Topic: 1978 Trans Am restoration

[marx3]

Thanks!

Got to take a look at the bent fender today. It is bad. Worse than I thought. The edge of the fender has been stretched forward alot from the blow. It dont look so bad in the picture, but the dent is large.
There was a rather large dent near the wheel opening as well. [/URL]

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The gap between the door and the fender is waaay to large right now, even with the dents beat as much back into shape as possible. I fear that I might need to find another rightside fender :-/ This is really testing all my expertise as a panelbeater/bodyworker :-)

[green-hornet]

Nice project car

[marx3]

Thanks :-) The level of restoration is no match for yours though :-) I am shooting for solid driver with fresh paint and decals for starters:-)

btw confirmed today I have PT rear axlecode: 2.56 Posi. could be worse ( not much though )
and the engine is matching numbers. So far so good.

[marx3]

phheeew the inner fenders look good, and so does the rear frame. It has spots of rust, but nowhere near bad corrosion.

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As you can see, it is going to take some work to get the fender to line up with the door properly. As of now the gap between the door and the fender is sliiiiightly off factory specs :-)
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[marx3]

took some time today to take the rest of the interior apart
I am amazed at how rough the T-top installation actually is. I knew it was rough, but I had not imagined it would be THIS rough :-)
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mmm no corrosive attacks in the inner fenders and that area. Nice! :-)
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or in the rear windowframe for that matter
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speaking of corrossion, more or less all of the interiorparts made out of plastic are useless because of UV deterioration. dang... :-/
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the centerconsole is in great shape though[/URL]
The interior is definately going to take the most effort and/or cash to get nice and satisfactory

[marx3]

I need to get the car inspected to be able to pay import-taxes, so had the car put together for a drive. I will be my first real drive in the car.
This will be wednesday, then I have to get the car completely ready for going to the painters on monday. Cant wait!

[marx3]

I gave the car to the painters yesterday. The previous owner had already sanded down down most of the body and given it a flat black primer.
This was a couple of years ago and the painters found that light surface rust had started to appear. They decided to sand it down to bare metal everywhere.  Previous owner has changed rear quarterpanels and dropdowns. The quality of this repair not the at level I would have done myself ( I am a trained bodyworker/panelbeater ), buuut not so bad that it has to be re-done.


The front of the car is very straight


I almost considered going with the Back to the Future-look :-)

You can see traces of where the old bird used to sit

[marx3]

The painters are making progress. They laid down a bottom coat of epoxy primer for durability.

[marx3]

progress at the painters

[marx3]

went to the painters today to put on fenders, doors and hood/trunk-lid so they can give it a last final spray and add clearcoat.

[marx3]

Car is home from the painters. Assembly can begin! I cant wait to put on the decals!

[JupiterBandit]

Looks great. Bet you are excited

[marx3]

You bet:-)
Paid my tax to get it registered in Denmark. It cost about 6000$. Though break, but that's what our welfare system is based on:-)
Ran out of gas on my celebration-run. What are the odds:-)


Got started on replacing the old leaky iron intake with an aluminum one. A surprise was waiting when I took off the valve covers... A lot of rust flakes and crud had build up. It seems the engine has been out of service for a long period at some point.

[JupiterBandit]

May do you good to pull those heads and get them redone. Peace of mind is valuable

[eroc022]

X2 I'd be pulling it all apart and cleaning!