I've been on the road with a JBL Vertec demonstration tour but I just can't wait any longer to share the news! Before I left I put a deposit on this Pace Car and I hope to pick it up when I return. A few of the details, the owner said it's been in storage for about 15 years (I guess that qualifies as a garage find), it has about 68,000 miles showing on the odometer, and a layer of dust to verify it has not moved for a long time. It seems to be all original, it even has the original and still working premium sound system (that is truly rare!), The interior is all there and in good condition with the only blemishes being the usual wear and tear in the drivers seat and some light cracking around the speaker vents on the dash. It has the original Marchals and covers in VG condition. It also comes with the original TRX wheels and Michelin tires which have about 1/2 tread, hold air and are good enough for display purposes. It comes with the original louvers. It has a rebuilt numbers matching 2.3 with a new turbo. It still sports the original paint! Although some sanding and priming has taken place, I suspect to control surface rust. The body seems fairly straight and the only rust I saw was some rust on the bottom of the doors, and the rear fender lips, but not rotted. Just typical rust for a car this age in most any climate. The floors and frame look solid, I couldn't even find much surface rust or scaling. For sure the car wasn't driven much in the Winter salt. Things I know it needs are; a tune up (runs a little rough), new clutch (just weak but still works), a little body work, repaint, and a good going over of all the mechanical systems. This car could just be gone over and enjoyed as a survivor. I originally thought I might resto mod it with an EFI turbo conversion, but the more I think about it I will probably just restore it to original condition. Perhaps my first stab at a concours restoration. I think I might enjoy that! This really depends on what I find when I get it back to the shop and tear it all down. If it is as original and solid as I think it is, then I will probably restore it to original condition. If it has some unforeseen issues, then I may resto mod it with the EFI 2.3 turbo.
Here is the only pic I have of it right now...
Many more to come as I get it home and begin the tear down and restoration!
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