Wow, Kathryn. I thought I was consumed by the car bug when I was 14. But I was just a nerd who read a lot of car magazines. What you are achieving will carry with you for life, giving you strength and confidence - something young ladies can never have too much of in our society. I think you are completely awesome. Just had to post so I could follow your progress. I know your dad and mom must be bursting with pride.
hey again!!! yes, i did get to have fun Friday night!!! let's just sum it up and say anything to do with lots of spark i did! so those links are video to the project, and let's just say tacking even with a MIG welder is difficult! Thank you again everybody!! also i'm still trying to clean up my headlight motors...any suggestions? oh and by the way....i'm not doing a chop top! I'm not particularly fond of the work i'd have to do A, and B i'm not that fond of the look either. however i'm seriously looking into doing Lambo Doors! -kathryn
Thanks for keeping us updated with your progress and taking time to video as well. As far as the headlamps, since you've got time, you may want to consider a "flush" mount design. Realize this is an added expense, but the original lamp design sucks for aerodynamics, their like air dams when up. Quite a few people here on the Forum have come up with alternate lighting, just do a search on "flush mount lamps". If you want to stay "original" that's OK to, just suggesting another option.
This thread is amazing, wish I would have had a project car when I was a kid and the parents and funds to be able to build it. It's nice to see after a year the motivation and interest hasn't decreased. It's a great educational and life experience that you will remember.
Have you considered if you will keep stock engine or not?
hey again!!! yes, i did get to have fun Friday night!!! let's just sum it up and say anything to do with lots of spark i did! so those links are video to the project, and let's just say tacking even with a MIG welder is difficult! -kathryn
I haven't touched a welder in my life (not by choice, not much space+ don't have my own work space), I'm amazed with your progress. I think your parents are the envy of everyone on here who wishes they grew up with such supportive folks, and you're the envy of every parent on here who wishes their kid wasn't a lazy bum haha.
Hey Kathryn I'd also suggest you wear a dust mask while grinding. There is a lot of fine grit that comes off the wheels and it's just better not to inhale it.
My daughter's name is Kaeleen and I got her interested enough that she could change oil and spare tires that the boys at school did not know to do. She also has never been afraid to take on anything she was interested in. While dissecting a cows eye in school she decided to be an optometrist and is now in her second year of becoming a doctor.
What I'm saying is that your doing a fantastic job. Not being afraid to jump into any project and just using your common sense and thinking it through will take you far in life.
You might find this interesting. a young lady here in Lincoln trained in welding and auto collision industry and got interested in art. Some of her work is really fantastic in it's depth.. My favorite is Copper Reflections II. The photos don't do them justice at all.
Just a note that when you have all the new metal in, and are done grinding, you want to use a metal prep phosphate liquid to treat the metal before painting. This creates a crystalline structure on the steel surface which provides greatly improved paint adhesion. Local Auto Painter's Supply or Bump Shop Supply house will have the liquid solution. It's real easy to do and worth the time to do it right. Since your putting all the hard work to repair the rusted out section, you may as well do the best you can to prevent the rust from coming back. It occurred to me that while you appear to be using plain steel for the patches, be aware that the factory panels are galvanized steel, and they will let off toxic gases when welded. So it would be best to wear a respirator when welding, and as said above when grinding. Realize you're just doing small areas, but better to be safe at your age, than sorry down the road.
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 04-23-2012).]
Kathryn, Hey great job on the welding. It is not easy to do and even grown men I try to teach cannot pick it right up sometimes. You seem to be getting it tho. I would also recommend getting a welding respirator or at least a welding mask to keep the toxic fumes out of your lungs. They are not expensive and can be reused quite a bit before they are no good. I think the last pack I bought was like $25.00 or so for a bunch of them. They also work for grinding and cutting. Patching thin sheetmetal panels is one of the more difficult things to master on a car and if you can do that you are really getting talented. Welding is something that will open up a whole world of creative opportunities for you in the future. Keep up the good work there and good luck. peace
Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs says "Anyone who has restored a car knows it is a tough, dirty job, but Kathryn DiMaria has been up to the challenge and made a goal to have the vehicle ready for her sixteenth birthday. ~ Good going Kathryn!"
Kathryn: I just began reading this thread and you are one amazing girl to take on this project AND achieve results. Keep at it and you will have one nice little sports car to drive around in when you reach 16. We have a few girls on this forum that own Fieros but outside of Tina (and another girl that I cannot remember) I haven't seen many attempt anything like what you are doing. If I had a daughter I would hope that she would be just like you. Keep up the fantastic work and enjoy the hobby. Your project is an inspiration to many.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Hey Kathryn, keep the spirit!! I am a fellow "got to do it all myself" car crafter, and a bit of a mad scientist by necessity as I have a 95 Geo Metro (Mighty Mouse) and very little is available to purchase. I did have an idea for your paint scheme that combines your original design with the ideas you are leaning toward. If you want to keep your yellow racing stripes on the hood and have a Pegasus, you can alternate the color as it goes across the stripe. So you would have a yellow or ghosted black / yellow Pegasus on the hood that shifts to black or ghosted yellow / black over the stripe.
