[1965gp]

Looks like this project is really coming along! Can’t wait to see the metal work

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by 1965gp

Looks like this project is really coming along! Can’t wait to see the metal work

There will certainly be ample metal work, so make sure you bring extra popcorn to the show!

[ZeGermanHam]

With the body now with the sandblaster, I've been taking a closer look at the frame. I noticed that the trans crossmember is bolted through a hole on the driver side, but just held down (barely, I might add) with a washer on the passenger side. There is not a bolt hole on the passenger side of the crossmember. Is this normal? Seems like it would be bolted on both sides. The trans is a TH400 (i.e., not what the car was born with), so I'm not sure if this is the original crossmember.

[RedDirtRoad]

You are missing the rubber isolator and the bracket that hold the crossmember in place

[Jeff Hamlin]

As mentioned, That needs some attention;

Our host carries both the Brackest & the Insulators.

[ZeGermanHam]

Thanks for the info, guys! That makes way more sense. Now I've got one more item to file in "stupid things the previous owner did."

[gtospieg]

The good news is your crossmember does not appear to be rusted on the end where the rubber isolator and bracket would hold it.

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by gtospieg

The good news is your crossmember does not appear to be rusted on the end where the rubber isolator and bracket would hold it.

The other side is a bit rusted out. But with that said, I think I'm going to box the frame, and in doing so I will likely trim the crossmember and adapt it so that it bolts onto "shelves" on the side of the boxed frame.

[ZeGermanHam]

Got the GTO back from sandblasting yesterday afternoon. On the whole, there were no major surprises, so I'll call it a win. I knew it had rot in a number of the typical areas, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the lower cowl, rockers, upper quarter panels, and wheel arches are in very good shape. It'll need a new trunk pan, tail panel, rear lower quarter patches, rear deck, parcel tray, and some work around the base of the A-pillars and lower windshield. Ultimately, not too bad for a Michigan car.

[RedDirtRoad]

you are lucky
I am jealous! Haha

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by RedDirtRoad

you are lucky
I am jealous! Haha

It's still going to be a lot of work, but I'm just thankful that it's not any worse than what I was anticipating before sandblasting.

[ZeGermanHam]

Now that the GTO is back from blasting, I'm beginning to think about the best approach to fixing various issues. One area that I have a question about is the upper window channel for the rear quarter glass. Has anyone here had to deal with this area on their car? So far I haven't seen replacement pieces available for this spot, but I suppose someone may make them?

[ZeGermanHam]

Things are staring to pick up with the GTO now that most of the sheet metal has arrived. The doors are done, and the tail panel, trunk, and rear deck panel came out today.

[ZeGermanHam]

A few more photos...

[1965gp]

Major progress! I agree that’s pretty solid for a Michigan car

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by 1965gp

Major progress! I agree that’s pretty solid for a Michigan car

Yeah, these west coast guys out here in Seattle think it's a really rusty car, but they don't know what cars are like back in the Midwest and Northeast. It's all relative.

[RedDirtRoad]

That’s some nice work
Looking real good so far
Your metal work on the doors are impressive.
Did you mig them or tig weld them?
I have a tig welder but still have not mastered it yet as well as mig welding

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by RedDirtRoad

That’s some nice work
Looking real good so far
Your metal work on the doors are impressive.
Did you mig them or tig weld them?
I have a tig welder but still have not mastered it yet as well as mig welding

I wish I could take credit for the metal work, but along with paint work, it's something which I'm not doing myself. I'm doing everything else involved with the restoration, however. My metal guy is a true artist and craftsman. I'm always amazed at how quickly and efficiently he comes up with solutions to problems which leave me puzzled and scratching my head.

The doors were mig welded. I believe the tig welder may be used in a few areas of the body where heat management is more of a concern.

[RedDirtRoad]

I hear you
I am doing the same as you
I have a metal/body man and I have a painter
I am just disassembling bagging and tagging as well as refinishing all the small parts then I will reassemble it all back

[ZeGermanHam]

Question for those of you who have replaced the rear deck panel before... Did you put some kind of pad between the deck panel and the parcel tray structure below? If so, what did you use? Some sort of closed-cell rubber mat?