[78Macho]

I recently purchased a new project car. It's a 1979 W72 and rather than be loaded with options, was special ordered without all of the extras. After getting the PHS I found it had a few more options than what I originally thought it had, but it is about as stripped down as I have seen. This is my first Norwood build and was thoroughly disappointed to drop the gas tank to find nothing! Unfortunately the interior had been out of the car at one point and I think the chances of finding a build sheet is lost! Atlantis blue, appointment mix interior of white and blue, without a hoodbird!

[T/A addict]

Nice project, You plan on restoring it to stock or?

[78Macho]

It will go back stock appearing. Interested in doctoring the engine up internally!

[Wick]

Strippers are cool. Had a '79 400/4 speed WS6 that was radio delete along with everything else.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Wick

Strippers are cool. Had a '79 400/4 speed WS6 that was radio delete along with everything else.

well since there is no such thing as a "radio delete" - this car is pretty much the same;
It was ordered without a radio, but as I recall the "radio accommodation package" essentially got the windshield with embedded antenna - whereas early in the second gen run, you couldn't get this unless you ordered a radio of some sort.

Neat car!!

[Wick]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

well since there is no such thing as a "radio delete" - this car is pretty much the same;
It was ordered without a radio, but as I recall the "radio accommodation package" essentially got the windshield with embedded antenna - whereas early in the second gen run, you couldn't get this unless you ordered a radio of some sort.

Neat car!!

Correct with radio delete, no radio was ordered. Wasn't the term "acoustical insulation" used. Let me find the pictures of the build sheet and window sticker. IIRC, no windshield antenna was on the car.

[Wick]

[unruhjonny]

there's a local who still has his (as he oredered it) 1977 TA;
It's a no-radio car;
IIRC he didn't realize when he ordered his car (w/o a radio) that the antenna windshield wouldn't be installed - which is why he installed a conventional antenna on his car.

[Wick]

Originally Posted by 78Macho

It will go back stock appearing. Interested in doctoring the engine up internally!

Can you post a few more pics of your car?

[starlightblack]

I looked at that car online real hard. Good buy for a NO RUST STRIPPER. Well done!

[78Macho]

Yes, the radio accommodation package essentially gave you the hook up for a radio, but not a radio mounted in the dash. Otherwise I believe it would have listed something such as Am radio, AM/FM stereo etc... I am contemplating putting it back with a delete plate in place and possibly putting a blue tooth behind the glove box. This is similar to what I did for my Macho.

I had a loaded Heritage brown '79 W72 I bought from the original owner back in the late '80's. It had everything but power locks, including a power CB antenna!

I am really stoked about this project. Unfortunately it was described a little different than what I ended up with... I recently spoke with the long time owner that had it stored in his pole barn for over 25 years. It has been ridden very, very hard and put away wet one too many times. The body is rust-free, but there is some surface rust that I wasn't expecting.

I don't have many pictures of it right now. One is of it arriving on a truck from PA and the other is of the engine compartment. Seller put the original engine back in the car for shipping. It had a 455/400 turbo in it before it was stored away in the barn. Evidently the last registered owner like to go fast and originality wasn't a factor. If it didn't have the original engine to go along with the car, I probably would have passed on the car.

[77 Canamman]

Good looking car, and yes, other than some fluff options, it is a stripper.

[Wick]

Originally Posted by 78Macho

Yes, the radio accommodation package essentially gave you the hook up for a radio, but not a radio mounted in the dash. Otherwise I believe it would have listed something such as Am radio, AM/FM stereo etc... I am contemplating putting it back with a delete plate in place and possibly putting a blue tooth behind the glove box. This is similar to what I did for my Macho.

I had a loaded Heritage brown '79 W72 I bought from the original owner back in the late '80's. It had everything but power locks, including a power CB antenna!

I am really stoked about this project. Unfortunately it was described a little different than what I ended up with... I recently spoke with the long time owner that had it stored in his pole barn for over 25 years. It has been ridden very, very hard and put away wet one too many times. The body is rust-free, but there is some surface rust that I wasn't expecting.

I don't have many pictures of it right now. One is of it arriving on a truck from PA and the other is of the engine compartment. Seller put the original engine back in the car for shipping. It had a 455/400 turbo in it before it was stored away in the barn. Evidently the last registered owner like to go fast and originality wasn't a factor. If it didn't have the original engine to go along with the car, I probably would have passed on the car.

I'd like to find another like that.

[455Grandville]

Stripped model is nice; those 79 400s ran almost as strong as older muscle; many mags had them running low 15s. My 79 was a 403 car originally and it was a dog.

[starlightblack]

Originally Posted by 455Grandville

Stripped model is nice; those 79 400s ran almost as strong as older muscle; many mags had them running low 15s. My 79 was a 403 car originally and it was a dog.

Hot Rod magazine got their stripper '79 down into the 14s

[78Macho]

Dove into the car head first yesterday. Got everything accomplished I was wanting to do, full day. I am hoping to clean on the under side more soon as well. It has some undercoating on it, but seems pretty dry and brittle. I was thinking about soaking it in some WD40 or another type of solvent before power washing. Any suggestions are welcome!

When was the last time you saw a set of Firestone S/S radial tires on a '79 TA?

[Aus78Formula]

What's the ground cable near the steering idler?

[78Macho]

I have no idea what the "red" ground cable is for! Since the original engine wasn't actually installed when I purchased the car, the cable was just laying there.

[Skip Fix]

I ordered mine with the AM radio so I at least had something to listen to until I added my own AM/FM cassette and all the hook ups were there.

[78Macho]

Quick update. Thanks for all the feedback on removing undercoating.... I had intended on trying to soften the undercoating with some WD40 first and then try some scraping. My luck, the WD40 decided it was done for some reason before we even got started. I had a brief tutorial on YouTube and got the bright idea of using a heat gun. Next I used a very small brass bristled brush and dove in. I ended up graduating to a large, traditional wire brush and then wiping the last bit off with some lacquer thinner. I am pleased with the end result, but this is a ton of work. I am however thankful for the undercoating because I am afraid the chassis would have been pretty rusty otherwise.

still open to suggestions!

Merry Christmas!