[Held for Ransom]

Size Identifier. I don't know where I've seen it...

[keith k]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

They're next on the list to call. Just Dashes wants an extra $600 for bright blue. Jeez

Just Dashes did mine 25+ years ago, in black, and at that time they sold me the dye for the blue, and I did it myself. Which was good, because that way I could use it on the other interior pieces to ensure they all matched. Not sure if JD stills sells the dye separately, but mine still looks great after 25 years. Prep is critical, of course.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by keith k

Just Dashes did mine 25+ years ago, in black, and at that time they sold me the dye for the blue, and I did it myself. Which was good, because that way I could use it on the other interior pieces to ensure they all matched. Not sure if JD stills sells the dye separately, but mine still looks great after 25 years. Prep is critical, of course.

I don't necessarily have a problem with dyeing the dash or other pieces, it's the fact that they want $600 additional dollars to do it.

I already have the paint for the steel interior parts mixed and sprayed out (steel dash, A-pillars, headliner trim, rear package tray window trim) and that wasn't anywhere near $600 lol

I'll figure it out and settle on a dash company soon. The rest of the interior still has a while before it ships. Plus I still need to get the wiring harnesses in before any interior work.

Question: Who do you guys recommend for the gauge bezel restoration? It's actually in pretty decent shape, and I'm almost hesitant to restore it, but I'm afraid if I don't it'll stick out like a sore thumb.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Source a junky later 70s bezel and experiment with it.
Supposedly a good application or two of Easy-Off oven cleaner removes the old clear coating.

Then you neutralize it ,
Prep-Sol
De-lint
Respray high end clear coat.

Or , wait on Randy Combs to do it professionally.

I would not lay a finger on an early bezel until I had experimented with another one of little value.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

Source a junky later 70s bezel and experiment with it.
Supposedly a good application or two of Easy-Off oven cleaner removes the old clear coating.

Then you neutralize it ,
Prep-Sol
De-lint
Respray high end clear coat.

Or , wait on Randy Combs to do it professionally.

I would not lay a finger on an early bezel until I had experimented with another one of little value.

I have stacks and stacks of later bezels, so I could experiment on them. I wouldn't touch a 70 bezel myself unless I was extremely confident in my abilities restoring bezels, which right now I am not.

Speaking of other 70 specific items, I need to start thinking about sending the headlight bezels out to chrome. They're in ok shape, but certainly won't cut it on this car now. I might run reproduction pieces until I decide on a plate shop.

I'm also getting ready to order the exhaust. I'm going with Gardner, unless you guys have another recommendation?

[Formulabruce]

Garner is a few months out, and is the best. They actually have factory exhaust there they make it from. Just make sure muffler is tilted and install it from rear to front. Their tips are 100% better than factory. I have had 70 and 71 NOS tips and Gardner tips are far superior in quality and finish.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

Garner is a few months out, and is the best. They actually have factory exhaust there they make it from. Just make sure muffler is tilted and install it from rear to front. Their tips are 100% better than factory. I have had 70 and 71 NOS tips and Gardner tips are far superior in quality and finish.

Awesome!

Now that the hardest work is done, we're running into extended wait times for specific parts. The interior is taking a little while, the dash is going to be an ordeal, the Coker tires won't be in until at least July, and now we can add the exhaust to the list lol. It's ok though, we're only doing this once!

[keith k]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

Source a junky later 70s bezel and experiment with it.
Supposedly a good application or two of Easy-Off oven cleaner removes the old clear coating.

Then you neutralize it ,
Prep-Sol
De-lint
Respray high end clear coat.

Or , wait on Randy Combs to do it professionally.

I would not lay a finger on an early bezel until I had experimented with another one of little value.

I believe I was able to get the yellowing original clear coat off mine with lacquer thinner. And then just carefully cleaned/degreased, and re-cleared it. But I would definitely experiment on a junk part first.

[72projectbird]

Anyone here have a pic of a 70 AM radio? I'm looking for one, as the original is long gone. I know there were differences across vehicle platforms, despite the radios being mostly the same.

[72projectbird]

The car is almost back on its feet! The blasting, repairing and painting of smaller components is underway.

[72projectbird]

Some more pics. The hvac is starting to go in. The interior hvac suitcase was blasted, bodyworked and painted, with all new internals. New firewall insulation pad. Other components like the column, pedals, e-brake and brackets are all blasted and prepped for paint.