Andy J Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 I'm a year and a half into my project here.I had just retired when I started this and I'm not going at it like it's a job.I'm taking my time,learning as I go,and doing it right,as best as I can.This is my first attempt at restoration,having been interested in cars all my life.I wish I had documented this project from the beginning.I have some pictures I'll post,courtesy of my grand daughters,who showed me how to do this computer stuff.They can't work on cars,so we're even. A few pics of the trunk before I started.A lot of rust,remember,I've never done this before.I hope this shows that anyone can do this with a little patience. A few after pics of my repairs.I had to rebuild all the underneath structure also. Front floor boards before repairs. 13 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PONTIAC1953 Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 nice work, great progress !!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Jake Moran Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 Looks great to me. Post a whole car photo and a little more about what you have there. 8 cylinder? 6? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted March 27, 2022 Author Share Posted March 27, 2022 I don't have any pictures of the car before I tore it down.Here's what I do have.It's ready for paint.I'm waiting for my friend to get his new paint booth that we built finished and for all the pollen to be gone before I paint it.Here's my engine,it's an 8,just before I painted it.Here's my powder coated frame and front end parts.The engine was completely rebuilt by Massey Machine in Jackson,MS.My hydramatic transmission is being rebuilt by Rush Company in Brandon,MS.All the chrome is being plated by Dan's Polishing and Chrome Plating in Adamsville,TN.As soon as I get it painted,I start going back up with it.I can hardly wait. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Wrench Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 Outstanding job! Thanks for sharing, can't wait to see the car come together. I'm interested to see how your chrome turns out and how your experience with your plater. It is becoming hard to find good chrome at any price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 You are doing great work. It all looks good. As other said I will be following along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted March 27, 2022 Author Share Posted March 27, 2022 (edited) I have been straightening and polishing the stainless bright work molding while I'm waiting for paint and chrome.The car had one piece of stainless missing and another that was just unusable.Most of the stainless was in really good shape;but several pieces had small dents that had to be taken out. I've spent around 30 hrs just straightening and polishing the stainless.It was well worth it because it looks like new.I called Kurt Kelsey and he had the 2 pieces I needed. I've gotten just about everything I needed from him.If he doesn't have it,he can usually find it.I've really enjoyed dealing with him and I hope to meet him some day. If I can figure out how to post pictures again,I'll post some of the stainless I've polished.Wiring is next because rats chewed a lot of it while the PO had it. Edited April 22, 2022 by Andy J (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted April 22, 2022 Author Share Posted April 22, 2022 A couple of pictures of some of my stainless molding from the '51 Chieftain.These few pieces are the result of about 10 hours of straightening and polishing.I watched a few Youtube videos and went to work. I've never done this before,but I am well satisfied with the results. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straight8pontiac Posted April 22, 2022 Share Posted April 22, 2022 Beautiful job Andy. I know how much work you put into the polishing as I did my own as well. Continued success on your restoration...Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted April 27, 2022 Share Posted April 27, 2022 Great body work and super jealous especially getting a rebuilt! Is it wrong to drool over these engines? haha. Looking forward to more pics and developments. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 27, 2022 Share Posted April 27, 2022 Looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted April 27, 2022 Share Posted April 27, 2022 Andy you are really showing serious skill here, looks great! Nice to see a sedan given this level of attention, love GMs of this era and looking forward to updates. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted May 9, 2022 Author Share Posted May 9, 2022 I hope to paint the '51 Chieftain Wednesday,5/11,my 70th birthday. I've never painted a car before,so my friend is going to be in the booth with me for help if I need it. You have to start somewhere. I can't mess this up because the sealer,base coat,and clear coat,along with reducer and hardener,cost a small fortune! I was told this stuff is expensive,but I had no idea it would cost as much as it did.Anyway,I'll put some pics up when it's done. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickelroadster Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 I would suggest that you experiment with a little less expensive paint on something that doesn't matter instead of trying to do the one that counts first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted May 9, 2022 Author Share Posted May 9, 2022 nickelroadster,I wish I could do that. I don't have anything that needs painting or anything that I can practice on. I'm just going to be careful and as I posted,my well experienced friend will be with me.Worst case scenario,I'll have to do it over.So,as they say"go big or go home." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike "Hubbie" Stearns Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 Stop by a big box store and pick up a piece of sheet metal. Give it a coat of primer and prep it as you did the car. Shoot it with color. If it doesn’t go right, just sand down and try again. Mike 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted May 13, 2022 Author Share Posted May 13, 2022 (edited) I painted my '51 Chieftain yesterday and I am well pleased with the result,especially since this was the first car I've ever painted.We painted the hood,trunk,doors,and front fenders today but didn't clear coat them because the humidity was too high and my painter/advisor didn't think it would be wise to do so.We'll clear them tomorrow as they are still in the booth. This wasn't as tough as I thought it would be.The only problem I had was getting the gun too close to the work,which my painter told me many times,"you're too close,back off a little." Here are a few photos;tell me what you think.These were taken in the sun and are better. Edited May 14, 2022 by Andy J (see edit history) 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted May 13, 2022 Author Share Posted May 13, 2022 It was about to storm,so the pics aren't too bright.I'll try again when the sun is out.We haven't had rain or clouds in several weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave39MD Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Nice work! Love the two tone green! