The 89 MattMobile Build Thread.

[MattMunson]

First cut with the new reciprocating saw!!!!

Check out the blog for more pics and details.
The Project Workbench: Reciprocating Saw Is Here!

 

[dexter1138]

So when do we get to see the body????

Dex

 

[Jedifyfe]

Matt, I think you should have just cut the entire roof off the car, leaving the doors and fenders on, then driven it around your complex. :lol

 

[MattMunson]

Matt, I think you should have just cut the entire roof off the car, leaving the doors and fenders on, then driven it around your complex. :lol

I'm going to go further than that. I'm going to strip it down to almost nothing, except for essential drive systems, a chair, and a dash. THAT is when I cruise around the block. I will film it, fear not.

 

[MattMunson]

So when do we get to see the body????

Dex

As soon as it arrives, I will for sure post pictures. I am hoping it gets here within the next two months. I'm actually in a panic trying to get the breakdown done quickly so that there will be room in the garage for the shell when it arrives.

 

[PHArchivist]

As soon as it arrives, I will for sure post pictures. I am hoping it gets here within the next two months. I'm actually in a panic trying to get the breakdown done quickly so that there will be room in the garage for the shell when it arrives.

If'n ya need help... You know what to do!

 

[Judge Spartan]

Cut cut cut cut cut! LOL!!! Very cool..

 

[Lear60man]

The car is a unibody construction. Part of the support structure is the roof and A pillars. If you cut off the upper half, the car will likely sag in the center. I might have missed the part where you already reinforced the floor pan or the car is going to be stretched. Nagging Nelly mode off. I sure you know what you are doing, I just didnt want the thread of awesome to have a hiccup. A clean garage is a sign of a sick mind.

 

[Jedifyfe]

The car is a unibody construction. Part of the support structure is the roof and A pillars. If you cut off the upper half, the car will likely sag in the center.

I was thinking the same thing as well as the chasis getting tweaked.

 

[Lawrie]

Sabre saws are so much fun! Also, be careful removing the seatbelts. Those pretensioners can bite like a *****.

 

[Supa troop]

im travelling to the US from the UK soon, i'm going to Video an intro for you if thats ok at a famous US landmark

the build is awsome

 

[Grumpy Popeye]

It occurs to me that you may be able to sell off some of the Cappie`s body panels and reinvest the funds from the sale into the Mattmobile. You never know, somebody may be building themselves a replica Hollywood prop car!:lol

 

[MattMunson]

The car is a unibody construction. Part of the support structure is the roof and A pillars. If you cut off the upper half, the car will likely sag in the center. I might have missed the part where you already reinforced the floor pan or the car is going to be stretched. Nagging Nelly mode off. I sure you know what you are doing, I just didnt want the thread of awesome to have a hiccup. A clean garage is a sign of a sick mind.

The tear down of this particular model car has been done a number of times before by fellow builders, and is pretty thoroughly documented. I'm following those that have come before me, and the problem you describe has never arisen. I'm not too worried, but I do appreciate the heads up

 

[MattMunson]

im travelling to the US from the UK soon, i'm going to Video an intro for you if thats ok at a famous US landmark

the build is awsome

That would be fantastic! Please do it! If anyone else wants to film an intro,please do.

 

[MattMunson]

It occurs to me that you may be able to sell off some of the Cappie`s body panels and reinvest the funds from the sale into the Mattmobile. You never know, somebody may be building themselves a replica Hollywood prop car!:lol

I currently have a number of body parts on craigs list and ebay. Right now, Im more concerned about free space in the garage than making a few bucks

 

[iceman]

The car is a unibody construction. Part of the support structure is the roof and A pillars. If you cut off the upper half, the car will likely sag in the center. I might have missed the part where you already reinforced the floor pan or the car is going to be stretched. Nagging Nelly mode off. I sure you know what you are doing, I just didnt want the thread of awesome to have a hiccup. A clean garage is a sign of a sick mind.

Are you sure ? I mostly work with the Crown Victoria police cars, (which is a body-on-frame, not unibody) I am fairly sure the Caprice is also a Body-on-frame, it is one of the desireble traits of a police car, as they survive collisions much better.

I believe it is because it is a body-on-frame that it was chosen as a platform for the original vehicle. It is also why, as Matt pointed out, others who have tackled this have not had to do any frame re-enforcement.

 

[iceman]

I'm going to go further than that. I'm going to strip it down to almost nothing, except for essential drive systems, a chair, and a dash. THAT is when I cruise around the block. I will film it, fear not.

I took mine for a spin, but I didn't have a video camera handy - it reminded me a lot of an old dune buggy I used to have.

 

[MattMunson]

I believe it is because it is a body-on-frame that it was chosen as a platform for the original vehicle. It is also why, as Matt pointed out, others who have tackled this have not had to do any frame re-enforcement.

to clarify, the original for the movie was built on a Chevy impala. What I meant to say was that numerous other hobbyists have built up their own car using the caprice as the base.

I don't know enough about the car to say what the body style is, but I do know it's got two huge beams running down each side of the car, and it is those that I plan on lengthening.

I'll have pics up soon that wil show the whole thing.

 

[MattMunson]

Here's a pic from a fellow builders site. This is what the caprice looks like all torn down:

His blog is awesome, for those interested in some further reading.
Building the BatBerry

 

[Jedifyfe]

Good to know Matt. It looks like, once you get it down to the frame, then the frame extension will be fairly straight forward.