March 2nd, 1955 Strato Silver Project

[67Cabrio]

Any updates? Building a Stratos Silver '55 as well!

[RareAir]

[carnut63]

No it didn't sell. True, I did have it up for sale because like most stories the family, and other commitments got in the way. I had it up for a fair price and got low balled and promised everything under the Sun but nobody ever bought it and I wasnt going to give it away so it is still in about the same condition.

On the other hand I have had a renewed interest in finishing it. I am in the middle of a 10 month deployment on the USS Carl Vinson but I do have persmission from the wife to get it finished.

I have the case that I bought from Everett many years ago, and 2 or 3 36ers that I would like to use for parts if possible...but need to find an engine builder that can put it together. And i will probably just pick up a refurbished and freshened split case.

I have the shell that is sooooo close to being perfect. Just a couple last minute holes in the firewall and a couple on the dash I would like taken care of. Have the original front fenders for it but they are in need of serious metal work.

I will be back in May-June, then hopefully will be able to complete the paint and body and will be dont with it...If the wife still supports me.

Thanks for the interest!

Tyson
_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[The Vdub Hub]

My September 55 Strato Silver had original rear black seat frame as well.

[carnut63]

Yes life did get in the way but I never did sell the car. Never really "needed" to. I figured at some point I will be in a position in life to work on it.
Well now is that time. After calling around and looking at paying at least 6k for a paint job I decided to break out the old SATA KLC RP gun and get to work in the garage.
Sprayed some 2k with my cheap Devilbiss and blocked it out first.

Hood gap

Painting doors

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[carnut63]

Some vw wind chimes

Pearl white inner rims

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[carnut63]

Out for some polishing. Mostly started with 1200. Sometimes 1500 of it was minimal orage peel. Finished with 3000 trizac and rubbed with meguiars 105 and polished with 205.
I will finish it off with a glaze. Probably #7 when the car is assembled.

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[carnut63]

For the wheels I painted the white first then taped it off.
Once it was done I just covered it up with a piece of paper and a generous amount of tape.

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[carnut63]

I pulled the pan out of hiberbation on the side of the house where it's been the last year. Spent about 3 hours cleaning out bamboo shreds and rotten oranges from a rat that lived in there. After the first hour of poking and blowing air hose fat ass ran out and scrambled off.

Round one.

Round two

Lots of purple powder and a scrub brush.

Some gross brown probably rat left overs coming out.

Now she looks almost as good as new. A little faded ok top maybe.
_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[carnut63]

Much better.

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[carnut63]

Painted the underside in gloss black today. I suppose I might have done things a little different tly if it was on a rotisserie and I had another quart of paint.

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[carnut63]

Made a little progress.

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[motofly196]

A little progress? No...you're making a ton of progress! This car is going to be awesome. I bet that was a good feeling getting that pan cleaned up. Looks good!

[carnut63]

Well....after I cleaned off the transmission I had, i learned it was from a 1960 so onto a search for a later model one.
Found one for sale with engine. The seller claims they both came out of a 56 he bought. When I went to check it out, turns out the trans is the exact same 60 that I have. But the engine is a November 55 complete and turns freely. Came with a old German replacement single tip muffler, a good looking generator, wavy top fuel pump, and working early heater boxes.
I'm pretty happy with it.

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[carnut63]

What is with this coil mount?

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[motofly196]

Strange that the Nov 55 engine (56), has so much early stuff on it.

[EverettB]

[carnut63]

Well after a move, a smaller garage, and a year has passed I have decided to get back into it pretty hard. Assembled the clutch, flywheel, adjusted the end play, painted some bits, and installed the engine. I am a one man garage to it had to go into place as light as possible.

Pulled out into the sun and dusted off

Putting the finishing touches on the doors and glass looks as good as new

Running the wiring harness from WW. Pretty simple job with the aid of some hangar wire and weed wacker line.

First time she has seen a motor for about 9 years.

Painted the muffler with Por 15 high temp silver and the manifold is High temp manifold grey with a few drops of silver to lighten it up.

_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)

[Rome]

Car's looking great! What did you end up doing for the transmission- keeping either of the 1960 units, or did you find a full synchro '61 and later?

I'm about to paint an intake manifold with the POR-15 grey. With the smooth finish on yours (as well as the muffler) it appears you used your spray gun instead of a brush? If so, did you need to dilute the paint at all? What was your air pressure set to? I have some basic spray equipment but my manifold will be fine for brush-painting.

[carnut63]

I used one of the trans that I had around. It’s dated nov 59 on the casting but seemed to fit fine, the nose cone bolted up and I don’t really have any problems with an angle. I have all the tin in around the engine seal.

The por 15 went on with a brush, then I used a small roller to smooth it out. It has a fine texture to it but I think it looks good.
_________________
Tyson

---> Mar 2 1955 Strato Silver Oval <---
---> July 1957 ragtop project <---
---> May 5 1966 Ghia <---
---> 1962 Ruby Red Deluxe (sold)