The restoration process began in 2012 when we decided to pull the car out of storage. In a garage, then a barn, then a hangar, then the side yard under a canopy. A total of 35 years. The color, fjord blue, was my idea in and around 1974-5. It looked good for a while but the elements took it on and won. I painted cars during College. I hope the others stood up better.
After freeing up the frozen brakes and dragging the car around to the front of the house, we cleaned it and inspected what the ravages of time had done to poor 200831. Dust, rust and collapse. The tires had held air for the entire 35 years. The interior was a complete mess, seats were apart, seat frames broken, nests were found on the floorboards, under the seats, under the dash. Squirrels, mice, rats, opossums and probable a bird or two had just lost their home.
ASSESSMENT 1 - The car was not mechanically sound, the floorboards were rusted out in places, the engine was not the original and would be replaced with the original if possible. The transmission, I remembered, had a habit of popping out of 2nd gear and reverse had a problem as well.
ASSESSMENT 2 - The car’s value was unknown. I had done no research and the cost of a resoration process was not known. I had to decide whether to sell it, keep it and drive as is with some basic restoration to keep it safe, or to restore it to it’s original condition.
My cousin Sam was visiting from Southern California shortly after the car was moved into the garage. He remembered, years ago, riding in the car and was excited to see it again. He phoned a friend, an auto enthusiast and collector, and sent a picture of it as well.
The friend told Sam he would pay 30k for it as it sat if I would consider selling it. WOW! The purchase price back in 1969 was 1800 bucks. I had another 500 or so in the replacement motor. "I think I will keep it ', I thought.
DECISION - After some investigation, I determined the value of the car restored would be around 50-60k. With 2500 in it, I could withstand around 45-50k worth of restorative investment and still be above water. After consulting with several shops, Ted Blake in Sacramento, and his metal shop John Holden auto body in Shingle Springs, I decided to begin the process. Full out, body stripped, entire restoration to original condition. The 6 year program was about to start. FOR PICTURES PICK THE "RESTORATION PICTURES FROM DISSASSEMBLY THROUGH PAINT" BELOW
