ST project - update - R hinges and body parts

jpnovak · 06-03-2003, 05:49 AM

Its been a while since I have updated everyone on the progress. So far I have all the body panels fit to the car. What a day when the last piece was fit. The decklid really makes the car look whole.

The ability to mount the decklid was made possible by my homemade version of the R-style hinges. here are some picts of the hinges open and closed. They still have to have the clevis pins installed and final shape put in to make them a bit less obvious, but everyone can get the idea.

I machined the parts on the mill. The black is some leftover annodization from the scrap I used as stock. They still have to be removed and stripped and likely polished. right now a drill is securing the two sections but a removable clevis pin will take their place. Best thing is they were not the high dollar parts that you see in catalogs. Just a few hours of my time to prototype.

I also painted the side of the car just to see what it would look like in silver. It will all get sanded back off but I just needed some motivation towards the finished product. I hope to have the car painted by the end of the summer which to me is a realistic goal.

Next on the list is starting the long process of sanding everything down and put the car in primer.

Body in White, I can't wait.

jpnovak · 06-03-2003, 05:52 AM

Here are the picts they didn't come out on the first try.

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

lookin' good jamie.. I can't wait til it's all done.

jriera · 06-03-2003, 06:33 AM

That's looking good Jamie!!

What decklid are you mounting back there?

Now I have envy again.. Great job!

jpnovak · 06-03-2003, 07:33 AM

The decklid is from Peter at Rennspeed. Its just a fiberglass version of a stock decklid. The fit seems to be excellent except its a few mm too narrow, but straight. The side gaps measure about 6mm instead of the spec. 4mm. It looks larger than it really is since its a different color. funny how your eyes can deceive you.

I may get a ducktail and have it painted so that I can switch. The best thing about my hinge design is that it will have a removable pin. I should be able to swap decklids/tails in about 30 sec.

The hinge has a built in gap set at 5mm. each part is bolted flush with its respective edge so the tub/decklid gap is constant across. No fiddling around with spacers and such to swap the parts.