from Mark: "I have been asked to send pics of my previous project; the 1974 TR5T motrocycle to a couple of members who expressed an interest. I thought you might find them interesting as well... I don't think you're a bike guy, but I know you appreciate hard work and craftsmanship. Started from a bare frame, this bike represents 3 years of the very finest effort I am capable of. It is currently dirty from storage, and still shows some scarring from previous use which I chose to leave visible. It was my intent to make the bike look like a one owner, used but meticulously cared for 35 year old bike. I hope you will share your opinion! Mark"

Posted for Mark by Lance P.

 

Rare, desirable scoot in excellent condition! Thanks!!

 

Mark sent these today of his motor about ready to be used inside the car...all spiffed up. Looks good.

Lance P.

 

Mark was in town on the way to visit family and said hello then that he'd started shooting paint on some parts of his car. The engine looks good and with paint it will really look like a "red" Corvette finally.

Lance P.

 

Wow, that red looks extremely shiny! Nice work!

 

Here's what Mark said with the photo...."Just a teaser of things to come...the weather is lousy today so the color doesn't really "pop". More a dark cherry than the deep maroon listed on the can but I like it. Some texture, a couple mosquitoes, and a few gnats as well...such is life in the backyard."

I.E....if you've never been in Georgia you can't appreciate it but the Georgia Gnat is completely ubiquitous...everywhere and in and out of your lungs with every breath so it's natural that every paint job to be authentic there would have to have one in it..especially with Mark's outside canopy garage.
He is a good mechanic.
Lance P.

 

finally someone else with no budget.i know the feeling.great project and best of luck.i will be following along for the fun.

 

You are right...what Mark told me he paid for the car when he first got it was ridiculous but when he's done it will be a nice driver. He told me that he used to run a paint gun for a living and you can see that like you he can work a wrench. He and his wife, Wendy, came through visiting family the first time I met them at a Hardee's Sat. night show your car classic car deal and they were on their way to visit family further NE. They were just through here again last weekend so had a chance to say hello before our outdoor "show" of classic cars season ends which it probably already has with the rain and cold forecast for Sat. night.

Lance

 

Why dont you pain the manifolds? Seems a shame to put rusty exhaust manifolds on such a pretty engine...
What paint did you guys use? Color brand etc?

 

Mark I have some parts off my 82 that the PO gave me when i purchased it - radiator, Orig clutch fan and surround, and a lot of other things. I haven't even looked at them. If you need something and I have it you are welcome to them. I have a garage full of Harley and Big Dog take offs- don't need to add to the pile. I am in Sav about once a month. Wish I had your talents.

 

Billcarson: No budget builds are the best... if you have the patience for it. I wish I could plug into the Corvette underworld like Ben (chstitans42)... I could finance many things given his pipeline!

Ben... the paint is PPG Omni MAE acrylic enamel in "Deep Maroon". It is a discontinued "stock" color and cost $50 delivered to my door through an eBay deal. It is catalysed with a universal "wet look" (read isocyanate based) hardener and was shot (like the entire job so far) with a $15 Harbor Freight HVLP gun. Same gun primer and topcoats. I wish I could afford a better gun, this one is physically incapable of really fine atomisation of the paint... no matter what I try. There is a bit more texture in the surface than I had hoped for...but it looks pretty good for where it was done.

CHarper... I need many things still. Thanks so much for the offer... I will PM you my contact info and we'll hook up!

 

Mark just sent this to me to post:
"Not my finest effort... lots of peel. Fortunately there's enough material left for a recoat. I think next time I'll try and rent a real booth."

I'd say, considering how the car started it is a really good start to putting Mr. Shiny back on the road like a good C3 Corvette ought to be!

am just posting the photos for Mark

Lance P.

 

Mark sent me another photo to post on his 77 today after he said he spent a little time with the car today on a sunny, Georgia 68 degree day.

Here's what Mark had to say with the photo: "I've only been picking at it since deer season started and it will sit again till after Christmas since we'll have a house full of Inlaws starting next week. It's amazing what 800 grit, then 1000 grit then power buffing then random orbit polishing can do to smooth what I had thought to be "beyond buffing". If I don't cut through anywhere else (just one small area)... I'd say it will be good to go until I get tired of the color. It is GOOD to have parts going back on "to stay"!!!!!"

Just take a look at the car in post #1 and look at this photo.

By the way, Mark at one time in his life made a living running a paint gun among his many talents and it seems to an uninitiated painter like me that he is good at it.

Lance helping Mark by posting to this thread.

 

Wow Mark, I picked up my '77 less than a week ago and to see how far you have taken yours is inspiring to me to say the least. Did you refinish the wheels yourself and if so how did you go about it?

Keep us posted I will certaining be watching.

michael

 

I hit them with a pressure washer, then some "aluminum brightener" (acid) I got from a heavy duty truck parts house. Then I polished the spokes using "White Diamonds" polish from my local Harley dealer... only finger pressure and an all cotton rag... then a coat of Mother's Billet aluminum polish which contains an anti-oxidant to keep the shine for longer. Thanks for the compliment, and thanks to Lance for supporting this "dial up" enthusiast!

 

I'm doing a '77 as well and working with the same budget Time and lots of elbow grease will make it a car I can be proud of. The $$ isn't there to make a show car, but it will be mine and done to the best of my abilities and (lack of) wallet size.

Your car is coming along great! I know it's just primer, but there is something very cool looking about a car in fresh primer. Keep up the good work and thank you for saving that car!

p.s. - that color looks fantastic on it!

 

Adam I just checked out your thread and I like your car too. It will be worth all the effort in the end!

 

Nice looking engine, here is a bit of detail to make it look better,

the spark plug protectors don't fit those exhaust manifolds.





I think this is the style you need.

 

Looking good!

 

I can feel your 'dial up' pains. We also live out in the country and we made do with dial up until my wife started doing farmville thing.

I will remove my wheels this weekend for a general clean up and inspection. Will post pics on a new thread I will start for my car, watch for them and post your honest opinion if you will. Mine aren't vectors but look like them. Hopefully I can get them looking like yours one day.

Keep up the good work, will be watching.

michael