Project I'm so cheap it hurts

[mybigwarwagon]

With the untimely demise of thee 3.8 in the GreenGremlin I was going to just jam a 350 in it and drive it till I had the time and money to restore it. But I know me and know if it was drivable it would never get restored. So I had a fill in the blank car in mind to drive while I worked on GG. Last night I picked up a 83 Grand Prix that will fit the bill fairly well. Even after tearing the interior apart I can't find any RPO codes in it. I was originally a 305 car so dropping the 350 in it should be fairly straight forward. It will be carbed and no electronics (yeaaaaa living in NC).

Oh yeah and I am cheap. So this car will be done as cheaply as possible. I want to do it right but not go overboard on price. I will save that for the Buick. Any how here is what I have to work with.

Started to tear out the interior today so I can take it down to the car wash and hose out all the crud.



Nasty carpet I will try to save.

Wife hard at work with the monster vac

My biggest fear the vinyl top

Dang vinyl tops. Whoever invented them should be shot then resuscitated then shot again and finally stabbed with rusty roof panels.

Looks like I will be hunting some new doors too. Both are rusted out at the bottom.

Rare wooden floor option in the engine bay

Off to the car wash tomorrow

 

[whitey]

Never post pics. of your 'ol lady on the interweb, good-luck with the GP.

 

[350_85cutty]

Wow...I'll be tuned into this one...goodluck man. wanna see how you fix that rot

 

[Blake442]

Yeowzers!

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

That roof rot would scare the sh*t out of me! I think the best course of action will be total replacement of the entire roof as it will probably take less work than fixing what is there.

 

[Blake442]

Replacing a roof is way too much work when all you really need is this...

3M™ Aluminum Foil Tape 439 Shiny Silver.

It's a patch panel in a roll!
Stick that sh*t on, wipe some filler over it, and you're good to go!

... at least that's how body shops did things back in the 70's... 😳

 

[beermonkey9417]

Replacing a roof is way too much work when all you really need is this...

3M™ Aluminum Foil Tape 439 Shiny Silver.

It's a patch panel in a roll!
Stick that sh*t on, wipe some filler over it, and you're good to go!

... at least that's how body shops did things back in the 70's... 😳

thATS FRIGGIN GENIUS!!!!

 

[mybigwarwagon]

the roof rot will be a bit hacked for now. Probably the spray foam and bondo route. Remember I am cheap

 

[Crossbreed]

I'd equate rippin' off that vinyl top and seeing all that rust underneath to meeting a really hot chick at the bar, taking her home and finding out she has a penis.
One word.... "Gaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!"

On the bright side.....
.....uhhh...
.....hmmm...
.... well, you could always make it a convertible.

 

[shotgun]

Atleast weld in a patch, then do some "bondo" work.

Tape the trim and the front roof line off and coat it with roll on black bedliner for texture.

Will even look "good" from 10 foot or so.

Soak the crap out of the carpet, scrub with water baby shampoo mix, rise and then suck it dry with a wet/dry vac. You will be surprised! Smells kinda nice too.