On the Road again… Silver State is on the road again…

[Henson]

Well since the Silver State car has had its debut at the 2009 reunion, I thought I’d start the rebuild slash restoration thread. Now before any of you give me sh!t about me using this word “restoration”. Let me explain my stance. This is car to me is was and forever will be a racecar, as long as I own it at least. With that in mind the car is undergoing a “Racecar Restoration”. Meaning it does not and will not have the best Paint job out there. But as you will see I feel I have gone over and above when painting this car to its previous race form. When I investigated the previous race paint I discovered very quickly the faded “Maaco paint job” that was on it was less than impressive, even for the hillbilly I am. The previous paint was an acrylic enamel. I decided to go with a Base coat Clear coat using today 2009 Grabber blue color code (CI). I figured that the base/ clear paint would hold up better than the acrylic enamel and I suspect there will be many stone and rock chips in the paint shortly anyways.

[Henson]

I picked the car up on 6/6/2009 from Mr. Pink when attending the Ford Carlisle event. It was missing a few things including a windshield and Lights.

I also was transporting Eric’s new bullet rims and tires for him to Kentucky. I decided the front seat was the best place for them. Nothing but the best for Eric ya know.

[Henson]

It came with a little bit of junk in the trunk and Don Jonson Mimi Vice Seats! (Saleen Prototypes I’ve been told)

[Henson]

I started to sort through the junk and got rid of the nasty carpet.
My buddy Tom Marasak (retired body man) helped me out on the sheet metal and paint work. Often times I was helping him! He taught me a lot about paint and body work. This project was my first time I have ever painted a car. I couldn’t have done it without Tom. He’s the Man.

[Mr. Pink]

Henson - I wouldn't sweat ANYONE's comments/issues with the paint job. IMO, you did a killer job on getting it painted and it looks GOOD! Again, I'm glad the car went to someone who has the motivation and desire to take the car where it belongs.

[Henson]

Rehung the doors and clean the interior out.
Straitened the front core support from a previous wreck. It’s Hammer time!

[Henson]

Gave it a bath and started stripping parts off.

[Henson]

After straightening everything out, sprayed it with primer and blacked out the engine bay and bumpers.

[Henson]

The nose was a disaster. It was like someone use a wire wheel to strip the paint off of it. A lot of love and time was required to get it back to useable condition.

[Henson]

The Grabber blue paint.

[Henson]

In the off hours at home I tapped up the tail lights and sprayed them.

[Henson]

Started blacking out the parts.

[Henson]

Mirrors and Interior.

[Henson]

Bumper trim.

[Henson]

Hood and topside of the hatch.