So I have been giving my 83 caprice a facelift, and posted a couple before pics on the intro section..and thought i'd follow up with the progress shots. In case you didnt read the intro, I did half the work to get it ready for paint, and then someone hit and ran..in my driveway. So I got a parts car and decided to not only paint the wagon...but to PIMP the wagon. Since i was going to have to put so much work to get her back to where it even was, why stop short and just "paint it". Thus, adding the 383 and built drivetrain, and custom paint of course. To anyone who wants to embark on doing a complete paintjob on an 80's GM vehicle...especially a wagon...with bodywork..and woodgain, trim, roofrack etc....ITS A TON OF WORK. I didnt expect this much, but even the damn bumpers were hard to remove on this beast. I also want to know why they had to use so many damn different sized nuts/bolts. Changing sockets every other bolt gets old fast. Also, the woodgrain is HORRIBLE to take off, if it is weathered and or cracking. I dont even want to go into that. As far as the trim goes- also a pain because they have metal posts you must grind off rather than holes which imo are easier to fill than grinding 1/8" posts every 4 inches..resulting in what looks like someone took a ball peen hammer to the entire bodyline. FUN. Of course everything weighs a ton, which is why she survived the hit so well, but moving parts from her single handedly was a chore. The hood weighs more than I do. All in all, I'm relieved she is where is now. Nearly ready for paint. A final wetsand tomorrow and she'll be ready for the Black Dupont Chromobase and premier clearcoat. Heres how she was when I got her... Then I removed the woodgrain...ew. Then I removed the roof rack, filled the holes with plugs, cut off the trim posts and primed the bottom half. Then threw on some new american racing torque thrusts and rubber, offset with larger 17" in the rear, then limo tint all around as well as a billett steering wheel that matched the interior. This is after the AHOLE in a suburban hit me..then somehow drove away while i was at work. Pushed it back about 5 feet into my fence. Then, off with the junk... I got the doors and front on from the donor car. Unfortunately the parts were painted in laquer that had cracked out and half the car had to be sanded to bare metal. yay. I already shot the mirrors, and front valance parts and some other goodies..heres a pic of the mirror. I'll update with final pics VERY SOON.
I like how you changed it from they way it was when you got it. U been looking for Rally wheels like that for my wagon. Where did you happen to get them?
that is just a damn good looking car,,,,,when you get that one done you can get mine and finish it neighbor,,,,, did you cut the coils on that or does it have lowering springs on it,,,,,
thanks guys..! I cut the springs..and roadking..those were vette' rallies i got off craigslist. They were cool but had to go.
