Edit... Resto mod FIRST DRIVE

[SoFlaFiat]

Thanks guys!!
We are still considering a black thread woven into the stitching as an accent and to tie in with the black dash. Should be HOT!


"Still going to paint it right?"

Hmmmm, maybe...
Life has seriously gotten in the way as I continue to run my business, doing CNC engineering, drafting and project management in the custom cabinet and furniture industry, while I just took a full time position as a project manager for a custom home builder.
I'm still dreaming about getting to Pittsburgh and haven't cancelled my reservations as of yet so maybe I'll just take the car, still in primer!!

[SoFlaFiat]

Wow, it's been a while...
Life got in the way for a time and I managed to miss another freak out, a good one too!!
Oh well, nothing to do but find the time to get mine done.
I have finally gotten caught up on stuff and started back into the car.
I started at the front right corner and stripped back the thin coat of primer I had sprayed on two years ago.



and got one side of the car two coated with epoxy DTM primer.



It sure is great to finally make some progress again.
I have missed my garage therapy immensely!

[dom]

The evaporating solvents add to the high

[Ptoneill]

The more I see what you did with the third brake indicator I sure wish I had done something similar......beautiful looking car can't wait till its done!!

[SoFlaFiat]

Pat, You should cut out your rear valance and add a third brake light!!! NOT!!
The way you are going with the techie stuff you could rig up a light that pops up in front of the convertible top when it goes down, maybe built into the retractable windscreen?
From what I have seen, you will come up with something!!


Last week I managed to get all but the hood stripped back down and epoxy primed!
At least the bulk of the car is white for the first time!!





Now, do I strip the hood or start final body work on the rest of the car first....

[Ptoneill]

[quote="SoFlaFiat"]Pat, You should cut out your rear valance and add a third brake light!!! NOT!!
The way you are going with the techie stuff you could rig up a light that pops up in front of the convertible top when it goes down,


Sounds like a cool idea!!

[SoFlaFiat]

Go Pat Go!!
You know you can still do that without messing up that extraordinary paint job and have just one more trick in the bag!!
I want pictures!!

[SoFlaFiat]

A little more progress!
With the epoxy primer on, I went back and redid the major body work. I have learned that should have bought the epoxy primer when I was doing the body work the first time. I could have done sections and it would have stayed in better shape over the long haul project. Oh well, lesson learned... Next time I will not go backwards so much!





With the bulk in good shape, I coated the whole car again with epoxy primer just to avoid surface rust again.



Long but productive day!

[Andr3]

wow

loved what you did with the dash and gave me a great idea.... thank you
Andre

[SoFlaFiat]

Andre, Glad to help! Best of luck with yours and if I have provided inspiration, I can only be flattered.
On my end, I redid the body work on the hood and got another coat of epoxy on it. Now I am down to minor fairing and 2k urethane primer.
I have stupidly promised myself so many deadlines with this project and missed them that I refuse to set any more. It will get done someday!

[Ptoneill]

I have stupidly promised myself so many deadlines with this project and missed them that I refuse to set any more. It will get done someday!

Now you "get it"!!! Welcome to my world!

[DieselSpider]

I have stupidly promised myself so many deadlines with this project and missed them that I refuse to set any more. It will get done someday!

Now you "get it"!!! Welcome to my world!

How did Don Amece' put it.... "Things change"

[SoFlaFiat]

Yep, someone may have said that but honestly, you have to set goals even if you miss them and have to set new ones. Anyone who has taken any car down to every last nut and bolt knows that time frames and budgets are ment to be broken like any good rule!
Missing my self designated deadlines is only proving to myself how much I care about the end product.
I know I will end up with a great car that is tons of fun and reliable. Oh, and looks amazing too!!
That said, I have been plowing on and have the whole car in primer. A little more final body work and I can start on the jambs. I'll think about setting a new deadline soon!

[toplessexpat]

To give you some incentive......

[toplessexpat]

Let's try with a high resolution....