33 years since my last roadster

[davidrn]

I joined the forum at the end of the year, right after I bought a 68' 2L, (04296). I didn't want to post here yet until I had a picture. I had to do some wiring work, and buy all new lights, both tail and running. Of course I ran into some wiring problems with changing that over, but thanks to helpful members from DRONE, I pulled it out of the barn and took pictures so I can register and insure it. I have found a great deal of helpful info in this forum, thanks.

[spl310]

Welcome to the fray!

[DnCrs13]

I love the pinstripes, I don't think I have seen any take that line of the car. The black sills look good too!

[notoptoy]

The black sills are interesting, in that picture it "raises" the car and makes it look like a straight line front to back - nice.
I also noticed that pinstripe right off the bat, interesting line as stated above. I also like the stock wheels and hubcaps, it's gotten to where that is the exception nowadays, I like it!
Welcome, please share even more pictures!

[davidrn]

Thanks for the positive comments, I can't take credit for the paint or trim. The PO was trying to sell it without paint, without any luck, so a quick trip to Maaco and a cheap set of after market lights were used.I couldn't pass it up, 44,000 miles and no rust. I replaced the tail and driving lights with NOS, and did some minor rewiring repairs. As to the wheels, thinking of a set of slot mags from another roadster member, the look is sort of old school. I have another drivers seat, with less damage, will put that in tommorrow. Has anyone ever tried to epoxy in a piece of a seat over the old? The replacement seat has just one crack, on my original seat, that area is mint, instead of buying a new seat cover, I was thinking I could experiment with putting in a whole section, the part closest to the door, not the actual bottom of the seat.
I will also have to decide about chrome, all has been bead blasted and painted silver. It actually looks pretty straight.
Oh, the sidetrim is still in place, just painted over.

[notoptoy]

Painted over the side trim?! Bummer, but then again, maybe not. That stuff is EXPENSIVE so it may be cheaper to try cleaning it off, or getting it re-chromed.
On the seat, I have never tried gluing, but I don't think it will work very well or very long. The seats are pretty easy to disassemble, and you may be able to frankenstein the two pieces together successfully by sewing the two sections together at the seams. I have also just sewed two torn areas together with Dental floss (REALLY STRONG!) and then used a black (Actually brown for the leather) sharpie to color it (yes, I really did). It lasted three years and was still there when I sold the car! Good luck and welcome to the fray(ed)!
Tom

[shifty]

The side trim is stainless steel - it should clean up fine and can be polished.

[dbrick]

The side trim is stainless steel - it should clean up fine and can be polished.

I agree, masking tape, Goof-Off and patience. Except if you start, you have to finish
On the seat bottom, let me know what you need, I may have a good one. If you are coming to the Brewery in May I'll toss it in the trunk.

[wgb1]

Good find David. Welcome to the forum.

[bmccarthy67]

Nice find…and welcome. The black along the bottom reminds me of a Midget or the base of a 914. It’s a shame they didn’t take the time to remove the side trim...as already stated you can unbolt the individual pieces (that way you won’t damage your new paint job) and easily bring a very nice shine to that stainless trim yourself…just make sure you use compounds for stainless…you won’t be disappointed in the mirror look you can achieve on the convex trim, now the early trim…a whole different story.

v/r
Buddy

[davidrn]

I was speaking too quickly on the trim. I now have the car registered, insured, and inspected, this morning checked everything over for the inspection, turns out the trim is a plastic add on. I will have to paint it someday, MAACO didn't do a great job, but the way I bought it is the way it will be enjoyed , at least this year.I bought this car for the long haul, have wanted to replace my old 1600 for quite some time. I am changing the oil tommorrow, and checking over some more of the mechanicals. It was great, even on an early spring day in New England, going out for a ride with the top down. I am trying to decide how far I dare drive from home based on a questionable engine. However, its New England and I found a low mileage rust free car.

[spl310]

the way I bought it is the way it will be enjoyed , at least this year.

Hot damn! Someone that isn't planning to bring it home and immediately disassemble it!! This is one for the record books!! BRAVO!!! Drive it like you stole it!

Now, if you really want chrome side trim, you can do it quickly with stick on chrome fender lip trim from Pep Boys until you redo the car and get the real stuff. From 10 feet away, most folks would never know and it makes a world of difference in the look of the car imho.

[davidrn]

Well, its hasn't even been 2 months yet since I put it on the road, but I have had the car out on a major highway, at highway speeds. Of course, I had a few problems to sort out. The car raattled accelerating/decelerating from about 25 to 35 MPH. My thought went first to tires being out of balance, one needed 1.25 oz, thought that would do it, but it wasn't that simple. I sent a note to the mail list, and went with the first response, the U joints. I hadn't given the car a full check over yet, turned out when I pulled off the shift cover that I could see 2 of the bolts were off, and the remaining were loose. So that was an easy repair, and today the motor mounts, not so easy. The car does have a rough/ bumpy ride, I bought the Roadster book, and the height mentioned from the taillights was 22.5", IIRC, I am at 19". The car is fairly original, with less than 45 K miles, so much is original. I gave the springs and shocks a good look today, the shocks appear factory, and the rear springs are flat. I don't know if that should be next, rebuilding the rear springs? I read through the forum, some mentions of rebuilding, or should I pull them off and pay a pro spring shop to rebuild? I checked the rubber bumpers, they don't seem damaged, and not banging on the frame, yet. I look forward to driving it more now, but would like a slightly smoother ride. What is the consensus on best solutions for arthritic suspension? thanks again.

[EScanlon]

Going back to your earlier posts, where you mention the tear in the seat.

Sewing the material will help, but if you want it to hold for a good long time, add a liberal coating of a product called Amazing GOOP. Think of this stuff as silicone on massive steroids. I repaired the canvas top on my car on both corners, and 2 years later it is still holding (granted the top goes up only in winter or rain).

The SKU Number is 76818 03001 and it only costs $6-$8, and you work it just like plain old silicone (aquarium, sealant, etc.). Let it set overnight, although 24 hours is the best in mild temperatures and you'll have repaired your seat well enough that you can wait to replace it.

FWIW
E

[Linda]

You might try replacing the shocks, the KYB GR2 is a favvorite of many and new shocks can make a difference. Summitt has them.

Linda