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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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67rustavenger wrote: |
Making great progress this week.
I'm diggin the fast paced updates.
Maybe I missed it. Did you get the hood gap corrected?
Keep at it. It'll get done. |
Thanks! I am digging it to! Amazing what a few days off of work and left alone at home can do!
Hood gaps are okay. I can live with it if I have to. I will circle back around in the next week or two on that one. I really need to get my mind around how the panels need to get hit to give me a final gap. I am currently thinking that the inside edge of the trunk may give some of the change with a few taps. Then there is the front apron, which could give another 1/8”. But then, how does that all play with the cowling? I really do not want the lid to leave that panel’s gap exposed any further. I just need to think through this one a bit longer. It is an odd panel to fit, for sure with so many different surfaces along both the X plane and Y plane. Making me spin again just typing it out! That’s why I had to walk away from it for a bit.
I am almost done! A tiny bit more and off to the blasters!!!!
Let’s see what happens this afternoon. I have a slight hang over from drinking a few too many last night at Flashpoint Brewery. I ordered 5 - 16oz glasses at the 1st brewery. Me and my buddies were walking back home and decided to detour to my main watering hole, 4Sons brewery. Ended up gulping a few more down there. As my wife’s says, “You remember half of what you actually drink.” So, maybe there were a few more in there. Can not say for sure! But all 4 of us managed to walk home last night!
Let’s see what happens today! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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markendee Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2009 Posts: 237 Location: Kyabram, Australia
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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Good luck with gaps Jimbo.
PS Was your Aussie mate mixed up in the pub crawl? _________________ Member # 145244 |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2023 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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markendee wrote: |
Good luck with gaps Jimbo.
PS Was your Aussie mate mixed up in the pub crawl? |
Thanks mate! They are getting better!
No he was not. He just had a double knee replacement a few weeks ago, so he stayed home. That wimp! Really amazing though. For the last decade he has only lived in the downstairs of his home, unable to go up the stairs. But, a few days after the surgery, he managed to get up the stairs, with NO PAIN! So, there is a chance he can walk with us, once again, to the old watering hole(s)! Maybe an upcoming month or 2! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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markendee Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2009 Posts: 237 Location: Kyabram, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2023 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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Hmmmm, I Would check his birth certificate. Not too many Australians would miss a pub crawl even with no knees!
Joking, good to hear he is on the mend. _________________ Member # 145244 |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2023 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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markendee wrote: |
Hmmmm, I Would check his birth certificate. Not too many Australians would miss a pub crawl even with no knees!
Joking, good to hear he is on the mend. |
His face screamed that sentiment exactly!! Too funny! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2023 11:48 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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Back at it this morning for a few hours, before the Christmas get together for my wife’s side starts. Wanted to knock out a headlight bucket repair!
Roll it over and set it up for good lighting at the front end.
Here is the rust spot that needs some work. All the way around the conduit opening and a few inches in front of that.
Wire wheeled it and drew a cut line.
Then copied this spot onto a paper plate.
Took it out and unfolded the rear bend part.
And then onto a sheet of steel.
Then cut it out.
Then started shaping it, a little bit at a time.
After I mimicked the panel, I drew a cut out line. Then cut it out, an 1/8” smaller!
Almost there!
And the piece.
Took the small cut off wheel and cut an octagon around the conduit entrance and split the two pieces apart.
With the old sheet metal in hand to copy, I went to work slowly shaping the piece.
Had to cut the back center where it folds straight up. It will get welded at install time.
Good curve.
Marking for the conduit entrance.
That’s where it needs to get cut out. Where my thumb is!
And cut I did.
Then back into the bucket for a check.
All good, let’s clamp it into place.
Then tack welds and hammering to finish the shape.
All the way around.
Bolted in the conduit and welded it in. Look at the back side!
And a light check for pin holes.
Found one!
That was it! Maybe some time tomorrow. _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2023 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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Another 3 hours today! After hanging a TV in a bedroom, and a roof rack on a Honda CRV!
Got started on the headlight bucket on the passenger side. Set the light up and drew a cut line.
Then cut a paper plate up to make a template.
Then placed that onto a piece of sheet metal and ran a marker around it.
Took the steel and pounded out the shape. Weird, I could not get the steel to bend up and bend perpendicular. Each time I pounded one of the bends in, the other would unbend. I tried a few different ways. Oh well.
So, I cut a new piece of steel and pounded it into the shape needed! Really odd!
It was then onto cutting the rust out. Marked it with the new steel and then cut out the rust. Sanded the paint off of the surrounding areas and the clean up the patch.
