While I'm waiting on parts, I decided that I want to detail the wheels. When I saw them online, I thought they were machined with silver paint, but they're all silver. One thing I learned to do is polish aluminum so it looks like chrome. I sanded the face and outer lip with 80 grit, 180, 320 and then 400 grit. Then I polished everything to a mirror shine. I was going to paint the silver parts gun metal grey like the car, but I think they'll stand out in bronze against the grey. I know it's not going to be a popular opinion to go bronze, but if I don't like it, I can always repaint it. Josh
I taped off the polished areas and scuffed the grey parts with 400 grit. I put about 4 or 5 light coats on it to get it even. I like it so far Josh
Since the pontiac came with 8 matching full size rims, I figured I could polish and paint one up to match the other wheels Josh
Finally got my exhaust tips in. Using a 3"x1.5" length of pipe to space the tips evenly. I also like how the angle of the tips matches the roll pan angle. Josh
I installed the heat shields that go on above the mufflers. I cut the twin exhaust tips off the corsa mufflers and welded on v-clamps so I can remove the exhaust tips in the future if needed. I installed and welded the mufflers in place. I still have to figure out the mounting of the quarters and lower valance before I can finalize the placement of the exhaust tips and the pipes that will connect them to the mufflers, but it's still progress Josh
I bought a set of 65 el camino bumper ends from azchevs on this forum . They were supposed to be delivered March 1st, and they just showed up Saturday, April 13th. Apparently they're making changes in the post office and it stalled all deliveries. So I apologize for the delay in my progress So, if you look at the pictures, your can see the details of the bumper mimic the roll pan and the rocker panels I'm using for the valance below the rear bumper. So I plan to just use the corners to give it a more factory look than the milk carton look I had on the front air dam. Josh
So here's the first rough draft of what the bumper ends are for. I know the passenger side is crooked a little. I'll probably cut it loose and butt weld it to the roll pan. Honestly, I'm just excited that it matches perfectly in real life like it made sense in my head. Josh
It does run. The engine fans dont work for some reason, so I've only started it to move it around the shop Josh
Now that the valance panel is in place, it's time to mount the exhaust tips. I put riv-nuts in the floor for a bracket to hold the exhaust tips in place. Then an angle bracket to mount the tips by the clamp hardware and then figuring out how long the drop bracket should be.. Josh
With everything in place, I tack welded it and removed it to fully weld everything. Now it's installed for the last time. It needs a few tweaks to get the tips even again. I imagine they moved a little during the welding process, but I'm happy with the look and the sounds Josh
I drove it for the first time since the body swap began, only from the big shop to the little garage so I could use the lift. But I love the stance. Josh
