It's trendy in the movie industry to make "prequels." Meaning, after a good movie is followed up by about as many sequels as possible, some stories are adaptable to flashbacks, or "prequels," that predate the first installment. Welcome to the Rusty Ragtop "prequel" where the history of this now exquisite restoration will be explored. This car came by the name Rusty Ragtop rightfully. From the photos one can see that our little Nova had a lot of hidden faults. For many restorers the experience we had with this car may parallel your own. Not only did the car begin as a project to make a "driver", then transition into a full-scale restoration, but also it took more than one shop to do the same work twice, and another shop to complete it. The project has taken years of starts and stops, and countless hours to do right. We proved the old adage of "all's well that ends well," and feel we are fortunate to have such a fine example to show to the SUPER CHEVY readers. Since we documented nearly every step in the long process, we can show how it went, with all of its false starts and pitfalls. Maybe when you, the restorer, find yourself in similar situations, there could be some consolation that everyone seems to have the same problems. It's "old cars" and don't forget it. The work done on the car before it went into Ron's Restorations was fully covered in HP Books SUPER CHEVY's Nova Handbook, first published in July 2000. We have used some of that material in this article but recommend the serious restorer or modified builder of '62-67 Novas obtain a copy of that book. The professionals who participated provided tips and advice that will prove valuable and time saving for other Nova projects Rust everywhere, mostly covered with body filler, and a hint as to the quality of bodywork that had been done previously. That's a Texas Truck license plate used as a "patch panel!"Rust everywhere, mostly covered with body filler, and a hint as to the quality of bodywork It didn't exactly fall into a million pieces when it was acid dipped, but there were about that many faults and imperfections hiding under the blue paint.It didn't exactly fall into a million pieces when it was acid dipped, but there were about Much work had been done, not all particularly well however, when a problem surfaced at our first shop (sound familiar to any owners out there?). After many months of trying, we finally got the car back and found it had been sitting outside. This is what it looked like.Much work had been done, not all particularly well however, when a problem surfaced at our Other clues that work had to be redone included the wide and uneven door gaps, a gap on the right side of the trunk, the left quarter looked "short", the right rocker panel seemed to flare out toward the back, and the taillight/valance panel was rusty.Other clues that work had to be redone included the wide and uneven door gaps, a gap on th Walnut shells and plastic media blasting material did the job. The guys at Advanced Metal Stripping brought it down to bare metal and then put a protective coat on our car.Walnut shells and plastic media blasting material did the job. The guys at Advanced Metal Don't trust your eyeball, use a straightedge to double check. On the left side, the gas filler actually helps tie the outer quarter panel skin to the car's inner structure.On the left side, the gas filler actually helps tie the outer quarter panel skin to the ca There was lots of rust in the taillight/ valance panel. It required welding in patch panels.There was lots of rust in the taillight/ valance panel. It required welding in patch panel Chevy2Only sent a taillight panel, which was clamped in place pending re-fitting of the quarters.Chevy2Only sent a taillight panel, which was clamped in place pending re-fitting of the qu After the quarters were removed and reinstalled properly, the gaps became tight and even. The lower and upper quarter panels received plenty of attention. Welding and grinding finally brought this panel into shape. The most visible part of the quarter panel splice was welded last. Care was taken to avoid warpage by not welding in one place too long, and by using a wet rag to cool the welds down.The lower and upper quarter panels received plenty of attention. Welding and grinding fina This is what the Rusty Ragtop should have looked like after it came from the first shop. It wasn't even close, but now it is on its way to being a car.This is what the Rusty Ragtop should have looked like after it came from the first shop. I Lots of block sanding went into getting this panel and character line straight. The rear window to trunk lid panel had to be refit as it used to set low. Catching a craftsman at work. A number of techniques are used such as sanding at 45 degree angles on large flat surfaces. On contour areas, the sanding block is adapted to the surface by making it from a round piece of wood.Catching a craftsman at work. A number of techniques are used such as sanding at 45 degree Nice to see those tight and even gaps. It's taken a while but this coat of primer shows how clean and straight the Rusty Ragtop has become.It's taken a while but this coat of primer shows how clean and straight the Rusty Ragtop h SOURCES R&R Motor Sports 1629 E. Main Siloam Springs AR 72761 HP Books A Div. Of Penguin Putnam Inc 375 Hudson St. New York NY 10014 Chevy2only PO Box 985 Mt. Washington KY 40047 Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
