The "original" '82 Berlinetta is going to stay as it is (for now). The 2000 SS LS1/T56 will have a new receptor.

Enter a very clean 298k mile California '82 Berlinetta. The owner since 1985 did all the bodywork & paint, new upholstery including headliner, all new weather seals, plus things like brakes - then donated it to charity. I picked it up from the outfit that sells the cars and donates the proceeds to charities.

It runs amazingly well for a car that old with that many miles. But, the drivetrain has gotta go, and the previously planned pieces are gonna go in 'er.

 

Nice find. That's a really clean ride. Cool bonus helping charity. Keep us updated.

 

The previous owner is the real charity contributor. I can claim the amount I paid over blue book, which would be a difficult # to determine. KBB doesn't go past 1987, and Edmunds doesn't give me a value unless I drop the mileage.

The interior is just amazing. Looks like a bunch of new stuff - dash pad, console, console lid, PW/light switches, door panel/weather strip cover, arm rests, carpet, etc. All of the cargo compartment locks work. Nice 1.5 DIN stereo, too. And it doesn't rattle. Only nits are the shift **** is cracked (it's going away, anyway), the passenger arm rest upper mount is loose (common), and the hatch release button is weathered.

 

Keep it GFXless!

 

That looks like a really clean find. Are you going to post more pictures?

I hope you are going to start with the first of many pictures to document your swap fully. I can't wait to see the modifications to fit the motor mounts, A/C box and the like.

Is this an original automatic or standard shift car?

 

I plan on taking a lot of pictures as I go along.

It's an original automatic. I got the hydraulics and pedals with the engine/transmission.

 

That's what I had planned. It was also suggested elsewhere that I keep the 2" receiver hitch as well - just to add to the deception. . .

 

I don't think I'd go that far...

 

I'd go further than that-14" whitewall tires and wire hubcaps. After the LS1 goes in of course.

 

I don't think I'd go that far. . .

 

It has a trailer hitch!?

 

Full size 2" receiver, 6-pin round electrical connector, and electric trailer brake control. Also had air bags in the rear springs, but the ride was so harsh that I pulled those out already.

This morning the starter quit. And I'm visiting my mom in Nebraska, so I have to change it out just to get the car home so I can start taking it apart for the swap (probably will start the process in a week or two).

 

I guess there's worse spare parts to have around than another sbc starter!!!

 

That's what I was saying to myself as I was laying under the car with the passenger side wheels up on the curb (limited shop resources available to me here). My brother & I took the old starter to the local NAPA, the counter guy is a family friend from way back. My brother told him how we got the car up to get under it, and he said, "Or, drive it over a manhole, take the cover off if you need even more room to work."

Good ol' mid-western knowhow. . .

 

Hah i like that sounds like a good idea to me!

That is a cleeean looking berli! Seems like a decent swap car. A little too nice to swap out but it doesnt really have the value on it. How original is the rest of the car? Are you planning on swapping all the gauges or what? Suspension staying stock?

Cant wait to see the start of your swap. I need more motivation to continue my own...

 

See post #3. 40k on the rebuilt transmission. New paint, brakes, carb, O2 sensor, EGR valve. The starter didn't look that old. I fixed the arm rest mount already. Except for the upholstery fabric itself, aftermarket rims, and the red heater hoses, it looks completely showroom.

Front suspension is staying stock-like. I've got plans for the rear that I'm not going to say anything about until I prove to myself that it works (it's been done on 4th gens).

85 MPH speedo, 60 psi oil pressure gage. Not sure what I'm going to do about those yet. A complete electronic gage set would solve the non-mechanical speedo drive issue, but would detract from the powder puff look. I guess by the time they saw that, it would be too late. . .