May 31, 2013: Checking In

As the title suggests I went up to see Carlos to check how things are coming along.

From last visit to this visit even more work has been done! I gotta say that it was very exciting.

The quarter panel that was welded onto the body now looks flush and clean. The right side of the car is taking shape. All the hours needed to make to fit and look right have paid off. 

The quarter looks good BUT we're not done with it yet. The quarter panel extension (the part that is a different gray and has the hand on it) doesn't fit quite right. Now Carlos has to spend time to get it the correct shape as the left half AND fit the new quarter panel and trunk lid area. 

We spent of the time talking about the trunk area. He is very focused on making the gaps straight and perfect. The body guys who fixed the car many years ago didn't care about that kind of thing so now it's up to Carlos to make it right. 

Also the interior of the trunk is area is sealed. It makes the trunk look good to me and I have the satisfaction in knowing that the trunk will not be problem ever again.

ONE more thing... the door is fixed!! I forgot to take a photo of that one. Next time!!

May 4, 2013: Checking in After my Semester in Rome

Now that I'm back in the USA I need to check out the Mustang. I head up to see Carlos with the family so we can all see how far along the car has come.

On a side note: For Carlos, doing body work or fixing classic cars is a hobby and a pleasure to him. So he takes his time and enjoys the ride. Unlike other body shops where it is all business, the body work for the Mustang is more fun oriented.

The Mustang has seen huge improvements since I saw it last. The replacement quarter panel I purchased is now installed on the car and the entire trunk area looks better.

The problem with all aftermarket body parts is that they NEVER fit perfectly. The quarter panel is no exception. It took some serious time to get the panel to shape up right and align with the rest of the body. 

NOW it looks great and the car finally looks like a fastback Mustang!

The trunk area is as big of a mess as the quarter panel. When the car got hit in the past the whole trunk area was distorted and was not straight. A vast majority of time spent on the body has been in the rear. 

At the time of these photos the trunk is rust free and appears to be done. To Carlos it's not done yet. He wants to seal the trunk area. This means putting some kind of paste on all the points where one piece of metal makes contact with another. This prevents any moisture from getting in those area and have them rust again. 

One more thing... the Right Door. The lower front corner of the door had rusted out. This is common rust spot for Mustangs. The only solution to this rust problem is to remove the affected area and replace it with fresh metal.

The piece has to be replaced and sealed. Carlos is also going to clean the inside of the door just to eliminate any further rust growth.

Things are going really well.