Good luck and great work so far, so many people are too afraid to even try just a small portion of what you've done and you have had admirable success. MMM Jon
Visit teamswift.net and you will see a lot of ideas and parts that are available for the beloved little Metro where 3 = 8
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**************************************** 88 Formula CJB Arrived Finally. #689 of 1252 Time to start Working TONY! There are Two kinds of Fiero's : Notchies and Donors!
Visit teamswift.net and you will see a lot of ideas and parts that are available for the beloved little Metro where 3 = 8
Well aware of Teamswift, great site, but parts for Metros/ Swifts compared to many other cars (Fieros for example) are limited. Thanks though.
Kathryn and MH, something I thought of when looking at some of the photos, did you stress relieve the crack in the fender when you repaired it? I don't have any personal experience with a repaired crack reforming but I have read about it enough times that there seems to be something to it. Apparently, to keep the crack from cracking past and through the repair you drill a hole at the end of the crack and that prevents it. Very poised interview by the way. Good luck!! MMM Jon
After she started the job, she said, she soon realized that when a previous owner repainted it, he or she simply applied spray paint over the existing paint job. She is currently sanding the entire thing back down to bare metal so that when she can correctly apply her own desired paint scheme – black and yellow.
Kathryn was invited to be a presenter at The Henry Ford 2012 Maker Faire this July. You can find a link to what it is all about here: http://makerfaire.com/
Or....we could head over to the 3rd annual Tyler Show in MN.
What are everyones thoughts and votes? What would you do?
I'm a HUGE fan of the Tyler show. It has a lot of emotional meaning for me, as well as it is a blast to attend. Veg out for the weekend with a great group of people. No pressure.
But, the opportunity to be a presenter at the Henry Ford 2012 Maker Faire is a once in a lifetime event, plus it is relatively local to you guys...
I know I'd be honored to shake Kathryn's hand if she were to show up at the Tyler Show, and could even use some pointers on rust repair from her.
Kathryn was invited to be a presenter at The Henry Ford 2012 Maker Faire this July. You can find a link to what it is all about here: http://makerfaire.com/
Or....we could head over to the 3rd annual Tyler Show in MN.
What are everyones thoughts and votes? What would you do?
I just learned of your project online, and read your posts. As someone that works in the automotive repair industry, I am happy to see a new generation of restoration enthusiasts! I work for 3M Company's Automotive Aftermarket Division, which provides a variety of products and solutions to the restoration and collision repair industries, and it is possible that I may be able to provide you some help. Mich, if you are interested, please contact me via a private message on this forum. You can also see our products and services on our website, http://3MCollision.com. And, keep up the good work!
Kathryn was invited to be a presenter at The Henry Ford 2012 Maker Faire this July. You can find a link to what it is all about here: http://makerfaire.com/
Or....we could head over to the 3rd annual Tyler Show in MN.
What are everyones thoughts and votes? What would you do?
-MH
that's awesome! no offense to Tyler's memory or family, but if I could only choose one, I would do the presentation.. the Shipman show will be around next year and like someone said, this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity. but if you get a chance to do both, go for it!
I just learned of your project online, and read your posts. As someone that works in the automotive repair industry, I am happy to see a new generation of restoration enthusiasts! I work for 3M Company's Automotive Aftermarket Division, which provides a variety of products and solutions to the restoration and collision repair industries, and it is possible that I may be able to provide you some help. Mich, if you are interested, please contact me via a private message on this forum. You can also see our products and services on our website, http://3MCollision.com. And, keep up the good work!
David Lee
As a former 3M-er, I can also state that these products are top notch.
Sounds like Kathryn has her first official sponsor..
I'm in total agreement with Synthesis. I also think the opportunity to present is a once in a life time opportunity and you should take advantage of it. As I suggested a few pages back, if my arithmetic is correct, you will be 16 in 2014, just in time for the 5th annual Tyler Shipman show. Since I am planning to return to Frazee for the 5th and I too would like to meet you and your parents, I hope you decide to christen your Fiero and your license with a leisurely drive to Northern Minnesota. But then, I'm selfish that way. Have your parents bring one of their 'vettes and we'll put a sign in the back of their window that says:" My Real Car is a Fiero"
------------------ 1988 GT Manual Medium Red Metallic Gray Leather K Beck LEDs
[This message has been edited by Vernon8360 (edited 04-30-2012).]
I just caught up on your thread, and I must say that I am still so impressed by everything you have accomplished, Kathryn. I'm looking forward to your 14th birthday and seeing what awesome things you get to work on in the next year!
------------------ I'm a poor college student because I modify my cars!
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