1973 Torino Tribute Restoration

...he just stared and stared ......."Wow, the bad memories this brings back."

If your big brother asks you for the keys, tell him you can't find them.

David

 

David, I was trying to be diplomatic about it, but hey! Cutting to the chase is good.

Good to see that gpd didn't forget the original disaster. Big brothers often like to impose their 'approval' after a test run.

My kid brother passed away 2 years ago, but he always drove street machines like a wild man. He liked his cars and women the same way - the cars didn't survive, but the wives did. I never drove with him. He was too wild for my taste.

 

Funny guys! I hear yall loud and clear! I think my memories of the "original" wagon are a lil bit different from my 18 year old brothers. I think if I did have the original I would have to disinfect that back cargo area AKA "No tell motel" with bleach, Lysol, and any other industrial cleansing solvents.

Also No keys for him!

 

Ah yes, the Humpmobile! Or was it Hupmobile...

When dad and I built fuellers, I did the driving. My kid bro was 9 when I was 18. He loved the action. By the time he was old enough to drive, dad and I had graduated from engineering, and they moved to a quiet westcoast suburb. Insurance was skyhigh for young pups, and my brother knew how to feed the insurance company. Don't know how he kept his licence. Anyway, he always had Camaros and Firebirds. The backseats were too small for a 6'2" 200 pounder. I'm 5'8" and like my cars with room everywhere, including the back. Room for a confessional.

 

Sorry for the long delay, but I replaced the exterior Driver's door window sweep. The one I had was very cracked, brittle, and was misssing a few pieces. I located a better one that also had a few cracks, but what I did was cleaned it thoroughly and then taped up the chrome strip and sprayed the rubber portion with some spray Plasti-Coat I found at Home Depot. It worked well and filled in the small cracks.

I have also finished installing the wagon's "jewelry" as I like to call it. The back long window stainless trim along with the windshield trim is back on.

I have cleaned up the doors window weatherstripping and will paint the metal portion flat black and am tempted to use the Plasti-Coat spray on the cracks on the weatherstripping prior to re-installing. Then finish it off with the Mequire Rubber conditioner.

Photos will follow.

 

Looking awesome, I can only hope my sedan looks half that good when I'm done with her. I just need to get some sort of enclosed carport or garage put up to have a workspace I don't have to share with toddlers and dogs and nosy neighbors.

 

Torino trim

I worked on the wagon some today thanks to the great weather. I finished re-installing all the exterior trim around the windows. I cleaned and applied Mcquires Rubber Conditioner on all the weathertripping including the rear NOS Tailgate weatherstripping I found and won off Ebay. ($31.00) You can't beat that!

I also used some paint thinner and old T-shirts (made into rags) to clean around the inside portion of the windows. I decided against removing the windows and windshield due to cost. I cleaned that "Goo-eey" black sealant off the windows and packed it back into the window channels.

I also forgot to install a weather shield on the back tailgate before so I removed the back panel and cut one to size and installed it.

Here are a few photos on what was done.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=711146478308:371075145

 

Dang, that's looking good! I absolutely love the blue you painted your Torino...gorgeous!
You have made such great progress! Love it!

David

 

That's a heck of a deal on the weatherstrips! Fine work.

 

Ya' done good, ya' done real good! That's going to be phenomenal. I love how much attention to detail you're paying to it. it's gonna be worth it, for sure. keep it up!

 

Thanks guys! The color is Windveil Blue, which is what Ford started using on the new Mustangs in 2005. Ford brought back the colors from the 70's and this color is very similar to the Silver Blue Glow our original wagon was painted. Agains thanks for the details comments. I figure if my Dad was along for the ride he'd say, "If you're gonna do it, do it right!"

 

You've done him proud! Wow!

 

I worked on the wagon some today. The base model Torino front end (from NY) arrived and I mocked it up today. Yesterday I went to pick up the new front bumper assembly due to the Gran Torino front end is different from the base model Torino. Next is sending these pieces out for paint and removing the fenders again so I can clean and paint the core support, front frame rails, and Suspension pieces. Here are a few photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery...erId=77691875608&token=757615929308:708541519

 

You GO, gpd! Won't be long NOW!

 

gpd, I didn't realize that Ford was using those bumper extensions as early as 1975. I guess it must've started after 1970. Looks in decent condition to start with. I guess you move onto the spit-shine steps now, huh?