[Eric71T37]

Thought you guys might like to see it...only took me 19 years to complete.

[Eric71T37]

From the rear

[Jack Peters]

Very nice. Still like dark green. Congratulations.

[Eric71T37]

Thanks Jack. I like Laurentian green too, but I couldn't deal with the Jade interior. I think the Sandalwood contrasts much better.

[indymanjoe]

Looks Great! Time flys when your having fun huh?

[Eric71T37]

Thanks indyman. Time does seem to be accelerating at an ever-increasing rate. It has taken nearly two decades to get this car to be what I envisioned way back in '95...career, family, other cars have all pushed this one to the way back burner for a long time. I built the engine 15 years ago and it has less than 1000 miles on it! It's as close to buying a new '71 optioned the way I would have ordered it (which includes things not available on a T-37, like bucket seats). It is not original nor correct and has plenty of flaws, but it is what I like best. The only two changes I might make one day would be adding GT-37 hood pins and converting it to a 4-speed manual.

[Judge273]

Very nice and like the LG/ Sandalwood too.

[The Boss]

Great looking car - I admire your ability to stick with it!

[Eric71T37]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Great looking car - I admire your ability to stick with it!

I read all those columns at the beginning of HPP over the years about keeping on it

[Eric71T37]

By the way, I did not delete any bright trim...this car was ordered without it. No rocker mouldings, no drip rails, no wheel arches. And that's the way I like it. I liked that the T-37 still used metal emblems. I added the 455 emblem in the grille thanks to another PY member. I had to add the GTO/GT-37 splitters and valence. Torn about hood pins...my LeMans Sport in college had them and I have a spare hood too.

[Eric71T37]

I also had to add the turned aluminum GTO dash trim (because it's awesome) but I have the correct black dash panel for a T-37 with the wood grain console out of the LeMans Sport parts car I took the interior from. I see there are turned aluminum console inserts but I think I will leave it alone as a nod to my old car and the parts donor.

[tripower]

Originally Posted by Eric71T37

Thanks indyman. Time does seem to be accelerating at an ever-increasing rate. It has taken nearly two decades to get this car to be what I envisioned way back in '95...career, family, other cars have all pushed this one to the way back burner for a long time. I built the engine 15 years ago and it has less than 1000 miles on it! It's as close to buying a new '71 optioned the way I would have ordered it (which includes things not available on a T-37, like bucket seats). It is not original nor correct and has plenty of flaws, but it is what I like best. The only two changes I might make one day would be adding GT-37 hood pins and converting it to a 4-speed manual.

Congrats Eric, that is the way to do it, make it like you would have orderd it. The hood pins would be nice low cost upgrade. I have the measurements if you need them. Looking good there nice job!

[Judge273]

If you go hood pins, go for the whole package...

[Shiny]

That looks fantastic and you should really feel good about your accomplishment.

Very inspirational for me... I'm about 10 years into my wannabe, so good to know it could still happen!

Your choices on rear valence, buckets, and the turned dash definitely add cool-factor for me.

Thanks for posting and congrats.

[Eric71T37]

I love eyebrow stripes, but it think I'll hold out for a Judge one day for those

The hood pins are gonna be tough to resist. The front of a '71 chrome bumper car is so clean though...they really nailed it.

[Eric71T37]

Today I drove it to pick up my kids at their grandparents house. On the way I passed a red '71 Cutlass going the other direction. We simultaneously gave each other thumbs up. It felt great...gave me goosebumps actually.

[tripower]

Originally Posted by Eric71T37

Today I drove it to pick up my kids at their grandparents house. On the way I passed a red '71 Cutlass going the other direction. We simultaneously gave each other thumbs up. It felt great...gave me goosebumps actually.

Just my guess he didn't know what a T-37 is but knew is was another cool GM A-body

[Eric71T37]

Originally Posted by tripower

Just my guess he didn't know what a T-37 is but knew is was another cool GM A-body

Maybe I can find out...my wife sent me this picture of the same car hours later (yes, my wife is cool like that). He was headed back out of my town so maybe I'll run into him again.

[Eric71T37]

Originally Posted by tripower

Congrats Eric, that is the way to do it, make it like you would have orderd it. The hood pins would be nice low cost upgrade. I have the measurements if you need them. Looking good there nice job!

Thanks! I deleted the AC immediately upon acquiring the car (I was young and wanted to save weight...I would leave it in now). I upgraded the 14" steelies with deluxe wheel covers to 15x7 Rallye IIs (though I'd like to have the steelies back to paint body color, with dog dish caps). I added factory gauges and tach, which I just read would have normally meant a wood grain dash panel (but I like the black better). I replaced the missing AM radio with an AM/FM unit (also XM capable). The original owner failed to buy power disc brakes so I upgraded the manual drums to power discs all around, along with the correct 12-bolt rear. Front and rear sway bars. Added Soft Ray glass all around. It's come a long way. Really nice to drive.

[2002Z4CSS]

That car looks great!