Papa's MKIV Roadster Build - #9115 (Post Grad) - One million + views!!!

[Papa]

Today I worked on the license plate holder. Like I mentioned a week or two ago, I started making the "Kleiner Mod" to the bracket and at the point I would need to cut the clear light cover, I took a few more measurements and realized that I'd still be about a 1/2" too low on the plate. So, I looked at what Jeff did with the last step, the bracket, and decided I could make that a bit larger and then notch the top of the plate to fit around the light and still clear the trunk handle. Here is what it looks like:



I plan to replace the button-head screws with some flat-head and counter sink the aluminum so that the plate will sit flat.

In Colorado, you keep your old plates when you sell a car, so I have a few sets laying around that I can cut up to try things out. Here is what it looks like with a plate in position and how much I had to cut out to get it to fit.



I plan to mount the plate from behind with studded rubber bumpers secured with stainless cap nuts on the front side of the plate. I'll also use the bumpers on the bottom holes to ensure the metal plate never comes in contact with the paint.



I know a lot of guys are completely against cutting the plate, but I'm sure nobody will be able to tell mine is modified unless they are right up close to it.

[GoDadGo]

Interesting Solution!

Proves there are many ways to skin this snake.

Looks like it works to me.

[Papa]

Interesting Solution!

Proves there are many ways to skin this snake.

Looks like it works to me.

I'd like to see a remote trunk release engineered for this application. I think I recall seeing someone use an electric one in a thread I read a long time ago. I'm thinking something more simple, maybe using something like these from McMaster-Carr:

https://www.mcmaster.com/#remote-act...tches/=1dpufho

[GoDadGo]

I'd like to see a remote trunk release engineered for this application. I think I recall seeing someone use an electric one in a thread I read a long time ago. I'm thinking something more simple, maybe using something like these from McMaster-Carr:

https://www.mcmaster.com/#remote-act...tches/=1dpufho

I'm thinking you are on to something for sure.
If the trunk pull is behind either the drivers or passengers seat it might be a pretty decent option.
At least they have multiple configurations so a solution is more than doable.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#remote-act...tches/=1dpup3a

[TexasAviator]

Nice work Papa, I am not a fan of these license place mods. We are all having to cut up the plate and I really dont like it. I wish we could run a smaller plate somehow.

[Papa]

Nice work Papa, I am not a fan of these license place mods. We are all having to cut up the plate and I really dont like it. I wish we could run a smaller plate somehow.

I've been researching to see if I could get a "special" plate that would fit better. I was hoping I could run a motorcycle-sized plate (4"x7"), but no luck there. I also thought I might be able to run a European-style plate, but no luck there either. The closest thing I've come across in Colorado is if you have a historical car, like a Model T, you can register it with the original plate from the manufacturing year.

[Jdav]

I switched to a different, smaller light that allowed me to move it up: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...905#post304905

[Papa]

The new lift was installed today! Dang this thing's big.

[Gromit]

Super jealous... But I think in that last photo your Roadsters rear end was showing so Now I'm a bit embarrassed for you

[Kennyr]

Very, very nice! Which model Bendpak did you get & how high is your ceiling?

[Papa]

Very, very nice! Which model Bendpak did you get & how high is your ceiling?

Thanks! It's a Bendpak XPR-10AS-LP Dual-Width, 10,000 Lb. Low Profile. My ceilings are 12'-3". I installed it in the narrow configuration due to space, and thankfully realized after it was installed that the narrow configuration is at the limit to get the front arms under the 4" frame. Had I gone wide, the arms would be too short.

[Higgybulin]

No more rolling around on the creeper!! Your gonna love it! I have a 4 poster and it was the best thing I bought in a while.

[DA2EASy]

I’ve been anxiously awaiting the lift picks! Looks amazing!

[DA2EASy]

Dave,
It was great meeting you and getting to see your awesome build, and getting to meet Michael and his son. I'm back in Indy now but spent 5 days of spectacular cruising in the mountains. We saw Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt. Evans (all 14,130'), and more canyons, gulches, passes, hairpin turns, etc. than I can count. Even stopped by the huge monthly car show in Golden Saturday night. I know your enjoying the build, but you've got some great driving to look forward to! Cruising in a roadster in that scenery is the best. I'll bet Michael's wife would like to thank us for fanning the flame!

