Bobby-Built
December 28, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
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Fade to Black
Sitting slightly nose-high and looking that much more restrained with dog dish hubcaps framed in bias-ply blackwalls, this ’62 Chevy bubbletop is as sinister as it is subdued. In fact, as smooth as these panels are, one has to wonder if this car has ever broken a sweat or even turned a wheel with aggression since it rolled off the showroom floor.
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The hot rod world just lost a titan—Gene Winfield, a guy who didn’t just customize cars, he straight-up reshaped the scene. Over seven decades of cutting, welding, painting, and innovating, Gene left behind a legacy that won’t ever fade, no matter how many coats of candy paint get sprayed in the future.
GOODGUYS COLUMBUS 2008
We are continually challenged by what has previously been accomplished within a hobby that has captured the hearts of enthusiastic Americans; and just when it seems automotive imagination has reached its pinnacle, we are once again reminded of an endless flow of accomplishment and creativity that stretches the limits of the cars we build.
Spotlighter
Project ’47: Part Three
Nearing Completion, It Is Now Time to Tackle the Sheetmetal Repair, Custom and Paint Work on The Chevs Of The 40's Project '47
Author
Dan Burrill & Josh Kaylor
Photography by Dan Burrill & Chevs of the 40’s
The Transformation of Project ’47: From Farm Truck to High-Performance Chassis
Over the past few months, Chevs of the 40’s and Street Rod Headquarters Project ’47, dubbed All In, has transformed from a rusty and tired $300 farm truck into a highly-detailed pickup chassis featuring C4 Corvette front and rear suspension components and a Blueprint Engines 383 stroker, fitted with the best parts money can buy.
Recap: The Chassis Build-Up
Now it’s time for the extensive sheetmetal restoration, which, as you have guessed, is an important part of the build. But first, let’s recap the build as we know it up until now: Time Machines Northwest disassembled the tired and worn-out truck, then made preparations to begin updating the chassis using Corvette C4 suspension components, front and rear, combined with Flat Out Engineering crossmembers. The frame was boxed for additional strength, and the original in-cab gas tank was removed and replaced with a polished stainless tank that now resides between the rear framerails. To complete the chassis, Time Machines bolted on a set of Billet Specialties 20-inch front and 22-inch rear Rat Tail billet wheels.
The Powerhouse: Engine Build-Up
In part two, we covered the engine buildup of the potent Blueprint Engines 383 stroker motor from start to finish. The small block received a complete rebuild using only top-of-the-line internal parts and precision machining. The more than 400 hp will provide plenty of user-friendly power, with lots of torque on demand. To provide a little under-hood bling, Time Machines Northwest installed a Billet Specialties Tru-Trac accessory drive, Barry Grant SixShooter carburetor, Sanderson headers, and not to mention a killer set of one-off valve covers.
Sheetmetal Restoration: Preparing the Body
Now it’s time to bring the body to par with the rest of the truck. After disassembling the front sheetmetal, cab, and bed, the components were sent out to be blasted. Since the original truck is a three-window model, owner Rob Logsdon opted to purchase an additional five-window cab for the buildup. The blaster revealed that even though the new cab appeared solid, it would, however, require several new panels on the lower portion to repair the pinhole rust. That’s rather common, and since Chevs of the 40’s stocks nearly every sheetmetal part, this wasn’t a problem. Among the panels to be replaced, Time Machines also installed a new Bitchin Products recessed firewall and transmission tunnel to make additional room for the 383/700R4 engine/trans combo.
Final Touches: Paint and Bodywork
Once Time Machines completed all the rust repair and the custom sheetmetal work, Logsdon delivered the truck to New Start Auto Works for the final paint and bodywork to be completed. Since much of the original sheetmetal was solid, the sheetmetal required only minimal work before the DuPont Brilliant Silver and Violet Pearl was applied. Follow along as Time Machines Northwest and New Start Auto Works finishes up the exterior of Project All In.
1. Upon purchasing the truck, it was delivered to Time Machines Northwest for the disassembly and subsequent build.
2. The inside of the three-window cab was rough and needed serious attention. Logsdon opted for a more popular five-window cab, which needed far less work before paint could be applied.
3. Before blasting the replacement five-window cab, it appeared complete and very solid. However, post-blasting revealed few troubled areas, but nothing that was not easily repaired.
