Thanks everyone for the encouragement. It was great to finally drive it after all those years. Took my wife for a ride in it and she started remembering when we would cruise around in SoCal many years ago. This was B.C. (before children).

I do plan on finishing the car. The plan was to work like mad when my dad was here to get as much of it reassembled as possible so that I can take it back to the paint shop for de-nib and polish. We made great progress and so Dad suggested we throw the seats in and take it for a spin. So that is exactly what we did. It was my kid's first ride in the car.

Once back from the paint shop, I will install the blade bumpers, side chrome strips, and door sills. Next will be the dynamat, carpet and interior panels.

I'm still waiting on some backordered 1/4 window seals to restore the top frame and then a trip to the upholsterer to install the new top.

I know the final punch list will be never ending but at least it is a car now instead of a collection of parts!

Well my Dad has gone back to Texas and my vacation time is over so the progress will slow to its usual snail's pace. She has an appointment with the paint shop for a cut and polish next Thursday and then more assembly.

A couple more pics...

Side mirror test fit...



I wasn't completely sold on the Abarth style mirror. I was actually considering the British racing bullet type. But seeing the mirror on the car I think it just looks right.

More to come...

The mirror makes it look like it's going fast

Few new things on the project. Actually trying to get caught up on the other projects around the house.

Got the front emblem installed. Note to self: the proper order of installation is 1) attach emblem to grille 2) install grille and surround to body 3) install hood. It wasn't too bad installing the emblem after grille and hood installation, just takes small hands and arms.

Reinstalled the passenger lock mechanism. Replaced the broken plastic collars with rubber gourmets. Everything installed well but the lock still doesn't work with the key. Either needs more adjustment or there is too much flex with the rubber.

Found out the the rear side-maker lights are not working. Changed bulbs but still no dice. I'll have to chase that down later. I installed the original taillights until it gets back from the polishing. Then I will change them out for the brand new ones (the chrome on the plastic is delicate so I didn't want to risk it). I'll check the voltages when I have everything out and unplugged.

Some pics....



I'll post some more pictures once she gets back from the paint shop.

Looks nice!

Beautiful car!! You have done a great job on it!

Life is getting busy again but I had to post some pictures following the denib, cut and polish. Not perfect, but I am very pleased with the final product.





I'm going to try to get the new rear tail-lights and rear bumpers installed this weekend.

Wow!!!
I hope you are pleased!! That looks stunning!!!

Very nice, I like the grills on the older cars.

Had some more time this weekend for the car. Got the new tail lights and rear bumpers installed. Found out that with good grounding all the rear lights work great. The rear looks finished now with the exception of that muffler. Have a new one just need to get it down to the muffler shop to get it installed along with a new 2 1/4" pipes from the down pipe to the muffler.

Here are some pics.







And of course after working on it, I had to drive it around the neighborhood again before it gets too cold.

Looking good! Can't wait to see it in person.

GT.

Beautiful

Jon,
Your car just keeps getting better as the last bits get installed! Beautiful job!!
Can I assume that you plan to address the rear muffler and just haven't gotten to it yet?

YES, that muffler looks terrible! I have a nice polished aluminum one sitting in a box in the shop.

Got the side trim strip installed.... Amazing how much difference that makes visually!


I've been working on modifying seat brackets for my new seats. Here are some pics of the trial fit. I left the stock seat in to show the differences. The seat bottom is about 3/4" taller and of course the head-rest is wider. The overall height of the seat back is pretty close. I still have to take it out and work on the brackets a little more. When I finish, I'll do a write-up to let everyone know how I made the Procar Rally 1000 seats fit.




The support and comfort of these seats is imho a huge improvement. Yeah, not for the purists but this is definitely a resto-mod.

NCArachnid wrote:YES, that muffler looks terrible! I have a nice polished aluminum one sitting in a box in the shop.

Sorry Jon, it really was a silly question with the rest of the work in mind!! Great job!!