American Motors Xperimental full frame by Ron S

6 minute(s) of a 140 minute read

Finally got the ungodly awful 4x4 lift blocks out, which were locating the rear axle. Got the car to my buddy Troys front end shop for an alignment, and to square up the rear axle, got some strange stares taking it over there. It was pretty damn close for eye balling it, the quarters will be next on the list, can't wait to see how it turns out.

6-14-2013

Finally getting a few, and I mean a few minutes to work on this thing. Started welding the quarters together, trying to get some idea what it will look like.

9-11-2013

If my life calms down I will. Got the down bars , and crossover in though.

9-23-2013

The key is tig welding. The weld is so much softer that it smooths out so much better then when you mig something together. I did start cutting up some front fenders to cover those monster front tires, grafted a 1972 Javelin front flare on to a 69 Amx fender. Looks kind of oem, but I haven't got the front figured out yet. Can't figure if I like this better then doing a fender like on the Mustang.

Trying to get the nose to look right, but I know its not quite there. The merge from the 73 flare to the 69 fender is kinda funky. What do you think?

9-24-2013

I know I can do the bulge flares, but I don't want this thing to look just like my Mustang. Trying to refine a bit more before I decide if I like it or not. I am leaning towards liking it. The rear isn't really done yet either, its just screwed on. A little more tweeking and and I may be there.

9-27-2013

Thanks Torque, that is close. The real problem with this design, is that the quarter panel is more or less flat, no real beltline at all. Like a ski jump from the roof all the way to the bottom. So what I have to do is create a contour or bulge back there that will look good against what ever I do in the front. I think I've got it worked out, but have enjoyed the input along the way. I've got enough fender parts left, to make bulges like my Mustang has if I don't like humping my fendersI like to smoke after I do that.

10-1-2013

I've been working on this hood for a while. The parts for these cars are so hard to come by, I had to deskin the hood, due to one extremely rusty hood and one crashed hood. Two to make one, cut 3" off the rear of the hood because of the nose job, and try to get them to hinge with a 335 front tire right where the hinge should go. Its been a PITA, but I think I've got it figured out finally.

10-2-2013

Started making the back to the hood. Had to make an angle which would follow the contour of the cowl, now I have to make some hinge pockets, and filler panels.