FordMuscle Project BOSS 429 Body Work

With the body work coming along just fine, Chris Collier is meeting his commitments. This post is to share the progress and the order of the processes Chris has taken.

Chris Collier, Paint and Body shop in Panama City, FL, is the guy I chose to do the BOSS 529 car. Chris’ work was featured in a magazine, I’ve seen his other work, lives 2 hours east of my home and most importantly, has the passion needed to meet my expectations on this show quality paint job. Chris, and his wife Donna, drove to my shop back in Dec to see first-hand the project car in all its glory… i.e., rough and in need of lots of body work.

Here’s a shot that clearly shows the added support tubing and strapping to tie together the frame rails to the cowl/firewall. I’ll run all wires to the front via this supporting tubing vs inside the engine bay.

The left side apron was installed to fill the opening created by cutting out the shock towers.

After replacing the factory fire wall with a new flat one, we still had to deal with the fire wall/cowl seam that runs horizontally. I welded 1.5” angle iron along the bottom edge and Chris welded in a top plate to provide the base for a solid seam that will look good and provide a firm base for the engine bay cross bracing that will be installed later. The bracing will also tie into the support tubing in each wheel well.

Engine bay all preped and ready for DP40 epoxy primer.

DP 40 epoxy being applied

Poly filler applied to provide a smooth base and finished look needed

Sanding… the dirty work

After all the sanding, 2k primer is being applied.

Now that the engine bay is complete, Chris game plan is to attack the roof, followed by each quarter panel, the rear panel, fitting the doors and jams, fitting the front fenders, followed by all four fender extensions, then the trunk and finally the hood. The goal…. Gaps that rival a current day new car… and not one built back in 1970.

poly filler added

Primed and tie to roof.

All seams and spot welds are smoothed out and “look” non-existent

To eliminate two seams, I had Chris weld the rear valance in place for the custom look.

Here, you can see how bad the gaps are in a new door and new front fender. Chris had his work cut out for him.

one of the worst gaps Chris had to deal with.

Now the seams/gaps are looking better.

Fender preped

Fender epoxy and primed

Front left fender extension being fitted

All the above pictures provided by Chris and Donna. I’ll share more of the completed project when I get them, which should be in about 2 weeks. Chris painted the car a week ago and is wet sanding/buffing now (end of Arp). I stop by his shop this Thursday, May 3rd, to OK and approve the stripe layout. Once this is done, Satin Black paint will be applied vs. plastic stick-on decals.

Stay tuned and any/all comments welcome.

Thanks, Mark