Jump to content
HybridZ

Vacaville Velo Rossa


Recommended Posts

  • 2 weeks later...

Nice day, and since I only worked 'till noon, did a little sanding and filling.

 

 

post-4015-045986400 1299639272_thumb.jpg

Another pass with light filler, then I'll trim the back off.

 

Attached the trunk latch...

 

post-4015-019275200 1299639273_thumb.jpgpost-4015-094116200 1299639273_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

...and made a striker plate from a piece of scrap steel.

 

post-4015-074147200 1299639274_thumb.jpgpost-4015-061603200 1299639275_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was able to spend a good chunk of money today on parts from Summit Racing. Several are on back order, so I'll continue working on the small body mods while I'm waiting.

 

 

Continued to round out the lower vents. They're not quite finished yet, but they're close enough to the look I'm aiming for, to get a little primer.

 

 

post-4015-056930000 1299805791_thumb.jpgpost-4015-073888000 1299805793_thumb.jpgpost-4015-068140900 1299805795_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

I'm going to extend the "sugar scoops" 1 1/2 to 2 inches under the hood in the same way. I like the 3D look the extra depth adds.

 

 

post-4015-042623100 1299805797_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WOW!!! Summit Racing is serious about getting orders out quickly. I put the order in at 2:30 yesterday afternoon, and everything that was in stock arrived by 12:00 noon today. And that was using UPS regular ground delivery! laughing.gif

post-4015-046927300 1299900463_thumb.jpg

I guess when racing is actually part of the business' name, you gotta be fast. I can't stop staring at my shiny engine...

post-4015-063291200 1299900465_thumb.jpgpost-4015-071866500 1299900466_thumb.jpgpost-4015-002799200 1299900468_thumb.jpg

...it just barely fits under the hood.

post-4015-015039900 1299900469_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After reading a few threads here regarding throttle cables, I decide to go with the Mr. Gasket Universal Kit. The two LOKAR kits that seem to be the preference here are very nice... but at a combined cost of around $80 plus shipping?

 

 

post-4015-067033100 1300038576_thumb.jpg

 

 

My kit was $25. It looks great and works perfectly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Made a couple of forms from a 5 gallon bucket to extend the scoops under the hood. Wasted most of the bucket using the trial and error method and didn't have enough left for the third form. banghead.gif

post-4015-085069100 1300074510_thumb.jpg

 

post-4015-018932900 1300074518_thumb.jpg

 

Have to wait for another empty bucket.

redface.gifredface.gifredface.gifredface.gifredface.gifredface.gifredface.gifredface.gifredface.gifredface.gifredface.gifredface.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK... found another bucket... made another form... and now it's glassin' time. biggrin.gif

 

Flipping the bonnet over on a couple of saw horses gave me the perfect working height. The forms were held in place with a few screws. I worked through the nose opening, as trying to get to the scoops from either side was quite awkward.

 

Can't wait to get the forms off and do a little finishing. Perfect activity for the rainy whether here.

post-4015-095433200 1300333450_thumb.jpg

post-4015-095505600 1300333451_thumb.jpg

post-4015-097363600 1300333452_thumb.jpg

post-4015-099660000 1300333453_thumb.jpg

post-4015-023617600 1300333455_thumb.jpg

post-4015-029466700 1300333456_thumb.jpg

post-4015-023098000 1300333457_thumb.jpg

post-4015-020725800 1300333458_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Standing the bonnet on it's nose makes for easy clean up to the underside.

post-4015-046785100 1300512771_thumb.jpgpost-4015-024309600 1300512772_thumb.jpg

Still needs some sculpting to completely eliminate the joint lines, but looking pretty good so far.

post-4015-092411600 1300512772_thumb.jpgpost-4015-086179900 1300512774_thumb.jpgpost-4015-057060100 1300512775_thumb.jpgpost-4015-037516300 1300512776_thumb.jpg

The last of the cosmetic fiberglass work to the front will be to extend the inner lip of the large opening like in this Photoshopped image.

