[3tas4me]

Just thought I would start a post (therapy?) to see who all is working on a '70-'73 project right now. I am just starting on my '70 T/A. Car is in a million pieces and this has to be the most discouraging part of any restoration. I started with a basket case so about the only direction is has to go is up. Just finished up blasting and painting the subframe last week. Maybe this post can be encouragement to those who are feeling like they will never get to the end. Show us what you got and tell us about it. Misery loves company

[noalibi]

been working on my 72 TA Tribute for about 3 years, just not at the pace i want. mine has been on the rotisserie, blasted, half the floor and trunk pan replaced, new dash cowl, 6.0LS/T56 fitted, weld in sub frame connectors done, sub-frame rebuilt and installed then my project began to stall about 5 months ago due to a change in work hours and family obligations. now i get to work on it a few hours a week as opposed to 2-3 full days a week before. i have to get my motivation back, and get to work on it more often. i hope to have it paint ready by spring.......HOPE

[2manyT/A'S]

I have about 7 or 11..... of them on the go right now.....

[Red Goat]

I just finished the disassembly on the 73 SD. It'll be off to body and paint at the end of the month.

[3tas4me]

Great! There has to be more than us though. I find it helps motivate me to see others working on projects like I am, especially when they are basket cases. Wish mine was as nice as that '73 SD to start with!

[weranc55]

I've got a few I'm working on.

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by 3tas4me

Great! There has to be more than us though. I find it helps motivate me to see others working on projects like I am, especially when they are basket cases. Wish mine was as nice as that '73 SD to start with!

I wouldn't be taking one that NICE apart....

[azkeebler]

Been a slow build , but finally dug out my 72 Esprit from sadly sitting over 10 years in Arizona after relocating here to California. Plenty of work ahead , but has been going well.

These pics were taken around the same time last a year ago (2014). Have since replaced all brakes, stripped interior, cosmetically freshened up the engine, primed and got the 455 running again with new distributor cap, rotor , wires, plugs, oil and other fluids, belts, alt, water pump, carb, seals ,tires as well complete new '73 horse-collar upholstery .

With help from Ames, Classic, local swapmeets and hobbyist John Delorean of 2nd Gen Graveyard for body parts and advice, it is coming along well.

Paint will be next after the unpleasant needed body work recently found is resolved. I plan to bring it back to its original Lucerne blue exterior with black interior opposed to the original ivory interior.

Everyone loves pics, so here they are.

It is actually in better condition than it looks, despite the numerous of previous paint jobs the Arizona sun has revealed.

[ladytata]

The body looks good on that 72, good luck.

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by Red Goat

I just finished the disassembly on the 73 SD. It'll be off to body and paint at the end of the month.

Tim - looks like one heck'uva fender flare on that SD. What's the story on this car?

[The Boss]

I need to get going on my SD motor build, gather the A/C parts & fix the stereo. Looking for a Doug Nash 5 speed, may drop in the 3:73 rear I've got as well.

[165th]

My '72 TA was pretty rough when we started. I'm not too much more ahead of you. Powdercoated subframe and control arms. Front end assembly in progress.

Here's a thread.I'll be posting progress on this thread as best I can over this coming year:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...71#post5504171





Therapy!

[LOADED 70 JUDGE]

I have been working on my 72 TA for about 6 months. Just about ready to paint. Didn't seem I would ever I would ever get t this point, lots of sanding fun.

[necdb3]

I remember doing my 72 T/A. It can be discouraging at times. Just keep doing little sub assemblies and before you know it, it starts looking like a car again. I remember saying to myself, "this is going to turn into one of those cars that was taken apart and never put back together".

3 years later and I was finished!

[RAIVJUMB]

I am fairly deep into my 71 TA right now, but I can see some daylight as it has paint on it. I have 3 70's and a 72 4spd TA as well as an SD waiting though. It will be good to have at least one on the road though.

[edvisme]

A few weeks ago a friend of mine that rebuild differentials went through the 12 bolt under my 70 Formula, it has a clean bill of health. On deck at the moment, the car is high off the garage floor, the t400 is out and a 700R4 transmission is being built for it. I have the adapter plate and new flex plate fastened to the block. Just waiting for the transmission from the builder then back together with it. I am hoping that I will have it back together this week. Also, I went ahead and bought a new set of wheels and tires. Polished Cragar eliminator 500's and BFG 235 60 15's.

[Mace1971]

'71 T/A here. It was well restored in the 90's but is beginning to show its age again (some minor rust, a few oil leaks, poor power brakes, worn carpt, etc.) plus the rebuilder made a few odd choices in the engine department (E heads, huge exhaust but tiny cam). Other than the engine/exhaust the car is completely stock.

Picked it up last year thinking that with just a few minor tweaks I'd have a great light driver with really good street performance but every time I do one job I start thinking "if I only pull this other part off I can do this...." and so the car is steadily become "less complete."

You guys know what I'm talking about, go to replace a leaky fuel hose at the tank and while under there thinking "wow, a brand new tank would sure be nice and if I get one with an in-tank pump I could add 1/2" fuel lines and then swap the Q-jet for an EFI.....and look at those drum brakes! Maybe swap in some rear disks and then since I'm doing that I should put in some high performance front brakes which will need 17" wheels and if I'm doing that why not some tubular upper arms, tall ball joints and matching springs and then there are those leafs......"

Part of the problem (or maybe advantage) is that it's not numbers matching so I'm not shackled to the whole "authenticity" thing which opens the aperture quite a bit when it comes to the art of the possible but then there's SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) who has to be convinced that I really, really, really need spherical joints for my rear leafs if the car is going to be safe to drive!

[72projectbird]

My 71 is a perpetual project.

I always get it the way I want around August, drive it for the rest of the summer, then park it for the winter. Around March/April I rip it apart and don't get to drive it until August again.

Here is its current forum:

[GRNMTGOAT]

Started this in 2008,still got nose/hood to fix,most of interior complete. It drives in and out of the garage ! Motor rebuilt to stock spec by Paul Spotts.
#match right to the 'born with ' carb. Paint and body by enthusiastic amateur !!
Thats me ! Bruce.

[Red Goat]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Tim - looks like one heck'uva fender flare on that SD. What's the story on this car?

Hey Bob, It's just a funny angle/reflection that makes it look flaired. It's a Brewster over saddle 4-speed that had a macco quality repaint. The beginning is always the hardest, as you well know!