Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire shaw classic autoworks "Christine"

So you stretch that edge.



Because this panel needs to be straight.

Of course I'm skipping hours of tweaking these little panels with a variety of dollies and special tools, most of which are made for certain shapes as I go.

This is definitely doing it the hard way. But, what are you going to do? If and when you can find little repair panels for these cars, the quality and fit is no good. So, might as well make it as needed.

Nothing beats having the right tools for the job, except the skills to use them! That's lookin good.

Last of the metal work on this body is the most difficult piece.

I'm cutting at that black line and taking off everything below it

I made a flat paper pattern from the other side of the car, luckily the drivers lower rear quarter is perfect.



This piece here, was not easy for me. But I'm happy with it.

I'm impressed how you keep the original body "radius" on all the new parts compared to the old. You eyeball that stuff or are there ways to take measurements?

The whole bottom of that piece was rotted and filled with fiberglass and bondo some time in the car's past.

And the customer ends up with a car better than new!

The "trunk extension" is that inner piece you see, it joins to the lower quarter with a pinch weld at the bottom. This extension needs a little work before the outer repair can go on.



back corner



mid panel

forward corner

You sir are a Freakin' Artist!

Alright, time to switch over to my top secret night shift project for a couple hours.

Later dudes, thanks for the nice words.

No doubt!!

Dang ND, was just thinking the other day that I hadn't seen a post from you in a while, but I guess I haven't been on here much myself, was tickled to see this. Loved that book, love the car, and I am blown away by your work. You are not only one hell of a talented artist, I think you must be somewhat of a magician, I see something clever there. Keep up the excellent work, and keep the photos and details coming.

Very very cool that you would take the time to post this for us ND. THANK YOU!

At least she will only need to be restored once....

And people wonder why restorations (at least those done right) cost so much....soooo much hand work and man hours (much like custom double rifles/shotguns, etc).

Nice work, Arnie.....er, Dave.


(Personally, I'm eagerly awaiting the '68 Charger rebuild someday!)

Amazing work bud. Does your secret after hours project involve light gauge aluminum?

It does now!

Unreal Skillz Dave. I feel as though there are not a lot of people left that can do what you are doing as far as taking flat steel and forming curved and radiused body panels. Keep up the good work.