My 1981 restoration

[richfolsom]

I bought this car last week. it runs great, there were some minor issues, which I've posted about, but overall, I'm very happy with it.

Here is what I've done so far:
New Dash (way more difficult to install than I thought):


New steering wheel (I'm not sure if this is the right one, it's smaller, but I like it).


New "vintage" stereo :


Here are some things I want to do:

I'm not sure what this part of the hood is called, but the clear coat is all worn off. Is this something relatively easy to paint at home?


There are some rust spots on the door, what's the best way to deal with this?


Thanks everyone for your suggestions. My next project will be to install new stereo speakers in the front & back. I saw a post about building speaker boxes for the front, I'm going to try those. I have some ideas for the back, so that'll be an experiment.

One problem I have now is that the stereo shuts off at random times. I haven't really found a pattern yet, but if anyone has any thoughts let me know.

[RRoller123]

Here is the thread that ensued when I attacked my cowl as well! It is not too hard to take it off and refurbish, just be careful not to damage the fender paint or the windshield weatherstripping, and the hold-downs for the grille pieces. The hold-downs are manufactured in Neverland, made of Unobtainium. I sprayed them with Armor-All a few times and slowly worked them loose.

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... ilit=+cowl

[Texasbull]

.... made of Unobtainium.

Your's float???

I've got mine apart now, easily removed. I recommend you spray everything you want to remove with WD-40 or some other rust penatrant and let soak a day or so before you remove it. This includes the funky little plastic "alignment" screws. Mine were dry-rotted so bad they just snapped. Also a good time to clean and inspect and lubricate the winshield wiper unit and replace the washer fluid lines, since they are most likely 30 years old and hard and brittle and just waiting for the right time to split on you...

[richfolsom]

This week I created a speaker box to replace the back seat back. I went with black vinyl, I knew I'd never find matching tan, but I also like the way it looks with the speakers. As usual, this is the first time I've made something like this, so let me know what you think.

Top down:


Top open a little:

[richfolsom]

ok, I bought a new center console and radio console. right now, I just pushed them in. My question is, how do I mount them so they'll stay permanently? It's kind of annoying to be driving down the road and the radio console just pops out. I can't see how they screw in?

[AZ79]

I like how poofy you made that box.

[richfolsom]

Thanks, poofy is the look I was going for. I was trying to make it match the upper part of the door panels.

[jimmycakes401]

I need to install my console too. There are two bolts or screws up by the footwell on the tranny hump. Let me know when you find out how to mount it. Mine also has a screw bracket between the seats where the plastic cup that pops out.

[JammerX19]

Rich, I made a speaker board like yours but on 3/4" plywood. I made mine full height so that it could be secured at the top just like the original seat back. However, it looks like my convertible top won't fold down the whole way now, so I want to shorten it. How did you secure yours so that it doesn't flop around back there?

[jimmycakes401]

Have you seen the back seat replacement builds? They are fantastic. Built in shelf with storage and a nice speaker box on top. There are a few threads with great pics.

[richfolsom]

Mine's not really secured in there right now. It does fit pretty tight. It doesn't go all the way to the top, so the top folds down all the way. I think I have a picture up above with the top up, so you can see how it looks.

My long range plan for it is to use something that I think is called "strap", basically a strip of metal with holes in it and attach it to the wood and the back of the back seat. I was wondering if I could do the same thing with the center and radio consoles, but I don't know how I'd attach the metal to the console.

[richfolsom]

well, tonight I was driving and noticed a weird wobbling sound from my dash. Looks like it was from the speedo cable I put in. I put some extra grease on it, hopefully it will fix the issue. This makes about the 20th time I've had to take off the wooden gauge cover, what a pain. Next up, I'm going to buy some new seats and mounting brackets. I'll post some pics when I get them installed.

[124JOE]

ok, I bought a new center console and radio console. right now, I just pushed them in. My question is, how do I mount them so they'll stay permanently? It's kind of annoying to be driving down the road and the radio console just pops out. I can't see how they screw in?

if they are caps then they glue on with silicone