Grand National Aerocoupe! It's happening...

I'm liking this more and more every update! Haha! I can't wait to see how it looks when done!

You guys are going to like the pictures I post up here later tonight! Almost looks ready to install the trunk!

Here is the Monte's tail section clamped to the outside of the GN. You can see where I marked a line on the inside so I could cut off the overlapping metal. I want to butt the two pieces together and then weld them together making a seamless "factory" looking one piece rear panel. The panels still need to be tweaked a little and hammered out straight to get the bends and creases out.





This picture is after I cut the overlapping metal off. I now can place it on the inside of the GN's tail section.





Clamped on the inside....

Looking forward to those pictures. I had thought about learning to lead with all the classic cars I have, but you know how that goes...

Now pictures with the tail lights and quarter extensions! This REALLY made the rear look finished and "factory" looking! Haha! Looks like it's ready to install the trunk already!

The sheet metal still has to be tweaked and hammered out to get it straight.

This is about as far as I can go here at my house under the "shade tree". I'll need to do the rest while the car sits on a flat level surface so the body won't be twisted...or at least to keep it from being twisted while I weld everything together. BUT, before I start welding, I've got to sand blast the rear section and get things prepped for final assembly. I'm not sure how long this will be but I'll keep everyone posted.

Leading on a horizontal surface is a piece of cake. Doing it on a vertical surface is much more challenging. You have to keep the lead at the perfect temperature so it's still soft to flatten out but not hot enough so it runs off to the floor. TIP: Don't wear shorts when leading! If some does roll off towards the floor...it won't get into your shoe.

Looks great! I really like the long glass on a regal body, more that on a monte body.

I know that feeling, especially when burning something with your cutting torches and it burns clean to the top of your foot! Done that more than once

Today I welded in the left rear section. I measured and cut it out so the panel will be butted against the existing body.



The Monte's trunk sealing lip was a little wider than the GN's so I had to reconstruct a new sealing lip (more on this later).






I used a MIG welder to "spot weld" the panel together. All I have to do is pull the trigger on the MIG for about 1/4 of a second....just enough to burn new metal over the seam. If you hold the welder on too long it will just blow through the metal and cause a huge hole.





Here it is after grinding it down.



Here is the new seal lip. I just flattened out the original one and rebent a new one. That made the lip taller near the end. All I done was just sawed it off and finished welding it together.





Here it is with the taillight installed to check the fit.

Here is is with some temporary paint on it.

I hope i never see..........




Geoff

I'm going straight to Wilmington after I get through and parade all through town. Hopefully, you'll pass by and see it in person...haha!

Not much of a fan.. Im all for keeping the GN's original appearance wise.. But to each his own, not to mention at least you do good work!

People just cant resist can they? Maybe thats part of the reason for starting the thread in the 1st place?

They made over 20,000 GN's in 87. If he wants to paint it titty pink with orange polka-dots and put Barney the purple dinosaur on the hood, he can. This is America. If you do not like it, keep your opinions to yourself. He does excellent work and with his skills, he can turn it back original anytime he wants...

:biggrin:

I'm not a fan of the Aerocoupe look on a GN but i can say I'm all for something different. The car will now always be recognizable and one of a kind. I think showing your fabrication skills on this project has made most of us recognize that you are much better at it than most of us ever will be. Very cool idea, very nice work. Cant wait to see it in person someday.