'78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread + roof carnage

[motorholmes]

Finally starting to tear into the GP. Got a few other things going on, but I should be able to make some progress pretty quickly.
The car is a 1978 with viscount leather buckets, console shift, factory AM/FM/CB radio, and cornering lamps. So there's a few kinda rare options. The main reason I bought it was that it was 30 miles from my house, and I found out it's from Boise, ID, so it's rust free.

Here's the car as I bought it sitting at a dealer in Shakopee, MN

Here are the main problems:
The passenger door is tweaked around the mirror

Needs bumper fillers

And the BIG one, getting rid of the vinyl top and filling all the little holes! Ugh

I was hoping my Kodak zi8 video camera would take small enough still photos that I wouldn't have to resize them...Oh well. I'll start doing that next round so the thread is a little more viewer-friendly. Or just use my mobile phone..

 

[motorholmes]

Re: '78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread

So I was kinda excited to figure out some kind of solution to this vinyl top problem, and the rest got put on the back burner for now. Besides, I had to get the snowmobiles ready for winter, and work on my kid's Saturn too.

Here's what you will see f you take the top off:

And you'll need to take this piece off (It's spot welded on in about 7 places)

Then if you get the trim from a hard top car, you can see what kind of crafty work it's gonna take to get this to look decent

Also, the rear window frame needs a lot of attention just below the upper corners. And there are plenty more holes to fill!

 

[motorholmes]

Re: '78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread

Anyways, there's lots of fun ahead!

Check out my growing pile of speed parts!

I guess I don't have a pic of the 5.3.
Here's the GP's buddy, Don Juan. He's a '63 Buick Riviera. Yeah, those are skulls on the taillights and yes, the eyes glow red

I get to work on that one next Summer if I get the Poncho done by then.
If I don't get it done by then I'm going to be a bit irritated

 

[motorholmes]

Re: '78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread

One more thing for now...

 

[motorholmes]

Re: '78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread

I figured out the drip rail is 1/2" wide, which might allow me to make the missing portion out of some 1/2" tubing that was laying in the corner of the garage..

Or I might go to the Metal Supermarket and buy some lighter gauge 1/2" channel and make things much easier. It's still going to be a difficult process, but this should make it more tolerable

EDIT: I think it's actually 5/8", which is cool cuz I have some 5/8 channel already.
EDIT: No, it's 1/2". The ID of the stainless trim piece is 5/8", but the drip rail OD is only 1/2" for some reason

 

[86 maroon gp 2+2]

Re: '78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread

triple LIKE! great start to another awesome project, when you get a chance look at the amazing job g-body_vet has done to his 78 gp!!!!!!

 

[motorholmes]

Re: '78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread

O yeah baby I've been following along with his thread. It's cool to see him do it first, makes it easier for me!
The LS swap is gonna be a whole 'nother deal though

 

[84cutlass383]

Re: '78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread

might be able to help u with the bumper fillers, is there anything else u need? found a 78-79 GP at the yard so.....let me knw

 

[motorholmes]

Re: '78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread

might be able to help u with the bumper fillers, is there anything else u need? found a 78-79 GP at the yard so.....let me knw

Yeah I still need a set of (sail panels??) the interior plastic panels that surround the quarter glass from a non-vinyl top car.
I'd be especially happy if they were saddle tan color, but I can certainly paint them too. Thanks for your help!
(the front GP emblem above the headlight and the glove box nameplate too, if they're nice)

 

[motorholmes]

Re: '78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread

Oh! Just figured out how to put a photo in my signature! (after all these years )