Color choice

Time to make some tough decisions. The 'Cuda was originally BL1 Sandpebble Beige. A hue that isn't seen very very often as I don't think it was sold a lot and I suppose most of the cars originally that color have been repainted otherwise sometime in their history over the past fourty-something years. I wasn't sure if I would have the balls not to have my 'Cuda painted in one of the very popular high-impact colors, such as sublime green, go mango or hemi ornange. Nevertheless I've been giving the whole lot of new cars that have been popping up in all sorts of beige a closer look - of course starting at the top of the automotiv foodchain, with Porsche!

Primer

The hood and the fenders are in primer. The parts were first stripped of the old paint. The parts had little or no rust, contrary to the rear of the car but unfortunately prior collision damage repair became evident. So more work will be necessary before the final paint can be applied.

Rims

One of the biggest eyecatchers of any car is the set of wheels it's sitting on. The 'Cuda will run this set of FIA approved racing alloys, formerly used on a '69 Mustang with the european historical tournig car circuit racing crowd. (luckily Ford and Mopar have the same bolt pattern). The Minilite-style wheels were media blasted and powder coated, the outer rims are polished.

I have not yet gotten around to picking them up from the shop but Doc Stinger has ensured me that the grey part is actually grey and not as blueish as it may appear in these pics.

First paint prep

First pics of paint preperation at the shop .
The engine compartement was the first area to get the treatment, sanding and a little filler here and there.

More small stuff

Kind of a small part but a very important one indeed.
The original Holley fourbarrel carburetor was cleaned and fitted with new gaskets.


Ready to roll

Small stuff

A lot of small stuff has to be restored, one of those things is this brake pedal fixture. Since it is welded and riveted together; I couldn't really take it apart .

I had the whole thing media blasted, to get at the rust, then I painted it flat silver, added a new release handle and dipped the lower part of the pedal in black paint. New nuts round up the package.

The gas pedal required the same procedure, basically. I think they both turned out pretty nice.

Back again

After a short creative pause, only partially due to a computer failure at home, I'm back at it. Quite a few things have happend, most importantly the 'Cuda has moved to the paint shop. With all the welding done, all the rust removed and all the new panels installed, it's time to take this project to the next level.

My friend Ernst, master of organization and definately one of the most knowligeable carguys on the planet, ready to haul the 'Cuda to the paint shop. We travelled in style by schlepp-mich.org!