Ressurecting the 1985 from the dead

[Matt00gt]

Hello Everyone,

Didn't know this site exsited until today. My father and saved a 1985 LX Vert from the local Junkyard. We picked up the car for $400. Car was a 3.8 V6. Here are some photos of the ressurection.


Car had an ugly yellow interior. All we kept was the dash and console. Here it is all stripped out.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/convertibeinside.jpg

Here is a look at the side and rear. Car was originally red/Maroon and really really faded.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/convertiblebackside.jpg

We laid on our backs for days cleaning the undercarrige with gasoline (almost made me passout :P ) We cleaned the engine compartment as well. I found a 1986 5.0 headlight harnes in the same junkyard. ECU harness is from a 1987. The Red wire loom is going to be covered in black. We had it so we used it.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/undercar.jpghttp://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/enginecompartment.jpg


Here is the V6 rear being removed to make room for the 8.8 we got out of a burnt ASC Mclaren.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/rearremoval.jpg
Here it is Sans rearend.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/reargoneagain.jpg
Removing the axles out of the 8.8
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/axlechange.jpg

[Matt00gt]

Here is the 1992 5.0 we bought from a wrecked GT. Motor has 42K miles on it. It looked Brand new.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/5.jpg

Motor and tranny getting ready to go in.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/hearttransplant.jpg

Here is a side shot. Doors are off of a 1991 (I beleive) Coupe. We chopped off the top frames. More on that later.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/900271b7.jpg

Getting closer to finished
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/2a3999ea.jpg

Motors in, but will she run???
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/1985front.jpg

[Matt00gt]

If you look you can still see some of the post from the coupe door. This door is not finished yet but you can see our first cut. This was a great thing because I couldn't find vert doors that were good and I wasn't about to pay big bucks for them.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/topboot.jpg

Here is a shot right after we did the SN95 front spindles. Spindles were from a 1994 V6 and the brakes were from my 2000 GT. I upgraded to Cobra brakes. The wheels are also from my 2000 GT.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1825.jpg

[Matt00gt]

Here we are test fitting the hood scoop.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1817.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1807.jpg

Close up of wheels and brakes. We have not installed the fender liners yet.http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1806.jpg

The top that came on this car was aful. We found this white one in the JY. We unbolted the whole frame from the car and got the top and frame for $200!!! When we took it off it had a patch that stated that i the canvas was installed in 8/2004. The car we got it off was in decent shape but the motor was NG. New top for $200!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1804.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1820.jpg

Here is the interior being put back together. That is the same dash (plus some new pieces) in the earlier pics.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1814.jpg

[V6DR]

what did you use on the undercarriage? it looks nice and clean.

[StangBoy]

what did you use on the undercarriage? it looks nice and clean.rtft

[slickshift]

what did you use on the undercarriage? it looks nice and clean.rtft
:?:

[Matt00gt]

Gasoline to clean the undercarrige then paint. I found paint that closely matched the original undercar color.

[TL TTop Coupe]

Great Progress Pics!! Like your attention to detail with the undercarriage. It has come along way, and man does it look good. Cant wait to see it with some paint. Nice Work! TL

[Matt00gt]

Hey everyone, Here are a few updated photos.

Here is the almost complete interior. (car has been since finished except for paint)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1889.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1891.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1888.jpg

Check out the polished intake I found at the Junkyard. Paid $20 for this :twisted:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_1888.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_2023.jpg

[Matt00gt]

oops here is the intake
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_2022.jpg

[MA84LX]

Man that thing has came along way and is looking good!!!


Where did you get the intake from?? I swear it looks like one I did years ago and traded off. Not saying thats it but looks allot like it. Before polishing the exterior, I grinded down the front edge where the plug is so that it wasn't sticking out so far.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_2022.jpg

[nater200]

have you smogged it yet?

[SchoolBoy]

That is increadable man, nice job!

[Matt00gt]

Yep, smogged it this week. passed with flying colors.

