Phil's AMC GTA

[Chris H]

looks better IMO with the matte black

 

[PhilA]

I'm trying to figure if I should go over the rear lights with dark lacquer or not.

Might be a bit too chavtastic, but I think it'd look intersting. Certainly would cover up the fact the lenses are crazed and crappy, dirty and full of mud where I can't clean out.

Not dark-dark-dark, but enough to give it a bit of a tint, but about as dark as the late model 9 had the indicator and reversing light smoked.

--Phil

 

[Chris H]

wash them by leaving them in APC overnight then shake them out, 99% of the dirt will go.

Won't help with the cracks though.

 

[PhilA]

I'll see what I can find around here that's similar.

I'm just a bit concerned it'd take the silver paint off the reflectors. It's crappy enough as it is, it doesn't need to get any more grey!

--Phil

 

[PhilA]

Really small update, doesn't show the work involved but now all my heater controls work, the dash is back on, the wiring is in place and the speedo cable works

--Phil

 

[Prab]

Loving the progress dude, you definately should get some R9 bumpers for it, the ones on there are hideous!

 

[PhilA]

Loving the progress dude, you definately should get some R9 bumpers for it, the ones on there are hideous!

lol yes they are

Only advantage to the front bumper is that being quite deep like that I can justify putting a fairly big bar and a nice set of deep spotlights up front without them being the first thing I drive into.

The rear is awful, but does make quite a good seat. Case of where i'd get a good set of 9 GTL bumpers for it- plus I'd have to retrofit the side marker light/reflectors on the front and the back, else it'll not pass inspection here. The standard French ones never had lights in. that and the front of the car would be Indicator Frenzy

--Phil

 

[PhilA]

Update, suspension.

 

[reno9]

That's great project. I used to have Renault 9 gtl with twin headlight but then I found GTA model fron internet and it was my wet dream. God dam thats great. wish you luck. I still have some stuff for this car. bad that you are so far...

Rein

 

[PhilA]

New update, been long enough waiting.

 

[Chris H]

you at the stage you wish you never bothered yet?

 

[PhilA]

Oddly enough, no.

It's keeping me busy but hasn't driven me completely insane yet, and it's been so drawn out I'm more fed up seeing it sat there than frustrated. Would like to get some progress but have been hindered by funds, weather, tools, money.

It will happen. I just don't know when. It's blown through several semi-deadlines but eh. I'm all good.

I have patience

--Phil

 

[Chris H]

I'm often tempted to weigh everything in and just ignore cars forever.

got close a few times, last weekend I scrapped a load of starters, alternators, hubs etc as no one was interested in buying them and I can't be arsed falling over them now

the grey ph1 hatch I have has gone beyond the wish I never bothered stage now, done that about a year ago tbh.

 

[PhilA]

Nah, I know what you mean. I've become a bit demoralised in the past because I'm reminded of the Victor sat on the folks' driveway rusting slowly, and it's sorta spurred me on to actually do some work.

Finding metric tools here is a headache, especially "specialist" stuff like pin punches and torx bits.

I just look at the photoshop I did all those months back and that keeps me going.

It's inspiration

--Phil

 

[Chris H]

yeah I know about the tool situation, the tool trucks are silly money which doesn't help. harbour Freight etc is just junk

should have shipped your tools out with you eh!

 

[Soneji]

^god i need to join this que

When i cashed in the audi 80 i was that close to chucking the valver along too for the £50 or whatever.. kinda glad i didn't but still no where near finish and wish had never bothered.

 

[PhilA]

yeah I know about the tool situation, the tool trucks are silly money which doesn't help. harbour Freight etc is just junk

should have shipped your tools out with you eh!

We don't even get Harbor Freight this far down. I have to resort to auto parts stores, which are chains, so sell everything you need to overhaul an 1952 Ford F100 but nothing modern

I shipped a set of Halfords Torx bits the other day, they look odd amongst the rest of the tools I have here.

I have a toolbox at home full of everything I'd need, but shipping it is too expensive. That is with exception to the stupidly expensive stuff here, ie same model as the Halfords spring compressor- at factors in Bristol thirty two quid, here $137. Was cheaper to ship that. That and the crank TDC pin heh

Might end up shipping more though, there's a few things, like my spring compressors that I again can't get them here, got a set of Sykes ones there in Bristol for 28 quid, here I don't think they even sell them to fit.

Sad, but that's the way it goes.

At least my mirror-on-a-stick was only $1.99

ha

 

[Chris H]

check out The Garage Journal and The Garage Hangout - Index

I'm on there not very often mind, most i.e. 98% of them are Americans, but there's always sales etc as most don't need metric stuff.

craigslist can be quite good, I have bought from it a couple of times and had the stuff shipped here.

 

[Neal R19]

I got to the 'wish I never bothered' point with my black 19, towards the end it started to become a bit of an millstone that was stopping me moving on in other areas of my life. Glad I kept at it now though.

 

[Soneji]

I got to the 'wish I never bothered' point with my black 19, towards the end it started to become a bit of an millstone that was stopping me moving on in other areas of my life. Glad I kept at it now though.

Funny you should say that, that sounds very familiar!

Although I do fancy doing a wee 8v lump in the future.. long future.