Ballzups VH SL/E Restoration. (Valentine)

[Ballzup]

I hear the cheapest way is to book a shipping container. Never done it myself though.

Latest on my car is that I had it quoted for paint and bodywork. Some places said 10-15k and one went as high as $40k

In probably going to take the middle ground and go with a mob that said about $20-25k. should be started in the next 8 weeks.

 

[daggs68]

looking good man.
loving it and will watch eagerly,

cheers
darryl

 

[Ballzup]

Thanks Darryl,

She's just been dropped off at the panel shop to get straightened out ant painted. It's a smash repair place so likely to be six months before she's back in my garage.

Will post progress pics as the painter sends them through.

 

[Ballzup]

Got some pics from the panel shop today. To be honest I hadn't expected much work to be done at this stage so I was pleasantly surprised.

(apologies for the average quality images. This is how they were emailed to me.

The right hand sill before work started

After being repaired and welded back on

Drivers side front repaired

This is an old pic of how it looked previously

Repair of rust under front windscreen drivers side

And the before pic (you can also see how bad the blue paint was)

Have to say seeing the work get started has made me as excited as a kid in a candy shop. I'll probably go down there soon with a decent camera so I can get some better pictures.

 

[ellelouise88]

I don't think many panel shops get to do older cars all that much. I'm a first year spray painting apprentice, took my bonnet down to trade school and the teacher was more excited than me to get it stripped back to metal, straightened out and painted! Haha they're probably loving having something to work on that lets them use their full range of skills.

 

[Ballzup]

I don't think many panel shops get to do older cars all that much. I'm a first year spray painting apprentice, took my bonnet down to trade school and the teacher was more excited than me to get it stripped back to metal, straightened out and painted! Haha they're probably loving having something to work on that lets them use their full range of skills.

These guys had heaps of old cars in their shop. An old Mercedes from (I think) the 50's and an Impala. Can't remember what else.

 

[ellelouise88]

That's awesome! There's like 2 resto shops my way, but it's a long wait for most jobs. It's awesome that they're really making progress for you!

 

[Ballzup]

Received the following progress pics from the painter yesterday. She's covered in primer and will stay that way for a few weeks. Blocking back will happen in the new year and then they'll throw on the blue and silver.

 

[SLE-883]

Nice work!

I just went through a similar process with my 1981 VH SLE although it's not a shadow tone.
I had the car resprayed except for the engine bay and boot. New rubbers, bumpers, locks etc...

I didn't put the side molds back on after the respray because I like the look of the indent on the doors but have safely stored them away. They're becoming hard to find.

I've done exactly what you said you want to do. Car is completely original apart from some lowered springs and FR19 Simmons. I have the original SLE rims (series 1 and series 2) in storage too. Apart from changing the rear speakers (kept the original VH speaker covers) the stereo is standard. I'm looking at installing a new radio but keeping the original tape deck. Was looking at putting it in the glove box. Interested to see where you end up placing it.

Let me know if you have any questions or need help. Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Ballzup]

Let me know if you have any questions or need help. Can't wait to see it finished.

Thanks Daniel!

Once she's painted and back at home the next step will be to figure out exactly where the sound system and security components will go so I can get to work on new wiring.

The head unit will be the hardest thing. I might mount it in the boot and have an IR sensor hidden somewhere in the dash so the whole thing is managed by remote without even seeing the head unit. I tend to use my phone for all my music anyway so the remote will only be for volume and source selection.

Will be sure to update here with some ideas as they come to me.