So apparently, I'm an A body guy now. I bought the car in this thread: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...455-very-nice-and-done-right-Needs-paint-only Last night, Sean Ryder delivered the car to us. If anyone needs a car transported, please make him your first call. I was lucky enough to be able to sneak into his schedule within a couple days of booking him, due to a route that was beneficial to him. Very reasonable and great communication!! Anyway, we have decided to make the car a nice driver. The tear down has started, and I have already ordered the Titian Red paint. It will retain a black vinyl top. Current specs on the car are: 72 Riv 455, never cracked open except to replace timing chain and clean out oil pan Disc brake conversion with slotted rotors Interior was dyed black, but needs a headliner and a radio. Front seats are from a late model Hyundai. Rust free body!! 90% of the stainless trim came with the car, and I am sourcing the rest. 2" drop springs all the way around with boxed control arms and poly bushings in front. Big sway bars front and back. Plans - Strip and paint Delete protective side moldings Reinstall all other trim and black vinyl top Possibly change to GS hood New headliner and radio TA 212 cam GS grille would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath (same with the hood) 3.xx posi This thing already hauls ass for a stock big block in a light car. Why did I never do this before? The tear down has begun!
Awesome Adam! I know the level of work you do, I'm sure it's gonna be a very nice car when it's done, look forward to following along on the progress. And tell Atena that she needs to help a guy out and whisper in Heathers ear what fun working on them is! Its really cool she's jumping right in.
All leftover trim is off, and the drivers fender is off. I cut the spot welds out of the front attaching bracket so I could knock out the dent. The left quarter panel took a minor hit at some point, and it looks like I will have to strip all of the filler out of it to see what is really there. So, the car has poor brakes. It has been converted to front disc. In the photo, you can see the MC/booster setup. Am I missing the proportioning valve that I see on all the other 70 cars? While I worked on customers' stainless trim, Atena started wrenching on the remainder of the trim and the drivers fender. She is really getting a kick out of turning the wrench! We set a goal to have this painted and put back together by the wedding in September. That is a major challenge, but I think it can be done.
It has an inline prop valve under driver floor pan there on the middle body bolt, front springs are actually 454 chevelle springs with maybe a coil cut, the drop spindles provide the drop, and yea that small booster is a contributing factor on the brakes and if I remember rite it never bled to my liking on the rear
I didn't do the brake install BTW ha that was compliments of the prior owner to me. Glad to see it getting attention will be following
Thanks for the info, Ethan. Some good insight there. John, I will consider the grille as well as the hood. When do you have time on the weekends for me to make the drive out there?
Car is from oklahoma. Got it from my brother about 1999-2000. He said it was an old school teachers car, that she brought new. Her nephew ended up with the car, who also had a gs. Said he keep the car for parts. Anyway my brother talked him out of that car. He drove for about a year, needed some money and asked if I wanted it. I stored the car till about 2013 when I decided to start working on it. Met ethan online about some parts. I was about to move, he asked if I wanted to sell, so I let it go. Glad it's placed in good hands. Hope you enjoy the car and the build.
Saw it at the Turbo Nationals in NC. Cars got good bones. I'm sure you and your lady will make it into a nice cruiser.Have fun !!!
What day works best for you to unload some parts into my Tahoe? I am booked Saturday, but either Sun or Mon works anytime.
The right side of the car is nearly stripped of paint. I will be pulling the pass side fender as soon as I finish stripping it. There is a very small spot of rust in the dog leg, too. The only good way to get to the door and fender jambs reasonably well is to pull the fenders. I'll jamb them out, then reinstall before painting the rest of the car. I will probably do the same with the trunk lid. I really want to see if I can have this in primer by the end of this holiday weekend.
Wonder who used the deck lid as a workbench when painting some sail panel boards ha, the wife raised hell when I come home with that on the trunk lid