[LeighP]

Well, to complete the facia of the dash, I finished the LH side where the switch gear goes. No face level vent in my car (was an A/C car) so I used that area for locating some switches for lighting etc.

Made up a doubler to fit the back of the dash, painted satin black to match the other side.



Urethaned that into the dash facia and when cured, mounted up the switch gear.




Switches are (from top Left)

Dome Lt Head Lt
Rear Demist Park Lt
Trunk Release Inst Lt

The wiper switch opening is set up for the DSE wiper kit switch and the old headlight switch position was perfect for the starter switch. I have to research up a little first, but if my alternator requires a warning lamp (some do, some don't), I'll mount one where the "LIGHTS WIPER" plastic sign used to sit.

Now all I have to do, is loom it all up and fit some plugs, so I can easily fit/remove the facia as needed.

[lumarkhood]

Can't wait to see more green paint!

Those gauges look very cool...have a "retro" look. Nice choice.

Mark

[LeighP]

Been working on the wiring looms for the dash, I want to make it modular so I can remove and replace the dash just by disconnecting some plugs.




Panel shop guys are still playing with the gaps, trying to get the nose right....they fitted up the Aerocatches yesterday. Their painter isn't back from holidays for another week, so I guess theres time for them to tweak the bodywork.

[LeighP]

Still playing with the dash wiring...today I got the main instruments and the starter switch wired to plugs.



Just the billet switches on the side to do now...those are a little fiddly as I have to solder the wire connections to the pins on the switches.

[LeighP]

Had a quiet afternoon - everyone was out, lol.
Got a chance to finish off the dash wiring.....a couple of more plugs than I intended, but with the pulse generator for the speedometer and all the button switches with LEDs in them it got a little more complicated.
Annoying soldering wires to the button switches....my small circuit board soldering iron doesn't put out enough heat to solder the wires, and the larger one I have is a bit tight to work with in the small spaces between the pins....

Heres the connections on the button switches, the LEDs light up when the switch is selected on...I tested them and they work fine.



And heres the finished dash from the rear. All the looms are designed to pass through the structure of the dash itself, so I didn't have to cut anything behind there for clearance.

[Formulabruce]

Great work!! Ever try a "Cold solder" iron? Only heats when it touches, runs on batteries and has pointed tip. Would be perfect for that work.
Looking good though! Guess that hood will be secure!

[LeighP]

Interesting...never heard of a "cold solder" iron...guess it shows I don't do much electrical work, my soldering irons would be 25+ years old probably. lol.

[LeighP]

So, I'm still doing small projects to fill in time and save time later.

Fitted up the Autometer Trans Oil and Engine Oil Temp gauges to the A pillar pod housing I got from Anvil Autos. They do lots of cool CF parts for 2nd gens.





And I fitted up an eye level centre brake light to the rear headliner trim retainer, as well as refinishing the front and rear trims in satin black.





The pegs are just holding the wiring where I've bedded it into some sealant while it sets - to stop it moving around.

[LeighP]

OK...so we've reached the stage where theres enough progress to warrant more pics.
Car is back in pieces, getting the final undercoat - it'll be blocked and get the base colour on it next week.....theres a public holiday coming up, so its a short week, but at least it should be in the base colour.

Heres a pile of Firebird parts ready for priming.


Doors are done.


And the body freshly primed.

[LeighP]

WE HAVE SOME COLOUR!!!!!!

Well, its only the base colour, they still have to apply the top colour (pearl green) over the base, but he's identified a couple of extremely slight low spots he wants to fix first....so since tomorrow is a public holiday, the guys are also getting friday off to make a long weekend...so mine will sit till next week...hardening up a little.

[1973T/A]

WOW. I love the green! great looking car! coming along nice.

Pax

[LeighP]

Wait till you see the final colour!!!

[LeighP]

FINAL COLOUR!!!!!!!

They phoned me late today....seems the booth was free and the painter was keen to paint it....

Even the panel shop owner is impressed with the colour choice.

Without further delay.....the shell - freshly painted.









Is that cool, or what? The pearl in the paint really shows off under the lights of the booth - I can't wait to see this in the sun. And this is just "off the gun".

[superdutybob]

Looks great Leigh! You can see that it needs the final color sand and buff but wow, it looks amazing! Congratulations!

[72Formula]

I have never been a fan of green on a car...til now. Very Sharp!

[RicksGTO]

Leigh, that looks awesome, love the color!

[ClobberBird70]

I've always had a soft spot for Green, that will REALLY pop when its together with some chrome/stainless. Very cool!

[LeighP]

Thanks guys....and its a factory GM colour, too.

[165th]

I guess it's white cotton gloves from here on in. Great looking color and lines. Good luck with the buff and completion of the project.

[niceta]

Very nice paint. Looks like it's comming together. You are really moving on this car.