Willys Roadster & Woody

[Don Garrett]

Rick, be sure to pass along those tips and things you pick up along the way....working with fiberglass is a new medium for a lot of folks. You've worked with resin before and your first impressions of glass would be greatly appreciated.

[Rick]

Just finished some more rough cuts on both bodies. I really hated to cut these bodies up because they are such good quality, but both projects are something I've always wanted to do. I've got a couple of coupe bodies waiting and they won't be cut up like these ones.

As you can see, I've left some meat on the Woody's cowl and sides so that I can glue on some wood. Next up will be cleaning up the cuts and then I'll do a card stock mock up of the body to get the shape I'm looking for.

I've opened up the cockpit on the Roadster body and removed the windshield frame. Next up will be takeing a wedge out of the hood and laying back the windshield. I may also take a slight radius out of the rear wheel wells.

Couple of comments for anyone considering similar surgery. Always save the big pieces you cut off. They can be used for filler and sometimes the curves will fit a particular modification.

I mentioned some safety tips in a previous post but I'll add this. When cutting with a Dremil tool, keep the tool and the material you are cutting at eye level and ABOVE the bottom of your face mask. Even if you are wearing a nose/mouth mask under your face mask, cutting dust can still get to important body openings. Personally, I wrap a towel around my neck below my face mask as extra protection against (in this case) fibreglass dust. I also put my work on a bench and do my cutting at eye level so that dust is blowing away from any openings below my mask.

[Don Garrett]

Gang, I'm sure a lot more of you have worked with resin bodies than you have with fiberglass. They each have their pluses and drawbacks and many of them along with "how to" tips will be pointed out during Rick's build ups. There will be more of these glass bodies coming on the scene so it will be well worth your while to follow along with him for his first hand observations.

He has already pointed out the personal safety thing....it's the same case with resin bodies. If you take the same precautions that you would with resin , glass should be no problem for you. You folks that have health issues should probably take extra precautions with both.

I've asked Rick to point out his "personal" comparison between resin and glass as he goes along to give you guys as much info as possible. He won't be comparing one manufacturer to another.

Rick, are you going to run both builds simultaneously or focus on one or the other?
The Woody should rock!

[Rick]

I'll probably play with both of them together until I figure what to do about the wood. Once I get into the Woody, it will be the project.

[Rick]

I've been tinkering with the Woody project today. Some of you may remember a chassis jig that I build a couple of years ago. The jig's table is perfectly flat so I'm going to use it as a base for the body. I should also be able to use some of the uprights to secure the body to the jig.

I've taken wheelbase measurements from a coupe and will use those to set up a similar wheelbase for the woody. I'm also going to build a jig for the rear fenders so I can secure them at proper width while building the wooden body.

[Willys41]

Rick, here is a couple of ;';;'; to help give you a little inspiration for the Willys Roadster.

[Rick]

Thanks very much!

[MADD FABRICATOR]

Rick, looks like you're starting to get the hang of working with some decent products.
( shameless plug). If you have any questions about working with the fiberglass, just shout HELP and I'll be there for you. That jig is sure coming in handy when it comes to keeping everything in line. I just might have to build one of those myself.
Keep plugging away on them. They are going to be great looking when finished.
CHEERZZZ !!!!! (MF)

[Daytonatim]

Man!!!! that red Willys is "in the weeds". That is sweet

[Rick]

I did some major surgery on he Willys Roadster today. I started off by removing the line between the front fenders and nose to create a one piece front end.

Next up was takeing a wedge out of the sides of the body around the cab. This cut also required the removal of the top of the cowl and part of the firewall.

Because the cowl and top of the firewall had been removed I was able to drop the hood slightly. The addition of a wedge cut out of the hood allowed the hood to follow the body line "wedge" forward to the nose. I ended up takeing two wedge cuts out of the hood before I got it "right". The hood sides have been glued to the body and will be molded in.

Finally, I removed the windshield frame from the cut off top and mocked it in. I'm not sure if this is where I'll leave it or whether I'll lay it back a bit more.

Next up is to apply some bondo to the hood sides and mold them into the nose.

All the cutting on this body has given me an even greater appreciation for its quality. Its extreemly strong and all the sawing has not resulted in any cracks or distortion. Nice work MF!

[MADD FABRICATOR]

This car is definitely taking on a look of it's own. It's going to be KOOOOOOLLLLLL !!!!!!! when you're finished. ( Old car- Modern look )
CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!!!! (MF)

[Don Garrett]

I love seeing these in progress mock-ups...gives you a chance to step back and get a feel for the over-all look. I can almost imagine it as an early custom with canted quad head lights....looks great Rick, nice smooth flow to the front end.

[Rick]

Thanks Don! Speaking of headlights, I'm looking for a Jag nose or just a set of headlights. I want to lay the Willys headlights back and I think the Jag lights will work. Can anyone help?

[Rick]

Our members are what makes this site great. Within an hour of posting my search for headlights Don sent me a message saying they'll be in the mail next week.

Thanks Don!