ITB Ascona is finally progressing - Page 6

MantAscona · 07-12-2007

The inner door panels were marked and cut out to lighten them. I used a plasma cutter to do this as it's very fast, clean and easy. For anyone interested in buying one, I would seriously recommend the Miller 375 extreme. It weighs only 18 pounds, is the size of a lunch box, runs on dual voltage, comes complete with a very sturdy storage/transport case and it will cut up to 1/2" thick material for a very reasonable price of $1,100.00. The tar sound deadener sheet was removed from each inner door also as was all hardware. Cutting away this material netted a 20 pound reduction in sheetmetal alone.

Duane

MantAscona · 07-12-2007

Some more photos.

Duane

MantAscona · 07-12-2007

Here is the plasma cutter.

Duane

MantAscona · 07-12-2007

A 46.5 pound weight reduction was realized through removal of the remaining trim that was on the car. Keep in mind that this car was already pretty stripped when I got it, so much more weight was removed that I didn't get to scale. It also shed another 55.5 pounds in glass alone. The rear window was out before I got the car too, so figure another 20-23 pounds.

Duane

MantAscona · 07-12-2007

The original master cylinder and booster will be discarded at 9 pounds and replaced with an aluminum master cylinder with no booster at 1.5 pounds.

Duane

MantAscona · 07-12-2007

One last commemorative ride for the previous owner. I even let him have a lap at the wheel.

Duane

RallyBob · 07-12-2007

Originally Posted by MantAscona

One last commemorative ride for the previous owner. I even let him have a lap at the wheel.

Duane

You guys are ruthless. I don't know who's worse, you or Shelby!

RallyBob · 07-12-2007

I gotta admit, that is a sweet little plasma cutter. Gonna have to get me one for my van someday!

jordan · 07-13-2007

Post 124 picture #4.....where are the pine trees? You didn't give into your neighbor did you big boy?

MantAscona · 07-13-2007

Jordan,

Unfortunately, I had to cut the pine trees down to enlarge my driveway. I made the driveway go back along the side of the garage so I could park my trailer back there and Shelby's Ascona when it's done. Believe me, I hated to do it as the view is quite ugly now, but I had no choice. I have to save some money for an 8 foot high privacy fence to run along the whole property line so I don't have to look at it anymore. Ugh, the things we do to make more room for Opels.

Duane

cherokee · 07-13-2007

Originally Posted by MantAscona

It also shed another 55.5 pounds in glass alone. The rear window was out before I got the car too, so figure another 20-23 pounds.

Duane

That is the one thing that got me too, the glass is very heavy. I think it is a german thing, the glass in my 944 was very heavy also.

RallyBob · 07-14-2007

Is it done yet?

MantAscona · 07-18-2007

Finished stripping everything off the car in preparation for blasting. We made a quick rear axle set up from a 6X6 and some casters. This will allow the car to be moved easily and spin 360 degrees making it simple for the blast shop to navigate it through the shop and into the booth. Here's a few photos of it loaded on the trailer. We delivered it today.

Duane

RallyBob · 07-18-2007

Did you remember to cut off the bottom of the rocker panels to allow the abrasive media to drain out? Gonna replace the rockers anyway....

MantAscona · 07-18-2007

No, I didn't cut them out. I looked at them and poked around with a screwdriver. Believe me, the media will have plenty of places to get out once he starts blasting.

Duane

RallyBob · 07-18-2007

Originally Posted by MantAscona

Believe me, the media will have plenty of places to get out once he starts blasting.

Duane

Are you saying it has ventilated bodywork?

MantAscona · 07-18-2007

Maybe it's a factory lightweight edition. I've got a lot of metal work to do.

Duane

Paul · 07-19-2007

Heck, just cut some big holes in the floor boards and it call it the "Flintstone Mobile"

RallyBob · 07-19-2007

Originally Posted by MantAscona

Maybe it's a factory lightweight edition. I've got a lot of metal work to do.
Duane

Maybe I'll come down for a long weekend and help you kick-start that process. You buy the Yeungling Black & Tan....

MantAscona · 07-20-2007

The Black & Tan is already on ice. I'll let you know when the car gets back from being blasted and primed. Weekends or weekdays work for me, either way.

Duane

MantAscona · 07-20-2007

We've been playing with ideas for names for both the car and the racing team. We were thinking of "Centsless Racing Team" as it would accurately describe our racing budget. Thinking about naming the car "Charmin" since when it's done it will "wipe up The Turd".

(inside joke for Bob as most people don't know what "The Turd" is)

Duane

07-12-2007	#133 (permalink)
RallyBob Project 1450 supporter... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pleasant Valley, CT Posts: 6,552 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	I gotta admit, that is a sweet little plasma cutter. Gonna have to get me one for my van someday!

07-13-2007	#134 (permalink)
jordan Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: corning ny 14830 Posts: 2,107 Classified Rating: 100% (1)	Post 124 picture #4.....where are the pine trees? You didn't give into your neighbor did you big boy?

07-13-2007	#135 (permalink)
MantAscona Kick a little asphalt Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 909 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Jordan, Unfortunately, I had to cut the pine trees down to enlarge my driveway. I made the driveway go back along the side of the garage so I could park my trailer back there and Shelby's Ascona when it's done. Believe me, I hated to do it as the view is quite ugly now, but I had no choice. I have to save some money for an 8 foot high privacy fence to run along the whole property line so I don't have to look at it anymore. Ugh, the things we do to make more room for Opels. Duane

07-14-2007	#137 (permalink)
RallyBob Project 1450 supporter... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pleasant Valley, CT Posts: 6,552 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Is it done yet?

07-18-2007	#139 (permalink)
RallyBob Project 1450 supporter... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pleasant Valley, CT Posts: 6,552 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Did you remember to cut off the bottom of the rocker panels to allow the abrasive media to drain out? Gonna replace the rockers anyway....

07-18-2007	#140 (permalink)
MantAscona Kick a little asphalt Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 909 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	No, I didn't cut them out. I looked at them and poked around with a screwdriver. Believe me, the media will have plenty of places to get out once he starts blasting. Duane

07-18-2007	#142 (permalink)
MantAscona Kick a little asphalt Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 909 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Maybe it's a factory lightweight edition. I've got a lot of metal work to do. Duane

07-19-2007	#143 (permalink)
Paul Member 1000 Post Club Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ft Smith, Arkansas Posts: 1,364 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Heck, just cut some big holes in the floor boards and it call it the "Flintstone Mobile"

07-20-2007	#145 (permalink)
MantAscona Kick a little asphalt Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 909 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	The Black & Tan is already on ice. I'll let you know when the car gets back from being blasted and primed. Weekends or weekdays work for me, either way. Duane

07-20-2007	#146 (permalink)
MantAscona Kick a little asphalt Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 909 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	We've been playing with ideas for names for both the car and the racing team. We were thinking of "Centsless Racing Team" as it would accurately describe our racing budget. Thinking about naming the car "Charmin" since when it's done it will "wipe up The Turd". (inside joke for Bob as most people don't know what "The Turd" is) Duane