There's a lot of metallic and pearl in the color. I think its close to plum crazy. So day five we started by installing the gas tank and hoses.

The I rebuilt the front suspension with new bushings, tie rods,and idler arm. Ball joints and pitman arm were good.

I still have to turn the rotors but having a hard time finding the inner seals. We started the Krylon rebuild of the engine. I planned 8.5 hrs but in all it took about 14 hrs to complete, and didn't finish till end of day 6. Here it is before calling it a night on day 5. We used POR15 manifold paint for the exhaust.

Day six started just blasting and painting all kinds of parts. Not a lot of good pics, but then Brian came over and helped hang the sheet metal. Everything lined up pretty good except the passenger fender to door.

Other side

I decided to forgo the tranny rebuild for now. The car drove ok, I wanted to do it more for the seals, so Steve wire wheeled the case and I blasted some parts and hit it with some wheel paint.

I still have to get a carb kit, but I cleaned it up for now. I somehow forgot to order an oil pan gasket so one will be here in am.

So the motor is almost ready to go back in, but Day 7 will start by removing K member and putting on casters and Block sanding. I have to get some primer surfacer and I found some SBP slots that I had because the ralleys I was going to use are LBP. I may have them powder coated if time allows, if not I'll polish or brush them. We are probably in it 140 hrs so far and will probably hit 300+. Oh well, you know they say double the time and double the cost.

It has been a busy last few days. I really want to thank Steve and Brian from Golden Age Restorations in Orland, CA.
So far it has been the three of us doing the work.
Steve has been an incredibly hard worker keeping up with my pace and my high standards. We have had a few deep conversations and some drama, but we both know that we love each other as well as our hobby of old cars, and have had our grandfather, "Snake" on our minds the entire time. Brian probably has 14-15 hrs of body work and sanding but his value has been the final inspections and touch up to get the body straight as well as the help in how to apply the paint supplies and order of sanding. At the end of Day 10 we have a Plum Purple Dart.

I'll recap the last few days.

Day 7 started with a trip into Chico to look for a few parts. Found some new rotors and the oil pan gasket came in. We put that on, removed the completed front susp and k-member and married the motor, trans, and k-member. We added all the accessories and I put on the new rotors. I started block sanding while Steve continued to spend hours refinishing all the engine compartment items and the heater core.

Day 8 I finished blocking the car with Brians help and we decided it needed another application of primer surfacer. Steve and I were up spraying till 2 am. Steve spent the day cleaning the door parts and installing all the engine compartment items.

Day 9 I blocked the car with 220 dry followed by 400 wet. Once the doors and most of the sides were done, we took it to the lift and installed the engine, trans, and k-member. Brian came over to help with the final touches on the wetsanding, but he said I had it pretty straight.

Day 10 Steve and I loaded the car on the trailer and took it to Golden Age Restorations to get ready for paint. We washed the car and dried it really well, cleaned out the paint booth and pushed it in. We jacked it up and took off the wheels/tires and began masking. The really bad part for me was that I had to leave for work at 4 PM. Brian went to his sons track meet for most of the day and returned about 6:30. Steve had finished up the masking and they began the final prep. At 9:30 the put on the sealer and at 10:55 the purple was on the car. Three coats were applied and they said it looked great. They plan on clearing the single stage paint in the morning. Brian will wetsand the area around the white vinyl top on Monday while Steve and Evan from Affordible Headliners will recover the seats and put on the top. I have to work nightshift Sat, Sun, and Monday and will get home early Tuesday. I'll see if Evan can install the door glass while Steve and I install the interior and work on the bumpers. Then two more days of work on the car and Steve leaves Friday. I hope the last 4 days are as fun as the first 10 have been.

Last one Steve sent.

Wow what a pace. Car looks great!

On Day 11 Brian and Steve clear coated the car and put some rallye's off my demonon the car. Brian did the bodywork on the rear valance. I have a list for Steve to do in the morning but it should be an easy day.

Steve really wants the Chrome Ralleys that we put on the pink Cuda so we might have to order them up. Need to do some research on the widest tires that will fit.

Steve spent some time today cleaning the shop. He hotsy'd the floors and put away a bunch of stuff.

And spent some time polishing all the trim. I'm still at work, wishing I was there.

More parts

Steve's been working hard