The first thing we did inside was mount the ididit steering column. They didn’t have a direct fit unit for the Buick, but they had a number of very adaptable mounting accessories that made this install simple. Ididit’s catalog and Web site also offered many helpful tips about properly mounting steering columns. Remember, you’ll be using this component every time you drive the car, so take the time to position and mount it correctly.
There’s lots of scary stuff going on here! As you can see we had the column mounted and were starting to install the Painless wiring kit. Also visible here is the Dynamat sound deadening insulation that we used prolifically throughout the car. That wad of cables puking from the center of the dash will be connected to the Kicker stereo system. My wife was convinced at this point that the AirWagon would never see the light of day!
We even got to play carpenter! This box was used to house a pair of Kicker Solobaric subwoofers. Overkill? Maybe, but Kicker has devoted years of research to determining the precise sizing and construction methods for custom subwoofer enclosures. It’s just another one of those details that can make a good car great.
We used a hidden luggage compartment to house the rest of the Kicker stereo components, plus the air suspension compressor system. An access door covers this area, but we made the effort to make it look professional when it was opened...
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1962 Buick Air Wagon Project - Inside Job
part VI A top-notch cabin brings airwagon to its finale
By Bret Voelkel
Custom Rodder Magazine, July 2005
Editor’s Note: For the past three issues, Custom Rodder readers have gone along for the ride as Bret Voelkel, Precision Coachworks, and the Air Ride Technologies crew brought new life to a ’62 Buick longroof known as Project AirWagon. We feel the journey has been an interesting, informative, and entertaining look at a real-world custom rod buildup.
One of the best things about the series is the way it has demonstrated the array of parts and services available to the do-it-yourself custom car builder. Whether he was updating the original Nailhead with Holley fuel injection and a 700-R4 transmission, adding air springs and Stainless Steel Brakes to the chassis, or helping prep the body so he could save a few bucks on bodywork, Bret showed that even unusual ’60s iron can benefit from the latest aftermarket wares and homespun ingenuity. That’s a good lesson for anyone to learn.
In this, the final installment of the series, we’ll take a look inside at how that cavernous cabin came together. But first we want to show you how slick the big Buick looks now that’s it’s finally all together. Take a few minutes to gander at the finished product, then enjoy our inside look at this inside job.
FIRST-CLASS CABIN
How many cars have you seen with perfect paint, state-of-the-art suspension, killer engines ... and an interior that’s, well, just average by comparison? The interior is where you get to make many decisions that affect the comfort and usability of your custom car. Smart decisions mean you will be happy for years to come. Bad decisions will haunt you until you fix them!
By this point in building a car most people (including me) are burnt out and near broke. This is where a solid game plan can make the difference between an average project and one that really stands out. It’s just like giving that last push to the goal line to win the game—it separates the winners from everyone else.
Many people who are reasonably talented at mechanical chores and bodywork let the thought of wiring, A/C, stereo, and other interior work scare the hell out of them. Think about it like this: You can’t really do any worse than screw it up! At worst you will come to realize why the interior guy wants $10,000 to do your interior. At best you will end up with a finished car that you will be truly proud of, along with confidence and a new set of skills.
There are certain general decisions that need to be made in the initial planning of the car. Leather or cloth? Bench or buckets? Column shift or floor shift? Stereo? Air conditioning? Power windows or manual? Gauges? Some of these decisions can be delayed until later, but you need to keep them in mind during the buildup to avoid getting backed into a corner.
Probably the first item to accomplish on the inside of your car would be mounting the A/C, stereo components, and any other electrical accessories like power windows and cruise control.
There are a thousand details inside the car that require nothing more than a little common sense and the ability to make a decision. As with the rest of your car, you can pay someone to accomplish this for you or you can forge ahead, develop new skills, save some money, and maybe even surprise yourself! Like I said earlier, at least you will appreciate why the professionals get paid so well to do this work.
Unfortunately, the most time-consuming work—wiring, installing A/C components, hooking up cruise control, etc.—is also the most unphotogenic. The good thing is these parts come with excellent instructions and even better tech departments when you need help. That is why we chose to work with companies like Painless Performance, Vintage Air, ididit, Spal, and Kicker. They have knowledgeable people that will come to the phone if you have a question. That becomes really important when you’re down to the short strokes on a project this size!
It’s easy at this point to rush things, miss details, and end up having to go back and do things over. Just think of the time and money saved by sticking to the game plan. Make lists, sit down, think, make more lists. This is how you can jump in a fresh car and go 2500 trouble-free miles on its maiden voyage. It is a truly satisfying feeling to jump in a new cruiser, turn on the A/C and stereo, point it toward your first car show (the 2004 Americruise in Dallas, Texas, in our case), hit the cruise control, and enjoy the fruits of several weeks (months? years?) of your labor. For me the journey is at least as important at the end result, because after the car is done I start thinking about the next one!
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