1972 Sport Coupe first impression & restoration

[georgeramos]

Took delivery of the 72 coupe last weekend. Initial impression is that it is "rougher' than it appears in the photos but careful examination reveals virtually zero rust. What rust exists is superficial. There will be some bodywork needed. the worst offender was a dent on the left rear quarter panel that was caked with body filler before the horrendous paint job was done. this appears to have been quite a while ago as the clear coat has had plenty of time to all but disappear. Anyhow, I broke off the pancake of filler and even though it had huge cracks it is not even rusty behind there and Id guess someone (maybe even me some day) will be able to get that panel into pretty good shape before the respray.

The PO had sanded down to bare metal in several spots mostly around the rear windshield perhaps to clear surface rust but there appears to be no cancer lingering there or anywhere. He had it in a barn safe and dry and said the body style just never quite grew on him (he's an X 19 guy through and through) so he never got around to the resto. Thats where i come in...of course the minute the car gets to the garage and we're figuring out how to get the spare motor out of the truck and into the garage it starts pouring rain (first time in MONTHS) so now im freaking out about all the bare metal around the windshields!

Ive decided to start with the suspension as all the rubber is totally shot. So far ive sprayed PB Blast 3 times and removed the left front shock. The lower nut was a pain to remove but it finally broke free. My plan is to cut the springs (like RoyBatty has done), get the bushings out, clean and paint all the parts while i order all new rubber from AR), have a shop press the new bushings in (a local shop quoted $90 for all the bushings front and rear) and put it back together hopefully correctly the first time...

[amawds]

Skip the press and replace the whole arms. Worth the time saved, and you might actually come out on top financially. I went with tubular arms, I'd probably do the same again. Haven't actually driven on them btw, so take that with a grain of salt. Damn pretty though.

[Zippy]

I really liked both of my coupes. The 69 seemed to perform better than the 72 though. That little 1438 engine in the 69 was a screamer. Think 70 MPH in 3rd gear with 4 guys in the car going up to Mt. Tamalpais. The 72 was such a dog with all that emissions stuff, I was passed by a VW Rabbit just trying to go up an on ramp to the freeway. Don't get me wrong, they were both very fun to drive and I still love the look of both body styles. I look forward to seeing the progress on your car.

Al

[georgeramos]

The car will end up with an 1800. It came with a spare one with a A"fresh" head. Not sure when t was done but i dont think its been in a car yet since. Po said it was a 1608 in car but the timing cover reads 1800 to me. I havent even tried turning the motor yet. Neither had the po in the few years he had the car... The PPO told him the motor in the car was seized so we shall see.

[RoyBatty]

hi George,
bummer that you can't drive yours yet.

Just so you can't say i didn't warn you.
Cutting the springs as i have will make the car ride a bit more firm.
I don't find the ride at all a problem. But your posterior may be more sensitive than mine. I do have a new set of kyb shocks on the way and I'll let you know if they smooth things out at all.
I have noticed that the handling is MUCH improved after dropping the car as i have. I am entering and exiting turns about 5 mph faster than i can in my spider. And the coupe is very smooth and predictable near the limit. it's almost neutral leaning just a bit into the understeer side of things. I plan to get a rear bar on it and see how i like that.

[georgeramos]

Im actually restoring the coupe "for my wife" which includes conversion to auto trans. While I'd never want that myself I do feel having a GT coupe as an auto is a little better than an open sports car.

I too am adding KYB's along with cutting the springs. I am going to really take my time with the resto (at least a year, hopefully not too much more) including replacing parts of all systems to make it a "daily driver" Rachael drives maybe 3 to 4000 miles a year if that so it's more like a twice a week driver but if she loves it like I love my Spider and wagon she may find herself driving more than ever!

I am looking for a second hand spring compressor to add to my toolchest so i can go through my Spider over the next couple of years and lower it slightly as well. I might even "spring" for koni's at that time!

[georgeramos]

added pics from delivery day. Dont have any cash for control arms/parts at this moment so project already on hold but my wife is OK waiting.

[RoyBatty]

With regards to the handling after my lowering the Coupe.
After looking at this picture, the body roll shown had convinced me that the rear bar will be added sooner than anticipated. The weird thing is, from behind the wheel, it doesn't feel like it's leaning over this much.

[Redline]

With regards to the handling after my lowering the Coupe.
After looking at this picture, the body roll shown had convinced me that the rear bar will be added sooner than anticipated. The weird thing is, from behind the wheel, it doesn't feel like it's leaning over this much.

By period standards, that is hardly leaning over.

[Exit98]

What lean?

Ever see a French car in a turn?

[RoyBatty]

Yes, that may be the case.
But, as compared to my Spider, this Coupe is cornering on it's door handles.
And I do have the rear bar on the Spider and love it.