The drivetrain is out so my '66 GT hardtop is headed into the Classic Creations of Central Florida body shop for final sheetmetal prep.

Merv Rego and Matt Simmons yanked the 347 stroker as they continue to strip the car in preparation for its full restoration. The C4 automatic was also scheduled to come out before the stripped body heads into the body shop area, where Danny will finish preparing the sheetmetal for paint.

Thankfully, Danny reports that he has only discovered minor rust problems in the bottom the doors, which he has already repaired. He also discovered damage to the passenger side door that I wasn't aware of. Apparently, somewhere between my grandfather's ownership and mine, a period of about 16 years, someone backed the door into a pole or garage wall, crimping the front of the door and kinking the hinge area, all of which was repaired many years ago.

Rust underneath the vinyl top was also minor.

The 347 stroker will be replaced by a stock 289, an engine that I purchased from Fred Jones Remanufacturing back in the early 1980s during the car's first refurbishment. Watch for an article about detailing the engine.

Danny says he hopes to have the body ready for paint by the end of June, so this project is moving right along.