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When purchsed there were no front panels at all. I had to source a premier front to make it complete.
Date: 19/07/11
When purchsed there were no front panels at all. I had to source a premier front to make it complete.
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The car is a factory 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree WB ute. When I got it, it had a 253, 4 speed with extractors.
Date: 19/07/11
The car is a factory 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree WB ute. When I got it, it had a 253, 4 speed with extractors.
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At some stage I will have to find a front bumper, grill and headlights. Well that is a long time away yet.
Date: 19/07/11
At some stage I will have to find a front bumper, grill and headlights. Well that is a long time away yet.
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Passenger side door looks good with no dents or rust.
Date: 19/07/11
Passenger side door looks good with no dents or rust.
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Left hand side has been redone at some stage, as the tonneau clips are gone.
Date: 19/07/11
Left hand side has been redone at some stage, as the tonneau clips are gone.
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Tailgate looks OK in the photo, but it is pretty badly bent. Especially on the inside.
Date: 19/07/11
Tailgate looks OK in the photo, but it is pretty badly bent. Especially on the inside.
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Interior comes in brown. I like the console though.
Date: 19/07/11
Interior comes in brown. I like the console though.
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Only 246 thousand K's on the clock. Old holdens never die.
Date: 19/07/11
Only 246 thousand K's on the clock. Old holdens never die.
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One small rust spot in the plenum.....means heaps more rust underneath.
Date: 19/07/11
One small rust spot in the plenum.....means heaps more rust underneath.
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Good thing about WB utes, is that they have Commodore buckets.
Date: 19/07/11
Good thing about WB utes, is that they have Commodore buckets.
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Left hand floorpan in pretty good nick.
Date: 19/07/11
Left hand floorpan in pretty good nick.
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Time for some serious work to start. Even though the front looks like it needs work, the ute tub was even worse.
Date: 20/07/11
Time for some serious work to start. Even though the front looks like it needs work, the ute tub was even worse.
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The back cargo area is absolutely terrible. There must be 10,000 holes drilled in it and just as many dents.
Date: 20/07/11
The back cargo area is absolutely terrible. There must be 10,000 holes drilled in it and just as many dents.
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After LOTS of welding, beating, grinding, wire brushing the cargo area was ready for a coat of panel flek.
Date: 20/07/11
After LOTS of welding, beating, grinding, wire brushing the cargo area was ready for a coat of panel flek.
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Iso free 2 pac primer as a sealer.
Date: 06/08/11
Iso free 2 pac primer as a sealer.
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This is a light skim to fix the blemishes.
Date: 06/08/11
This is a light skim to fix the blemishes.
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You can see the high and low spots. A very thin film of filler brings up the low spots.
Date: 06/08/11
You can see the high and low spots. A very thin film of filler brings up the low spots.
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Now its time for the guide coat.
Date: 12/08/11
Now its time for the guide coat.
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I wire brushed underneath and sprayed some body deadner. It is amazing on how much deadner you go though. I ran out.
Date: 15/08/11
I wire brushed underneath and sprayed some body deadner. It is amazing on how much deadner you go though. I ran out.
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There were some rust pinholes in the floorpan - not enough to warrant replacement. The holes were MIG welded up, then application of KBS coating to derust and seal for a long long time.
Date: 15/08/11
There were some rust pinholes in the floorpan - not enough to warrant replacement. The holes were MIG welded up, then application of KBS coating to derust and seal for a long long time.
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KBS is a gloss coating but will change colour with sunlight. On items that get UV, you must go over the top with another product.
Date: 15/08/11
KBS is a gloss coating but will change colour with sunlight. On items that get UV, you must go over the top with another product.
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I put a coat on the chassis rails as well. Hope it keeps looking good.
Date: 15/08/11
I put a coat on the chassis rails as well. Hope it keeps looking good.
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Time to make a spray booth. I got an old gazebo from somewhere and welded the legs up to make a frame.
Date: 11/09/11
Time to make a spray booth. I got an old gazebo from somewhere and welded the legs up to make a frame.
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Even though the car is pretty stripped, it still needs to be masked up to prevent overspray to getting into places where it is not wanted.
Date: 11/09/11
Even though the car is pretty stripped, it still needs to be masked up to prevent overspray to getting into places where it is not wanted.
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You can see the makeshift spraybooth. I just had plastic on the top to stop the dust from falling into the paint.
Date: 11/09/11
You can see the makeshift spraybooth. I just had plastic on the top to stop the dust from falling into the paint.
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Unfortunately while spraying, the masking from the tray moved and I got some overspray on the panel behind the rear window. Real bummer, the tray will need to be resprayed.
Date: 11/09/11
Unfortunately while spraying, the masking from the tray moved and I got some overspray on the panel behind the rear window. Real bummer, the tray will need to be resprayed.
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I might have had the air pressure wrong because I got some 'orange peel' in the paint. Not to worry, it can be sanded flat later.
Date: 11/09/11
I might have had the air pressure wrong because I got some 'orange peel' in the paint. Not to worry, it can be sanded flat later.
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I am doing the car up with Sandman/GTS style blackouts. These give the car a lower and sleeker look. Masking up with blue line tape before the masking tape is a must for this type of painting.
Date: 24/09/11
I am doing the car up with Sandman/GTS style blackouts. These give the car a lower and sleeker look. Masking up with blue line tape before the masking tape is a must for this type of painting.
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Gloss black for all along the rocker panel
Date: 24/09/11
Gloss black for all along the rocker panel
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The angles and curves of the blackouts are hard to work out from pictures. I think I have the radius at the bottom of the bumper recess incorrect. Don't tell anyone.
Date: 24/09/11
The angles and curves of the blackouts are hard to work out from pictures. I think I have the radius at the bottom of the bumper recess incorrect. Don't tell anyone.
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Picure of the firewall in black and no blackouts on the side yet.
Date: 24/09/11
Picure of the firewall in black and no blackouts on the side yet.
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Look at all the crap that gets washed in the cabin. Make sure the floor drain plugs are removed.
Date: 24/09/11
Look at all the crap that gets washed in the cabin. Make sure the floor drain plugs are removed.
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This is how the blackouts turned out.
Date: 24/09/11
This is how the blackouts turned out.
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With the AUD so strong against USD, I thought I would buy Pontiac 15" rims as GTS look alikes. They will look great once I can afford the tyres.
Date: 24/09/11
With the AUD so strong against USD, I thought I would buy Pontiac 15" rims as GTS look alikes. They will look great once I can afford the tyres.
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Now to start on the doors. I removed all the hardware - trim, lock, window etc. there are a few dents to fix but not much rust.
Date: 24/09/11
Now to start on the doors. I removed all the hardware - trim, lock, window etc. there are a few dents to fix but not much rust.
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After some filling, sanding and undercoat, the colour coat is ready.
Date: 07/10/11
After some filling, sanding and undercoat, the colour coat is ready.
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Tailgate is an ebay special for $100. The problem is that it didnt fit properly and needed some adjustment with a big hammer.
Date: 07/10/11
Tailgate is an ebay special for $100. The problem is that it didnt fit properly and needed some adjustment with a big hammer.
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The door frame needs a blackout.
Date: 07/10/11
The door frame needs a blackout.
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The tailgate is fitted. It is much more satisfying to put panels back on instead of taking them off.
Date: 07/10/11
The tailgate is fitted. It is much more satisfying to put panels back on instead of taking them off.
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Additionaly added the tail-lights.
Date: 07/10/11
Additionaly added the tail-lights.
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I did some polishing of the roof. Its starting to look OK.
Date: 15/10/11
I did some polishing of the roof. Its starting to look OK.
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The next step is to fit the doors. These are a major pain in the neck. There are 12 bolts for each door, and the door needs to be adjusted for up/down/front/back/in/out. Whew!
Date: 15/10/11
The next step is to fit the doors. These are a major pain in the neck. There are 12 bolts for each door, and the door needs to be adjusted for up/down/front/back/in/out. Whew!
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Once the front/back/up/down/in/out is adjusted, the door jewelry can be added. I put the door seal on first.
Date: 15/10/11
Once the front/back/up/down/in/out is adjusted, the door jewelry can be added. I put the door seal on first.
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Lining up the gaps takes a bit of patience.
Date: 23/10/11
Lining up the gaps takes a bit of patience.
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Things added to the door include window regulator, door lock, door striker, door handle, door seal,
Date: 23/10/11
Things added to the door include window regulator, door lock, door striker, door handle, door seal,
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Now the drivers side as well. Also fitted window glass, outer door belt, bailey channel, and some internal bits and pieces.
Date: 23/10/11
Now the drivers side as well. Also fitted window glass, outer door belt, bailey channel, and some internal bits and pieces.
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Trying to get the door gap uniform.
Date: 23/10/11
Trying to get the door gap uniform.
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Next up is to dummy fit the front end before it gets painted.
Date: 23/10/11
Next up is to dummy fit the front end before it gets painted.
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The spoiler was bought off ebay for $100. It needed some filing and adjustment to fit.
Date: 23/10/11
The spoiler was bought off ebay for $100. It needed some filing and adjustment to fit.
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Once it is all disassembled and painted, it will look great.
Date: 23/10/11
Once it is all disassembled and painted, it will look great.
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The guards, bonnet, radiator support panel and nosecone are all off different cars. Need to lign them all up.
Date: 23/10/11
The guards, bonnet, radiator support panel and nosecone are all off different cars. Need to lign them all up.
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Cant wait until it is finished.
Date: 23/10/11
Cant wait until it is finished.
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Getting the guards ready for paint.
Date: 14/02/12
Getting the guards ready for paint.
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The nosecone was a pain in the neck to strip for paint. There are so many complicated nooks and crannies it drove me crazy. In the end I gave up and sent it away for media blasting. Best $50 I've spent.
Date: 14/02/12
The nosecone was a pain in the neck to strip for paint. There are so many complicated nooks and crannies it drove me crazy. In the end I gave up and sent it away for media blasting. Best $50 I've spent.
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A lick of paint on the front panel makes it all good.
Date: 16/02/12 A lick of paint on the front panel makes it all good.
Date: 16/02/12 A lick of paint on the front panel makes it all good.
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The inside of the bonnet and you can see the guards in the background.
Date: 16/02/12
The inside of the bonnet and you can see the guards in the background.
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This is an aftermarket front spoiler from ebay. The fibreglass was a bit rough but after a clean up and some paint they look OK.
Date: 16/02/12
This is an aftermarket front spoiler from ebay. The fibreglass was a bit rough but after a clean up and some paint they look OK.
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The guards after stripping, beating, filling, primer, more filling and finally colour.
Date: 16/02/12
The guards after stripping, beating, filling, primer, more filling and finally colour.
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Proper GTS mirrors are way too expensive. I had a couple of XB GT mirrors lying around so I ground the bases down to suit the Holden doors. A bit of primer and paint and they should look good.
Date: 16/02/12
Proper GTS mirrors are way too expensive. I had a couple of XB GT mirrors lying around so I ground the bases down to suit the Holden doors. A bit of primer and paint and they should look good.
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Next up - motor reco. Whoo hoo. This is a 4.2L, 4 barrel.
Date: 16/02/12
Next up - motor reco. Whoo hoo. This is a 4.2L, 4 barrel.
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I kind of skipped a few steps here. Motor was stripped cleaned honed, new rings, gaskets (of course), reco carby, new water and oil pumps, HEI ignition.
Date: 16/02/12
I kind of skipped a few steps here. Motor was stripped cleaned honed, new rings, gaskets (of course), reco carby, new water and oil pumps, HEI ignition.
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Front of the donk. I forgot to add that I had to change cylinder heads and sump as well.
Date: 16/02/12
Front of the donk. I forgot to add that I had to change cylinder heads and sump as well.
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It goes in so easy with no front panels on.
Date: 25/02/12
It goes in so easy with no front panels on.
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You can see the extractors nicely painted. This took me a whole day to wire-brush, rust-convert and spray.
Date: 25/02/12
You can see the extractors nicely painted. This took me a whole day to wire-brush, rust-convert and spray.
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This picture shows a couple of hidden things. Now the motor and gearbox are in the shifter is fitted. Also fitted the correct clutch (HZ-WB is different to earlier models) pedal and cable. Pedal is hidden behind the steering wheel spoke.
Date: 01/03/12
This picture shows a couple of hidden things. Now the motor and gearbox are in the shifter is fitted. Also fitted the correct clutch (HZ-WB is different to earlier models) pedal and cable. Pedal is hidden behind the steering wheel spoke.
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I just realised that I had not shown the dash. I put in the WB commercial dash but fitted a premier clock. All gages are working. I had to put a radio in the dash hole and even though it is a bit old, I like that model from Pioneer. The Autotecnica wheel
Date: 01/03/12
I just realised that I had not shown the dash. I put in the WB commercial dash but fitted a premier clock. All gages are working. I had to put a radio in the dash hole and even though it is a bit old, I like that model from Pioneer. The Autotecnica wheel gives the dash a modern look.
