Gerahead's 71 Dart

Well the winter is over and I have some time to get back out to the garage. The last posts were pretty much the end of the restoration season for me, so now its time to get back after it. The right rear body brace on the Dart had been tagged some time back and I had done all I could do to straighten it where it sat. Sunday I broke out the cut-off wheel and the spot weld cutter and went to work. Got the bent section cut out and started beating it back into compliance. The easy stuff is done, but it looks like I will have some shrinking skills to learn and master. Turns out the bottom side of the frame rail is bent too, but it looks like it should be pretty easy to straighten. I went to an automotive painting seminar put on by a local supplier over the winter. Two nights for 3-hours each and all the time answering questions afterward that you needed. It was very informative and also taught by a couple of the local PPG reps. I will be putting the car on a rotisserie to handle the underside work, I am getting too old to want to spend all that time on my back! I found a set of plans that I liked and am waiting for the steel so I can get to wrok fabbing it up. I also picked up a TIG welder over the winter. I have never worked with one before so it will likely be a challenge. I friend of mine is a welder by trade and has offered to provide some tutoring. I'm sure I will need it. Once I get the cut out panel straightened, I'll be able to practice some of my new, mad MIG skills. Lots to do. I'll post a couple of pix here as soon as I retrain myself on how to do it. It's good to be back!