can everyone post a pic of their spider?

[SpiderJim]

Very very nice.... engine bay, interior, exterior all tastefully done without being to much...

Is that a mahogany or a walnut burl...??? And am I seeing it correctly, you did the veneer on the shift console in one piece and bent it up to continue under the switches...???

Ray

Thanks much Ray. I appreciate the compliments
I modified the consoles and dash. The radio console angle was made more vertical so that I could relocate all the switches to one location and be able to access them better. I also added a few switches for other goodies. The panel finish is burl cherrie adhered to an aluminum backing that is all one piece and heat bent with a heat gun. All the electronics run into new block connectors for easy one unit removal and to improve reliability. I also removed all non used harnesses and wires to make more room. The radio is a period radio with a pop down cd player along with Ipod and usb plus memory stick capability. FYI all switches are rated 30 amp and lit.

Okay it is time to fess up about the burl. It is not real wood!. It is counter top laminate that is coated in several coats of clear coat that was used on the car then color sanded and buffed the same as the car finish. Everyone who looks and feels it is fooled... it looks and feels that good. If you go shopping for laminate just spit a gob full of spit on the laminate then swish with your finger. This will give you an idea of how it will look with a clear finish. The clear coat will fill and hide any surface texture that looks fake when not coated. Also makes for an amazing desk finish. FYI... do not let the shop owner see you do this!!!

[spiderverde]

Your kidding me .. I own a cabinet shop and that stuff is always sitting on those rings and never thought of using it...we hardly do any laminate work ever any more ...
Even for my boat I always buy the real Teak veneer.. now you got me thinking.. the alum back is a great idea..
who's laminate was it Wilsonart ..?? and what did you use for a clear .. All we typically use is a post cat varnish. I know it won't hold up on the boat exterior but maybe on the spider cause it hardly ever sees the sun let alone salt spray like the boat..

I have to give it a try...I was going to use crotch mahogany veneer that I had left over from a custom chest we just made..It matches my new steering wheel real good ..[img][/img][/img]mg]

[SpiderJim]

[quote="spiderverde"]Your kidding me .. now you got me thinking.. the alum back is a great idea..
who's laminate was it Wilsonart ..?? and what did you use for a clear ..

Great looking chest. Pattern looks very similar to the whole sheet. Yes, it was Wilsonart and the clear was a normal auto clear that My paint job was finished with. Do not use the spray can clear as it is not suitable for the depth of finish. More coats the better. Just make sure the laminate is really cleaned and degreased or you will get fish eyes. Try it and let me know what you think.

[digitech]

Very impressive Jim! Tell us about that nice looking cupholder, how you pulled off your custom switch labeling and how about those custom exterior badges? If I ever get mine running again, I'll be re-thinking some things -Super work!!

[Estaban]

I myself am deeply jealous. Nice! You do wonderful work, both the car and the chest.

Baby is a driving car, and will never be a show car at all. I am reworking my dash inserts and you have just given me ideas I might have to follow up on. (I am sure my wife will be so happy to hear that)

Here it is in Tweety-bird yellow.











Maybe if I ever get the interior put in order I will show you some shots of it, but for now I think distance is the best camera filter I can give it.

[courtenay]

Re-the last picture - looks like you got a parking ticket in your own garage. That really sucks!!

[Estaban]

I know, those police officers are serious about where you park.

Really that is the paperwork for the license registry. It kept trying to fly away on me before I went back in the house so I tucked it under the wiper blade.

[SpiderJim]

Very impressive Jim! Tell us about that nice looking cupholder, how you pulled off your custom switch labeling and how about those custom exterior badges? If I ever get mine running again, I'll be re-thinking some things -Super work!!

For a visual tour of the restoration and custom mods go to this web page. Also, Top left of the page is a button called HOME SEGMENTS.... this will jump you to the main directory that shows DIY things such as cracked hinge repair, customizing the dash & consoles along with custom badges and other mods I have made. I think you can also download any of the pics? Enjoy!!!

Regards the custom switch and tuneup labels. I made the graphics then printed on to high quality photo paper. I then used a self adhesive clear plastic to cover the pic. To get the texture to look like plastic shoot with clear coat and or laquer out of a can from high up so it mists and atomizes on the sheet clear covering. This will mute the shine and give a fine texture. Practice first!! Apply with either two sided tape or contact cement from a spray can.


http://gallery.me.com/jamesaellis1#100201

[BlackWidow]

[spidergirl]

ok here is a reduced size of my 1978 124.
cheers Spidergirl

[spidergirl]

ok Here is a pic of my rebuilt engine that some of you help me with by giving proper ways to solve problems. Now if I can figure out how to put multiple pics on a post I will be rocking.

Cheers Spidergirl

[donerehart]

After 8 1/2 months - it's back! Finally. Here are some pics...




I'm down to a few electrical issues...

[donerehart]

finally figured it out!

[Braido]

Here is mine,

[TX82FIAT]

Just the engine for now. Still deciding on color. Back to original white. Nimbus grey or black. I like the idea of a nimbus grey. The fuel injection system in the attached pick is not my doing. I farmed this part of the project out to Vicks.