Topic: 1979 TA Restoration project

[Grand73Am]

I like the car. I also have a couple 79's, one of which is gold.
The rear sway bar is the one that's different for WS6. It should be 3/4" diameter. The fronts are all 1-1/4" on TA's, so won't tell you anything about ws6.

[smelly$cat]

Well, I measured the rear sway bar and it is indeed 3/4 inch in diameter. I used a vice grip to set how thick it was then measured on my measuring tape. Shall we rule this one a WS6 at this point?

[JupiterBandit]

WS6 wheels
WS6 Rear disc brakes
WS6 3/4" Rear sway bar

Sounds like a WS6 to me

[Grand73Am]

Must be...

[JupiterBandit]

http://www.78ta.com/ws6.php


These are all common upgrades so it might not be a WS6. Get the PHS documents., they are cheap

[Grand73Am]

Or maybe you'll find a build sheet in the car, usually behind a seat cushion and often above the gas tank. But, I'd be surprised if somebody swapped in both the rear discs and rear sway bar. It looks too original.

That'll be a beautiful car if you restore it to its original glory. Here's a couple of older threads with pics of Solar Gold 79's like yours for inspiration. I actually have 2 gold 79's, one with WS6, but neither with T-tops. But I have a t-top roof to swap onto one of them, since I like the T-tops on them:  http://www.78ta.com/HTAF/index.php?topic=39579.msg410712#msg410712
http://www.78ta.com/HTAF/index.php?topic=30244.msg368915#msg368915

[jonathonar89]

Subscribed

[smelly$cat]

Grand73Am, thanks for those links. Very inspirational! I've really been torn with how to restore it. Keep it gold? Keep the interior camel? etc... Now that I see what it could look like, I think I'll just keep her in stock colors. Just about every interior part is going to need to be replaced. Seems like most of the replacement parts come in black. I guess you just paint them to match the stock color? Anyway, I'll get to that down the line. For now, I'm just slowly tearing it down and labeling all the parts. Made a little more progress today. Bit by bit....

[smelly$cat]

Here are some more pictures after further dismantling

 

This tin piece is pretty rusty on both sides of the car...







Driver side quarter panel is straight. Passenger side quarter panel has had some work around the light lens at one point.



Is this dash "capable"?



All of the fenders look good and rust free under the spoilers or whatever they are called









The radiator support "wall" if you will has some surface rust on it, but, is pretty light. Down low on the drive side is probably the worst but I think it can just be sanded off and painted.





Pretty much got all of front bumper area removed. Is that cooler that is just hanging there stock? Looks like it runs back to the transmission.



Anyway, that's where I'm at now. I can't get the spoiler off the trunk lid. Bolts are off but it's just on there nice and firm. Some sort of adhesive tape used? I think the spoiler is in good shape and I want to salvage it. Do I "need" to remove it? I'm thinking yes for a proper paint job.

[smelly$cat]

Man, time has been sparse... but, got the hood, hood hinges and driver fender off today.

[pancho400cid]

Nice project. 

As said above, take pics of everything.  Label / Bag / Tag everything.  Make sketches.  It will look totally foreign going back together in a few months / years.  If you are like me you will not remember ANYTHING so do not relay on memory.

Keep us posted!

[smelly$cat]

Thanks man, yeah, I've been bagging and labeling all the bolts etc... I've taken a lot of pictures as well. I'll continue to do so.

[tata]

Wow big project. And yes the little radiator(condenser) is for your a/c. Your might want to get newer wire cover sill plates too. As for the trunk spoiler  there's not that much flat surface area  so I hope you can get it off nicely. Good luck and keep us posted

[tata]

I know its alot cheaper with dash pad, but in the end you will be much happier with the real deal. Firedan13  repairs dashes to look brand new, he won't kill you on price either. 

[smelly$cat]

Thanks for the info tata!