Badorder’s Blog

Boo Graphics and Body category will now contain posts about the work I do with graphics and custom bodywork and paint in my shop.

Yes, in case you did not know, the first Ford Mustang was 1964 1/2. I restored this one a few years ago for Mike Go go of Nanaimo and is driven by David Go go who is an awesome blues musician who has played with some of the best all over the world. He has been to Kelowna many times.

This project took me about eight months.

As I said in an earlier post, the only way to get the extension bayonet for the panel closer is to order it online from the US. That costs money and takes time to be shipped and to arrive. So, I just made my own. It is made from a 2″ piece of 1/4″ solid steel pipe.

The tip is ground to form the bayonet end. Then a hole is drilled at center in the other end 1/2″ deep. The hole is then threaded to correct size.

The bayonet is threaded on to the bar to check. When happy the outside of the bayonet is ground and sanded smooth. When satisfied the bayonet is installed in the roof panel. Works well.

Wilcox Corvette offer high quality parts and panels for Corvettes.They also offer some pretty good information, troubleshooting tips,  and manuals. If you are working with T-Roof area, check out, http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairandinstallhelp.php?hID=264i

The bayonet pin was missing from one panel and you.were not able to lock the panel closed. Where the pin went to I have no idea. The pin is attached to the locking bar by threads which are inside the bayonet. You may order the bayonets online from the US, which will cost money and take some time to get here.

So I decided to build my own. I used 1/4″ solid steel pipe, cut it to the extension size needed, drilled a hole in the of one and and tapped threads.When fitting was done I made the the bayonet shape at the exterior end.

When I first tried to fit the panels they did not fit well and everything needed adjusting to get the best fit.

Under the hood was painted with a corvette red base/clear which is in the color range of the candy apple red. Black areas painted will complete under the hood.

A rough day on the farm for Star and Minnie