John

Great to meet you and your wife! Thank you so much for the drive. Soren took a quick video, we both have the goofiest grins on our faces. I’ll just call it the cobra grin

[Papa]

I’ve been anxiously awaiting the lift picks! Looks amazing!

Michael,

So, I have to ask. Is your wife upset with us for trying to seduce you with the sexy curves and exhaust notes of the roadsters?

Dave

[DA2EASy]

Michael,

So, I have to ask. Is your wife upset with us for trying to seduce you with the sexy curves and exhaust notes of the roadsters?

Dave

Haha! No, she understands. She hasn’t given in yet but I feel like we’re turning the corner. I have a new strategy, I’m taking her to the Shelby museum in Boulder this weekend.

[Papa]

Haha! No, she understands. She hasn’t given in yet but I feel like we’re turning the corner. I have a new strategy, I’m taking her to the Shelby museum in Boulder this weekend.

Good deal. Don't underestimate the power of using the bonding opportunity for you and your son in your strategy.

[GoDadGo]

Very Nice & I Am So Jealous!

Also, be careful tugging on stuff while under the car.
The round frame tubes simply don't give you much traction since the contact patches are so small.
It is easy to tug the car off of a supports because of the smooth powder coated surface on the tubes.
Floor jacks also tend to slip and I learned the hard way so take a little extra care poking around down there.

[Yama-Bro]

Very nice! Now things are looking up. LOL, sorry couldn't pass it up.

[cv2065]

Nice lift Dave. And I thought I had high ceilings. I'm sure one could get light headed at the top of your garage. Wish I could fit one, but I'm at 10' ceilings, and although they do make a 'home version' from a height perspective, I still don't think I'd be able to stand under it, so I'll be creeping. I did have what they call a 'Quick Lift' at one point. Pretty cool piece, but my driveway already slopes at about a 20 degree angle, and I could never easily get up on the ramps.

[Papa]

Nice lift Dave. And I thought I had high ceilings. I'm sure one could get light headed at the top of your garage. Wish I could fit one, but I'm at 10' ceilings, and although they do make a 'home version' from a height perspective, I still don't think I'd be able to stand under it, so I'll be creeping. I did have what they call a 'Quick Lift' at one point. Pretty cool piece, but my driveway already slopes at about a 20 degree angle, and I could never easily get up on the ramps.

Thanks. When I designed my building, I actually planned to do a lift in the back bay, which is two feet taller with 14' ceilings. That 13'x30' bay now houses my tractor, so the front bay got the lift. If I could do it over, I would have done two doors on the front of the building vs. the one large door. I'm just grateful to have such a nice place to tinker in. My wife calls my shop the "Toy Box".

[Papa]

I only had a couple of hours to tinker on the car today, so I decided to redo the wiring on my tail lights. When I originally wired them, I wired the two lights together and used a single 4-pin Weatherpack connector. Well, it worked fine, but wouldn't be too great when I needed to remove the lights. So, today I pigtailed the ground and tan wires off the RF harness and used separate three-pin connectors on the lights; much better design.

[i.e.427]

I'd like to see a remote trunk release engineered for this application.

Look towards the end of the page.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...895#post133895

[Papa]

Look towards the end of the page.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...895#post133895

I think that's the thread I recall reading before. Cool idea, but a bit too much for me to tackle.

[Papa]

Today I installed my replica Lucas PL-700 headlights. I'm really happy with the period look of these.

[Clover]

I agree, those are some nice looking headlights. Good find.

[Papa]

I agree, those are some nice looking headlights. Good find.

Hey man! How's the Coupe coming?

[BadAsp427]

It's Rustoleum Bedliner spray.

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/fb4...0&odnBg=FFFFFF

Hello Papa.... I was wondering now that you've had your Roadster for awhile, are you happy with the performance of the Rustoleum Bedliner spray you used on the aluminum panels? Any problem with it chipping off or otherwise deteriorating? I'm going to be starting my build at the beginning of Oct (late Sept, if it is here by then) and really like that look, but worry about its ability to adhere to the aluminum.