Removed the light wiring conduit and freed the conduit from its rusted partner.
I then bolted the conduit to the body, cut out the opening in the patch and begun to tack the new panel in.
That is when I noticed that the welds were not looking right. Looked at the gas gauge and saw a 0!
Until tomorrow, after I get gas! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
Last edited by VW_Jimbo on Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
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tehillah1 Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2009 Posts: 256 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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You hung a TV on a CRV? Must be California. We only put them on 4Runners here.
Nice work on those headlight buckets. Your willingness to dive in on these kind of repairs is instructive and encouraging. I appreciate you taking the time to keep us all informed... |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:28 am Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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tehillah1 wrote: |
You hung a TV on a CRV? Must be California. We only put them on 4Runners here.
Nice work on those headlight buckets. Your willingness to dive in on these kind of repairs is instructive and encouraging. I appreciate you taking the time to keep us all informed... |
I am sorry for inserting a comma at the wrong spot in the sentence. I went back and corrected it and inserted a few words to help those with sensitivity to comprehension! 🤪 You need to get a picture of a 4Runner like that. Just to clarify, because this is the black hole of feeling (the internet) I am joking back, in a means to have some fun!
Thank you! I have no fear in trying. Never had to repair a headlight bucket. Was kind of fun to do something new! Well, that was for the fist one. The second one was just like everything else, the same, not like work so fun!
You are welcome! Really hope it just helps someone out in the future, as this story will have an ending, unlike so many in the “builds” section! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 6:16 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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Another 3 hours. Some of that was getting my tank filled! Then…..
Pulled the Bug out, set up everything. Then set up the new bottle. Sat down on my stool and welded away, followed by grinding, followed by sanding, followed by primer. Headlight bucket done!
Now the front is complete! Onto other tasks!
_________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3764 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2023 4:03 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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......................^^^^^.............................................Looks like a BIGGGGGGG SMILE ........................................^^^^^................. _________________ My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom) 😏 |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2023 5:25 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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Getting a late start today. Hoping to get out to the Bug today.
Yesterday I got in a few hours. Was back out working on the hood gaps, still. Figured out the front hood was off of a 1960 Bug, along with the hood prop. Thankfully this has been covered in a few other threads. Thank you to those before my time!
Check out the starting gap.
I then installed the hood prop as suggested. It totally changed how the hood laid on the car. WOW! Never would have guessed that would happen.
And as a side note. This is a 62ish model hood prop (Thanks to VintageVulture!!!) so, guessing the hood is the same vintage since the inside color of both is the same!
With the hood holding itself slightly higher on the driver’s side, with the prop in play, I decided to change the shape of the quarter panel, to fit the hood. Easy enough to move it back if it does not work out. But my fingers are crossed!
Started by removing the front fender and checking the gap. Yep, still out. So, let push the panel!
The big pry bar was utilized to move the panel to the interior side, narrowing the trunk opening, and reducing the gap on that side. Moved it about 3/8”. It helped out both sides. But still needed some help. So, I cut the weld at the joint between the apron and the trunk seal area. Well, I think it did!
I will see if it still looks good tomorrow. If it does I will get the fender back on it. If not, I will try something different! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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AlteWagen Troll
Joined: February 23, 2007 Posts: 8497 Location: PNW
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2023 11:41 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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Thank you for the knowledge. Love learning. I knew it was not an Oval or Split prop, but I had a different picture of what an early small window looked like. Now I know!
Thank you for looking up the correct part. Really nice to see that they are not made from unobtainium! Refreshing to see! However, this car will retain the better part of its history. I have no hope to restore it to a factory car. No thank you! I want to drive it and be able to park it in a front parking spot. I never want to stress about it being hit by a door or a shopping cart running into it. This car will serve, as all of my other ones do! I will just favor this one over the rest of them!
Maybe some day, way down the road, I will get a year specific hood prop for it. Thanks man! Love your knowledge on all of the small details! Wish I had a bottomless wallet, too! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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esde Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: central rust belt
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:02 am Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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Jimbo, if you were doing a super correct build I'd be sad to post this. That 4 tab is 58-60, you can tell by the wider ribbed hinge support
For reference, here is the earlier version
The earlier version was 53-57 with a few smaller changes along the way, like where the hood support bolt is located, etc.
The earlier style is really hard to find, I've been looking for 3 years for my oval rag project and finally accepted that it wouldn't have a correct hood, and used a 58-60 style.
