1973 Torino Tribute Restoration

The Rad core frame is a perfect place for a powdercoat paint. You did a great job. I posted about such a paint using a heatgun or lamp. It just makes so much sense to have a paint that you can harden up and preserve the finish and the metal from rust. I don't know why there isn't such a paint.

I really like the Torino clip. That looks 'right' for the wagon.

 

wow! Looking GREAT, gpd!That front end is gorgeous.

 

It's looking great! You're almost there.

 

I cleaned everything up with the Marine Clean and then sprayed it down with the Metal Ready. Once it set up for about 30 minutes or so I washed it all down again and the Metal Ready left a nice "white ashy" etch on the metal. The following day I brushed on the thick semi-gloss POR-15 paint. Amazingly a 4oz can covered the heavily rusted portion of the headlight buckets (purchased from NY), the bumper arms, and front and back radiator core support.

It is just so much fun putting everything together when it's nice and clean. I even cleaned up the hardware and touched it up so everything matches.

I plan on working on getting the front bumper backing on and stone deflector on as well this week, but the front bumper needs to be sent off for re-chroming. At around $400.00 EACH, I gotta save my pennies.

But I did order my seat covers from www.automotiveinteriors.com last night. I decided to go with the Vinyl/Tweed combo for the base model Torino seat look. I searched and searched for a comfort weave/basket weave vinyl for the main portion of the seat, but could never find what I was looking for. So after a lengthy debate with the Boss (ie. The Mrs. ) We decided to go with the Tweed combo. As some of you may know from earlier posts she grew up in one of these wagons too and she too remembers having to sit on towels/blankets because the vinyl would get very HOT in El Paso! . I was clear up in Indiana so it wasn't so bad, except when we would Summer vacation in Mexico and then I can agree with her. On most days you can leave a layer of skin behind, from your behind, on that HOT vinyl! Ahhhhh the memories! 3rd degree burns, "In my day...(insert bad experience) And we liked it!"-Dana Carvey as the grumpy old man skit SNL.

Well the seat design will be like this bench seat here. (Standard design #2) The main portion will be blue tweed with blue vinyl for the top cap and trim. I also ordered enough material to re-do the third row rear facing seat too. Can't wait to see it all done.

http://www.automotiveinteriors.com/standesign.htm

 

Here is the original seat look I was going for:



And here is the tweed combo minus that center strip, but in blue obviously:

 

GPD, check this guy out. He says he's got quite a few bumpers. Maybe you could save some money.

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8278&page=3

 

The headliner is finally in. I met a nice guy by the name of Gonzalo who helped me out. I also got the front and back bumper backings on along with the front stone guard. Just need to get the chrome bumpers re-done now. I may just use the back bumper if it polishes up nicely, but the front definitely needs re-chroming. We shall see. Here are a few pics. I need to go back and touch up a few scratches here and there, but the interior is coming around and is almost done.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zovqivs.2b8lukg0&x=0&h=1&y=-wcsl09&localeid=en_US

 

Man-O-Man, gpd....that car is better than factory! GREAT JOB!

 

Thanks Silver, it has definitely been a labor of love. I can't believe it's been about 2 years already since I started. Hopefully next Summer she will be driveable.

 

I can't wait till it's on the road, gpd. That is....IF you ALLOW it on the road!
I sure do admire your patience and perfectionism.
Not to mention all the hard work!

 

What a beautiful job! Kudos to both of you!

 

Wow, fantastic work on the interior. It indeed looks brand new.

 

Thanks again guys! Silver, she is definitely going on the road. I can't wait to get in behind the wheel and take kids and wife out for ice cream.

I've been sweatin' out in the garage the last couple days. I installed a few odds and ends today. I had to remove the dash pad again to get the A-pillar covers back in. Mr Gonzalo wasn't very careful when he was pullin' and tuggin' on the headliner and he got into the lil black gooey windhshield sealant so it was on the windshield and headliner in different spots. I cleaned all that up and got everything installed again. I swear sitting in there feels like a sauna, but it's fun. Taking care of the details is the most fun.

Tomorrow the corner bumper fillers front and back go on. I may even polish up the back chrome bumper and see if it's going back on or not. I am hesitant because it has a noticeable ding on it, but I guess it'll be ok for the mean time. We'll see. But I'm thinking .

 

Put a dong on the Right hand side!

 

Pretty good one there, Norm!