[Papa]

Hello Papa.... I was wondering now that you've had your Roadster for awhile, are you happy with the performance of the Rustoleum Bedliner spray you used on the aluminum panels? Any problem with it chipping off or otherwise deteriorating? I'm going to be starting my build at the beginning of Oct (late Sept, if it is here by then) and really like that look, but worry about its ability to adhere to the aluminum.

If I could do it over I'd have powder coated the panels or left them bare aluminum. If you really want bed liner look with durability, mark all the overlaps on the panels, mask them, and get them sprayed in Line-X. Or better yet, find a coater that can apply this:

https://www.prismaticpowders.com/sho...hoCfbkQAvD_BwE

Dave

[BadAsp427]

If I could do it over I'd have powder coated the panels or left them bare aluminum. If you really want bed liner look with durability, mark all the overlaps on the panels, mask them, and get them sprayed in Line-X. Or better yet, find a coater that can apply this:

https://www.prismaticpowders.com/sho...hoCfbkQAvD_BwE

Dave

Thanks Dave,
Over the past 24 hours I have read every one of your build posts... Very nice and well presented... your car is looking fantastic. Hope to meet you some day... Carl

[Papa]

Thanks Dave,
Over the past 24 hours I have read every one of your build posts... Very nice and well presented... your car is looking fantastic. Hope to meet you some day... Carl

Thank you, and I'm glad my thread was useful. Have fun with your build and just ask if you ever have any questions.

Dave

[japollon]

Dave, The headlights are so frigging cool. Where did you source them. I want them for my 289 FIA. Thanks, Joel

[Papa]

Dave, The headlights are so frigging cool. Where did you source them. I want them for my 289 FIA. Thanks, Joel

I got mine from NOSLOCATORS on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/360488873351

Dave

[NA5KAR]

Hi Papa. I'm new to the forum and I'm grateful that I found your build thread. You are an inspiration. I am in South Florida and I received my Mk4 kit last month. I've studied your thread, and with yours and the other great guys here, I am confident that I can build an amazing car. The only thing I want to ask you is about the bedliner coating on the aluminum panels. A few posts back you said that if you had it to do over again, you would go with bare aluminum or powder coated. I'm curious why. Your panels look awesome and I want to create the same effect. What is it that you regret about the coating? Thanks a million. Dan

[Papa]

Hi Papa. I'm new to the forum and I'm grateful that I found your build thread. You are an inspiration. I am in South Florida and I received my Mk4 kit last month. I've studied your thread, and with yours and the other great guys here, I am confident that I can build an amazing car. The only thing I want to ask you is about the bedliner coating on the aluminum panels. A few posts back you said that if you had it to do over again, you would go with bare aluminum or powder coated. I'm curious why. Your panels look awesome and I want to create the same effect. What is it that you regret about the coating? Thanks a million. Dan

Dan,

Thanks for the kind words. You will have a blast building your car. The problem with the rattle can bedliner is with the durability. It scratches and chips really easily. The good thing is it's easy to touch up. There is a powder coat that has the same texture and if you really like the look, I'd go that route. At least in the areas exposed to the road and tires.

Dave

[NA5KAR]

Thanks so much Dave. I will definitely look into powder coating. Keep up the great work!

[Papa]

I took the roadster to its first car show today. One of my neighbors put on a neighborhood show and here are some highlights.

My car sitting between a couple of old iron beauties.



This 1966 Chevelle is one of the nicest I've ever seen anywhere.



The 66's 555 cubic inch power plant!



I fell in love with the bronze and black Nomad, and the Nova in the garage has a 572 big block.



This van was really nicely done.



And the star of the show was this Fox Body Mustang making 2500 horse power on alcohol.

[Jazzman]

You have a very cool neighborhood!! That's a lot of beautiful cars in one neighborhood. You had to feel very good getting your Roadster out and showing it off! It is coming along great.

I am not sure which I am more jealous of: Your lift or your 12' ceilings!! You are going to love having both!

[cv2065]

Very cool neighborhood Dave!

[PeteMeindl]

Geez, Papa - what a neighborhood car show! I'm very impressed. Sign me up for living in a place like that!