1968 Florida 1600 Restoration Project

[MR 325]

Looks great in person. Its such a unique car... Im a fan

x2!

[2mAn]

Looks great in person. Its such a unique car... Im a fan

[Shangsta]

Love it

[rturbo 930]

That looks fantastic. I love it.

[2mAn]

Next is interior. I'm hoping and praying for good news tonight.

fingers crossed for you brother

[phreshkid]

GC suspension installed. I had a wild hair on my chin and just decided to do it. Install took about 2.5 hours in it's entirely. I don't like how short the rear spring is and the fact that it only stays in place under compression, so I called GC and sprung for their rear spring adjusters and new springs. This new system will keep the spring seated on the adjuster perch. I feel more at peace with a set up like that. I should be receiving it on monday.


I also installed the PC'd backing plates so all is well again.





Then I drove to get the undercarriage and engine bay steam cleaned. I need to figure out what is howling in my driveline. I suspect the diff is howling but it could be the CSB or guibo as well. I'll confirm tomorrow morning. So far so good. Here are a few photos.






and









Next is interior. I'm hoping and praying for good news tonight.

[phreshkid]

dial out a bit more of the reverse rake

sup

I can't do much more until I get a few rear subframes with camber/toe correction kits whipped up. Being this "low" already put a good amount of neg. camber on the rear wheels.

I just ordered up four new tires as well. The current tires are cracking and will probably explode while I'm drifting in between semi trucks and oncoming traffic.

[kronus]

dial out a bit more of the reverse rake

sup

[phreshkid]

I love how this car is coming Along but the shaved marker on one side only drives my inner OCD bananas

It would drive me up a wall, but I plan on spraying the whole car. No sense in drilling two more holes that will eventually be filled.



I'll leave it as is. I want to remember it's history.

[2mAn]

I love how this car is coming Along but the shaved marker on one side only drives my inner OCD bananas

[phreshkid]

Green car is looking better and better.

I modified the suspension front and rear using my trusty angle grinder, spring compressors, and various other tools. In the front, I removed the spacer from below and added it above the inner fender, and removed 1.5 coils from the stock springs.

In the rear, I removed 1.5 coils and the 2-dot spring pad. I put vinyl tubing on the top exposed coil so there wouldn't be any metal on metal contact. The rear shocks are brand new Bilstein HDs.

I don't expect this set up to last long, but I have another system in the works so I don't mind it for now.




I also wired up the euro turn signals, and went ahead and redid the rear lights and housings. The light output is great now. The front lights suck but I think I have a fix for that too. Last major issue is a noise coming from the front right corner. It sounds like a slight grinding noise. Either a sticky caliper or perhaps a wheel bearing gone back. I'll diagnose and solve this week before socal vintage. So far things are good.

I think I get the new interior tomorrow!






I didn't realize I uploaded a photo with the US turn signal lights still in place. Oh well.




Dos mas:

[phreshkid]

You should hit the rockers and lower rear valance area with some fresh black paint, I think it would make a huge difference on that car, everything else looks seemingly pristine.

I'm jealous.

On November 9th I'm taking the car to my buddy Ayed of King's Autobody. He will respray the rockers, rear valence, and front IE airdam to the body color. This car should be pretty decent then. The paint on the roof and the trunk is damaged but I want it all back to one color and drive it around for a bit before I decide what to do with it.

Part of me wants to go back to Agave, and the other part of me wants to leave it as is because I really like this color. And then the third part of me says why not just respray it in the current color? I like all options, but I haven't given this car a true direction yet. I'm just cleaning it up for now.

[CubbyChowder]

You should hit the rockers and lower rear valance area with some fresh black paint, I think it would make a huge difference on that car, everything else looks seemingly pristine.

I'm jealous.

[phreshkid]

You still wanting to do that Rocket Bunny kit on it?

I am flying Nakai-San out to do a RWB kit so no more Rocket Bunny. RB had me on a 6 month waiting list and for a measly $30k, Nakai said he would do it and sleep on my couch so I ok'd it.




Sometimes I wish I was more asian

[csermonet47]

You still wanting to do that Rocket Bunny kit on it?