Esther (68Fairlady4me)

[68Fairlady4me]

I have a 68 u20 that I bought just over a year ago. The first few months I mucked with it, either having the brakes done, meeting and working with Will to make it run smooth and other smaller issues. Absolutely love driving her. Well, I got the courage up a few months ago to bite the bullet and do a full refresh/customization of her. So off she went to the body shop just days after Christmas. It's a long process and I'm only about mid way.

All the rust, and there was some after sitting in a field for 10 years, repaired, other body issues repaired and of course the paint all removed.

I'm doing a variation of what most do on here:

Full body repair-respray
rebuild engine
got some solex carbs which I have sent to Wolfcreek (thanks again Dave!)
new clutch
rebuild transmission
Full custom interior
new wheels and tires

When you sum it up that way it's feels like nothing, but in reality, it's a ton. So I am refreshing the outside/engine/tranny almost stock with a few minor adjustments but doing a full custom job on the interior. I wanted my car to be more personal to me (sorry to anyone I offend by not staying original) and put a modern touch on it. This part is what is about to start in the next month. A new custom dash, seats, door panels, power windows, new 6 piece gauges, stereo system, everything. Nothing in the interior will be the same. This is the headache that I hope is worth it, money, tormet and waiting wise. I have told my teenagers they will inherit this car later because this is where all my money went.

With a bit of luck, she will become a reality as early as October. All new and ready to roll.

pictures in my photo album

[68Fairlady4me]

As I brought her home


Within hours of being in body shop


after rust repairs started


the interior before it was yanked out

[Roman]

Looking good.

Question and also a suggestion;

Since you are going down to metal and stripping the interior, why not take the glass, wings and windshield off at the same time?. All are easy to replace on the car, and as long as you have good glass you just need some new rubber.

[68Fairlady4me]

Glass is out on the sides and the windshield comes out shortly. All chrome and stainless being re-taken care of actually. Been chroming pieces regularly trying to get all of them done and a friend does powder coating, so lots of that done as well. Thank you for the suggestion!

[68Fairlady4me]

So I just got my solex carbs back from Wolfcreek....they look great


They will be on my engine this weekend...here is my engine almost fully completed



And my rollbar has been modified to fit the way we all like



The bodywork is almost done. Engine goes back in early July. By then the windshield will be out. Then the dash fabrication begins. All goes well, car complete by end of September and on the road.

[notoptoy]

That roll bar is dead sexy! Bigger pictures are required though.
Nice work and progress!!

[Alvin]

that can't be the final height for the roll bar is it?
interested in the custom interior/dash!

[68Fairlady4me]

That is the final height of the rollbar (not so functional) as is the look. It has pads on it that will be color matched to the interior with will be a soft gray and black combo.

Here's the picture bigger, but it does look soooooo good in person.




With the interior I'm putting in the auto meter prestige gauges in black. Going to 6 piece set and giving up the 4/1 cluster. All the gauges will be in the middle, above the stereo and not behind the steering wheel. I am mainly doing the dash for ...retro outside, modern inside. I just couldn't do the dash cover and spending a $1000 to have the dash repaired seemed un-fun. Then I found a picture of an interior that made my jaw drop. I dont' want to post it yet, but if my interior turns out anything close, it will be worth it.

I know many of you like to keep things original. I will never sell my Esther. I've already told the kids they will inherit her.

[Alvin]

looks alot like a boxster roll bar
so what's the rationale for making it so low...will you be running headrests?

[68Fairlady4me]

I'm having my seats altered to be taller, similar to height with headrests. We just liked the look at this height. I'm short and won't track the car so it is all about the look. Yes it is a modified Boxster rollbar.

[Gregs672000]

Might I suggest you install an O2 wideband A/F bung into the collector connection for your header while the motor is out? You may want one for tuning those solexes! Man, I should be getting a commission for all these O2 systems I suggest to people!

[68Fairlady4me]

So yesterday I went to visit our local Porsche parts department to see how much wind screens would cost for my rollbar. Brand new $450. Which made me wonder how much a new rollbar would cost. $2200. Yikes, Porsche is expensive. I got mine from a local dismantler for $50. Then the parts guy says, "just a sec" and disappears into the back. About 2 minutes later he shows back up with all three parts to the windscreen and says, this is a used set we were going to throw on Ebay. Opens them and they are perfect! $80 later I have the windscreens. Sweet!!

[68Fairlady4me]

So I have powder coated many of my engine parts which look amazing. Now I decided to pull the frame off and powder coat that as well. Im so excited.

[notoptoy]

Well then, more pictures are in order!

[SLOroadster]

So I have powder coated many of my engine parts which look amazing. Now I decided to pull the frame off and powder coat that as well. Im so excited.

Yeah, you found the slippery slope. Hey, it will be worth it in the long run. The car will look great.

Will