WOW...very nice!

Awesome! How excited are you are this point, Chris?

I'm about to explode I'm so excited. She still has a really long way to go, all of the mechanical stuff is still waiting to be done... but I'm pumped!!!!

very nice. I think this is the only 4 eyed Texas car that will be restored that we know of right? Glad to see it coming together !

Looks great!

I think it should be, that's kind of the goal!

Thanks for all of the compliments everyone, pictures as they become available!

I needed to bring this image over to this page of the string... this is really a very nice job Chris! I can't hardly wait to see this car done!

WOW! so far she's looking great. :2thumbs:

More progress! The engine bay is coming together, new master cylinder and all of the wiring back in. Motor is getting refinished and will go in next, then onto the interior.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...gs455/DPS8.jpg
And the best news, finally found blue seats! This has been the hardest part, I've been looking for a year. So the interior is complete now, just waiting to be installed. Also found and had a single-key lockset re-keyed and it will be getting installed, so the SSP flare is starting to come together as well.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...gs455/DPS9.jpg
Hopefully in a couple weeks she'll be back running again!

Car looks great! Nice job man.

Absolutely fantastic Chris! Truly a stellar job and I look forward to seeing this car done.

Hey Chris nice to visit with yesterday in Austin ! Once you get it up and running we need to shoot over to Tx DPS Fleet and show the car to Fleet.

Tom

Thanks Tom, great to get to visit with you again and see your beautiful TX DPS once more! I'm excited to get to join the club soon, and I think we will definitely need to run the car up to fleet to get their blessing on the authenticity!

Wow, impressive!

Almost ready to be running again. Probably the first time in 20 years or so under EFI power.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...s455/DPS11.jpg

Very nice. Is it '86 spec? Or did you go with the better '87 and up heads?

It is full 86 spec, will have original mufflers and exhaust as well, I want it to be as true to the original car as I can get.

Damn nice job! I absolutely agree with you on how hard it is to find blue seats or let alone a nice complete regetta blue interior set! :(

What color did you use to paint your motor like that?

Regatta is so tough to find! The paint is Ford Engine Gray, standard color for '86!

Yep i feel your pain... Nice job on the engine! I believe i used the same color, by Rustoleum. You used the same thing?

was the engine block painted on an 86?

No. Natural (no finish) from '82 on.

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showpost...5&postcount=14

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthread.php?t=96205

Oops! I stand corrected it seems. I really don't care to put a rusty block back in the car though, so it will have an over-restored look. Which is fine with me, it will still look the part.

You could always blast it and clear it, too.

I use a paint product called "Cast BLast". It makes the block look like it is a brand new cast and unrusted engine block. It also lasts a long time if you prep the block properly.

Thanks for the recommendations guys! I'll use that one the next one for sure.

Great product:yes:

I always thought the blocks were painted black, but I learned something new today:D . Using cast blast is the way to go:thumbsup:

I was wondering about that too. There is a gray paint code showing for that year that Chris and I discussed yesterday. The nature of the forgings of that engine out of the Cleveland engine plant would have allowed for it to be a raw block for a short while.

Interesting!

EFI powerplant for the first time in many years!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...s455/DPS12.jpg
And it will need new springs (cut) and shocks, those will be done when the suspension phase starts...
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...s455/DPS13.jpg
And the Marti Report! Pretty dang cool:
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...s455/DPS14.jpg

You're making GREAT progress, Chris! Thanks for documenting your build with pictures and sharing them here...

very nice Chris

Yep, lots of progress and it looks great!!

Thanks guys! More progress as it comes through!

Dash is in, and front suspension phase is starting! New shocks, springs, brakes, calipers, lines, bushings, etc etc etc.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...s455/DPS15.jpg

Sourced some low mileage takeoff Mufflers, I have tailpipes as well....
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...s455/DPS16.jpg

And all of the new hardware (well not all of it, but some of it) for the front suspension... just waiting for new bushings to go back into the arms then it's time to install the front brake system. Sadly it will all be covered by wheel/tire!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...s455/DPS17.jpg

And the beginning of the blue interior install.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...s455/DPS18.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...s455/DPS19.jpg

That is going to be a beautyfull car when you are done. Very nice!!!!

looking great Chris.

Absolutely fantastic work there Chris! By the way, are those interior panels re-dyed or are those originals? They look great so I was curious.

That's one hell of a restoration. :)

Thanks everyone. Greg, most of the interior pieces are original. The seatbelt sleeves had to be dyed, as I needed new ones and they don't make them in blue. Headliner and carpet are new, however. Finding nice, original '85/6 regatta blue pieces was not easy!