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom99 Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Very impressive work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retirednow Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Good Job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 I finished all the painting today.I had one very small run,about 3 inches long that should be easy to buff out.Now the work begins,putting it back together.I'm stoked and ready to get to work. I took down the dull pictures and put up some new ones that are in a previous post.Check'em out and tell me what you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike "Hubbie" Stearns Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Sweet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hursst Posted May 22, 2022 Share Posted May 22, 2022 Great work, and great speed of the work, as well. You'll have to start looking for another car to do soon, as you'll have this one done shortly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted May 26, 2022 Author Share Posted May 26, 2022 Yesterday I dropped the engine and transmission in the frame and bolted it in.Without any obstacles,it was very easy to do by myself.I made all new brake lines also.I hope to set the body back on the frame ASAP,but I forgot to order the body mount kit until last night.I couldn't find one for a '51 Pontiac,so I ordered one for a Chevrolet as it looks about the same.Here are a few pics of my project. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted May 26, 2022 Share Posted May 26, 2022 Dang sweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted May 26, 2022 Author Share Posted May 26, 2022 I just called my chrome plating man to see where he was on my parts and he tells me he hasn't even started my job yet.He said his materials have went up considerably so he needs another grand.My stuff has been there 4 months! He tells me covid,supply delays,and inflation are affecting his business.I fully understand,so I tell him to just get it done.This is affecting my business.NEVER tell anyone to take their time,that you're not in a hurry. I also just checked on a set of 215X75 R15 plain Jane black wall radial tires....$706.My jaw almost fell off.Same story,covid,supply delays,inflation,blah,blah,blah. I had a set of Yokohama tires of the same size put on my Buick Century a year and a half ago,$570.Today those same tires are $1270. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike "Hubbie" Stearns Posted May 26, 2022 Share Posted May 26, 2022 I would do as much as you can before you put the body back on. Things like exhaust, gas lines, brake lines and wiring for starters. It’s a whole lot easier standing then on your back. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 20 hours ago, Andy J said: I also just checked on a set of 215X75 R15 plain Jane black wall radial tires....$706.My jaw almost fell off.Same story,covid,supply delays,inflation,blah,blah,blah. I had a set of Yokohama tires of the same size put on my Buick Century a year and a half ago,$570.Today those same tires are $1270. Just went through similar tire exercise with my '38 Century. Three tries and over $1200 to get 4 new 7.00-15 bias plies but at least I have them and can drive the car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Heaps Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 I said “to heck with this!” and put blackwall radials on my cars for $300 a vehicle. I’m not building show cars, just cruisers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted May 28, 2022 Author Share Posted May 28, 2022 I went to a local mom & pop tire store and got the same exact tires for $200 less.I should have went there first. I'm building a cruiser also,not a competition show car.It is going to be really nice,however. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted June 28, 2022 Author Share Posted June 28, 2022 I got most of my chrome back yesterday,except for a couple of pieces that had to have some brazing done to replace some mounting flanges that had rusted away.It's a lot cooler here this week,so I hope to get a lot done in a hurry.I'll post a few pics of my car in a few days. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Andy J, beautiful work on the Pontiac. Nice to see a 4 door getting restored . Great work all way round. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted July 2, 2022 Author Share Posted July 2, 2022 Thanks,John S. I'm pecking away at it. When my right hand man can get to me,we'll put the doors on.I can't do this by myself. I've got the dash almost completed,but I'm waiting on some 2" defroster pipe I have ordered.I can't put the radio and glove box in until I install the defroster duct work. I have most of the bright work on the back of the car installed. I have to jump around because at 70 years old,I can't stay under the dash very long at a time. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 It's been 2 months since I posted,so I have a few pics of my progress.I finally got all my chrome back today,which really hasn't hampered my build,as I have been held up some waiting for parts.My wife and I had our second bout of covid a month ago,which set me back a week,several funerals to attend,two of which were in my Sunday school class,and the Gospel band I play with has been very busy playing at churches,nursing homes,and assisted living facilities. I had hoped to be ready for Cruisin' The Coast,but that ain't happening.I have gotten a lot done,but I have a lot to do yet.I finally got the doors adjusted,which took forever and a day. I have learned a lot,mainly not what to do on the next project,a '52 Chevrolet Bel Air. Give me some feedback and tell me what you think. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hursst Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 No hurry on it, take your time and do it right. Beautiful car, really happy to see a 4-door restored. Just looks fabulous, excellent work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted September 3, 2022 Share Posted September 3, 2022 Looks better than new -- nice work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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