I went over to eric’s shop today and did some more welding. It’s now pretty much in place.

I don’t think we did that bad. To form the piece we used a vice, BFH(big freakin hammer) and a small piece of round steel. I then mig welded it in. I had a bit of burning through but I got the hange of it in the end and got it to look pretty good.

I haven’t placed an update since the car left my garage so I figure I probably should. The passenger side quarter panel is secured, ground flush, it received a thin layer of fiberglass filler to help resist cracking, and several thin layers of body filler. It’s turning out really good and the body is straightening out.

* PICTURE OF PASSENGER QUARTER TO COME *

The door jambs have been completely sanded down and I’ve started working on the drivers side trunk drop off which had quite a bit of rust through.

Unfortunately I forgot my cammera at home tonight and only had my cell phone to take pictures with. Before tonight I had only gas welded some 1/8″ plate in auto class. Eric got me started mig welding and I think I’m catching on. I’ll take some pictures tomorrow when I’m there.

The nova’s gone to a good family friend of ours to get some bodywork done. Eric’s trailored the nova over to his house tonight and we unloaded it into his garage. He’s got all the tools I’ll need to get the body back in one solid piece again. He knows how to do the bodywork and is willing to teach me how.

Goals Over the next few weeks:

• Finish attaching the driver side quarter panel
• Grind both quarter panels flush
• Do rough bondo work and get the body as straight as possible
• If time get some nice base/clear paint on it.

I’m not counting on getting the nova completely squared off for the car show. The countdowns ticking and the motor will be dropped in after just 20 more days. I’m hoping to have the weekend to put it in and get all the break in procedures out of the way. It needs to be in top running shape for the Johnson car show on June 5th. I need to have it there to defend the top motor award.