Dodge Kingsway rebuild

[slantie]

It would help if you showed your location on your identification.

Sorry about that chief - new to these forum things!
Live in Ipswich, Qld. Mainly chasing rims for my 54 as these are different on a 1956 Dodge. I'll make a list and PM you soon! Travel no worries! Thanks, Laurence!

[JBJ]

Hi All,

Had a look at the progress?? again today.


The hole in the roof filled. Wont need much filler here.



Top of door adjustment



The car had cracks in the panels both sides below windows. The cracks were in lead filled areas, so I got Peter to grind the lead out & repair them. Turned out the factory had 3 spot welds in a seam each side, so he welded them fully. A bit of filler & its OK





Works still stopped while he does other jobs.

JBJ

[JBJ]

Hi All,

Well works stopped again on my Dodge. This was done on a door several weeks ago, & tools are still there today.

Each door needs inner & outer bottoms, then a bit at top of drivers side B pillar & its done for the body repairs hopefully.




These repairs are slow but well executed, I have to keep telling myself that.

JBJ

[bobt]

Hi JBJ

Ya gotta remember that Rome was not built in a day.

This motor of yours is going to come out better then Rome.

The work that is being performed looks tops...

bobt

[JBJ]

Thanks Bob ( & all you other guys)

The quality of Peters work is the only reason I've stuck with thisrust repair rebuild, which is definitely costing more than I expected it to. The mechanicals have already been done, & I've collected heaps of bits to finish it while the bodywork is going on.

But Kaybee warned me years ago about getting jobs done properly, & how its impossible to guess what things end up costing when done properly.

At the end of every rebuild I've ever done, I consider the quality more important than cost. When I finish this one I will be happy with it, regardless of what I spend.

I'm now having problems making up my mind about paint colours. Still plenty of time to decide, but it will definitely be two toned, & not boring colours.

JBJ

[Swellwillys]

Two toned !
I love it Dennis.

Seems your going to win this one with so little work remaining on the body work.

Like you say" Keep at It ! I't will all come together in time.


Swellwillys

[slantie]

From what i can see the panelbeater knows what he is doing and a real tradesman - (better that the bog beaters I come to known - and yes i have seen it first hand). Don't forget that you will have to lay on the fishoil as oxy welding burns the metal and paint on the side so plenly of rust proofing to do!!!

Two tone paint sounds great!! Just don't paint the Dodge red please!!! unless you are painting flames!

Keep the photos coming Dennis!! ;D

[JBJ]

Thanks Slantie,

When I finally get it back from the repairs, it gets sandblasted & etch primed. Then I intend to start treating the inside bits of all the repairs. I also have to finish off the inside floor as I can do that OK myself.

Just takes time & money, which is a bit lite on at present.

It will work out great in the end.
Still dont have any final idea on colours, but red & white is a combo I've always liked.

More likely to end up something unusual.

JBJ

[kazandadam]

Dennis, are you thinking of doing something two-tone classic, or two-tone strong & bold?

Adam

[JBJ]

Hi Adam,


Still unsure, but have mellowed a little as I get older, so probably will be close to a traditional US mid 50's combo. I'll get my photoshop skills brushed up, & try a few combos when its time. It'll be a fair while before I need to put any colour anywhere I reckon.

JBJ

[JBJ]

Hi All,

A bit more done. Finally got one door finish welded, & its the rear door with a dogleg shaped in the skin.


Outside repairs to rear RH door


Inside repairs to rear RH door


Removed rusty bits to front RH door

New inner RH front door bottom piece fitted







Gee I wish I could weld as good as this, without having to shrink & stretch the panel back into shape. By the end of this week its down to 2 doors to finish. Progress stops again then for another month or so.

Its still fun
JBJ

[Swellwillys]

Kool work Dennis !.
And I love the regular updates.

Regards,
Swellwillys

[Deleted]

Hey Dennis,

Any updates on this? really enjoying watching the build on this one! reminds me of a Cortina I bought back in January, luckily not as bad as yours but similar in a lot of ways.

Andrew

[JBJ]

Hi Andrew,

Unfortunately its been sitting for months. Only needs 2 half door skins done to get it out of the panel shop.

But the owner of the business decided to rebuild an E type Jag, while I caught up with my payments, whhich I did months ago.

Now the E Type is almost done. It was replaced from middle of doors down, litterally. New floor, sills, firewall, back panel, guards,doors, cowl, probably 75% of car. They,ve spent over $50K on the shell repairs.'

