1970 GT Project

[Sparky73]

Well I finally started work on the 'Freebie GT' I got from Hemlock last fall. I had some done a couple months ago, mainly interior, but now I have had some extra time as well as really nice weather! The car is getting close to be completely stripped. Everything will be removed from the car except, at this time, the front and rear axle will stay on.. as well as shocks..wheels..ect so I can move the car around if needed. I just need to remove a couple more things and the engine will be ready to drop. I will then proceed to body work and removing all the old built up grease and dirt.

I am not doing a show car restoration, but all problem spots will be taken care of, and it will look nice when done. I hope to do some type of undercoating, but with my limited space.. this is going to be a challenge. Unlike my last GT restoration, the engine compartment in this one will most likely be painted the same color as the car. I haven't decided on a color, and probably won't until it's time to paint lol. Right now I am thinking of a few different idea's, and it all really depends on if I decide to go with another body kit. So far my color ideas are; a brighter yellow.. like corvette yellow or a pearl/metallic orange.

I will try to update this forum as much as possible, but the amount of work that gets done really depends on my schedule, which changes all the time. I will post pictures soon, as well as when things get done. Feel free to ask questions or post comments and/or suggestions. I am not a professional.. but hopefully know enough to get this GT back on the road!

[Sparky73]

Here are a few shots of the car. Hardly any rust.. including the headlight buckets. The belly pan needs work. I need to either find a steel replacement (anyone got one?) or order fiberglass from Opel GT Source.

[Sparky73]

Here are some shots of the area's known for rust. My belly pan, like mentioned, is shot. It is definitely beyond repair. As you can see, I don't think there is one straight piece of metal on it, as well as being rusted badly.

My rockers are 100% rust free! The wheel well lips are also good, but some work needs to be done behind the rear wheels. More on the passenger side, as I think I can salvage the drivers side.

Under the rear panel is pretty solid with just surface rust. Shouldn't take too much work at all.

[Sparky73]

The floorboards are both in great shape! I am really happy I won't have to spend much time on them. I will most likely sandblast and grind away most of the original paint, and rust-proof them. There is only 1 spot where the seat bolted up where I will have to make a new piece for. Someone cut out like a 1" x 2" section.

Of course the floors still had the original 'tar' like coating on them, and I found the best way to remove it is with a torch and some type of scrapper. Heat up a medium sized area moving the flame constantly. Do this for 10-15 seconds, and scrape off. Make sure to wear a mask/respirator as it gets smokey at times and I'm sure it's not healthy to breathe that in!

[Sparky73]

These pictures show a few different things. First off.. just showing how solid the floorboards are. I think that grease coating helped a lot with preserving the metal, and the fact that this was originally a Southern car. Just like the floorboards, all 4 jack-points are 100% solid.

Next thing I am really curious about. In the one picture I sanded off part of the paint to 'look into' something. If you look closely, you can see a weld in that area where the edge of the hood sits. There are weld spots on both side.. exact same spot. Also.. behind this weld mark, the whole car is white. In front of the weld spots, if you look at the pictures posted previously, you'll notice there is orange paint. I am really starting to think this car had a front clip replaced. Any other ideas?

[Sparky73]

Last post for probably a few days at least. This is how far I have gotten. As you can see, very close to dropping the motor. Body work comes next.. and that is going to take the longest. The engine compartment is pretty solid and complete. One thing I have to figure out is why the PO decided to hold the radiator in with a bunch of zip ties LOL. Next is a hole that was cut in the passenger side.. any idea's why they would do this? It goes right through into the wheel well. Then there is a plastic/cardboard cover screwed inside the wheel well to cover the hole. It doesn't look 'home made' .. but who knows. Isn't the only screwed on cover inside the wheel well supposed to be the one to access the headlight mechanism?

[Mista B]

I was wondering if you were going to do a thread with this project. Seeing that blue one you did really gets me excited about this one. This is going to be awsome!