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Bertha’s loooooong saga

62714 Views 1108 Replies 55 Participants Last post by  ETriggs, 
ETriggs
Ok, I am putting this thread together so I have a record for everyone to see, suggest, comment, and critique. I have been to the first six Nationals, all without Bertha. Seventh was the lucky charm! I can't let this happen again, it feels too weird.

Here is the list of what I have remaining to do in the next 334 days. By June 24, 2022

1. Get car back home to Auburn. (Yes, it is in Defuniak Spring FL. right now.)

Sheetmetal Work
1. Buy new one piece floor and trunk floor and install
2. Install new rockers
3. Install and repair quarter panels
4. Repair rust / dents in roof
5. New hood
6. New Cowl
7. Repair dash (knee dent on pass side)
8. New trunk-to-bumper panel install and smooth into quarters
9. Align trunk lid
10. Prep and prime and paint

Glass
1. Rechrome side glass frames
2. Buy and install glass. (Vent windows done)

Wiring - install AAW kit I bought
  1. Engine
  2. Dash
  3. Interior
  4. Rear body


Drivetrain
1. Get motor running (already rebuilt)
2. Prep transmission (fluid and install filler tube)
3. Turn front brake rotors (they are new, but rusted a bit in the Florida humidity)
4. Buy and install gas tank (lines are already run)
5. Install steering column and wheel
6. Finish routing and hanging exhaust

Interior:
1. I already have a complete kit from Gina Ciadella (modified 670 trim). It is ready to install.
2. Install wipers, radio, etc. Just enough to make it fully functional

Trim
1. Buy new bumpers (front and rear) and install.
2. Finish polishing all of side trim. I have all of it, it just needs polishing.
3. Get new taillights and install


I think after this, it will be ready to drive to Nats. Not perfect, not complete, but drivable. That is what I want more than anything is for it to be drivable.

I am tossing around set on colors now, but will use a dark silver / gray metallic for the car with a dark blue metallic for trim Strato blue / white. I still have to decide on specific colors though. Paint is now a mix of the VW Strato Blue and Porsche Aetna Blue. I am sending a sample to Orion Automotive and it will be called "Bertha Blue"

Am I forgetting anything major? I have had this car for 10 15 years, I need to get it on the road!!! Finished!
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ETriggs
No work today but the last parts I needed to order have been ordered and some arrived. A new front bumper and hood stop posts arrived and ordered the splash shields. Fingers crossed but I hope these are the last parts I will need to finish Bertha.

Now when I say “finish”, Version 1.0 will be finished. I’m sure there will be tweaks and stuff added later on.
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ETriggs
It’s been a busy and productive day. Rear door finished except final blocking. Adjusting doors to make sure it all fits still. I haven’t adjusted anything, hence they’re all caddywampus.

Wheel Vehicle Tire Motor vehicle Hood



New front bumper in, all checked for dings and scratches. All good to go.

Hood Vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive tire Motor vehicle


Hood Dress Automotive design Vehicle door Couch


Old original front and rear bumper disassembled finally. Only took 15 years. The front is good as a core, rear is only good for cleaning up and hanging on the wall as art or going to the junkyard.

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ETriggs
And got this in the mail!
Font Slope Rectangle Soil Parallel
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ETriggs
Looking more like a car instead of a pile of rust and parts.

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ETriggs
I also redid the dash. It had some sanding scratches that were visible with the metallic, it was driving me nuts. I sanded the top half of the dash with 600 grit and resprayed base/clear. Did 4 coats of clear this time, to give more more to polish out. But, I can’t complain as it looks pretty darn good off the gun.

Also, I can’t say enough good things about the Devilbiss FLG5 gun. Its capabilities far surpass my competence.

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H
How's the bet looking,LOL?
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ETriggs
So far, good! I will be out of town for 2 weeks starting next weekend so that slows me down, but outcome still looks good.
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ETriggs
Just found out I don’t have to go to New Mexico on Saturday, more time on Bertha! I will be out June 30-July 4 to see my Dad in Wyoming though.
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ETriggs
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Dragsix
Man o man! Is that looking great!
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ETriggs
Dragsix said:
Man o man! Is that looking great!
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Thanks! It’s getting there. I’m taking the early afternoon off as it’s 94 degrees and 90% humidity right now.

Edit: Weather.com says 54% humidity…. My humidity gauge and craq de derrière says otherwise.
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ETriggs
Cluster temp in, yes I know the steering box needs to be shimmed, yes, I know I have two fuel gauges in. One is the aftermarket gauge that will stay and the other is just filling a hole until I print some gauge adapters.

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BamaNomad
Eldon, so what is your plan for the alternate gauge hole? and once you have those two gauges in place, what do you plan for 'other needed gauges'???
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ETriggs
BamaNomad said:
Eldon, so what is your plan for the alternate gauge hole? and once you have those two gauges in place, what do you plan for 'other needed gauges'???
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RPM in the left and I have a triple gauge cluster for under the dash for oil pressure, water temp, and Volts. I’m also wiring in the original oil pressure warning light so it’s on the dash. I’m looking at a way to turn the Gen warning light into a water temp warning indicator.
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Dragsix
You dont often see the turbo indicator!
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lamburgey
ETriggs said:
RPM in the left and I have a triple gauge cluster for under the dash for oil pressure, water temp, and Volts. I’m also wiring in the original oil pressure warning light so it’s on the dash. I’m looking at a way to turn the Gen warning light into a water temp warning indicator.
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That’s what I did. Tach on left, fuel gauge on right, and water temp& oil pressure under dash. Yours is looking great by the way.
Larry
Car Motor vehicle Automotive design Odometer Speedometer
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JohnDubaya
Just read through your journey with Bertha and you’ve certainly had to battle your way through but she’s looking great. Looking forward to seeing everything done.
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ETriggs
lamburgey said:
That’s what I did. Tach on left, fuel gauge on right, and water temp& oil pressure under dash. Yours is looking great by the way.
Larry
View attachment 368949
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Thanks! Yours is gorgeous!

I have two fuel gauges, one in chrome and one in black. I grabbed the black one to install instead of the chrome. :rolleyes: Gotta go back and swap that out.
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BamaNomad
with a bit of 'size tailoring', 2-5/8" gauges will fit into those two gauge pods on a '57... lots bigger/better than the 2" or 2-1/8" gauges...
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lamburgey
ETriggs said:
Thanks! Yours is gorgeous!

I have two fuel gauges, one in chrome and one in black. I grabbed the black one to install instead of the chrome. :rolleyes: Gotta go back and swap that out.
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Yes chrome one is better. Don’t know what kind of adapters you were referring to but when I installed the tach I just used a couple small metal tabs to hold it in and it was simple. Otis actually did a video years ago on how to do this. Sounds like you know what you’re doing on this anyway.
Larry
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