Rebuilding VIN 4701

[OutOfTime]

I've been around a while, but now that I am getting rolling with the rebuild I wanted to start a thread where I can post updates... keep it all together as I go.

Short Story: About 2 years ago I bought 2 DMCs from one owner in Shingle Springs... a black interior auto (VIN #2181) and a grey 5spd (VIN #4710). I was able to buy both for a good price, so I cleaned up and got the auto running, sold it, and basically got the 5spd for free :thumbup2:

While I know this will upset the diehards here, the longterm plan for #4710 is to modernize the mechanics and interior of the car while keeping the exterior styling original. Again, this is long term... for right now I want to get it up,running, and cleaned up as a project for me and my two young boys (aged 7 and 4). Here are some pics of it the day I picked it up, along with its existing state now. I will be better about posting updates as they happen from this point forward.

When I picked it up:

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Today:

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I cleaned it up, painted the front and rear bumper, installing new headliner, and am in the process of changing all the fluids. New Special-T fuel pump goes in this week, along with a new battery, fuel filter etc, in an attempt to fire it up and detect the next 30 problems to work on.

[Morpheus]

Looking good!

[Jeffu]

Looking good!

+1 for what Brandon said!

Because I pretty much raised my car from the dead, my advice is this: Remember it's a labor of love and when you reach those agonizing and frustrating times just walk away and give yourself and the car some time. It will never happen overnight and just chip away at it as you can. Try to do those things that will allow you to enjoy the car (driving it!) a little while you work on other things. Good luck to you and come back to this forum often that's what I did. Keep us all posted!

[OutOfTime]

Try to do those things that will allow you to enjoy the car (driving it!) a little while you work on other things. Good luck to you and come back to this forum often that's what I did. Keep us all posted!

Thank you, I think that is great advice. If I wanted a mint condition DMC that was perfect, I would have just gone out and bought one. I wanted a labor of love and a fun project for me and my boys. I wasnt raised in a mechanically minded family, so this will take time and Im sure there will be plenty of mistakes along the way.

[Stainless]

What process did you use to remove the old and faded side stripes? Is there any lingering evidence that those used to be there?

[OutOfTime]

What process did you use to remove the old and faded side stripes? Is there any lingering evidence that those used to be there?

I used a 3M Stripe Off wheel, the only thing I learned the hard way is to not put too much pressure while removing the decals, as the heat and pressure will slightly warp the stainless. Fortunately that only happened in one spot.

link: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Stripe-Wheel-Mandrel-Diameter/dp/B00063VT0G/

[bytes311]

Hey there, I'm the guy that bought 2181 in Shingle Springs. It took awhile, but 2181 is finally back on the road. I just recently had new seat covers put in.

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Btw, I have been trying dig up historical information on 2181. Do you know if the previous owner is the original owner? All I know is it was purchased in Long Beach.

[Rich_NYS]

Looking good! Did you paint the fascias yourself?