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The Ressurection of BLWNAWY
I wanted to start a new thread covering the reconstruction of this very unique car. For background see http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?13...highlight=Fire and http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?13...values-welcome.
It's good to get her home, and encouraging that the damage is not really as bad as some thought. Again, the car has a clear title, the supercharger appears to be ok, and I bet after disassembly for inspection the engine will be found good also. As noted on the other threads I first bought this car in 1990; spent 5 years installing the supercharged Chevy 4.3 V6 with minimal changes to the car; then reluctantly sold it in 2005. It fell back into my lap via bringatrailer.com and ebay, and will be brought back to its previous glory. After one day in my shop all of the melted rear parts are off (first time I ever had to use a saw to take a car apart!). Inside the trunk were a few surprises - some receipts from my 1990-1995 build; a brand new LH large door window in the same box I sent it off 11 years ago with the car; shop and parts manuals, a brand new carburetor, and the original WA front license plate. I will add updates as they occur, but my wife says it will not be at the 10hr/6day/17mo rate of my last restoration...
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Make that "Resurrection..."
Thought I would post a progress report. The frame is repainted and the replacement rear body section is in place. Yesterday I hauled the car to a boat builder/fiberglass fabrication shop to have them do the actual bonding. Before removal of the burnt body I made up a number of alignment jigs for the door openings, hinge studs, door latch pins, seat tracks, console bolts, and "T-top" height. That way I was able to position the replacement in exactly the same position. While it is in their shop I will be cleaning up the blackened quarter panels. I did the RH one yesterday and it came out like new. I started with oven cleaner, and then spray-on stainless cleaner and a coarse Scotchbrite pad. In a few places it required a little 80-grit sandpaper followed by the Scotchbrite, but part of that was due to minor scratches acquired over the last 11 years. Also the supercharger is disassembled, and it and a whole box of other aluminum parts are awaiting a trip to a polisher's shop. I could do that myself, but this guy's work is fabulous.
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