Jason E

So, have we come to admit that we aren't doing much for restoration these days?

Not trying to be a smart ***...just wondering about the forum title

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I like it!!maybe we'll start seeing more of originality and history topics in witch I assume the thread was intended for and not for "How does my third gen look with ford interior"

JT

iTrader: (1)

The idea is to have the Body and Interior forum on the actual Restoration or Modification while having this section more about discussing the history and documentation aspect. It was previously brought up by Scott and IROCZ, and also something that dates back years ago, so IROCZ made the change last night.

I'm sure you can still come to this section to get feedback on whatever your next ThirdGen is that you're looking at, Jason.

Jason E

Ha...ha...ha...

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I like the change and the push to save the history of these car while its still around.
99% of the "restorations" I have seen people do not do them back to the way the factory did it and are more like a "restification" anyway.
I mean a 4th gen interior, POR15 on everything in/under the car, gutted engine compartment, LT LS swap, aftermarket panels/gauges and a flat black spraybomb engine compartment are NOT what I'd call a restoration. Done properly they are nice tho.

Noun: restoration (plural restorations)

1.the process of bringing an object back to its original state; the process of restoring something
Example: The restoration of this car will take years.

Jason E

I agree 110%. I sweat the little things like even re-clearcoating all 4 of my original wheels on my 86...only two really needed it, but why not go the extra distance?

Not to toot my own horn, but I don't remember the last stock-style, 100% resto I've seen on here. Mine was fairly easy due to the low mileage and solid interior, but still...

Who else has done a true, back-to-stock type resto? I'd love to see some pics!

eseibel67

Subforum name change to include originality is a good move since the majority of this crowd seems to think a cheap paint job, new tires and rims, and new valve cover gaskets is a "restoration".

Ttop's definition is correct. Might be able to change the name back to History/Restoration in the year 2022.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

The 4.4 mile 85 z. Little was replaced so not a full restoration, but restored what was there & not losing the originality of it.

amlv20

my 86 iroc was used and enjoyed by the original owner for 174,xxx miles, everything is original except tires, spark plugs, and water pump that i had to put on it to get it home. it needs interior and exterior work but can be driven daily, so its my plan to restore it to or as close to factory as i can.were its at now,doesn't look all that bad, but i haven't even scratched the resto surface yet.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

I'll be curious to see if changing the forum name has any effect on the quality of posts. I hope it does, but I'm not going to count on it.

And I concur, I can't remember the last time I saw a real restoration thread. On that note, I have no idea why Whitedevil T/As thread is contiued to be allowed in this forum, it's about the furthest thing there is from a restoration. Beautiful car, and beautiful build, but not sure why all the roller paint jobs get booted out of this forum but select threads with money are allowed to stay...

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I'm working on it... 1982 Recaro Trans Am interior and exterior getting restored. Hopefully when it's done I will get some pics up of everything. But mine is going back to original. The wheels were restored, the interior is going back to original, I even had a radio restored for it. I am not taking too many liberties with the resto. It will be as close to original as I can get it. The mechanicals are fine, so I am not touching that right now.

There are those of us who care about originality.

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

I'm glad everyone seems to like it, this is something that I've wanted to do for years actually. This is still a great place to come if you want to find out what was original for a restoration, we wouldn't turn away a good original restoration post, but the actual technical restoration process should be discussed on the Body and Interior boards. This has become more of a preservation-type of board and one of the best boards that we have on this site IMO.

Which should only be a few more weeks away.....unless Charlie beats him to it.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Oh.....we'll see.........

Jason E

1) I think this is the best board on the site, without a doubt. If I look at the past 12 years, and the boards I've been on the most on the web, this one is probably the #1 or #2...and sadly, at time I spend a LOT of time on the web. Even when I didn't own a third gen for a few years, I was still lurking here a lot.

2) Charlie and I should start our own thirdgen-based dealership or something I've always wanted to start my own, focused used car dealership....like specializing in 3rd and 4th gens. I don't wanna cut them up and sell parts like so many other third gen based "businesses" do...rather sell good ones and do light restos on nice original cars where I could still turn a profit.

