Cutlass header panel

[custom442]

Here's the work I'll be doing step by step for anyone interested

Before:

cut out center brace:

behind this plastic will need to be reinforced with steel:

it's a good idea to brace the header above also, but the fiberglass used is pretty strong stuff

Big opening, but maneagable for a new grille and fiberglass work:

just used a dremel and electric sander for now

next step is to shave the headlight bezels and bolt in tinted plexi...

 

[custom442]

I bought two small pieces of plexi 1/4" thick at 2$ a piece

Here's the tint I got, 15$ at Lowes. If you use a petroleum based product (plexi/lexan) make sure to use 'cling on' tint, not adhesive tint

 

[vladj]

that looks nice. i was thinking about doing almost the same to my cutlass. but im scared to screw it up. keep the pics coming.


Vlad

 

[custom442]

that looks nice. i was thinking about doing almost the same to my cutlass. but im scared to screw it up. keep the pics coming.

Thanx, If you look at the close up pictures you'll see I have fiberglass resin all over the place. That's one of the reasons I'm doing it to this panel cuz it wasn't perfect to start with :wink:

Here's one finished, it's time for work so I'll do the other tomorrow night or the next day:

Turns out the cling on tint bubbles just as bad as the adhesive stuff :? but it's removable and reusable which is a plus. Can't see the bubbles unless you're about 2 feet away looking at the correct angle. In the future I'll buy a sheet of some pre-tinted plexi online, that should fix the problem

oh, and the panel will be all gloss black, just like the plexi covers when it's finished

 

[vladj]

thats cool what will be in the middle? just mesh like the old GT350 mustangs? i think that would look good. also you should look into this:

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/94Z/piaa.htm

i wanted to do that with some $10 fog lights i have.


vlad

 

[adumb]

thats the same idea i have for my grand prix. i am going to leave the chrome bezel and lay the tinted plexiglass inset in there so only the edge of the headlight bezel will show.

you are getting me excited to finally do mine!!

thumbs up dude

 

[custom442]

thats cool what will be in the middle? just mesh like the old GT350 mustangs? i think that would look good. also you should look into this:

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/94Z/piaa.htm

i wanted to do that with some $10 fog lights i have.


vlad

that's an idea. I'm going to need some bright lights anyway to shine through the tint. I've also found some on JC whitney that are the shape of the rectangle sealed beams, but accept new style bulbs that pop out the back

in the middle is going to be a black mesh grille that follows the pattern of the plexiglass in this picture:

And the lower part of the grille opening will also follow that idea, I'll shape it so it goes back toward the radiator far enough to not see anything but painted fiberglass from the front

not quite like a gt350, I thought about doing a recessed grille after I went to the Houston auto show last year, DUB had a nice recessed grille on a charger that I wanted to copy... but I want to stick with my first idea which was to clone as much as possible the fe3x

 

[custom442]

thats the same idea i have for my grand prix. i am going to leave the chrome bezel and lay the tinted plexiglass inset in there so only the edge of the headlight bezel will show.

you are getting me excited to finally do mine!!

thumbs up dude

do it!! I thought I would leave the chrome, but it lined up easier on the cutlass without it

 

[custom442]

Here's both covers finished:

I'm going to redo them tomorrow with new plexi because the left one got a small crack when it was screwed in

I also want to toss the tint idea and just buy some of this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NITE-SHA ... dZViewItem
and spray clear over it.

I think O-Reily usually keeps something like this in stock

next week is mesh grille!! (and to start the engine)

 

[custom442]

now that my engine's finished I can get back to some body work.

Here's the hole cut in my hood, still need to get it bolted in. I'll be cutting and riveting in a 3 sided scoop in a few days, then I'll go back and finish the mesh grille. After that it's time to primer and paint the hood/header/and above the body line on the fenders