The SN65 project car

[IMACUL8]

SN65

I thankyou in your efforts in documenting the whole process - was a fantastic read.
Will follow this closely now.

Thanks again for the quality read.

Awesome

Daniel

[SN65]

Have you thought of removing the scuttle panel and modifying the bonnet to cover the scuttle area right up to the windscreen such as most modern cars now do? I have seen it done on a few cars now and it looks fantastic, much cleaner lines.

Hi S,

Actually, yes, we did talk about this a little bit, but we just could not fugure out how to get the windshield wipers to work with this configuration. I still think it is a good idea. Maybe I will be able to solve this issue on the next car.

Catch you later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

Today, I have fit the hood hinges to the car preparing for the final fit up of the front clip this weekend. I will be tweaking things this afternoon. Move this a bit, shift that here, etc...



Also, not to get ahead of ourselves, we have mocked up a simple graphic on the passenger side. It is a play on the Boss 302 stripe packages of the late 60's. We were thinking of different designations for the car, you know, things like Boss 4.6, 4.6 Cammer, etc. But I like the simple SN65 designation for this car. I think it is kind of fitting.



The graphics would be painted black along with the center section of the hood.

Anyway... Enough foolishness for now. Time to get back to work.

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

We came close, but did not completely finish the front aprons this past weekend. We were having trouble with the front end dimensions and gaps. We finally got them as close as physically possible (nice consistent gaps, dim's within 1/4"). But to achieve that we had to assemble and disassemble the front end about 7 times. Each time we would resolve one issue and have another rear its ugly head.





We still have to position and weld the cowl in place, but that is something that we can accomplish in an afternoon.

Also, we contacted the media blaster and he cannot fit us into the schedule until early next week. That being the case, we will continue with finer and finer detail work. For example, we are working on the brackets for mounting the trunk latch. You will notice that we have reversed the typical trunk config and mounted the latch on the car and the striker will mount on the lid.



We will continue to work on brackets, and fitting up different pieces until the blaster is ready for us.

Time to get back to work.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

Just finished forming the last two apron trim plates. :-)





Also, we finished modifying the oil filter lower coolant casting. We had to convert the neck from the stock 90 degrees to a straight run in order to clear the alternator. Doing this eliminates the oil cooler so we are going to have to install a remote oil cooler setup.



Oh no... Here comes my brother. I better get back to work.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[BSTD510]

What time frame are you looking at completeing the car? I suppose with a project like this you never really complete it. Well done, one day I hope to purchase a nicely modified fastback 'stang, just not easy to find one in perth....nicest shape out there. What colour are you painting it? I'm sure it did say somewhere in your briefs but I'm too efficient to go back and look.

[DaGoodGuy]

fark me, what a read... good luck with the build up, can't wait to see it. Anyone know of cheap airfares to the usa??

[SN65]

What time frame are you looking at completeing the car? I suppose with a project like this you never really complete it. Well done, one day I hope to purchase a nicely modified fastback 'stang, just not easy to find one in perth....nicest shape out there. What colour are you painting it? I'm sure it did say somewhere in your briefs but I'm too efficient to go back and look.

Hi BSTD,

We need the car finished and on the road no later than May. We plan on driving it in the Hot Rod Power Tour at the begining of June. We want a little time to tune before we take the beast on a 3,000 mle jaunt.

As far as color, we are still up in the air. Our original paln was to paint it a silver color that mimics polished aluminum, but apparently "silver is the new red". That being the case, we don't want to look like we are just jumping on the silver bandwagon. I understand (from the paint suppliers and such) that colors of the 70's should be making a comeback. That being the case, how about "sub-lime" or "plumb-crazy" or "Graber Orange", etc...

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[BSTD510]

I love cars done in like wild cherry ...almost black with cherry highlights....could look good on the car, but i agree a bright colour might attract attention to the car, which otherwise might be overlooked as just an original 65 stang thats been restored. Sublime with black highlights, or even silver graphics could look great. Can't wait to see more pics.

