Project "Rolling Thunder"

[Rolling Thunder]

Crossed Flags 77 - I bought them as NOS from an individual who had stored them for many years. They are Ecklers buckets and filler panels but I believe they have been out of production for 15 years at least. Not sure.

Gene - Thanks for the heads up, several others have mentioned the same thing. Living in western Kentucky, our vehicles are not subject to routine inspections for emissions, safety or other criteria. This car has been continuously registered, insured and licensed since the day I bought it and has never been inspected. Even a car purchased out of state only requires inspection to make sure the vin matches the title. Nanny does not live here thank goodness.

 

[Z-man]

Nice work! I like the headlight setup. Keep those pics coming!

 

[SMH]

Very nice I wish I could do the fiberglass work like that.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Thanks Z-man and SMH. By the way SMH, if you are serious then you can! Glass work is messy and tedious but it is not difficult.

Quick update. Sam and i lifted the body off the donor car today. Most of the frame is very nice and just needs a little work to preserve it. I love the new suspension from VBP. Next is to cut out the crossmember on the donor frame and install the BTO bolt-in crossmember.

 

[groovyjay]

Good to see some familiar names here and see that the Rolling Thunder project is still going! :waxer:

 

[Eddie 70]

Thanks Z-man and SMH. By the way SMH, if you are serious then you can! Glass work is messy and tedious but it is not difficult.

Quick update. Sam and i lifted the body off the donor car today. Most of the frame is very nice and just needs a little work to preserve it. I love the new suspension from VBP. Next is to cut out the crossmember on the donor frame and install the BTO bolt-in crossmember.

You guys sound like you are wasting no time on it. Have you got the crossmember mounted yet?

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Yes Eddie, the crossmembers have been switched. The ZZ502 and 700R4 have also been moved to the new frame. Right now the BTO crossmember is just clamped in place as weldnuts will have to be inserted into the bottom of the frame. I also got the frame horns straightened and the bumper brackets all mocked up to see how much tweeking will be needed. I'm trying to get all the fitting done so i can weld it up this weekend. Got all of the frame that had not been exposed before wire brushed and painted. The only surprises were good ones.

My (soon to be 9 years old) grandson Mason and I built a body dolly yesterday (Sam is off this week) and today I transferred the RT body to it. Sure is nice to be able to spin the body around in the garage.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Couple of pics just to keep it alive. The body work and paint prep continues but the heat keeps the work sessions short.

 

[mrvette]

RT, wish I could get you to do mine.....free beer and 3 hots and a cot is about all I can offer.....


:stirpot::lol::lol:

 

[Showme]

I must be tired I double posted.Sorry.

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Love how you bolted the bumpers on the rolling chassis for the pic LOL

 

[COOLEY ENTERPRISES]

Very nice work....

 

[Eddie 70]

Frame looks really good. I knew it was clean. Looks like you guys finished up nicely on that. I see you pulled the horns. Were they hard to get correct? Was that all that was needed? Must be an older pic as I see the crossmember being mocked up in this pic.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

TT - the bumper was mocked up not for the picture, but because all of the bracketry is mounted on the frame horns which had taken a hit. I didn't want to wait until the body goes back on to know that everything is back to where it should be.

Eddie - The horns were not at all difficult to straighten. Plenty of reference points cross-measuring. Pulled one side near into position with a comealong and then used a portapower from that horn to the other horn. No wrinkles and used no heat.

Most of the work right now is concentrating on getting the color on the body. Lots of minor repairs to the fiberglass along with the work to make everything straight. Looks like a few more weeks before the body will finished.

 

[Eddie 70]

Any news for us on project Rolling Thunder? Been wondering about how you guys are making out with the vette.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Any news for us on project Rolling Thunder? Been wondering about how you guys are making out with the vette.

Hey Eddie - Work continues but progress is slow. Got side tracked for a few days with the arrival of a couple of new grand babies and then again getting a cancer diagnosis. Gonna keep pushing though to get this thing finished. The body is ready for high build primer and will get it maybe next week. My Stahl headers are at Jet-Hot getting the Extreme Sterling coating. As soon as they get back the body will get put back on the chassis for final paint.

The pics below are the day we finally drug it outside to hose it off. Gives a glimpse of what the gloss black will look like. Even water on primer was pretty impressive to me. First two pics show the repositioned headlight locations below the bumper and the modified spoiler treatment.

Dave

 

[saudivette]

Looking good. I think the gloss black will be outstanding...

 

[Bullshark]

Looking real good Dave. Hope your health is on the road to total recovery. Can't wait till you get it done and bring it up here for one of our Shark get togethers :beer:

Bullshark

 

[big_G]

That's lookin' bad-azz...g/l with the health thing. :beer:

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Thanks for the comments and good wishes. I have taken many hits healthwise over the years and it looks like I finally met one I couldn't beat. I'm ok with it, except for the effect it has on my family and close friends. As for the project, I am determined to finish it and drive it before this ride they call life comes to an end. However and whenever it happens, don't anyone think I got short changed. I've had way more than my share of fun and it ain't over yet. Best to all, I'll drop in with updates as the car goes back together.

Dave

 

[Sunshark]

Do you do tours Dave?

I sure would like to drop by and check out your project some day if you take visitors.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Hey neighbor, Welcome to VetteMOD! Tours? No, but freinds and neighbors are always welcome. I'll warn you in advance though, after seeing your awesome car at the Paducah show last year, my project will not impress you. This week is consumed with doctors and family but after that anytime is fine. I keep the coffee hot and the beer cold, give me a shout when you are in the (Reidland) neighborhood. 898-4193.

Dave

 

[Sunshark]

Dave, I am already impressed. Having built my car myself I have a great appreciation for any ground up project such as yours. I think building the car is actually more fun than driving it.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

It's been a long winter with ice storms and power outages but at least some work continues on the RT project. I seem to be losing the battle with my health but with the help of a couple of great guys (thanks Sam and David) the project keeps moving forward. Yesterday we put the body onto the new chassis. The new stance is near perfect for my taste. A little radical for most, but I like it. Enjoy!


The hood is not mounted just laying in the surround for looks.




Sidepipe covers are not mounted or complete yet... again just mocked up for looks.


The gentleman is my neighbor David... a great guy and unbelievable craftsman.




Had to slip a T-Top on there just to see the line changes.

 

[Bullshark]

Looking good Dave, You guys can put the project in high gear now..... no more winter weather according to my weather prediction.:skeptic: Keep up the fight dude, I want to see you "Rolling Thunder" down that street in front of your house. this summer. :1st:

Bullshark

 

[Luster]

Well.... that's quite a project. Very nice addition to your :quote:"Stable"!!!! :bounce::bounce::bounce:

 

[BB72]

Looks great Dave! Judging by the pile of brush you guys got hammered hard. Time for the hot dog and beer roast...

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Thanks guys, its getting to the fun part now. Temp hit the 70's today. The body is now shimmed and bolted. Hoping paint is in the VERY near future.

 

[MYBAD79]

looks great so far but..... paint ?

Paint ?

http://www.vettemod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2993
.
http://www.vettemod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3096
.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

looks great so far but..... paint ?

Paint ?

http://www.vettemod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2993
.
http://www.vettemod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3096
.

:crap: :waxer:

If I were the one behind the paint gun we'd have another thread like that.