[Verdoro 68]

Spent the day at a local show. Good showing of GTOs and some really nice cars. I surprisingly took home the G.O.A.T. award. It's sponsored by the local GTO club (I guess I better join now) and judged by a docent at the Blackhawk Museum

[Rachelsdad]

Great award! Congrats on the win, too.

[salem1912]

Congrats and well deserved !

[Rachelsdad]

I washed the Bonneville today, in preparation for tomorrow's 59th annual AACA show at Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island. Washing this car is a process. Normally, I start with the 8-lugs and tires, but today, I started by wetting the whole car, then used Wolfstein's RaggTopp cleaner on the top. I got their telescoping brush, which takes some of the back-break out of it. Next, I used their plastic rear window cleaner. From there, it was a straight, regular bucket wash with Griot's shampoo (the pink stuff...whatever it's called).

Seeing the water sheeting on the hood, I was reminded that it had been a while since I waxed, so I used Meguire's Premium Carnauba for a hand wax job (somewhere in my garage is my gallon of carnauba from decades ago, but, oh, well). I gave the chrome a once over with wax, too, for good measure.

In between the wash and the wax, though, I took the time to apply the Wolfstein's RaggTopp convertible top protectant. No telescoping help for this, but, oh, well.

I used RainX 2-in-1 cleaner and rain repellant on the windows, which did a really nice job (first time with this stuff, though I've used RainX for years).

Last for the exterior was the RaggTopp plastic rear window protectant. I was hesitant to use this this time, however, as the rear window cleaner really seemed to leave swirl marks, despite repeated rinsing. However, figuring I had nothing to lose, the protectant actually dispatched most of the marks, so no complaints.

I have a couple of minor spots to buff a bit more, and I'll get the tires dressed when I get to the show in the morning (about 20 minutes due west for me). All in all, a successful day, save for the blasted wind which kept blowing cr-p out of the stupid pine trees on the berm next to the driveway. At one point, I go so fed up, I backed the car up onto the front lawn to escape the fallout. (One of the hazards of having a white top is that when it's wet and junk falls out of trees, the stains are really nasty.)

Of course, I overdid things (physically). Aleve helps, but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not 18 anymore, and I will pay for this tomorrow morning - just when I need to get out of bed bright and early.

[Verdoro 68]

All that work to get the Bonnie spiffed up and no pics?

[jhein]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

Spent the day at a local show. Good showing of GTOs and some really nice cars. I surprisingly took home the G.O.A.T. award. It's sponsored by the local GTO club (I guess I better join now) and judged by a docent at the Blackhawk Museum

No surprise at all. That's a sweet car you've built there.

[b-man]

……by just wishing for it.

Dropped the old 8.2 2.56 open rear out. I yanked the axles out and hung the brake assemblies from the frame rails, keeping the hydraulic lines intact. I’ll transfer the brake lines and complete brakes onto the new 8.5 3.08’posi rear end. Just a little tweaking of the lines and we’re good, no need to do any bleeding.

I need to install a new vent in the axle tube so after it’s delivered in a few days I can pop it in and finish up the rear end swap. In the meantime the tailpipes are coming out now that they’re easily accessible so I can remove the turned down tailpipe tips and install the 2” stainless splitters using some 2-1/2” to 2” reducers.

[PAUL K]

Added a couple hundred horsepower

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by b-man

……by just wishing for it.

Dropped the old 8.2 2.56 open rear out. I yanked the axles out and hung the brake assemblies from the frame rails, keeping the hydraulic lines intact. I’ll transfer the brake lines and complete brakes onto the new 8.5 3.08’posi rear end. Just a little tweaking of the lines and we’re good, no need to do any bleeding.

I need to install a new vent in the axle tube so after it’s delivered in a few days I can pop it in and finish up the rear end swap. In the meantime the tailpipes are coming out now that they’re easily accessible so I can remove the turned down tailpipe tips and install the 2” stainless splitters using some 2-1/2” to 2” reducers.

Great example of working smarter, not harder

[BOB VIDAN]

Tried to get the da__ed radio out of my 64 convertible with AC. Try again tomorrow.

[tempest1964]

Nice splitters B-man. What brand is that?

[b-man]

Originally Posted by tempest1964

Nice splitters B-man. What brand is that?

My own personal brand.

Fabricated and welded them myself at my former workplace especially for this car.

[7t4mula]

Originally Posted by b-man

My own personal brand.

Fabricated and welded them myself at my former workplace especially for this car.

Wow, that’s impressive! Nice looking welds, should look great on there!

[tempest1964]

Very nice. I especially like the way the 2 extensions are longer. Gives you more adjustability.

[Jack Gifford]

I neglected to post a week ago, that the '26 provided a ride in our Memorial Day parade for a local dignitary.
Yesterday I washed & waxed the body of the Pontiac hemi lakester. I needed something to cheer me up.

[Verdoro 68]

Originally Posted by b-man

Dropped the old 8.2 2.56 open rear out. I yanked the axles out and hung the brake assemblies from the frame rails, keeping the hydraulic lines intact. I’ll transfer the brake lines and complete brakes onto the new 8.5 3.08’posi rear end. Just a little tweaking of the lines and we’re good, no need to do any bleeding.

This brings back memories. In about 1991 or '92 I bought a 3.55 posi from a Pontiac club member when I lived in Dallas. A few guys in the club helped me swap diffs and used this method. As a 16/17 year old, I was so impressed by how smart it was.

[65 Lamnas]

Trying to get the '65 Lamnas to a Cars & Coffee next Saturday, but I keep finding surprises. RR had 2 stripped wheel studs, which turned into an axle bearing job....it's a 9-inch rear. Thought I would just "knock out" the studs and replace them. But got the brakes off and saw they are bolts, with no room to remove them without pulling axles. Also noticed some weepage from the axle seals and a bunch of orange RTV. Axle seals were bad, and had to remove the bearings to gain access, which were also not great. Good news is I have 35 spline axles. Bad news it's more than likely a spool, not ideal for street driving/cruising.

Also been working on wiring under the hood, and decided to take a peek under the dash at the wiring. Glad I did. Typical 60 year old mess of a dash harness. Gotta love scotch-locks.

[JohnnyRockit]

Installed the center ductwork inside the dash on my recently acquired '70 GTO.

For what appears to be such an otherwise competent restoration, they surprisingly left that piece out and simply duct-taped over the hole in the lower dash duct where it would normally connect.

Had to take some some lower ductwork out and moved the HVAC controls and radio out of the way a bit, but not too hard and preferable to removing the dashpad.

Johnny

[Rachelsdad]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

All that work to get the Bonnie spiffed up and no pics?

Well, there is that, isn't there? LOL...

I was so tired by the time I got done Saturday evening that all I could think of doing was getting off my feet. As it turned out, though, my hard work paid off, as she took 1st in class at the Old Westbury Gardens show yesterday.

[BB70]

Haven't had side glass and all the w-s in it since..... 1991. Sad. Running out of parts. Not sad.