 

The headlights will be remounted to the inside of the hood for a cleaner, more modern look.

post-4015-097762700 1300512792_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

post-4015-018500700 1301971677_thumb.jpgTo achieve the look I want for the headlights, I glassed-in four metal brackets to the back side of the front scoops. A little short strand fiberglass filler to 'glue' them in place and several layers of cloth and resin to completely secure them.

 

post-4015-050240500 1301972266_thumb.jpg

 

I wrapped the headlight in foil and mounted the whole assembly.

 

post-4015-064436100 1301975123_thumb.jpg

 

A little more filler to fill in the irregular gap...

 

post-4015-039407400 1301972267_thumb.jpgpost-4015-040269700 1301972268_thumb.jpg

 

 

...and some light sanding yields a perfectly round hole.

 

post-4015-058504400 1301975786_thumb.jpg

 

 

I then turned my attention to the taillights.

After many hours of debating the exact locations of the lights, studying the curvature of the back panel, measuring, remeasuring, marking, erasing, remarking (in the exact same places) and then doing it all over again, I finally worked up the nerve to make that first cut. A rotary tool made easy work of the cutting and sanding of the fiberglass. The old Datsun sheet metal underneath was a different story. The depth of these lights, approximately 3 inches, required the modification of the old valance underneath. Limited access through the new holes, made for slow work. After a couple of hours of small cuts using the rotary tool cut off wheel and a reciprocating saw, and some adjusting with a hammer and short length of pipe, there was finally enough room to slip the mounting brackets in and bolt the lights up tight. ( Pics of the mangled sheet metal are too gruesome to post.)

I may adjust the orientation later, but for now I'm satisfied with the look.

post-4015-025166300 1301971680_thumb.jpg

post-4015-041681000 1301972270_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Those taillights look really sweet Wes. Nice work. And from every picture angle they look perfectly aligned! See, it pays to measure twice, or three times, or seven... :D

 

I see pencil marks where the license plate goes. Are you thinking of doing a recess for it? DO IT! You know you want too. :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Those taillights look really sweet Wes. Nice work. And from every picture angle they look perfectly aligned! See, it pays to measure twice, or three times, or seven... :D

 

I see pencil marks where the license plate goes. Are you thinking of doing a recess for it? DO IT! You know you want too. :lol:

 

You're so right Dan... I want to!! blush.gif

 

Quick question. You used a gas tank from a Subaru, right? What model and what is the capacity?

 

I need to make a decision pretty soon. headscratch.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You're so right Dan... I want to!! blush.gif

 

Quick question. You used a gas tank from a Subaru, right? What model and what is the capacity?

 

I need to make a decision pretty soon. headscratch.gif

 

Doing a plate recess would be easy compared to what you have already done. I've always thought the VR/GTO has too flat of a rear surface. A little depth adds more character. If I wasn't so freakin' busy right now I would suggest we get together and talk about it over a cool drink.

 

My gas tank came out of a Suzuki Samuri, first generation that we got here in the states. Keep in mind that it only holds about 10 or 11 gallons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Doing a plate recess would be easy compared to what you have already done. I've always thought the VR/GTO has too flat of a rear surface. A little depth adds more character. If I wasn't so freakin' busy right now I would suggest we get together and talk about it over a cool drink.

 

My gas tank came out of a Suzuki Samuri, first generation that we got here in the states. Keep in mind that it only holds about 10 or 11 gallons.

 

I agree. I wanted to recess the lights as well... and I still might, if I get ambitious enough to deal with the metal work underneath. But the finished look has to be elegant.

 

Thats what I thought re. the gas tank. I'm considering a couple generic tanks that hold 15-17 gallons and have the right dimensions for mounting in the center of the old spare tire well. They leave plenty of room on the sides for mufflers and duel exhaust. Downside? As usual... cost. But I'll probably bite the bullet on this one to ensure quality and the final look I'm after. blush.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...