BUILD THREAD 79 Monte round 2

[Masone]

So a few years back I picked up a rhd 79 which ended up being too far gone to save, especially given the fact there are no donor cars in Australia. Cut my losses and picked up another from near Palm Springs and imported it. Not a perfect car by any means but cheap enough to justify the cost of importing and repairing, especially since I now had a donor to pull bits off. Took 12months after purchasing for it to finally get to my driveway and I was able to start tearing into it. This will be a mild lowrider build, still deciding if I flip it to rhd. Donor vehicle in black, new build in “primer”.

 

[Masone]

Started stripping the car to get a clear picture of any rust or damage that might be hiding. Trim, interior and glass all pulled and found a few spots that would need new metal. Drivers A pillar, passenger footwell and passenger quarter window were the worst spots as well as a few patches around the rear window. Also found a nicely spec’d build sheet.

 

[85ss/85gn]

Do you have any more pictures of the rhd Monte? Interesting in how the dash is and firewall compared to lhd

 

[Masone]

While waiting for my body shop to have room/time for the car I stripped it back to bare metal to see what else might be hiding under the paint. Found a swipe down the passenger side which could be fixed properly and a few spots that had been repaired on tops of the front fenders. Worst was the roof skin which was pretty badly pitted from the landau roof. Lucky the donor has a decent roof so will either swap turrets or have a new skin fabricated if it’s not good enough.

 

[Masone]

Do you have any more pictures of the rhd Monte? Interesting in how the dash is and firewall compared to lhd

Dash is mirrored, firewall is same as lhd with extension rods running across to brake booster. If I switch the new build to rhd we will pull the ac box and rebuild the firewall and relocate brake booster across to the right hand side. Will use either jeep steering box or rack and pinion. Will probably put a rhd restomod air or similar system under dash in the left side for the ac, living in northern Australia cold air is a must have!

 

[SoFloG]

I don't know why that freaks me out so much! Everything IS mirrored, except the cig lighter/ac control. Tuned in!

 

[Masone]

Roof turret removed, new A pillars in. Drivers side had rusted at the bottom and needed small patch to support behind it. Decided to do the passenger side as well and cover all bases. Passenger footwell cut out and new pan tacked in. Great to be able to buy new pieces but $600 shipping for A pillars and a 1/4 pan sucks!

 

[Masone]

Passenger quarter window rust was next on the hit list. Removed rear quarter (needed repairs to old drill/screw style slide hammer work anyway), no hidden rust behind which was a bonus. New metal shaped for inner 1/4 window structure, bodywork completed on the quarter panel and test fit. Will get acid dipped and epoxied on both sides before welding back on. Also new drip rails mocked up for when the roof skin goes back on.

 

[Masone]

A bit of rust swelling between the side and rear roof supports. Cut off, blasted and tech screwed back in place ready for welding. Bonnet skin and inner support split and acid dipped, currently stripping paint from inner front fenders for dipping as well. All body trim holes and power antenna hole have been welded up. Roof will be the last bit to sort out

 

[doood]

Damn, you're up in that car!

I can't believe the lush vegetation in the scenery of the photo in the first post of the car in grey. You live in paradise. New Jersey looks so trampled-on by comparison.