80 T/A 1/2 Shell Replacement .................. New Pic 8/23

[mark369]

 Got a deal on a 80 T/A couple of years ago. It has a 403 that turned over when I got it. Got it from a kid that could not deal with the amount of rust repair it needs. Some would part it out. That is what I  got it for, But I hate to kill a bird. Then I ran across a shell on e-pay.  The owner prior to the kid drove the car until the gas or brake lines rusted through.  It has a Cincinatti air port parking decal on it so I guess it saw lots of salt. It is rusted through from the toe boards back. ALL 4 Spring points where protruding through the body!
Here it is when I got it home.


This is drivers side back seat area.



Rear trunk drivers side.



Here is the shell I got. 400LB Striped to the bone.



And of course it needs Frame Rails! Darn it.  

So I plan to cut it across at the toe boards and at the rear window posts and replace the bottom and rear of the shell.    Thus saving an old bird.
 Suggestions as I go are welcome, this is a major project and I am not a pro.  

I would like to take this car to Nats this year 2012. So I started. Here it is Feb.

[mrbandit]

I don't mean to be negative, but that car isn't even a parts car.  Save yourself the money and aggrivation and get a better bird.

[Ben]

Aww come on don't be so negative!  I see some good parts like a seat belt, a trunk latch, and striker bolt!

Best of luck to you on that project.  You'll be practically cutting away the firewall and VIN plate and attaching new body parts to the rest of it =)

[73Wicked1]

WOW I'm going to keep an eye on this one just to see how it ends!

[IFLYBY]

My hat is off to anyone who can chop/splice bodies at this skill level

[LeighP]

Good luck.......but unless you're experienced and have nothing else to do, that project is not going to be at the Nats this year.
Keep as much of the original 80 shell that you can, take lots of measurements and use light guage tubing tacked into the shell where required (before you cut the shell up) to give reference points for the new parts to welded in.
Get a Fisher Body Manual for the late 2nd gens to help out with info.

[mark369]

Have a fisher body manual. and the new used rear shell will bolt to the back of the front frame. I am not building a show car but when done it will be a solid driver. 14hr to this point with my brother doing most of the work under my supervision. Weather got rainy, cold and windy again so stopped until fair weather returns.

[LeighP]

Sounds like you're on top of things. Good luck with it.....my congratulations on getting your brother to do the hard work, lol. 

[Aldo]

i have my eyes on this for sure.hope it works out ,as i have seen worst cars getting fixed ,im sure anyone puts there mind to do something it could be done.

[Black Sheep]

Any more progress?

[jaygt]

wow.  let us know the updates.

[mrbandit]

Well...in that case go for it and keep us updated.

[mark369]

Lifted the hood. Latch is missing. Another part to acquire. Was dissapointed to discover it does not have a 403 as thought,    but a 4.9 L (301?).  I am going to start the engine to make sure it is good before welding 1/2's together. Am trying to do this as cheap as possible, but safe. Thinking of fabricating a roll bar for it. Any one know what .134 thickness translates into inches? Got a quart of POR15.

Got the firewall and dash off of the shell.



Then got both 1/2's in the garage.



Need the last 16" inches of both frame rails, and 12" inches of the center front curve of drivers side.

[FRITZ]

I did the same major surgery with my '80 Indy Pace car.  It's definately doable if you are commited to the project for the long haul.  My advice is forget the time schedule.  This is not a reality show!  Take your time.  Work on 1 small segment of the project at a time to completion, and take extended breaks from the project every once in a while.

I spent 7 full years on my resto project and I did the whole thing myself.  I did most of the work in my heated shop in the winter then took a break during the summers to work on other projects around the house and yard.  In the end - regardless how long it takes - you'll have a huge sense of accomplishment and pride in your finished car.

Here are a few clickable links of my Indy and the donor shell before:

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And a few of the finished car - including matching cat!


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Good luck!  Can't wait to see your finished project!

[mark369]

 Thanks for the encouragement. Your car turned out really sharp.  It looked like you took the wind shield out. I was wondering when I cut the second rear pillar off if the T-top roof weight will crack the wind shield ?  Cat is cute.
 What kind of MPG do the 301's get?  I noticed this one has cruse control too. Cool.
 I have a friend that is going to help me learn to paint. I have lots of extra body parts to practice on. But that is a ways off. Will be thrilled when it drives.