Here is another k20 swap.

[lookforjoe]

The black paint on the inside of the targa bar, the rear around the tail lights, and the inside of the trunks are all John Deere Blitz Black enamel. Reduced to be sprayed, but without harder.
Yes it is tractor paint. But it's the best semi gloss paint I have been able to find. It is common with the hot rods. It is inexpensive and very good. Sprays out nice, lays flat, and drys to an even sheen.
The only negative is it is difficult to touch up or blend in. Maybe I just don't know how? I can't do it with any other semi gloss paints. So not much of a negative.

The paint surface looks really good. I prefer body color in & out, however I would want this finish were I to paint it black

 

[homegrown32]

I have not posted any updates recently. But I have still been working on my x driving it. I think every time I take it out I like it that much more!
I finished the emblems today.

 

[autox19]

LOVE the open shifter! mine was such a pain to fit in the tunnel (i used a porsche boxster shifter) that one looks cool and looks easy to work on as well.

Odie

 

[kmead]

Looks great, nice work. Still plenty to do.

Can’t wait to see the whole thing.

Glad you are able to drive it.

 

[Dewolf]

When I saw the headlight buckets, I thought you were going to build them as a pop up unit, like the beautiful Iso Lele.

 

[homegrown32]

After a slight delay...
Now I'm able to start work on the dashboard. I am going for a Ferrari 308 gtb / gts look.

 

[kmead]

You might consider moving the actual instruments as far forward as you can.

Nice parts!

 

[Dr.Jeff]

And done in metal, not fiberglass...nice work.

Looks like a serious welder in the corner. Is it a fairly early model of TIG unit?

 

[homegrown32]

And done in metal, not fiberglass...nice work.

Looks like a serious welder in the corner. Is it a fairly early model of TIG unit?

My TIG is a 10 year old Miller 250. It's quite a bit overkill for a home garage, so not that old but it's a transformers style instead of inverter. But my previous one was ancient. The person I bought it from bought it used in the '60s. I bet it weighed more than the x1/9.

 

[homegrown32]

I've got the top mostly fitted. And bottom half of the dash started. I think it's starting to come together looking pretty cool!
I formed it using a couple 2x4s and a wooden handrail.

 

[CnC79X19]

And done in metal, not fiberglass...nice work.

Looks like a serious welder in the corner. Is it a fairly early model of TIG unit?

Noticed that too Doc. Old school

 

[Mark Olson]

I've got the top mostly fitted. And bottom half of the dash started. I think it's starting to come together looking pretty cool!
I formed it using a couple 2x4s and a wooden handrail.

Good stuff - keep the pics coming - they are an inspiration!

 

[Dr.Jeff]

it's a transformers style instead of inverter.

The problem with the newer style "inverter only" TIG welders is you cannot reverse the polarity, so not able to use it on aluminum. Now they are coming out with AC/DC units that use an inverter and direct AC so you can, but they are expensive machines.

I neglected to mention earlier that I've always liked the "hump" style of gauge cluster housing. I've collected some pics of various ones I like. Here's a couple:

 

[lookforjoe]

The problem with the newer style "inverter only" TIG welders is you cannot reverse the polarity, so not able to use it on aluminum. Now they are coming out with AC/DC units that use an inverter and direct AC so you can, but they are expensive machines.

Going OT here - Jeff - You can buyinexpensive AC/DC inverter TIGS that do aluminum - the one I have (Eastwood TIG200) is about 8 years old now. Under $1K even with the additional costs of Argon tank, better gauges & misc supplies. For under $1200, you can get a digital version that has fine pulse control that mine lacks, however that only runs on 220 - which I don't have in my old garage.

 

[Dr.Jeff]

Going OT here - Jeff - You can buyinexpensive AC/DC inverter TIGS that do aluminum - the one I have (Eastwood TIG200) is about 8 years old now. Under $1K even with the additional costs of Argon tank, better gauges & misc supplies. For under $1200, you can get a digital version that has fine pulse control that mine lacks, however that only runs on 220 - which I don't have in my old garage.

Thanks. Admittedly I haven't shopped for one in a while so I'm sure there is more out there that I haven't seen. But for me, and the rather limited amount of aluminum welding I would do, a grand is still a lot to invest. By comparison, many years ago (maybe 30 years?) I bought a great MIG unit for well under $500. If I had bought a TIG back then, having it would have been great. Although they were significantly more expensive then. But I suspect I won't be doing a lot of this sort of work in the future - at least nothing like I have in the past. So my situation is a bit different than it might be for others.

 

[homegrown32]

I made a little more progress in the dashboard. Super happy with how it's turning out.

 

[Mark Olson]

Yeah, you should be happy - looking real good! Is that aluminum you are working with? What alloy?

 

[homegrown32]

I found a new way of forming large radius bends while making the dashboard. It is so stupid simple I have to share it. so here's the fixture I made with some scrap 2x4s and a couple clamps.

 

[homegrown32]

Yes the dashboard's all aluminum. I believe it's 5052 but I am not sure. I got it out of the discount area at the metal supplier. It will define it's not structural. So I wasn't too worried about the material. The tube for radius around the dash cluster is .625 tubing I got from summit.

 

[Dr.Jeff]

Nice work.

For sharp angle bends a cheap "brake" can be made using angle iron. This one is a 'fancier' version but still DIY:

That same metal forming technique can be done with many other applications. For example forming a more complex shape using a "buck":

Even a 3D shape: