As usual, I followed the "measure once, weld once...then remeasure and discover you welded something in the wrong spot, cut once, remeasure for the third time, weld hopefully for the last time..." approach.

Now for the new work of the day... I've removed the rear bumper molding and have started to build up the rear end framing. This should go fairly fast (famous last words...). The rear molding is quite rigid, so it's easiest to remove it from the car and build it up while I have full open access to it. Once the rear end framing is in place, I'll work my way forward to create the rear fender framing.

Unrelated picture:

[This message has been edited by Neils88 (edited 12-01-2024).]

Most of the rear bumper mounting framing is complete. It's relatively simplistic but this is possible due to its rigidity. There are a couple more supports that will go along the top edge to ensure the top curvature is maintained, but I'll do those after the framing has been welded to the rear of the car. Once all the framing is mounted I'll be able to separate the rear spoiler. Lots of work to be done to it, such as adding the integral third brake light, building the active spoiler mechanism, stiffening it to account for the resultant load forces and giving it an appropriate airfoil shape. I'm really looking forward to that part of the build!

[This message has been edited by Neils88 (edited 12-01-2024).]

The rear end framing is now attached to the car. Everything fits well, but I will need to adjust the two upper corners. Once the framing was in place, I checked the alignment of all the panels and discovered that the side rocker panels forced the corners of the rear fenders up an additional inch. This is not a big surprised since I had fitted the framing with the rear bumper in a "relaxed" state.

[This message has been edited by Neils88 (edited 12-01-2024).]

I finished the last bit of framing on the driver's side forward door jamb. I decided to put some paint on the rocker framing...gives it a more finished look. I also removed the spoiler from the rear bumper molding since I'm creating an active spoiler system. I'll need to add a brace along the lip where the spoiler was removed, and of course the spoiler itself will get some internal framing.

[This message has been edited by Neils88 (edited 12-01-2024).]