So when its bolted back together, & able to be removed from hoist, mine goes back to be finished. Should only ( hopefully) take a couple of weeks to complete. I've given up thinking about what time & money has gone in, just happy with the quality of the repairs.


Peter the bodyworker wont work on cars unless they are elevated on his hoist. Hes in his late 50's, & been doing it all his working life. His back is not good.

The latest I've been told is maybe ( hopefully) late January. Then its off to get sandblasted & etch primed, & then I can get stuck into it.

I guess I'm luckier than the 4 other partly done cars sitting in the shed, with very uncertain completion dates. I keep hassling , so I get preference.


Its still fun

JBJ

[cruisindoug]

Hi JBJ this build will be very cool when finished - all things come to those who wait ... Cheers, Doug.
_{Psssst have you seen the Kingsway on that unmentionable site - might go cheap enough for spares if you need any ...}

[JBJ]

Hi All,

Well my Dodge is back on the work hoist, with 2 door bottoms only to do. That should ;D ;D ;D only take a couple of weeks, then home to get runnig & a seat fitted, to move it around. Then off to sandblaster to get blasted & etch primed.

It sat 6 1/2 months untouched, so that accounts for lack of progress. Its good to have progress re started

Hopefully it will start being fun again, having the Dodge & Deejay to work on at night & weekends.

JBJ

[Swellwillys]

Hey JBJ,

Jooles and I are happy for you that the rebuild is about to recommence.

I must admit I was never too concerned that we had not seen any recent updates, as I know your commitment to her rebuild.

For someone involved in building cars for such a long period of time I am sure you have become used to the inevitable delays in the construction process. ( I'm still to come to terms with this)

Keep up the great work.

Swellwillys

[JBJ]

Hi All,

Finally Peter is finishing my doors. Things move very slowly in this repair shop.

He's halfway thru rebuilding the rear door bottom, made the replacement inner bottom, & now rebuilding the dog leg section.



Hopefully another day on this door, then just the bottom of the front door to go.

Hopefully get it finished completely & out of their shop end of next week.

JBJ

[neilncheryl]

It will be exciting to have it back home eh Dennis.
Been a long time but looks worth the wait.
Looking forward to seeing it painted
Neil

[JBJ]

Hi All,

Well finally out of panel shop & home today.

Parked in front of Deejay.




This is the towbar I had built by a truck body builder a few years back, without the bumper hiding it.


So look out Gavan, the work in finishing it starts this weekend.

JBJ

[Don Ricardo]

G'day JBJ,

Nice to see the Dodge out and about, so to speak.

It's been in the panel shop a long time, but as you've shown us along the way, it's had a top job on it.

I'm looking forward to seeing it all come together, then with it out on the road with the Deejay tagging along behind.

I see you're going for the open engine look... ;D ;D ;D

Don Ricardo

[beau]

I'm green ;D,
that's going to be an awesome combo....

[Swellwillys]

Quote "So look out Gavan, the work in finishing it starts this weekend"

JBJ

I don't like losing Dennis !

However seems you may win this one - been a little side tracked with the Surfari of late.

The combos going to look a treat. My guess is a two tone red n cream for the car ?

Looking forward to seeing the progressive photos !

All the very best.

Swellwillys

[JBJ]

Hi Banno,

Its been raining every day I've tried to work on it since I brought it home. My work shed is the great outdoors, & its under tarps while its raining.
Then I've been working to afford things, fixing a few bits on Deejay, selling a car & a van, & on it goes.
Not enough hours in life, or so it seems as I get older.

But its all good. The rain always stops eventually.

JBJ

[JBJ]

Hi All,

I've been collecting a few (well a lot of really) bits out of USA while the Dodge has been in the panel shop.

One of the bits I like best is this bonnet badge. Its NOS, but has a bit of pitting under the plating over the plastic body. Still I think its great.

My bonnet mascot was cast in gunmetal by the previous owner who rebuilt it first up, along with the door handles.He did a foundry course at Tafe, & cast them as his project. He did a very good job with all of it.

The original was die cast, & in 2 pieces. Theres one NOS on ebay USA for $495US.
I think mines better as it will never bubble up in the chrome like die cast does.

Heres the new badge.


The new badge & bonnet Mascot.

The original Australian bonnet badge & Mascot



The original bonnet mascot was long & flat, as my mascot is off a 53 US car.

JBJ