[79 Phoenix]

Carpet is mostly in and I painted and re-installed the passenger kick panel. Got the new package tray in. Also assembled the newly painted side panels and arm rests. Back of the rear seat is bolted in. Everything is kind of a mess right now but it's going to look really nice when finished.

I want to get the rear seat belts clean and probably shoot the belts with fabric dye and touch up the black on the clips. Then I can put the bottom of the seat in.

Unfortunately, when I took them out, I ruined the plastic covers for the front belt anchors that attach to the tunnel. If they are the same, I may try to get a pair from a 71 Grand Prix in a salvage yard near me. It has bucket seats so I'm not sure they are the same.

Another problem is that when I put the dash back together, I pressed the headlight knob back in before I put the chrome plastic "LIGHTS" bezel on. So, after trying multiple times , I can't get the knob pulled back out. No matter how hard I push the little button down, it won't release the shaft.

[79 Phoenix]

Finished refurbing rear seat belts and installed. Re-installed seat bottom. Ready to re-install front seat... Front seatbelts almost ready to re-dye. It looks better than these pictures indicate!

[79 Phoenix]

Front seat is installed and seat belts routed. Still need to install new plastic front belt anchor covers.

As mentioned before, I have not been able to remove headlight switch knob so I will cut off the shaft so I can replace switch and install new knob with the round plastic bezel. Also need to install new pedal pads and parking brake gromet and handle.

Also need to clean up step plates and reinstall.

Door panels will wait till later as I will reinstall only after car is painted. Vinyl is actually in good shape on these. I will clean and repaint. I will also change out warped boards for new.

I have also installed carpeted floor mats and trunk mat from ACC.

I'm very pleased with how this interior is turning out. Merry Christmas everyone!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Does your headlight switch assy not have a little spring loaded button on the backside to release the "pull shaft/knob" from the unit ?

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

Does your headlight switch assy not have a little spring loaded button on the backside to release the "pull shaft/knob" from the unit ?

Yes, it does but no matter how hard I press, it won't release. I've even tried to use something hard on the end of my finger to press it deeper, but it won't release.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

If you can hit it in the back with some WD40 , and hit the stem with some fully extended , it should come around eventually.

Press the button in lightly - while pulling the knob from seated position -
You should be able to feel the point where the catch hits.
Push the release button pretty good - push knob back in just a little - then pull knob out.

I've had some get tricky - WD and finiggling always seems to work.
Also can rotate knob left to right and might find a sweet spot for release of the stem.

[OCMDGTO]

Originally Posted by 79 Phoenix

Yes, it does but no matter how hard I press, it won't release. I've even tried to use something hard on the end of my finger to press it deeper, but it won't release.

Put the headlights into the on position(knob pulled all the way towards driver) then push the button behind the dash and it should come right out.

[79 Phoenix]

Thanks, guys for the input. Much appreciated! Haven't had time yet to try any of these ideas but I will try them and will report back as soon as I can. It would be nice to not have to buy a new headlight switch. When I had the dash apart a couple months ago, I was able to remove the headlight knob. Hopefully, I will again.

As mentioned before, I did install a new trunk mat. It is an ACC "Fleece" type with an aqua pattern. It has fleece on the bottom and a vinyl on top. It was curling on top (towards rear of car) so I tacked it on with weatherstripping cement on that area.

First picture shows trunk as I found it minus a big bag full of trash and junk. It had several holes in it caused by a leaking rear window and/or trunk seal. I fixed the holes and the seals.

Rim for spare is a 14" Olds rally wheel that was laying on the front seat when I bought the car. It may at some point get replaced by a 15" Rally II and tire.

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by OCMDGTO

Put the headlights into the on position(knob pulled all the way towards driver) then push the button behind the dash and it should come right out.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I tried them all but , OCMDGTO, yours is the one that worked in my case. Knob pulled right out when I pulled it out and then pushed the button. Bezel is now installed as it should be.

Also, I put in the new pedal pads and also parking brake grommet and handle. In picture I have a wire tie holding handle till epoxy dries. I needed to drill out new handle because hole was too small. So, I epoxied it.

Also, finally got front seat belts bolted in with new vinyl anchor covers.

Next to attack doors. Hinges are acceptable. First the driver's side. I am going to clean the part that closes against the jamb, paint and install new weather stripping around door.
Then I will address the rust in both lower corners of the outside. Rear corner needs to be cut out and repaired. Front corner...not sure if it's rusted through...

[kingbuzzo]

nice

[79 Phoenix]

Finally finding time to resume working on the car. I've been working toward getting the car as good as I can make it and then turning it over to a body shop to finish prepping and paint.

Yesterday and today, I have finished the driver's side and also sanded down and primed the top and then re-sanded... I used a little filler on the driver side qtr panel seam with the roof. Joints on both sides are original lead filled. I was able to improve the joint on the driver's side.

Tomorrow I will begin stripping the hood down to bare metal. The paint is cracked in one area and there is surface rust underneath. So, I will know the whole story once I get the paint off.

Also, I have cleaned up the aluminum step plates which are decent for being 55 years old. I need to install so the new carpet doesn't get messed up.

Also got my driver's side remote mirror back together using the original 71 housing. Mirror itself is late 70's F body.