Been a while.. 79 Calais Update

[N3M3S1S]

I was so nervous to really start this project but I'm really happy I did. Yesterday we started with the tear down of all things vinyl top. It is as expected and not worse so that's going. The way it currently looks I'm probably going to need a new driver's side quarter. Speaking of, any good ideas of where to get one? I haven't had a lot of luck finding any 78-80 body stuff anywhere. Onward with some pics!

This is the passenger side which is in pretty good shape. Has a hole where the P/O held the trim in with what looked like a drywall screw. Awesome. Got both quarter windows out and the rear trim. I was kind of hoping to save some of the trim but it's all pretty much beat beyond usable condition.

This is obviously the worse side and I'm thinking we're going to have to do a whole panel. There's also a lot of bubbling behind the rear wheel in that area so I'm kind of thinking it's the best and smartest option at this point. I'm thankful there's nothing wrong with the roof panel so that's a plus. That's as far as we got before the Eagles game which by the way, Fly Eagles Fly. 😉 Next weekend we're hitting it up with the grinder, sander, and whatever else we deem necessary. Maybe cutting out that quarter to see what demons lurk underneath.

 

[N3M3S1S]

It was a beautiful summer day out there yesterday(48 degrees! haha) so of course we had no excuse to not work on cars. My stepmom is in love with my puppy so it was an excuse to drive from my buddy's garage to my dad's for her to take my dog for the night. Gratuitous beautiful puppy pic:

So out into sunlight she went for the first time in months:

I really missed driving it and had forgotten just how much cajones she has. I may or may not have done some donuts before we parked her back in the garage.
The mission was to prep the driver's side rear quarter panel for removal and even get it off there if possible. The issue.. I forgot to grab the spot weld drill bits while I was at my dad's. Instead we just got it all ready as much as possible for next weekend before grabbing some beers and having a good night. Here's where it sits now.

And finally my clown friends enjoying some cigars.

The rear of the car also needs some attention but luckily it's pretty good. A few patch panels and some welds will serve it just fine. I'm considering dropping the tank and maybe getting a new one since the old one isn't bad but.. New stuff is nice. Plus I'd like to POR15 underneath everywhere I can and it just makes sense to do there too. Hope you all had fun and did some car stuff yourself.

GO BIRDS!

 

[N3M3S1S]

Another beautiful day in the garage that turned out to be an asskicker. Went into the day SURE that we would have the quarter panel off. The car told us we were stupid. Ended the day with about 60% of the spot welds drilled out and found more bondo than I cared to. I'll give them credit, whoever did that bondo job was a damn sculptor.

This was the process of cleaning up the spot welds and rust spots on the back side of the car. I handled the back side while my buddy worked on more spot welds elsewhere.

Had to take the trunk off of course. Continued cleaning up a lot of the backside with a wire wheel in the nasty spots. Going to need some patch panels here and there but it's certainly not awful.

This was where we realized we were in for a bad time. The holes/nasty stuff near the back window was all bondo covered. Even more bondo on the inside portion by the door striker. P/O told me he did a "mild resto" which apparently means a thousand pounds of bondo and 5 layers of paint. You can see it in the picture there. Quarter definitely needed replacing so I'm glad we're digging this deep. I hope next weekend will result in victory.

 

[CaliWagon83]

Other than the driver's side rear window area, the roof under the vinyl looks pretty good.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Cmon, vinyl tops are the best😉. After owning my 88, I would never buy another car with vinyl unless it was an insane deal.

 

[N3M3S1S]

Other than the driver's side rear window area, the roof under the vinyl looks pretty good.

I think so too but after seeing all that bondo on the quarter I don't trust it lol.

Cmon, vinyl tops are the best😉. After owning my 88, I would never buy another car with vinyl unless it was an insane deal.

It's a shame because I think it's a cool look but damn do they suck do deal with in situations like this lol. I agree. This was my first vinyl top car and I'll pass on another unless it's dirt cheap.

Spent another few hours out there today and unfortunately can now add "need doors" to my list. I plucked all the chrome trim off the bottom half of the car and as I pulled them off the passenger door the skin separated from the door frame and a pile of rust fell out haha. I was hoping they were salvageable but deep inside I knew I wasn't that lucky. Also going to need to remove the rear window because I've identified two areas that need metal work. It never fails that it becomes a bigger project than you expect but I don't have to tell you guys right?

 

[MrSony]

Sucks man. But, it's better to find it out now than wonder why the new paint is cracking a few years later.

 

[N3M3S1S]

Finally the quarter panel is out! Took last weekend off for the Eagles victory I knew was coming.

I'm so happy that underneath is completely clean. I was so afraid of what might be lurking underneath from years of it rusting in that area. Next weekend's plan is to clean up the area and make it as nice as possible. After that it's waiting on the quarter panel to come in and work on the many other areas that need some love. Here's a final pic of the carnage we cut off:

I'm excited! Never in my life had a car this far in pieces.

 

[N3M3S1S]

Today was a cleanup day in the shop because.. damn. By the time we were ready to start cranking away at some sanding mother nature told us to politely get the hell out of the shop and dumped snow all over us. Really disappointing because man, we're getting there! Did however finally check out the engine casting code on it, 14010207. Indicates a 350sbc from 1980 - 1985, used in trucks and corvettes and possible for 2 or 4 bolt mains. P/O said it has a 4 bolt but I'm not exactly trusting his word given all the jank on this car. Also looks like truck accessories on the car right now so that's what I'm assuming. Can't wait for some more consistent better weather and to get this thing back on the ground to drive.

 

[N3M3S1S]

After a few weeks of crappy weather(kinda tired of snow now) we got out there this weekend and got some done.

This was the only pic I got before Rum O'Clock but we did the side waiting on a quarter and half the roof. Knocked it down to bare metal and primed it. Back window will also need to come out. Any suggestions on that anyone?