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Since some of you have asked how I'm coming along on the car, I thought I'd start a thread so that I can keep everybody updated. Beware though, it's going to be a slow moving thread, there's a lot of work to be done, and I'm fitting it in when time allows.
So here we go......One of the first things on my agenda was to remove the interior so that I could inspect the floor for any rust concerns undetectable from underneath the car, and assess what will need to be replaced/restored in regards to the interior.
Unfortunately the interior is pretty much shot, and it'll take quite a bit to get it back to "looking like new". Some of you will recall my post of finding a roll of seat fabric, thankfully for that, one of the big hurdles has been cleared when it comes to the interior. But there's still a lot of the items that will need to be replaced/restored........ new carpet, new door panels, new headliner & visors, new seatbelts, restore/replace numerous interior plastic panels, rewrap the steering wheel, shift knob, and E-brake lever in new leather. Then there's the chore of finding a bunch of little parts for the Recaro front seats, when you sat in the drivers seat your butt was literally on the floor. Recaro didn't use metal support springs back then, it was basically just a strap of elastic material spanning the width of the seat bottom. Due to age, the elastic has given out causing you to sit on the floor.......It's not all bad news though, the dash pad is perfect which is a huge plus considering how hard it is to find these early third gens dashpads and the console is in good shape needing only the "top plates" replaced.
Anyways enough rambling on with pictures
.................
Before...
84TA005..jpg
84TA006..jpg
Progress....
P1000550..jpg P1000554..jpg
After....
P1000563..jpg P1000562..jpgP1000561..jpg
P1000566..jpgP1000565..jpg P1000560..jpg
Thankfully when it comes to rust, I didn't find any surprises. The car is very solid, and outside of some slight surface rust, that'll be easy to deal with, there's no need for any panel replacement.
It's worth noting that this car has been a "Michigan car" from day one. I received my PHS (Pontiac Historical Services) packet a few weeks ago, and the original dealer was Orson E. Coe Pontiac here in Grand Rapids. Based on how solid the car is someone cared for it well, and chose not to drive in our harsh winters.
So here we go......One of the first things on my agenda was to remove the interior so that I could inspect the floor for any rust concerns undetectable from underneath the car, and assess what will need to be replaced/restored in regards to the interior.
Unfortunately the interior is pretty much shot, and it'll take quite a bit to get it back to "looking like new". Some of you will recall my post of finding a roll of seat fabric, thankfully for that, one of the big hurdles has been cleared when it comes to the interior. But there's still a lot of the items that will need to be replaced/restored........ new carpet, new door panels, new headliner & visors, new seatbelts, restore/replace numerous interior plastic panels, rewrap the steering wheel, shift knob, and E-brake lever in new leather. Then there's the chore of finding a bunch of little parts for the Recaro front seats, when you sat in the drivers seat your butt was literally on the floor. Recaro didn't use metal support springs back then, it was basically just a strap of elastic material spanning the width of the seat bottom. Due to age, the elastic has given out causing you to sit on the floor.......It's not all bad news though, the dash pad is perfect which is a huge plus considering how hard it is to find these early third gens dashpads and the console is in good shape needing only the "top plates" replaced.
Anyways enough rambling on with pictures
.................Before...
84TA005..jpg
84TA006..jpg
Progress....
P1000550..jpg P1000554..jpg
After....
P1000563..jpg P1000562..jpgP1000561..jpg
P1000566..jpgP1000565..jpg P1000560..jpg
Thankfully when it comes to rust, I didn't find any surprises. The car is very solid, and outside of some slight surface rust, that'll be easy to deal with, there's no need for any panel replacement.
It's worth noting that this car has been a "Michigan car" from day one. I received my PHS (Pontiac Historical Services) packet a few weeks ago, and the original dealer was Orson E. Coe Pontiac here in Grand Rapids. Based on how solid the car is someone cared for it well, and chose not to drive in our harsh winters.
........
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