There's certainly enough Corvette-type used car dealers out there...

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

You would starve. There is not enough interest out there. The only way you would make it is if you diversified into other makes and models.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Business plan might be on the tough side, but it would be fun. There's this Mustang shop near me, it's been there forever. It's just a store front with afew parking spaces. They sell old Mustang parts, and every now and then, I'll see a couple old Mustangs parked on the side of the building for sale(?).

I've always figured it might be cool to have a little 3rd gen shop like that. Of course, when you mix your hobby with business, it tends to ruin things.

reefland

I guess it depends on what you mean by back-to-stock type resto? I am doing what I consider to be just that with mine, minus a couple of very small mods (tinted lights, for example). Note that I am doing mine with mostly reproduction parts because I want new, and that's about all I can find.

Link in sig...

rusty vango

as soon as i figure out how to post pics on here, youll see just that. im putting my 86 IROC back stock. so far i have about 90% of the parts and im digging up the rest soon . ever go looking for a 3rd gen cigarette lighter?? took over a year to turn one up.ever try to find and replace all the underhood emission controls?? the AC components?? a round horn button ....that actually works?? been a real PITA but to me worth every penny. im not restoring mine to be a pristine trailer queen,im making a comfortable daily driver. you know the type,set the cruise, tune in some music and let the miles pile up. i love my camaro!!! as i see most of you also do

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I tried with my interior, the only thing that doesn't look stock is the ABS headliner, but I had no choice since my stock headliner board was toast.

Before....



After.... (seats reupholstered, new carpet, new headliner, repainted plastics)

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

Nice! Looks factory new.

Jason E

^^I've totally admired those seats before in other pics you posted. Amazing job. I know what you mean about ABS headliners...they just do not look 100% right. I put one in my t-top RS. I want nothing more than to keep the cardboard one in my red TA, but its starting to sag a little...just planning to reskin it, because its not wrecked by any stretch.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Nice!!!

Jason E

The other change I noticed was that I'm now a "Supreme Member" instead of a member. Sadly, I have determined that is for people with over 1,000 posts. If I can admit to being stupid, at first I thought it was IZ28, JT or Scott's way of being funny and giving me credit for the Norwood thing. I then saw 6 other people with the same title

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

LOL! Yeah we switched that up. Junior Member under 100 posts, Member at 100 posts, Senior Member at 500 posts, and Supreme Member at 1,000 posts. There also might be something coming for those that have been with TGO for 10 years or more.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Thanks guys, but the CoverGirl really deserves the credit for my seats. She even built up the foam a little so they're nice and firm again. The pics look bright, but it is the factory correct carmine pallex cloth (thanks to Larry Dennis Co).

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Grand Poobah?

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

There also might be something coming for those that have been with TGO for 10 years or more.
How about Silver,for the Old Farts I mean old guys.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Looks really good 80sChild,I also try my best to keep it all stock,I didn't have any issues with the ABS headliner

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Manta, my car is a hardtop with overhead console. The abs headliner is more curved in the center so it creates a gap between it and the headliner.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

What else holds it up in the center besides the console.

cerberus

I am very happy for it.

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

Not quite haha, we'll see.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Nothing. The gap isn't along the whole console, just right above the map light. The abs headliner has a "deeper" mold, I guess to give a little more headroom. The mold doesn't match the console, but without the console I can't imagine how it would stay up. Other than this gap it fits perfectly.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

I know nothing about that particular head liner; however, the coupe version of the console has an OE reinforcement piece as seen below:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...types-side.jpg

Whether or not the above would eliminate the gap or not, I'm clueless.

JamesC

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Wow those sunvisors are THICK

One thing I have noticed is the foam most places put behind the headliner material is just like that, waaaaay 2 thick..
I think its only supposed to be 1/16th of an inch thick on the foam.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I thought that too when I first got them, but after getting used to them I like them better than the originals, they seem better made and don't feel so flimsy.