans with VHT silver but I forgot to take a picture :facepalm: it'll probably break anyways :coolugh:

I picked up a set of Stance GR+ coilovers, I took some time to apply new anti-seize and installed new boots on the rear. The rear subframe was pulled once again to install the GK tech bits (arms, weld in plates and axle spacers.) I painted the knuckles, replaced the front wheel bearings, installed GK tech RC correction bits and I resprayed the front subframe and tension rod bracket to match the rear subframe.

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[snorkelcoupe]

aaaaaand that folks is how you do tubs. very nice!

Thanks man! In hindsight I should have just replaced the battery tray and saved myself a ton of work and headaches.

[jumpman2334]

im not sure how old those coils are, if you bought them used, but keep an eye on the rear lower bushings. the lexus stance coils look like they have the same lower bushing and they are known to fail.

http://www.shopfigs.com/v3/IS300-BSHCO-38-4522-23

[snorkelcoupe]

im not sure how old those coils are, if you bought them used, but keep an eye on the rear lower bushings. the lexus stance coils look like they have the same lower bushing and they are known to fail.

http://www.shopfigs.com/v3/IS300-BSHCO-38-4522-23

I was told the mileage was low, but you never know! Thank you, that'll be something to keep an eye on. I appreciate the info! Hopefully they won't be on the car too long

[snorkelcoupe]

Small update from last year. I won a set of bricks (with all the tabs, lock rings and rubber seals) on YAJ and picked up the corners from 1gr8bar10der. For the first time in a long time I'm steadily employed so the car will be done sooner than later... lol

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[da_crew10]

This build is awesome. Exact route I were to take if I were to build a coupe.

[snorkelcoupe]

This build is awesome. Exact route I were to take if I were to build a coupe.

I appreciate that a ton, I'm changing it up just a little bit with the next update.

[tuzzio]

Glad to see youre sticking with it man. Excited for the next update.

[snorkelcoupe]

Well it hasn?t gone far and for a while there was very little progress. The start of a new job took up nearly 11 hours of my day, including commute. Needless to say the motivation to continue work on the project was running low. The car sat untouched from winter 2018 until March 2020, thanks to becoming a remote worker.

I had previously sold the 4 lug Yokohama Advan AVS VS6s and really wanted a more aggressive set. By fall 2019, I was able to purchase a set of them in a square 17x9 +18 spec. Shout out to Fedex for dragging my wheels everywhere and basically giving them all curb rash. Opening up a claim with Fedex literally resulted in the worst headache and them acting like I never existed.

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The interior was 95% complete for the car but I had yet to wrap the visors. This was my second attempt and I?m fairly happy with the outcome. I hotdog bunned them together, stapled them down to set the glue and sewed them together.

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Eastbear mirrors, thanks to Streeter. They happened to be repainted multiple times. While sanding them down I found maybe 10 different layers of paint. I took them all the way down to the plastic in preparation for some minor repairs and paint. Wet sand, wet sand, wet sand.

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Ahh the engine bay, yes, the biggest waste of time during this whole project. I wish I would have just moved on after the last pictures I posted of it etched, primed, and seamed sealed; but alas, I decided to make it perfect. There was rust beginning to form under the etch primer which resulted in me taking it back to bare metal. Eventually I got a decent base primer on it and used filler? to even out my fabricating skills. Not exactly the best direction, but after spinning my wheels, I think it?s going the right way and looks pretty good for a tin can.

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In late April, my friend Nick told me that a buddy of his wanted to sell a running KA24DE out of a 95 auto. The price was right and the LS bug bit another one. In the interest of keeping things simple, I did a quick refresh on the engine and took care of the leaky oil pan. I plan to have the car ready to drive soon so maybe a turbo build down the road is in order for my spare engine.

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With picking up the new Advans, I went down the rabbit hole of a 5 lug swap and Z32 brake upgrades. I went with the Part Shop Max calipers front and rear. I was also lucky to score a set of rear aluminum calipers from the junkyard. This time around, I decided to press in the new bearings myself using a rented press? what a time.

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In early December, another set of VS6s came up for sale with Falkens already installed and I couldn?t resist. The drive to PA for them was definitely worth it; the powder coat finish is amazing. I made a stop along the way and picked up a Nismo strut bar as well. The wheels' specs are okay: 17x9 +35 and 17x9 +18. I?m currently going to just run a 10 mm slip on spacer to make the fronts work.

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Hopefully by late spring I?ll have a lot more accomplished and another update. As always I appreciate the support of this community a ton.

[-kenny-]

Over the years I always want to do a clean bay and shave/tuck everything. But my worst fear is going down a hole and never get it running again. I hope you over come it and make it work. You been a lot with this one. Hope it will finish soon bud.

[tuzzio]

Good stuff dude. Keep the motivation high!

[relaxamigo]

I was able to meet Koguchi at the Quickstyle event and we exchanged stickers. I cut him a Koguchi Power sticker I had drawn up for a work project. It's awesome he posted a picture of it on his IG account!

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I was at this event! My hatch was white back then:

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Great progress so far! Also, great choice re-stripping your bay and putting a new coat of primer. Etch primer isnt great, a better product you want for bare metal is a 2k epoxy primer, which seals the metal from moisture, especially in an engine bay that sees a ton of moisture and isn't sealed like the inside of the car. I'll be following to see your progress! Bring this to Spirit.JP once it's done :squintd:

[snorkelcoupe]

Over the years I always want to do a clean bay and shave/tuck everything. But my worst fear is going down a hole and never get it running again. I hope you over come it and make it work. You been a lot with this one. Hope it will finish soon bud.

I'd suggest having a metal fab shop do it, honestly this car would be on the road right now it weren't for all the work in the engine bay. (Also plenty of mistakes I made with the tubs and paint). Appreciate the support, fingers crossed the engine will be in it by June.

Good stuff dude. Keep the motivation high!

You know it! Keeping on the work almost everyday right now. That light at the end of the tunnel might exist haha

I was at this event! My hatch was white back then:


Great progress so far! Also, great choice re-stripping your bay and putting a new coat of primer. Etch primer isnt great, a better product you want for bare metal is a 2k epoxy primer, which seals the metal from moisture, especially in an engine bay that sees a ton of moisture and isn't sealed like the inside of the car. I'll be following to see your progress! Bring this to Spirit.JP once it's done :squintd:

I was there and at lowstyle heroes, you were rippin as always. I went through you build as well, solid work through the years.

So that's what I ended up spraying. I had some of it flash dry and stick into the wet primer. I've got filler primer over it and I'm trying to wet sand down all the nubs of paint without cutting through the epoxy. Frustrating to say the least.

I'm planning to spectate Spirit.JP later this summer, hope I'll catch you there! No telling if the car will make it though ahah but that is the goal.

[Thursday7]

Satisfying build, always glad to see more cool stuff on the east coast. Keep it up brother.