Project Korean Cortina - going back in time!

[Thomas]

Ah nice, a pre-facelift Stellar! I haven't thoroughly read the entire thread yet, but it's great to see you're putting so much effort in it!

[mat_the_cat]

A little more progress this week! All the welding is now done, so it's 'just' a case of primer and paint...

 

 

 

 

Not the best photo, but they've blended them into the sills nicely. Hopefully the next update will be more significant.

[mat_the_cat]

  On 22/04/2015 at 21:55, mat_the_cat said:

The driver's seat is quite worn on the outer edge, and I had some spare material so I took that to be repaired today (sorry, no photos). They're reckoning on 3 weeks, which doesn't leave much time before SF15!

 

I'm happy to say that they gave me a ring (on BH Monday!) to say that the seat was ready So I went over this evening after work to collect it, as he stayed a bit later for me.

 

 

Can you tell which side is new?

 

Fabric aside, it all looks great and even the fact you can see the join looks better than how it looked before. The side support was worn though, plus there was a couple of weld burns from when I did the gutter welding. I'm hoping that with a deep clean of the original fabric, and once the new wears a bit, the difference will be less marked - i.e. if I can get the base to look the same as the seat back, I reckon it will be almost invisible.

 

They've also straightened the frame on that side, built up the foam where it had disintegrated, and carried out some minor plastic welded repairs on the trim around the adjustment handles. All in all a good job and quicker than expected!

[mat_the_cat]

Went round to the bodyshop to see the car today, and some progress is being made although is frustratingly slow They've mostly prepped the door shuts this week, so is close to being ready for primer. Starting to wonder whether it will be ready for SF '15, which would be gutting if it didn't make it. (Although the van would undoubtedly be more comfortable and sensible accommodation...)

 

I explained the deadline anyway, and offered to pay a little more if needed to speed things along so lets see what happens. Not sure how much time I will need to build it all back up again but realistically if I don't collect it before the BH weekend I'm going to be struggling, unless I use up the little holiday I have left from work to get it ready.

[mat_the_cat]

Starting to get there!

 

 

 

The shell and bonnet are now in primer, with a couple of little dents on the roof now showing up afterwards. Apparently anyway, I couldn't see or feel them but they showed up under the lights in the spray booth. *Hopefully* I'll be able to collect it next week, then start putting everything back together.

 

I've dropped off the rear window too, so that once paint is on they can bond it back in. Starting to think SF is in with a chance

[mat_the_cat]

Phoned up today to check on progress, and it's all looking doubtful for Shitefest. The main guy (Graham) is in hospital with lung problems (from a lifetime of working in a bodyshop?) and they really seem to be struggling without him. I feel a bit bad for trying to chase...puts things into perspective somewhat!

 

Best case scenario is next Friday, which I can't really see with it being a short week next week. Oh well, the van probably is a more sensible option for camping.

[dollywobbler]

Guess we'll have to do another Shitefest Cymru next year then, for the big unveiling. You can wait another year yeah?

[mat_the_cat]

It's a bit annoying, when I've been waiting and looking forwards to it for months!

 

In other news, a bit of fame for the model!

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/popular-cars-vanishing-from-our-roads/ss-BBjZ0cp?ocid=iehp#image=50

[gtd2000]

I'm currently in South Korea (Seoul to be specific) the oldest example of chod I've spotted so far is a Hyundai Pony Pickup.

 

Nealry everything on the road is 2005 or newer from what I can tell - the vast majority being only a few years old.

[mat_the_cat]

Mojo struggling a bit at the moment, which is unusual for me. No real progress on the paintwork although at least Graham is out of hospital and back at work. But I'm very disappointed about Shitefest; it's taken the shine off it a bit. That had been my deadline for getting it painted ever since Christmas. And now it feels like I just don't know when it'll be ready.

 

To be fair, the hourly rate they offered was dependant on fitting it in during quiet periods, but I've never seen them so busy as they are now I may have to drown my sorrows rather than celebrate next weekend... 

[Bren]

The best things come to those who wait.

[fordperv]

^ keep reminding yourself this, I keep getting peed about for actually getting my car through the body shop doors and into the place, at least your car is in and progress is being made slowly but surely

[mat_the_cat]

That is true, and the sensible way of looking at it. Trying to think on the bright side, since the last photo they have at least filled and primed the small dents which became apparent after the guide coat, so it is in theory just about ready for colour

[oldcars]

Shame its taking a while but as has been said the best things come to those who wait. Would be a real shame if it was rushed to finish and it was not 100%.

[KruJoe]

It's not like you'll be flogging it within the next 12 months is it, Mat? Deffo a keeper.

We had the (astonishing) preview last year, so we'll all just have to hold on a bit longer to bask in its completed, brilliant glory.

 

Chin-up lad, you'll probably be glad of the van anyway, by next Sunday.

[colino]

I'm sure it will come back looking just as good as you want it, your just a victim of the, "restorers favour" thinking.  Two very good friends of mine have their own bodyshops, and it still annoys me that that this type of work is shuttled around and even more annoyingly when they say it has to be put aside for, "paying jobs".

[mat_the_cat]

They did make it clear at the start, so I'm not actually angry with the bodyshop. And I can see the logic that even if I was paying the full rate, they still have to keep the insurance companies happy for repeat business. Just frustrating, that's all!

 

But there's still 4 working days left, so I haven't given up hope 100%! No point looking on the dark side, miracles may still happen

[KruJoe]

If you have some free time this week Mat, would they welcome you going in and helping with it?

[mat_the_cat]

It's a possibility, but hinges on whether I can get time off work at short notice. We shall see. Although most of the work is the top coat, I'd be doing the reassembly anyway so not sure what I could actually do.

[mat_the_cat]

In the meantime I've brought the grille back from the bodyshop so I could rub it down and mask it - 4 hours(!) later here it is:

 

 

It's plastic with a fake 'chrome' effect on the bits I've masked off, and the rest in body colour. Should hopefully save time and money now all they have to do is paint it!

[Skizzer]

Ach, you're just teasing us now!  I was hoping for a post that said the miracle had happened and a bunch of elves had broken into the workshop last night and put down three layers of base coat.  

[mat_the_cat]

Nearly 20 years I've waited for this moment.

 

 

 

(feels like 20 years since I took it into the bodyshop!)

They've managed to get the body in colour at least; doors *hopefully* following tomorrow. Should be able to collect it this afternoon, and I've already taken Friday off so my plan is to work into the night getting as much as possible on the shell, then assemble and fit the doors on Friday *if* they are ready.

 

Shitefest. Is. ON!!!

[Rusty_Rocket]

YES!!!!

[KruJoe]

Blimey O'Riley, the paint'll still be wet!

[320touring]

Yaaaas!

[cms206]

BECAUSE SHITEFEST IS BEST FEST

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Holy cow!!!

[oldcars]

This looks great, but please do not rush the rebuild it would be a crying shame to damage it after so much work you have put in.

[Danblez]

Fantastic!

[Skizzer]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!