Hello Everyone,
I've actually been in minor touch with a couple of you over the past
few years. I live in Virginia Beach and I've owned an orange(and
primer) 72 Coupe for about 9 years now. I'm the 3rd owner...:)
Second owner had the car since 73. It has been in my garage for the
past 5 years because I've been afraid if I were to keep driving it
that it would be more difficult to repair in the end. The timing
chain keeps jumping the sprocket. the passenger rear wheel is barely
held on by a kotter pin and maybe a quarter of a thread due to the
spindle being stripped. I can see very serious wear on the teeth of
the cam sprocket and only imagine the crank sprocket is as bad or
worse. The tires were almost dry rotted then and definatley are
now....and it could use some moderate bodywork. The floor pans are
still perfect....and the door rockers and fenders are all in almost
perfect shape....the front bumper doesn't exhist because the car was
given to the first owner as a benny when he bought a Winebego, to be
pulled behind it. So it has a a tow arm installed. The rear bumper
and trunk need some work and the interior needs about 85% replacement.
All and all, from what I've seen and heard over the years, reletive to
most others it's in fairly good shape.
Ok, as for my question....where do I start...how do I begin restoring
it. I am very capable, and am able to do the work....and I don't mind
buying any tools I need...within reason....should I tear it all down
to pieces? Or just work the engine, then the paint etc... or
what....One step at a time? Half the fun in having the car is doing
the work myself.....:) I own a photocopy of the original repair
manual...and I actually have the original owners manual...
Well, enough boredom for now....let me know what you think?
Jeff