Back in the garage

Yes. Its been a while since I updated the ole blog. It's been a long winter, and I spent most of it in the garage. The Early has me jazzed. I have never been this excited to get a van done. With the possible exception of the Flying Eagle. Which really isn't finished, but that's another story..lol. In the last episode, our hero was in the middle of finishing bodywork on the front doors and openings. All the while, fighting slow hardening bondo, slow drying primer, and choking on bondo dust. BAMM!.... ZONK!.... BOINK!

sorry, I had an attack of Adam West. Holy rocker panel Batman lol

LOOKIN GOOD!
One of the things I've always wanted to do on an early Dodge,is some custom trick to change those ugly headlights. The factory trim rings are hideous. They protrude. Don't fit well. and don't lend themselves to any bolt on that looks any better. I've been mussing on this one for some time. The stock ring has to go. But how do you fill all that space between the light and the body. The headlight sticks out beyond the body ring. So I decided to recess the whole light assembly similar to the sunken taillights. Problem was there isn't a lot of room behind the bucket to set it back very far. We cut out the mount and bucket and modified the bucket to allow it to go back nearly 2 inches. Doesn't sound like much but it does the trick. Before

After Then we had to get rid of those mounting holes,to make the ring smoooothe then fill it all and make the correct taper inward. Gona be COOL!  Reminds me of the lights on the turbine car Chrysler built in the 60's The Boys were down a couple times to help. We got a lot done. Some of this stuff just can't be done by one guy (or at least one old one lol). Helped me pull out the Engine to paint it. They helped fabricate mounts for the new heat and air conditioning system. That's the new Camaro synergy green. That's also going to be one of the colors on the outside of the van... Also made a mount for the new fuse block and wire harness. and began modifying the tilt steering column that is going in . The wiring harness is a complete harness from an Astro van. All the Dodge wiring was removed and everything from front to the rear lights is being replaced.. Yea, I know the die hard Dodge guys hate me, but I wanted to build it like a hot rod. How many 32 fords have there been with Chevy engines in them? Millions! The donor Astro had a new engine and trans. and I want to modernize the mechanics so everything that makes it go is from the Astro. Gas tank ( that bolted right in) fuel pump , 350 small block-fuel injected, tilt wheel ,4 speed overdrive trans. Complete wiring harness, cruise control, intermittent wipers, power windows, even the seats, that fit like a dream. Which I love by the way. ( no damm car seats in MY van) besides I have worked on Astros a long time and this will be easier to fix when needed. Wiring is a time consuming task. A lot of it can be stripped out. Stuff I'm not going to use like the stock heater controls (getting heat and air from Vintage Air). power door locks and the like. Wiring up the taillights and rear interior. The biggest problem is where to put it all. The Astro has an ecm (computer) that controls all motor functions. It has a crap load of wires in it. I need to put it some where inside the van and close enough to the engine so I don't have to lengthen or shorten all those wires. I already have done that with some of them ,but I don't want to do all those. The best place so far is in the wall right behind the driver seat. Close enough to the motor. I think it will work,, I'll know better in a week or so. Yea and that's only half of it LOL

IT'S ALIVE....

Radiator out of a c-6 corvette will be mounted under the front floor. Low and at an angle. Just like in a vette.(my sons idea). more on that when we get to fabricating the mounts.

I did do some other stuff besides work on the van. I went to Detroit for the Autorama and the Pinstripers panel jam. This is one of my donation pieces. that was a great time. Good to see Scal, Tramp and all the other cool stripers.

Finished fixin the paint on the Nautilus.

Finally got it on it's way home to Calif.

Just had to put this one up.. I love it..Vance wanted a fink on his tool box at work.. TOOLS = FOOD. Ain't it the truth! HA HA HA.

What I did on my winter vacation LOL..

Since the last post I have been all over Gods creation.. I went to Florida ,Thanksgiving week, and worked the Turkey Run at the Daytona speedway.Got setup on Wednesday. Next day..........
Buried.
Gee Can I take it home LOLLots of cool cars at this show. Always one of the best I do each year! After the show, my helper Jim Bag, helped me tear down and I left all my stuff at his place for the winter. Monday I headed over to Lew and Agnes'. We ended up at my favorite Mexican restaurant.. as usual lol

Did a couple stripe jobs while at Lew's, and spent a day hanging at Lew's shop getting my van ready for the rest of the ride to come.

Van doesn't look to bad when its clean. haha Next three days was spent on the road , heading to Calif. for part 2 of the trip. O look what I found in Arizona. LOL

I made it to the home of two of the best people I know. Jimmy C and the Queen, in San Clemente Calif. For those of you who don't know , Jimmy is another Rat Fink artist that I met 20 years ago while attending my first Rat Fink Reunion. Jimmy is one of the most prolific artists that I have ever met. He can do it all, and is the best friend a guy could have. Love working with him. I've learned a lot from Jimmy.They put me up for the week I was in Calif. (yes, that's the ocean out there) No 5 star hotel can beat this!!!

Tat Fink.........Awesome!!! lol

Jimmy is an inspiration for me, since Ed has been gone..

The reason for me being in Calif in the first place was the Mooneye's show and the Brush Off. Sat found us at the Irwindale Raceway at 6am, sitting in a massive traffic jam,trying to get in to mooneye's show. This show gets bigger every year.Tom Kelly was there with this beautiful bike and side car. He does fabulous work!!

Modern artist icon, Robert Williams came by to have a chat with us.. hi Bob!!

Coby was there with his beautiful early Ford van..Maybe the nicest van ever builtTalked with him till it was time to head to the Brush Off

Those of you who have been following my blog,know I get invited to this striper get together each year.. There are some of the top painters around at this gig. Besides the great food ,the attendees bring panels they have painted for a panel exchange. Here is some of the art from this year0 yea. this was mine

The exchange went off with out a hitch. For a change, LOL Yes, I drove across the country to eat this mans cooking. And its worth it!!

The following week I went to Burbank to meet Kenny. He gave me the personal tour of Warner Bros studios.. how cool was that?? This is the back lot. he gave me the run down on where each shot in what movie was done... I'll never look at the movies the same. lol

They were setting up a shot for the new MIB 3 movie... Before I left town I went to see Patrick. Vanner buddy that I met last year at the van council meeting in California. He wanted some pinstripes on his beautiful early Ford. Turned out pretty good , if I dont say so myself.. And I want to thanks his beautifull wife for the fabulous dinner. Love Mexican cooking..lol Then it was off to Manti, Utah. Need some time with Ilene the Rat Fink Queen. and Deb. Ended up taking a couple days to go to Monument Valley.and Four Corners.

A gorgeous place I didn't know that the valley is Navajo land. Quite interesting. If you want to hike the valley you have to hire a native guide I will definately be coming back here!After all that its was time to hit the road. I have a garage full of work waitin for me... stay tuned.