Sorry for the long post.
The following post requires you read it with a smile on your face.
Yeah, I knew I would rile up the "leave it alone" crew. But sorry fella's, this one will be killer when it is done. I just can't leave torched holes in it and rust. I am a firm believer that when I do something that I do it right all the way. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean you ignore it and hide it. These pump designs are works of art. You gotta love'em. They just don't make things like this any more, with style and quality.
I have a hard time buying into the rust worshiping. I can't even do it with cars. I have never heard of a anyone saying "OH, look at the patina, rot, and crackling paint on that 120 year old house. And, the broken windows, the shutters falling off, the missing shingles. I wouldn't change a thing." Or furniture, it always gets refinished, even if it is new paint to look old, it is restored. Patina, is just another way of putting a positive spin on rust and wore out paint.
Now, I am sure someone is going to say it is just art. Which they would be correct. But, art is always subjective, just like anything else. I just like my art new, clean, and fresh. I am sorry this offends you. I can not help that. This is what I like. I was hoping to appeal to the others on this board that can appreciate my work and creativity. I was hoping to promote more threads about full restorations so we can follow along with their work. I know they are here, and a few have posted. But, this is the kind of reactions that prevent the new comers from posting and commenting. It is just too bad you guys can't be more supportive of our whole hobby. All this stuff is the same thing with the car community. Purists in originality vs modify and restore. I think we need to respect everyone's point of view. I know it is hard to resist telling others what to do. It seems to be human nature. So if you posted just to get a reaction out of me, you got it. I think we all can support our hobby with different view points.
Now mind you, I am not trying to get anyone all bent out of shape. But, you guys started all this with your opinions on my so called poor choices. I am just voicing my opinion in response to yours. If that is what you guys like, great, so be it. I am hoping we can leave it at that and move on now.
KInda hoping to see more restoration projects from our members. I know it takes effort and work to document our projects, but it is such a joy to see your projects in process and finished. More pictures to come from this one. Let's all have fun here.
P.S. Your assumptions are incorrect, all the panels are already fixed, cleaned, and primed. I just haven't posted that progress yet. There is no going back now.
Now if you guys are really into this old bent up sheet metal I didn't touch the lower side panels with the hips. They were to bent up to use on the edges that meet the frame. It would have taken hours and hours to get them to the point where I could use them. They still have the old paint and dents. I can post pics if you are interested in buying them.
Oh, and Happy Easter!