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I'm finally getting things together. Fitted the guards, bonnet, nosecone, headlights etc. Now I just have to connect everthing in the engine bay.
Date: 18/03/12
I'm finally getting things together. Fitted the guards, bonnet, nosecone, headlights etc. Now I just have to connect everthing in the engine bay.
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Engine bay with all the stuff connected. There were a few dramas. I had to replace a leaky water pump, the radiator was shot and power steering box leaked like a sieve. All fixed now.
Date: 18/03/12
Engine bay with all the stuff connected. There were a few dramas. I had to replace a leaky water pump, the radiator was shot and power steering box leaked like a sieve. All fixed now.
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I installed the WB combined overflow/washer bottle. This is a great set up and definately a better solution than the earlier models.
Date: 19/03/12
I installed the WB combined overflow/washer bottle. This is a great set up and definately a better solution than the earlier models.
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Power steering added. This was an ebay special, but after I put it on I found the thing leaked. Had to take it and get recoed.
Date: 19/03/12
Power steering added. This was an ebay special, but after I put it on I found the thing leaked. Had to take it and get recoed.
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Installing the interior took all weekend. The headlining is velour, door trims have been redone in non-factory look but still look OK to me.
Date: 19/03/12
Installing the interior took all weekend. The headlining is velour, door trims have been redone in non-factory look but still look OK to me.
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It is looking better but I still have to make the kick panels.
Date: 19/03/12
It is looking better but I still have to make the kick panels.
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I reckon this is the best interior shot. How comfy does it look?
Date: 19/03/12
I reckon this is the best interior shot. How comfy does it look?
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Seats are original WB ute. They look like Commodore but have extra extenstions on the base to fit the WB floorpan. Drivers seat is hight adjustable.
Date: 19/03/12
Seats are original WB ute. They look like Commodore but have extra extensions on the base to fit the WB floorpan. Drivers seat is hight adjustable.
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After adding the headlights and grille, I fitted the front spoiler and bumper.
Date: 21/03/12
After adding the headlights and grille, I fitted the front spoiler and bumper.
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Starting to look like a real car now.
Date: 21/03/12
Starting to look like a real car now.
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There were some problems on the first test drive. It sounded like there were iron filings in the diff. Took the diff out and found iron filings. I had a spare diff lying around so in it went but it wasted a whole day.
Date: 14/04/12
There were some problems on the first test drive. It sounded like there were iron filings in the diff. Took the diff out and found iron filings. I had a spare diff lying around so in it went but it wasted a whole day.
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After putting on the mirrors and wipers, I got a permit to test drive. The gearbox kept jumping out of 3rd gear.
Date: 14/04/12
After putting on the mirrors and wipers, I got a permit to test drive. The gearbox kept jumping out of 3rd gear.
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Picture of adding mirrors and wipers. Had to fix a few other issues as well. Drivers window would not work properly so I replaced the regulator mechanism.
Date: 14/04/12
Picture of adding mirrors and wipers. Had to fix a few other issues as well. Drivers window would not work properly so I replaced the regulator mechanism.
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As I mentioned earlier, the gearbox jumps out of gear, so I replaced the 'box with a trimatic auto. There were a few problems that needed sorting out like the wrong brake pedal and leaking transmission cooler lines. All fixed now.
Date: 14/04/12
As I mentioned earlier, the gearbox jumps out of gear, so I replaced the 'box with a trimatic auto. There were a few problems that needed sorting out like the wrong brake pedal and leaking transmission cooler lines. All fixed now.
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Scrubbed up nicely for the car park shots.
Date: 14/08/12
Scrubbed up nicely for the car park shots.
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I like this shot as it shows how much better the front looks with a Statesman grille and GTS spoiler.
Date: 14/08/12
I like this shot as it shows how much better the front looks with a Statesman grille and GTS spoiler.
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Nice shot of the rear. I could have cleaned up the diff a bit better.
Date: 14/08/12
Nice shot of the rear. I could have cleaned up the diff a bit better.
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Next big decision is if it needs a wheel upgrade. Front is modern 18" and skinny wall rubber and rear is 50" muscle car look. Can't make up my mind.
Date: 14/08/12
Next big decision is if it needs a wheel upgrade. Front is modern 18" and skinny wall rubber and rear is 50" muscle car look. Can't make up my mind.