HC grams per mile: Reading: 00.40 Limit: 02.00
CO grams per mile: Reading: 010.16 Limit: 030.00
NOx grams per mile: Reading: 00.71 Limit: 03.00
CO2 grams per mile: Reading: 525.12 Limit: NA

[84GT Ragtop]

Matt, please tell me where you got the paint/dye to redo the dash - it looks absolutely perfect!! I have a replacement dash for my 84 vert and need to change the color - yours looks like a perfect color match. Thanks!

Rob

[Matt00gt]

My father picked it up at the loacl parts store. I will get the exact brand/color and get right back to you. It came out perfect. The kick panels and seat belt plastic was tough as the paint wanted to chip. We used the adhesion promotor and it helped, the dash, door panels and console came out mint. You would never know they were yellow/blue at one time.

We used it on the back seat and it came out awesome. We were wondering what the car would look like with cloth fronts and vinyl back seatsbut we used the die on the sides of the front seats and it looks like factory.

[cjmclean]

That's crazy how well it turned out... Excellent job!

[f4fntm]

Now, that car was truly saved! It's not enough to just drag it out of the JY an put it up on blocks in your back yard to rust.

:tu:

[AT6svo]

Wow, a phenomenal amount of work.

Looks great, my hats off.

That car has a new life and can be appreciated by the masses all thanks to you. :)

[Matt00gt]

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to post a few more of the progress pics.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_2204.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_2195.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_2193.jpg

Here is my mustang
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/scorpionkill/100_2222.jpg

[oldpaint]

You guys deserve a medal or something....free lifetime subscription to MM&FF (LOL!)

Absolutely GREAT job. I love the repainting of the door panels....would have never guessed.

Cant wait to see it in paint.

Congratulations and thanks for saving another one!

-Steve

[Pshull727]

Ya it looks great and what kind of paint do u use on the dash and do they have it in black.Thanks

[roadburner]

so the undercariage is paint, not primer? what color/brand was it? It does look pretty close to the factory primer on those cars. I've been trying to find something to duplicate that look for a while now.

The car does look good, nice to see it saved.

[natefiveliter]

very nice clean job. Do you have any more pics of the black lx, I know its and areo nose but I love black lx's.

[Infamous]

Car has come a long way man, love the fact that you took the time and had the heart to do it right! Big congrats for you and your father.

[Choppa]

props to you and your dad, who would've thought one could be resurrected to this level. really glad you kept a record of what you guys did.

[Capri50H.O.]

that is absolutely awesome!!!!! you my friend are setting an awesome example for us hoping to one day have our four eye done up from the ground up like yours. What axles did you use for the rear for the 5-lug set up? Well this project of yours has re-inspired me.... take it easy, your car is awesome.

[Hissing Cobra]

Your car turned out AWESOME! What color do you plan to paint it? Once it's painted, you'll feel even more love for what you've done! Enjoy it! ;)

[88gtstreetrod]

Nice JOB!! Is the paint coming anytime soon?

[Matt00gt]

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=920683

[rafiki47]

WOW

[AT6svo]

Matt, that is just too awesome. Reading this story really made my day. It's nice to know there are still some good people in the world. Your pops must be proud to have a son like you.

The car looks great too. I hope you all enjoy it! :tu:

[foureyedcoupe]

Great work!

[85vert]

I remembered this thread but didn't connect the dots on the car until just now. Phenomenal. Congrats to you and your dad again!

[Mumfts85gt]

I just found this on here. I got the notice from the Corral and checked it out yesterday. I haven't been on there in ages and don't even remember my log-in, lol. The car looks great. Is your dad out cruizin' in it?

Rob.

[dkreed26]

That car looks great!!! I am just starting my car 86 capri and just dont like looking at pics like this cause I want mine done now. Great job.

[86GT2go]

What can I say that hasn't already been said, either here or on the corral. That car looks awesome...and I'm touched that you and your dad did it; as well as you finishing it for him. I am 750 miles from my dad, and I wish I could do the same...after all, he taught me how to work on things (he is an ASE master tech specializing in Chrysler).

[flyintiger]

Definitely a job to be proud of. :) Before you go to paint, test fit a 2" cowl hood w/ the scoop forward facing. Perfectly in scale to each other. Very aggressive looking.

[86_LX]

flyintiger have any pics of that set up? very nice job on the car I love silver fox's