Project33's been invited to attend the 2004 SEMA Show in Las Vegas!
I can't believe it - I have to pinch myself sometimes. I'm so honored.

In almost all the TV show's I watch (Rides, American Hotrod, etc.) it seems like they're always scurrying to get a car ready for a big debut at SEMA. It's the show of shows in the automotive world. It's a HUGE business-to-business trade show with a mile-long list of vendors that reads like a "who's who" of the automotive industry. If you're not familiar with it, there are some great photos at: http://www.semaphotos.com/semashow.htm

Since the car isn't even finished yet and I'm an amateur builder at best, I can't say that the car is the main reason for the invitation. It's not like there aren't more deserving cars out there. Some of the project's sponsors think the concept of documenting the building of the car being in detail on the web and the extensive use of aftermarket parts (with just enough bicycle parts thrown in to add interest) is commendable and worth recognition. It's helped shine a  light on the hobby and has encouraged others to get involved who may have had doubts about building a car themselves. They also expect that the car will be worthy, so the pressure is really on now to finish the car to the highest standards possible.

Bob's devoting every Saturday to the body - sanding, sanding and sanding some more. He plans to take a week off work when it's time to paint it so he can work straight through and finish it - and wet sand it over and over. When he's finished he's either going to feel a hundred years older or have biceps like Popeye.

I've been working on a few other areas in preparation for when we remove the body from the frame. The two "things" pictured here are not bones. They're (unfinished) A-pillar caps that will hide the roll cage between the top of the dash and the headliner.

I'll be covering fabrication of them and finishing them sometime soon. They should really clean things up. Once again, the only visible part of the roll cage will be the door bars and they'll be stitched with leather (like a steering wheel).

A six foot long box of leather arrived from TEA's Design the other day so we're set for leather. I haven't made a decision on the carpet yet and still need to purchase foam and backing material.

I've been shopping for a stereo system for the car. I plan on making molded fiberglass interior panels with the speaker covers built in so I need to get the components first. The amplifier and subwoofer will go in the trunk. There's just enough room to make a nice side-facing soloberic sub enclosure on the passenger side of the trunk. I've installed a few high-end systems and made countless speaker enclosures throughout the years so I feel confident I can attain the same level of quality that many of the better install centers provide.

PPG has come on-board and with their help we'll be covering the entire paint process and the use of some of their latest products. That's pretty cool too!

I'm heading to the paint store in the next couple days with my camera in-hand to scan a color that we intend to use on the car. Yup, we're changing color - sort of.

I found a color (actually Bob found it) that's closer to the color I was originally looking for. It's a slightly darker and bluer version of the purple that the frame currently is - and we found it on a diecast car at Wal-Mart! :)

That about sums it up - March was a pretty good month.

Scooter

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