DougM

SO I purchased this '79 Cab sight unseen out of CA after someone posted it here on CL. Looked OK in the pics. Figured there would be some issues, but what the F*&%, it's cheap and I had been thinking about buying a, M3 vert of something with 4 seats to appease my kids.

DougM

When I got it, it was a little rougher that I thought. Wheel offset are completely wrong, stress cracks behind the doors from the lack of rigidity from the chop, busted fog light and front bumper cover, rear window fogged and seams coming undone.....

DougM

Came with a battery drain problem so I decided to bring the wiring back to stock....meaning cut out 20 years of aftermarket stuff. Spent 2 hours and still have plenty to go.

DougM

With the '79 parts car I still have here, I should be able to get the wiring back to stock. May swap the fuse panel and I may have to pull the ignition harness because the alarm was all tied into that. I couldn't believe how much crap there was to this alarm system all tucked up under the dash and I still haven't finished pulling it all. As pictured, there was even a battery back up tucked up behind the glove box.
The car actually ran pretty well when I got it, just had electrical issues. I figure I will resolve those then get into the cosmetic stuff.

Bilal928S4

Cool project. Keep the updates comming.

LUCKYJACKASS

That wiring looks like a nightmare for sure. I pulled the aftermarket alarm from my 951 and had almost as much trash wiring and modules piled up afterwards. I hope it turns out to be a good car when you get through it...I'm the one who posted it on RL - Sorry man.

karl ruiter

I was able to take my '79 convertible to a local auto upholstery shop and have the rear (plastic) window replaced for about $100.

Imo000

Those quarter panles aren't metal. That's why the cracks.

AirtekHVAC

Kool. Good luck with it...

joejoe

Wow doug, that pile of wiring looks like what I pulled out of my '86.5. One bunch on mine was aftermarket alarm, the other was a radar detector system.

DougM

The 1/4s are original. The body kit is AIRs 928 s5 style kit http://www.americaninternationalraci...259246&page=32
which is front and rear bumper covers, rocker and wing.

medipedicman

I love the look and am encouraged that it was running smooth.
I think you scored big.

Imo000

Looks like body filler that's cracking. Something was added to those spots.

DougM

I stand corrected. I contacted someone who used to build these in the 80s and he had a look at it before it shipped to me. He said the conversion was out of Norwalk CA and the company added a fiberglass skin over the original body. Not too sure why they did that????

DougM

Finally cleaned out the rats nest of alarms, stereos etc and actually got it started again with just the basics hooked up. What a pain in the A**. I can't imagine how long it took to install that crap. I had to splice in a whole new ignition switch.
While most of the interior is out, I am going to freshen it up with vinyl dye. Also plan to swap out the nice retro velour black striped interior I got from a parts car.
The one nice thing about this job is that with no roof on the car, it makes interior work a lot easier.

Even in this state that is pictured, I was able to fire it right up.