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Restoration story of 2763904

Entries in this blog

A time to build and a time to sell

its been a conflicted and multifaceted decision process, but I have decided to list the car.   I've enjoyed this project immensely and am still enjoying my '74.  I'm sure I will have another tii at some point

Djthom

Djthom

Project Complete!

Finally the project is complete!  Here are some photos and description of the final product.     As you can see, I had the side markers and reflectors deleted.  I also got rid of the knee height rub strip.   I installed euro turn signals and new short stainless bumpers with the integrated euro plate lights.  I sourced earlier bumper brackets to pull them closer to the body.      I purchased new rain gutter trim, rocker trim, tail panel trim and badges.  The beltline trim is m

Djthom

Djthom

Trunk

In what could be the most boring post in this blog, here are some photos of the trunk.  New seals, white seam covers, and vinyl for the side and floor covers.    I modified the original battery bracket to reuse here.  Its sitting on rubber insulators.    I added a photo of the tank before the panel went in.  Shame that bodyshop painted top won't be seeing the light of day anytime soon.

Djthom

Djthom

Bottoms Up

With spring approaching and with just a few trim bits left to be completed, I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of the top than the bottom.  But here are some pics before it comes down off the lift for spring.  

Djthom

Djthom

Jewelry

While working today I took some pics of all the plated latches and components in their proper place.  Details are coming together and looking good

Djthom

Djthom

Wheels!

I debated long and hard about wheels since the bottlecaps that came on the car weren't in great shape and also I preferreded a vintage appearance and size.     I thought about finding a set of original wheels and hubcaps.  I tried to find a set of fps alloy wheels without success.  Minitlites look great but are too generic for my taste.  There have been some amazing steelie choices discussed and pictured on the forum and I still think that would be a sweet option.  In the end I found a

Djthom

Djthom

Interior Refurbishment

I've been working to get the interior all completed.  I installed a new carpet from Etsy.  I have to say it's a lot nicer than other kits I've installed in my other 02.  The new headliner from WN was not without its challenges but the end result is straight with no wrinkles.   The rear C-pillar flags were about 6 inches off from where they should have been so I had to detach carefully and reglue them.  I remade the rear shelf and covered with German vinyl and installed the original rear seat wit

Djthom

Djthom

Leather Dash

I had a dash crack in the usual spot.  I debated about finding an uncracked specimen but thought there is no guarantee a crack wouldn't appear in that one also sooner or later.  So I decided to have the dash, glovebox and console covered in leather.  I'm pleased with the result and like the stitched premium look.  And it smells amazing too!  I'm looking forward to breathing that in every time I get behind the wheel.

Djthom

Djthom

Brakes and Suspension

I've been making significant progress now that the body is home.  The brakes and suspension are installed.  On the suspension, new Bilsteins all around, all rubber bushings replaced with urethane, and original hardware replated.    On the braking system, new brakelines, hoses, rubber seals, reservoir, and rear cylinders all with replated original hardware.

Djthom

Djthom

Gearbox

It's been a busy few weeks.  Lots of progress from headliner to rear suspension to wire harness.  Getting close to lifting the engine and gearbox into place.     The gearbox has new gaskets and seals.  The input, output and gear selection seals were replaced.  When I got the car there was a fair bit of oil coming from the gearbox which turned out to be a worn gear selector seal.     In the shift linkage, all the rubber bushings and blocks were replaced to give a nice solid an

Djthom

Djthom

Home Sweet Home

Recently I got the car home.  I elected to postpone the final sand and polish until it's mostly assembled in case it gets a minor nick or scratch that needs to be fixed.  Everything turned out amazing.  

Djthom

Djthom

Readying the Rear End

With body nearing completion and engine complete I've been starting to assemble other major assemblies including the rear end.   - new input and output seals on the differential as well as new gaskets   - new brake cylinders and brake lines   - new urethane bushings in suspension arms and sway bar linkages    - new suspension mounts and urethane bushings in differential mounting bracket   Looks fantastic all together with the replated hardware.  

Djthom

Djthom

Body Progress

Going to add some progress photos on the body.  In this set is new trunk floor, rear panel, dogleg behind door, inner/outer wheel arch, rocker and A pillar.  Zero rust now and perfectly aligned.  I'm closing in all the side marker and reflectors for a Euro look.

Djthom

Djthom

Engine is Ready to Rumble

I got engine buttoned up and essentially ready to install.   The hours spent cleaning fasteners and masking parts for paint are starting to feel rewarding.

Djthom

Djthom

Head Rebuild

Been awhile since I posted but lots has gone on.  All of the parts have been restored and I"m waiting for the body to begin assembly.  Here i have some head shots and list of new parts from Ireland Engineering   New 292 camshaft New rocker arms and eccentrics New timing chain, oil pump chain and fuel injection belt New valve guides.  New exhaust studs and nuuts    

Djthom

Djthom

Nut and Bolt Restoration....Literally

Nut and Bolt Restoration is an often misused phrase, but in this case that's exactly what I've been up to.   All fasteners and bracketry have been wire wheeled or glass bead blasted to bare metal and freshly replated.    Now as I enter the reassembly phase, each component will have the appearance that it would have when leaving the factory.   Sure, replacement hardware is available, but it lacks the aesthetic originality.  The small thin washers, short headed bolts, original markings,

Djthom

Djthom

Short Block

With the body away, its time to begin rebuilding! Crankcase stripped, cleaned and new core plugs installed.  Painted with high temperature black from Eastwood. Cylinders deglazed, pistons checked and in good condition with proper clearance Crankshaft journals polished to a mirror finish.  No wear groove on the rear seal New piston rings, main bearings and big end bearings from Ireland Engineering With the crank installed and buttoned down, it turns easily and fr

Djthom

Djthom

Stripped Down

Fast forwarding 2 months, the car was completely disassembled down to the shell.  The doors, hood, trunklid and fenders were taken off, and they along with the shell were media blasted down to bare metal.  We said goodbye to paint, body filler, tar mats in the interior, undercoating, and of course most importantly rust.  With nothing but solid metal remaining, epoxy primer was applied on the same day to prevent any new surface corrosion from forming.   As previously noted, the trunk fl

Djthom

Djthom

It All Starts Here

Recently I purchased  my first 02, a 1973 Malaga tii with tobacco interior.    .  The current paint looks like it was applied with a roller and there is overspray all over the place, but under that facade the car is very solid with the exception of rockers and trunk floor.  Mechanically, it started right up when I went to pick it up, and I was able to drive it up onto the trailer and even take the kids for a ride around the block when I got it home.   With the exception of a couple of dash crack

Djthom

Djthom

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