I bought this 82 TA in 1985 and was forced to sell it in 1993 because I had no storage for it. Last week I discovered who the owner was and purchased it back from him. He was getting ready to take it to the crusher.

The car body is in good condition overall considering it has been parked in the weeds since 1996; although there are a few rough spots. The interior is completely ruined due to rodents and must be completely restored.

My goal for now is to preserve the car from any further rust damage until I'm ready to begin full restoration. Where do I start? I'm thinking sanding down the rusted areas and apply a layer of primer. I'll start working from the bottom up. Also will completely gut the interior except for the dash. Anyone have recommended products or procedures I should take to preserve this car in the short term?

This is going to be a major project for me as my mechanical experience amounts to little more than oil and tire changes, and a few starter replacements. But I'm definitely happy to have this old car back in my possession.

 

Do a lot of research and get ready to get your hands dirty. First thing you should do is decide what you want the car to be. IE, daily driver, completly stock resto, a resto-mod, a full on strip car, pavement pounding r!ce eatter, or whatever. That will determine the best places to pour cash into.

 

It won't be a daily driver so things like gas mileage won't be an issue. I'd like to build something that will surprise the newer muscle cars so performance will be main focus. Although I'm not looking to make it original at this point I don't intend to do any mods to the body so I can go back to original restoration if I want.

 

If you dont need to drive this anytime soon, then Id focus on getting performance stuff first, then worry about geting the body straight. If you have a decent budget or can make this a long term project then you have a LOT of options.

 

It used to have a very nice candy apple metal flake paint on it. I'm thinking of something like this candy apple wine paint. --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFt0s...eature=related

 

Not bad, but Id worry about paint last. If it were me in your situation, Id start by building a nice beefy motor/trans. Dropping in a bullet proof 12 bolt rear, and doing all the suspension/body stiffening that goes along with all that. Then Id focus on the interior and get it squared away. THEN Id start on the body work and paint to get it looking as good as it performs.


But thats just me.

 

This is going to be a long project because I have a lot to learn to do your above recommendations. The only thing I know now is that the 383 Stroker seems to be a popular engine for this car.

 

first thing to do would be to make sure its not rotting underneath. IF it is, you might want to let it go.

Forget building the drivetrain until the chassis is together and in working order. Paint near last of course, but dont blow your money on a drivetrain before you even have a car to put it in.

Lsx swaps are the popular choice these days. Good power and gas milage/drivablilty.

 

Of course everything I said was going under the assumption that when you said the body was in good shape in your first post, it ment the whole body. Including the underside and usual rust spots...

 

true, but there are a lot of "rust free" cars out there that are rotted to hell underneath. nobody seems to ever look under the car....

 

true, Ive spent so much time under my car over the last coouple of months I know there isnt a sopt of rust anywhere, which is lucky considering it spent most of its life in the pacific northwest.

 

Surprisingly after sitting in the weeds for 15 years the underneath is in good condition with one or two spots that do need direct attention or could rot through in a year or so. Also a couple spots on the doors and under the hood that need direct attention.