[SN65]

Hi All,

Lately, there has been a lot of debate over graphics or no graphics for the final car. I am undecided at this point. Maybe we should just use the badges from the SVT Cobra as we originally planned. Maybe we should use the reverse "C" graphics with the SN65 designation. Maybe we should cave and use the GT stripe with the SN65 designation.

AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!!!

To help resolve this issue, we have decided to hold a graphic design contest. No rules. No regulations. no requirements whatsoever. We don't care if you work up a 3D virtual reality, rotating computer illustration, or scrawl your picture on a napkin at the local dive with a few of your closest friends. Maybe you have no artistic ability at all and just convey your ideas in words alone. We have enough vision to be able to picture what it is you describe.

What is in it for you? Well.... Not much I am afraid. I wish I could offer the winner a scholarship, or free vacation, etc... but, like the rest of you, this wacky hobby has sucked every last loose piece of change out of my pants. With that said. The winner will receive a personalized plaque featuring a signed photo of the finished car, and an unused part off one of the donor cars. Also, you will be given a ride in the finished car, whenever we meet up at an event. Who knows, if you convince us you are a responsible individual, we may even let you drive. Also, the car will be painted with your design and we will give you credit for the design on the display we build for the car.

Just e-mail your entry to SN65contest@hydroflotech.com

I will respond to every entry so that you will know we received it. Also, all designs must be received no later than March 31st, 2005.

Good luck

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

More and more details....

As I have been working on brackets for the front clip, Wayne has been working on finishing the trunk latch, catch and lock setup. We were struggling with the location of the lock and Wayne came up with the following solution (see photos).





Now, we have the lock hidden and we still use the factory fuel door for more than a badge. :-)

Catch you later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

Today, Wayne fabed up the side gas filler door. He had to trial fit the gas tank and the filler neck to get an accurate location. He marked the location of the plastic inner housing on the quarter. He removed the filler neck and the gas tank. He located the center point of the gas door, and drilled the center hole from the inside.

When he walked around to the outside of the car, he noticed that the hole he drilled was within 1/8" of the "X" I drew on the car marking the door location. I told him to trust me next time and he wouldn't have to go through so much work. :-)

Anyway, this is going to be so cool. Wayne ground smooth and flanged the rough cut opening so that the 03 door mounting ring (the part we cut off the Cobra) sits flush with the 65 quarter panel.





Catch you later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[hotgemini]

Just thought I should stick in a post congratulating you on the project but mostly thanks for the brilliant updates, I wish everyone had the dedication to post such a great public record of the trials and tribulations of their projects.

[SN65]

Just thought I should stick in a post congratulating you on the project but mostly thanks for the brilliant updates, I wish everyone had the dedication to post such a great public record of the trials and tribulations of their projects.

Hi HG,

I am posting all these updates for a number of reasons, not the least of which is a bit selfish on my part. I want a public record showing all who desire a custom car or restoration exactly what is involved. Many see these one hour car shows on TV and get the impression that this is an easy task.

My brother gets many requests for restoration or "Rest-O-Mod" type work (I hate that word, I prefer "Hot Rod". The song was "Hot Rod Lincoln", not "Rest-O-Mod Lincoln"). The people are always a bit taken back by the cost of some of this work. They only see the big picture. They have no idea as to all the detail work involved.

Anyway...

When finished, I can refer people to the forums to get an idea as to just how much work is really involved.

That and I love talking about this project. Building this car is a joy. A real dream-come-true.

Catch you later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

We are planning a get together starting at 8 AM on Saturday April 2nd at Julian's Collision Center located in St Charles IL for a viewing of the SN65 project car.

The car should be in primer at that point giving everybody a real good idea as to how it is going to look at completion.

Come one and all.

I know it is a bit of a haul for most of you, but think of all the free beer you can drink and chicago style pizza you can eat. Yummm.... Now don't that make the trip worth it?

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/