4. After blasting the new cab, Time Machines applied a thorough coat of sealer primer to reduce the chance of flash rust during the build process.
5. The front floorboards close to the kick panels revealed several small rust holes, which will require small patch panels to be fabricated and installed.
6. The outer cab corners had several tiny holes from garbage and water gathering in the cab corner. Time Machines replaced both inner and outer cab corners to remove any remaining rust.
7. Although the firewall had minimal rust and dents, it will be replaced in favor of a Bitchin recessed firewall for additional engine clearance.
8. Time Machines cut out and removed the center section of the firewall, then replaced it with the Bitchin Products recessed unit. This will provide plenty of room for the new small-block Chevy.
9. Inside the cab, the rusted out sections of the toe boards received new metal repair, and the center section of the floorboard was removed for transmission clearance.
10. With the transmission bolted into place, it is clear that the new tunnel was needed for the 700R4 transmission.
11. A mock-up block with the new Barry Grant SixShooter installed is bolted into place to check for proper clearance of the massive air cleaner.
12. After double-checking the engine and transmission fit, the transmission tunnel is fabricated and welded into place.
13. With the firewall fabrication complete, Time Machines again primers the cab to protect against rust. The cab is beginning to look great and as planned.
14. Inside, the quality of the fabrication work is quite evident. Once finished, this will be one outstanding custom pickup and serve as an excellent example for Chevs of the 40’s.
15. Up front, Logsdon and Time Machines opted to replace the core support and inner fenders with a complete new assembly from Bitchin Products. It is adjustable and designed to allow for easy front sheetmetal alignment.
16. The adjustment in the front core support is evident on the frame mounting bracket, shown here. Since the front fenders on AD trucks mount off the core support, this system allows the end user to more ideally locate and align the sheetmetal.
17. Since the original doors were in such good shape, they only needed minimal bodywork before paint could be applied.
18. Out back, Time Machines widened the rear fenders to accommodate the massive Billet Specialties wheels. The running boards were reshaped to fit flush against the widened fenders.
19. To achieve a clean, smooth look, the front bumper was replaced with a rolled pan and molded into the contour of the front fenders. Also, recessed headlight buckets now reside in the front fenders.
20. Before heading off to paint, the bed wood and polished strips are fitted once more to ensure proper fit and finish. There will be no modifications to the body once the assembly is painted.
21. With the fabrication and bodywork complete, New Start Auto Works began the task of painting the two-tone hauler. Here, the cab is being sprayed with the DuPont Brilliant Silver base.
22. After allowing the silver base to dry, the cab is laid out and retaped for the Violet Pearl to be applied. Here, New Start Auto Works has untaped the cab for the application of the clearcoat.
23. Once the clear is applied to all of the truck’s body panels, it is allowed to fully cure before color sanding can begin.
24. Each individual body panel is carefully wet sanded to remove any imperfections in the surface of the clear. After sanding, the panels are buffed and polished to a mirror finish before assembly.
25. After sanding and buffing the cab, it is reinstalled onto the completed chassis. Now the pickup is beginning to really take shape.
26. The newly painted front sheetmetal and the bed are then reinstalled onto the truck and rear chassis.
27. Up close, the fit and finish is second to none. Just look at how well the running board filler panels flow into the rear fenders and bed. GM never built one this nice!
28. The bed wood and polished strips are installed for the final time, as the bed is now complete. All that is left is the addition of the new tailgate.
29A-B. Before calling it good, Mitch Kim works his pinstriping magic on the truck and adds a subtle red pinstripe to highlight the silver and violet pearl hues.
29A-B Before calling it good, Mitch Kim works his pinstriping magic on the truck and adds a subtle red pinstripe to highlight the silver and violet pearl hues.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Chevs of the 40's
1605 NE 112th St.
Vancouver, WA 98686
800/999-2438
Mitch Kim Pinstriping
14692 SE 82nd Dr.
Clackamas, OR 97015
503/557-8850
New Start Auto Works
1119 NE 95th St. #B
Vancouver, WA 98686
360/574-9411
Street Rod Headquarters
1605 NE 112th St.
Vancouver, WA 98686
800/952-1752
Time Machines Northwest
5401 NE 119th St.
Vancouver, WA 98686
360/737-3175