Good work on the headlight bowl. Have you ever used a shot bag to hammer form steel sheet? I'm looking at the pictures and thinking I wish I could loan you one, it is exactly what you needed then. Regardless you got it done, nice work! You said it's going out to get blasted soon? What media and pressure will they use? Has the guy done many cars?
Happy New Years! _________________ modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that. |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 11:07 am Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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esde wrote: |
Jimbo, if you were doing a super correct build I'd be sad to post this. Good work on the headlight bowl. Have you ever used a shot bag to hammer form steel sheet? I'm looking at the pictures and thinking I wish I could loan you one, it is exactly what you needed then. Regardless you got it done, nice work! You said it's going out to get blasted soon? What media and pressure will they use? Has the guy done many cars?
Happy New Years! |
All good stuff! No worries on any of it! Not doing a super correct restoration. Just bringing a car back from heading to the crusher. It was a loaner for a ragtop project. I think the pan was the loaned portion, for its number! It has made me wonder what the other Bug that was restored, looked like! To keep it simple, I am just making the car better, not perfect!
I have used a shot bag in the past. It would have been a perfect tool to use. I tried using a stack of shop rags at first, thinking it would get something done, it did not. So, over to my steel block I walked and started to shape the piece. As it slowly shaped, the compression caused a few buckles, I simple cut them out and kept going. Again, not looking for perfection. Just want an Oval that I can drive around town, down PCH on a sunny day, and then stop at the grocery store for a load of food, without giving two thoughts about the dents that will likely be there when I return to the car with the bags of food!
I found a 53 hood at the very start, locally, when I first got the Bug. They had it in CL for $1500! That’s when I knew this car could never be a show car! All good stuff! The car keeps me healthy! My mind gets to work, I use some muscles during the weekends that I do not use during my regular week. It also has continued my life long journey of being a student, as the research for each step has been enormous! I love each part of it! LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!
Not sure on the shot or the pressure. The business is called Primo Blasting in Huntington Beach. They are less than 1/2 mile from me! This shop has blasted everything I have done over the last several years. That includes exterior gates, shutters, a few car parts, several luggage shelves, on and on. The owner, Dan, is a stand up guy. See him at my local watering hole now and again! Always good when you can have a beer with someone who you subcontract to! Over the years I have seen about 50 Bugs get blasted by them. Last week they had 2 pans in their yard! All good stuff!
Thanks brother! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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esde Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: central rust belt
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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My experience is lowish pressure and keeping the nozzle moving avoids heat and peening distortion. And my best results for no distortion used crushed glass. That said, the compound curves on a beetle body are pretty tolerant to blasting as they're so stiff, unlike say, the 70's muscle cars that have giant nearly flat panels.. anyway, ask questions when. they get it and let us know how it works out. I'm always eager to learn a thing or two.
SD _________________ modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that. |
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markendee Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2009 Posts: 237 Location: Kyabram, Australia
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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Howdy SD and Jimbo.
Amazing what can be learned here, loving it.
My body guy said he didn't think my bonnet (hood) was the original but I had no way of verifying its age.
After studying SD's photos it is much more like the older one but is still a bit different.
What do you guys reckon?
(I have changed my hinges to later spring supported hinges and not used my prop. When I was a school kid working my first job at a petrol station I shut an oval bonnet without breaking the prop - completely effed the bonnet - still have flashbacks!) _________________ Member # 145244 |
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esde Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: central rust belt
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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markendee wrote: |
Howdy SD and Jimbo.
Amazing what can be learned here, loving it.
My body guy said he didn't think my bonnet (hood) was the original but I had no way of verifying its age.
After studying SD's photos it is much more like the older one but is still a bit different.
What do you guys reckon?
(I have changed my hinges to later spring supported hinges and not used my prop. When I was a school kid working my first job at a petrol station I shut an oval bonnet without breaking the prop - completely effed the bonnet - still have flashbacks!) |
Off topic but I'll bite cause I don't think Jim will mind.
Your hood is the earliest variation of the 4 tab based on
-separate forward bolt for the hood prop
-reinforcing tab for the emblem
I had actually thought the reinforcing plate stopped with the change from earlier 3 tab hoods (which are similar except 3 bolts for each hood hinge) but weird things happened around the zwitter years..
Yeah, the prop rod gets my thumbs down. I'll paint it and put it in the tool roll for some future owner _________________ modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that. |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9863 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 6:40 pm Post subject: Re: Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project |
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I do not mind at all! It is cool to have an interaction with multiple people!
I can see the triangle at the emblem attachment area. I know this as a Split hood, up to 52. But that is where my knowledge ends. Really expensive hood! Be kind to it!! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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