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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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panelman
Rock. Awn.
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lamburgey
Great progress. I have been fighting oil leaks all day so it never ends. Motor seems to be running fine so gonna put some miles on it this week to test. BG here we come!
Larry
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panelman
lamburgey said:
Great progress. I have been fighting oil leaks all day so it never ends. Motor seems to be running fine so gonna put some miles on it this week to test. BG here we come!
Larry
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That's the good thing about a 350 and 1 piece pan seal. No leaks!!
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ETriggs
Took a break during the heat and got the new YOM plates registered to Bertha. She’s now able to drive anywhere, any time, for any reason. Now to get her drivable. I’m working on it!

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panelman
At the tone, the date will be, August 1st.. bzzzzzzzzz
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ETriggs
Car Tire Wheel Vehicle Grille


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schovil69
Now it's really looking like a car!
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ETriggs
The driver rear door needs a ton of work. It will be in a tinted epoxy primer, but that’s it. I may just try to find a better door.
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panelman
So how many of those 300 "test" miles have you put on it yet? :|

Please, if you want to be successful on this mission, STOP PAINTING NOW! Put the other parts on, and get it on the road to check for mechanical issues. You are giving me stress, and I'm not even going! LOL
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H
Beware of saboteurs within the household, LOL
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ETriggs
I have a buddy coming over tomorrow to help me tune it. I have to get enough of the body assembled do it’s somewhat drivable, I’ve stopped painting and just priming when needed. Passenger rear door now opens and closes with the handle. However, I never got the front door levers from Danchuk so I need to figure out how to crop ge my old ones so the front doors will open.
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panelman
ETriggs said:
I have a buddy coming over tomorrow to help me tune it. I have to get enough of the body assembled do it’s somewhat drivable, I’ve stopped painting and just priming when needed. Passenger rear door now opens and closes with the handle. However, I never got the front door levers from Danchuk so I need to figure out how to crop ge my old ones so the front doors will open.
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You might want to watch some Dukes of Hazzard reruns and see how they get into the General Lee. :)
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ETriggs
panelman said:
You might want to watch some Dukes of Hazzard reruns and see how they get into the General Lee. :)
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I have the parts, at least I should.
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ETriggs
Passenger side doors close, latch, lock, and unlock with key and upgerstickey rod. I have a iPhone video, but haven’t made it into a useful video.
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ETriggs
Here we go.

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ETriggs
Fixed a leak on the water temp sender and coated the inside floor with a RaptorLiner style coating. Chris should be over after lunch so I’m hoping Bertha will be purring like a kitten soon.
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ETriggs
More like a real car now.

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ETriggs
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JohnDubaya
Getting there and looking good.
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lamburgey
Great progress. How’s she running?
Larry
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