The Cal-look Lounge

My first thread on this forum! I already have a thread for this project at the swedish forum Boxerville and on Shoptalkforums, but i feel like this really is the right place to show the project.


For this project I will conduct a small experiment by sharing my experience in a new format for me, which is video. I'll film while I work on the project and compile as a film series consisting of episodes. In the meantime, I will post what is happening in "real time" here on the forum and on Instagram. The idea is to be able to exchange information and dialogue with you during the course of the project. Then present each "phase" of the build via a longer Youtube video. I will link to all videos in this post and continuously in the thread.

(Episode 1)

The Ragtop Express, is my 30th birthday present to myself. A -63 ragtop in L87 Pearl White.
The plan for this is two phases. Since the car has been sitting in a barn since the late 70s, the first stage is to get it drivable and inspected so i can get out and drive it. After riding hunched over in a tubbed splitbus, I'm looking forward to driving in a "regular" car as well.

The name "Express" comes from the wasp stickers on the car. It is the logo of a swedish newspaper called Expressen.

Stage two will consist of the car being torn apart into molecules and will be revived as something Cal-look inspired. Big engine, fitting wheels, raked stance and shiny paint.

The first step during delivery in March was to wash off all the mud from the transport.
(https://i.imgur.com/BG2j2kU.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HTbWWbJ.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EeOImqK.jpeg)



And this is what the bug looks like! The amount of rust isnt awful Apart from the wings/fenders..
(https://i.imgur.com/jp7Wuil.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hC2qAd4.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zqR0wwA.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/x25EQkF.jpeg)



The interior is definitely salvageable. I look forward to cleaning it!
(https://i.imgur.com/Uq7Zj1j.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5gPXhh6.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GxWWw4D.jpeg)

I've collected a few parts for the build, I'll share on a regular basis, when stuff comes in.
Floor pans, for the driver's side floor as there are a couple of decent rust holes there. (This will be a quick fix as the entire pans will most likely be replaced later for some high quality ones..
(https://i.imgur.com/FGyOuAK.jpg)



Pre-62 tail lights. The first bastardization.. I'd like some T-bars, and I think the smaller taillights fits better than the bigger ones which would be correct for my model year.
And im sure i'll manage to piss someone off by it.   :lol:
(https://i.imgur.com/Qc2sDrY.jpg?1)




Gotta keep a cam on the shelf! I think the FK-8 will suit my purpose.
(https://i.imgur.com/p4wlMeS.jpg)




And ONE Weber IDF 44. Made in Bologna of course. Currently on a mission of finding another one. well. At least within a few years..
(https://i.imgur.com/Y7LMUTN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8Jb6mkh.jpg)



A couple of expensive bits from the US, A CNC-milled POM shifter bushing and an aluminium shift coupler. Some really nice looking pieces!
(https://i.imgur.com/bttUjEU.jpg)


Sheet metal for the spare wheel well, as mine has disintegrated:
(https://i.imgur.com/VFT8XvJ.jpg?1)




Renovation kit for the carburettor and gasket kit for the engine.
(https://i.imgur.com/Fm4FAih.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fdemt8d.jpg)



A few little things like rubber bumper bracket seals and red tail light lenses (The cheap ones).
(https://i.imgur.com/b40Bu1i.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qj3VdTr.jpg)



I scored some Gene Berg straight cut cam gears for a great price. The kit was missing the bolts, but that's easily sorted.
(https://i.imgur.com/L4Yx93d.jpeg)



I WON a Shockwave distributor from David Ruiz (Volkstroke) in a giveaway. Looks very similar to CB's Magnaspark 2 distributor. Perhaps not completely unexpected..
The distributor is most welcome in the pile of parts for the ragtop. I had plans to use a 123-distributor since looks more like a 009 or 010 from a distance and is bluetooth programmable.
However with the shockwave i might lock out the advance use an MSD-box to control the ignition (rev limiter and such). Will have to do some more research on that until it's time for the engine build.
(https://i.imgur.com/ymTSpRc.jpeg)


I have more parts coming in soon and winter is not far away. (sort of)
Until next time!

cool project, i love 63s  ;)

Cool car Karl, look forward to reading about your project

voilá: http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,27456.0.html

Thank you! I look forward to be able to take my time doing things. Instead of doing so under pressure because it's July and there's a meet the same weekend  ;D


I've read through it.  ;D Very nice build! I really liked the glovebox speaker idea!

thanx

More purchases! This time it's both necessary and a some fun stuff!

Split boots for the axle tubes as the existing ones are quite crusty. These will be more or less temporary until the car gets a proper gearbox built. Then i'll use the non-split ones.
(https://i.imgur.com/7iTa2qq.jpg)




E-brake boot as the original is dry and has cracked open.
(https://i.imgur.com/r1jeQRW.jpg)




Oteva 75SC Dual valve springs (Made in Sweden), bought these from Lundgren at SCC. Suitable for the future engine build.
(https://i.imgur.com/lVSdOGM.jpg)




Empi Eliminator shifter and a VDM steering wheel  ;D
(https://i.imgur.com/AVgwXOG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/c9E5GV9.jpg)



The boot has come apart right at the lever but I will try to glue it together with something suitable.
(https://i.imgur.com/0tZght8.jpg)



Next time I'll have to buy some necessary stuff like brake parts instead of shiny stuff.. Ciao!

Some nice purchases there, keeping the project ticking forward

Thank you! Im still not sure wether im going to use the Eliminator. If the rubber carpet over the tunnel is too good to replace i dont think i'll use it. In that case i'll order a shifter from Berg earlier than planned.

Some pictures from the finding of this car. (In lack of purchases..) I did not find this bug but i've been givet some pictures of the rescue.

It has been "indoors" since the late '70s but there was no floor. Just dirt, which i assume is why the spare wheel well is rotted aswell as parts of the pan.
(https://i.imgur.com/v54Zq4l.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1G5Mqjn.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Cetdauf.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nQZDAuh.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6n1NhrJ.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5OUxmUp.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oJJidNp.jpeg)

Quite dirty!

Very cool that barn finds are still being found and that people are still putting in the work to bring them back to running.

Good luck!