Rust out and new metal in

The rust repairs are progressing well we have made a new panel to replace the rusted out section, shaped and beaten by hand it's a good job and wont require any body filler when finished. I am lucky my panel beater is a very good tradesman and I am always keen to watch the restoration as it progresses

The restoration of the 79 5sp is progressing well if not slowly, the rusty section has been sand blasted, and it does look better now that it's clean.
We will need to make a decission whether to repair it, or acquire a replacement rear 1/4 panel and do a cut and shut repair. There has been good news I now know for sure that I have a genuine 79 rear hatch, we found the 928 pressed into the rear window surrounding trim, we now know that a "S" type spoiler was fitted to the original 79 model hatch after market and not swapped for a later model hatch, all very important when you are returning the car to it's original 1979 trim.
While we are on the subject of original trim the Pascha fabic that was in the original interior seat inserts etc has arrive from Germany it is Brown / Beige check, it will look fantastic when the car is retrimmed most likely early next year now as we have had a few set backs and we are about 3 weeks behind schedule

body restoration continues

The restoration of the body and the preparation for the respray has started, the poor repair I was told about when I brought the car has turned out to be a real shocker, as the photo's show just bogged over the damage there is rust well established on most of the rear quarter panel but we will hit it with the sand blaster and see where we go from there.
This is the the 4th or 5th total respray that Trevor has done for me and they have all turned out excellent I can't see this one beening any different.
I hope to have the respray finished before the end of November. There is still a slim chance that it will be finished by Christmas although the Pascha trim has not arrived from Germany yet and the body trimmer will need about 7 to 10 days to complete the interior

The restoration of the body starts

The mechanical restoration is complete

The mechanical work is completed and the car is registered and roadworthy and today I took it to the panel beaters to have the phoney 928S bits removed and restore the body to the true 1979 style.
I have purchased the Pascha interior material from Germany and spent yesterday in Melbourne having Gary Blackman Trimming go over the car to quote on restoring the interior they will need the car for about 2 weeks to complete the restoration.
So 2 weeks at the painters and then 2 weeks at the trimmers and its all complete.

The car has been registered for a week and I have driven it about 1000kl it drives beautifully and the ride and handling are first class there has only been a few small problems speedo failed and the amplifier was causing a very loud noise intermittently the speedo was easy the plug came apart enough for the electrical circuit to brake it's fixed but I will get the later model plug that clips together and needs to be manually unclipped to separate.
The amplifier has been disconnected and we will search the internet for a wiring diagram and then try again but at the moment it works quite well unamplified through the front speakers.

It's home

Lots has happened since my last post the 79 5 speed is home Chris and I went to town last Thursday and brought it home and also brought back what was left of one of the donor cars we used for some parts.
The car drove beautifully and although it showed up a few problems there was nothing to stop it from passing the roadworthy certificate today.
Over the weekend we had a major festival in town and I was asked to put my cars in it so I had the all together for the first time. I will register it Wednesday and I will drive it around for a week then it's of to the panel beaters for a respray.
Chris ordered the new Pascha velour interior fabric from Germany for me today EU79.00 per metre which I thought was a bargain being previously quoted AU$220.00 per metre plus $100.00 postage.
So we are on track to have it finished for Christmas.