Aaron's 1976 Dolly 1850HL Custom.

[Toledo Man]

It sounds like the body is seriously distorted from the accident. You need to take some measurments and check them against the workshop manuals. I'll check my manual. The subframe might be distorted as well. Again, measurements will need to be taken. Keep us updated on your progress. With your photos you're probably best hosting them on a site such as Photobucket or Flickr (I use Photobucket) and posting links in your forum posts.

I take it you're from "down under". Most of us are poms but there are a few other Aussie/NZ Dolly owners. Welcome to the forum.

[DavePoth]

I doubt the body is bad, the doors wouldn't shut otherwise and the window would probably have cracked.

It's quite likely the damage is isolated to the front wing, but I guess the subframe might have bent too. If you can find another subframe you could use it as a template to see how far out of whack the shell is. Can't be that bad if the tester thought it could be straightened with a hammer though. Does the car go straight if you let go of the steering wheel?

[DOLLY76]

The car drives fine, but needed a wheel alignment anyways, it's only out by five degrees toe in L/H/Side.

It's an easy fix, it's basically just like a little warp, with a little time and elbow grease you wouldn't even know it happened, and there's always body tar to hide things such as this. Dad's told me, even with the bent chassis she tracks quite well, so we'll see how we go.

Update:

I got my Brake lines made up today, $55.00 in total for the rear pipes that attach to the differential.

I am yet to renew my drum master cylinders and the shoes to my knowledge have crumbled due to getting quite a bit of brake fluid on them, easy fix.

I'll keep you posted guys! Thanks for the help!

[DOLLY76]

I would post up a pic of the brake lines, as they look gorgeous in a bronzey metal colour, but after all is said and done, it's just metal piping....

Other than the lines I also picked up a Bosch GT40R for $35.00 at Norwood Parade Auto Spares (Not the best person to speak to.....) But it'll be one step closer to having a better ignition set-up.

The Starter motor was renewed 1280 ks ago with all new parts, and has been run last about six months ago in my 2500S brilliantly. I need to check the plugs as I have forgotten wether I did them or not when I replaced the leads, which again I will check, as I kind of want red ones now

Anyway guys, thankyou so much for the huge confidence boost, I must ask though, has anyone gone so far as to have extractors made up for an 1850? again just an idea, but I would like to change up the exhaust a bit, and make it straighter for better flow.

Again, any input will be greatly appreciated. Cheers Guys

[DOLLY76]

Hey guys, I've uploaded a picture of where I believe there may be some damage (in relation to the vehicle based on the subframe removed from car shown.)

*Thanks to straylight for the pic I borrowed, this is simply for demonstratory purposes, so I hope it's cool *

Suspect area one, is on the subframe, so if this is the case I'll find a replacement no dramas. Area 2 is representational of where I believe the damage actually is upon last glance.

Let me know what you think guys.

[Mad Mart]

I think suspect area 2 is a stain on the garage floor...I could be wrong.

[DOLLY76]

Oh I meant that, if this was to demonstrate the position of the bent chassis rail in relation to where the sub frame bolts to the car, I believe it's to the rear of the subframe.

[straylight]

from this we learn two things:

The subframe didn't fit into the dishwasher
I need to be less blase about washing down car parts in my shed

[DOLLY76]

I reckon it'd be possible to modify a dishwasher to do just that stu haha!

I'll be orderring my air filters on monday! Then It's just a matter of making up the cold air intake and sourcing a kick-down cable and I'm half way there!

[DOLLY76]

Hey guys, no major progress to report, but I am wonderring if it is easier to simply replace a chassis leg then take a bend out of the existing chassis section?

Any thoughts guys?

That asside, I should have progress pics of my custom stereo components posted up later in the week, if this dreaded grey death will pass! arrgh stupid common cold coupled with a chest cough....

Updates soon!

[DOLLY76]

Okay guys, time for an update.

After some consideration, I have decided to do this car up for shows, it's going to be mint anyway, because when it comes to paint and bodywork I'm a perfectionist.

I am also considering looking for a secondhand dragster frame, one of those cool schwinn bikes from the sixties, and making it match the car for shows.

Apart from these few things I have done some research into Soundstream Audio, and bang for buck looks like there clear winners! Also, I have air filters and a new kick down cable on order.

More updates soon!

[DOLLY76]

Alrighty, time for an update!

The air filters have been orderred and should be in on Monday along with the kick-down cable.
After this all I need is to get the Drum brake cylinders re-sleaved, and check my drum brake shoes for any visible damage, as it was so long ago that I checked tham that I cannot recall if I had changed them or not.

I have also considerred (after roadworthy check ofcourse) removing the amber insert from the front indicator assembly and fitting amber globes to give it a bit of a euro-look nice and fancy. The stereo components are just about sorted also.

Look forward to actual progress pics in the weeks to come guys, as I am soon to return from uni to the garage, and belt out some more body filler and fit all my new parts!

When the year comes to an end, I have three months to get the car painted and on the road. Plenty of time So you will quite soon see another Honeysuckle Dolly join the ranks. Wish me luck guys!

[Howard81]

If you wanted to go for an older style look, you could always fit 1500FWD style grilles and headlight surrounds... I think that would fit in with your plans for the car quite well, and they are a straight swap...

My 1500HL had them on, and they looked nice, but I reverted back to Dolly parts!

[DOLLY76]

Hey Howard, I had considerred the 1500 swap over, but due to the fabrication of the cold air intake, I've actually modified the ones I have currently, so it should still look quite mean, also, the car will run sprint rims in painted silver with race tyres on them on weekends for both track and road use. (There's a good local hill climb around here I'm keen on tackling).

We'll see how we go, atm every cent of my money is going into parts for this car, I'm being very thorough with everything.

Cheers for the comments!

[straylight]

where is this hill climb aaron ? is that the one in Mt gambier ?

stu