Well, the restoration begins on my GSX at Nick Serwo's Ivyland Collision in Ivyland, PA. Fresh off of finishing IggyCat's convertible that just took Gold in concours at the BPG Nats, Nick is revved up about getting the GSX (hopefully) done for the BPG Nats. I'm slightly revved too! I've been waiting over 25 years to get my car done and, after deciding that a demanding job and five kids would have it finished sometime in my 80's, I turned my baby over to Nick. Nick has the car on his rotisserie and has stripped the trim pieces off. The first uh-oh was found when he took off the rear wheel opening pieces. Rust! Well, it is a 38 year old car, so some rust somewhere is inevitible. Nick has more inspection to do, but he's pretty sure anything else is just surface. Fix it and move on. Meanwhile, Martyn Motors, also in PA and the builder that put together Yardley's 12 second Riv motor, is rebuiding my numbers 455. For those of you that might remember, I had a non-numbers Tri-Shield motor built. That motor will become a fun motor in my '72 Riv as over the years I've had a change of heart and decided to go with the numbers motor. Even though my numbers motor will be built a bit stronger than a '70 stage 1, the TSP motor in the Riv will be the one that will receive the ritual beatings! :bglasses: The AC parts have been sent out for reconditioning as well as the original date code alternator, blower relay, and voltage regulator. The chassis is at Nick's house in his garage which is large enough and well equiped enough to be another shop. Today I will send my original front bumper down to Mark Reeves at Then and Now as he's offered to put the rush on a show chrome job based on his relationship with his supplier. Thanks Mark! The car (frame and body) and all the baggies of parts, all the cleaned up parts I've already done, all the dirty parts I never got to and the NOS and new parts I've been collecting for years have been delivered to Nick. Special thanks to Dave Shaker, Carl Rychlik, and Bob Christo for helping get those parts gathered and loaded. Also, special thanks to Yardley who is the real force behind creating the force to overcome my inertia in getting this whole resto going and has been there every step of the way. My own personal drill sargeant (and I mean that in a good way). He was the best man at my wedding and my best man everyday. Thanks, bud! So, even though these first pictures are reports of rust, I look forward to keeping this thread alive with pictures and updates of progress as we march toward the beginning of August. I think I need to have at least 30 cases of Red Bull delivered to Nick's shop (a week)! This is going to be a close one and I imagine I'll be using some of my vacation time to help or get in Nick's way, depending on your point of view!
Ever thought of switching colors to a more eye appealing color???Like Blue,red,silver...:laugh: :laugh: As with all old cars,that is now typical rust areas since we live in the great NE.. I can't wait to see that bad boy on the road again. I was just looking at the Berwyn Bash pics the other night when you had it there. Alot has changed from those days. After seeing what Nick is capable of from seeing that awesome car he brought to Yardleys,It's in capable hands I'd say. Did you see my post about the big car radio??
This should be a good thread to watch. It's gonna be beautiful when its done. I hope to get to Nat Trails to see it. I kinda lost the fire the last 2 years and need to get the ambition to get my GS back on the road. Keep us updated!
Johnny Angel- Perfect name as I think it will take some sort of divine intervention to get it done in time. Maybe this thread should be moved to the "Help From Above" section? ray: Pat- NO, I like my LIMEMIST! :moonu: And yes, I did see that post about the radio. Perhaps I can get it from you the next time we see each other? Thanks again! :TU: Andy- Hope you can make it out to the BPG Nats with your GS. Prepare to be baked in the sun, but if there's a year to go- this is the one. There'll be a lot of GSX finery there, in addition to all the other great cars from very low production stock cars to the big boys racing and everything in between. Aside from the cars, the people are really what make it. That show every year is the best tonic for blowing out the accumulated stress of life- especially in this day and age.
Go Ken Go ! ! ! I really hope the car makes it to the Nationals and the GSX Reunion. I will be looking for it. What a great story on the car and the restoration. Take plenty of pictures. Muscle Car Review will be in the house. Mark
If your pockets are empty by columbus, I'll buy you.a happy meal after it gets the gold at the show ... But I want a ride. Last time I asked for a ride you siad later today - after we pull this quick motor swap
Awesome! I was thinking cat food would be all I can afford! :shock: And I'd be more than happy to take you for a ride. It's been WAY too long since, in your words, "we reduced a perfectly good running car to a worthless pile of metal". ou:
I'm really hoping it'll make it too! But I'll changed that cheer of yours a bit, if you don't mind, to Go Nick Go ! ! !
Great to see some progress, Ken. Looking forward to seeing the finished product in Ohio!!! Good Luck!
Lime Mist is a Fantastic one year High Impact color on 71 GS cars. Great color for a 71 GSX! BPG show I would say no way, unless he has a crew of guys working on it full time between now and August. I know because restoring cars is what I do.
Well, he does plan on putting a crew on it, although I don't know how fulltime he can do it. The deal is to try to get it for the BPG Nats, but quality isn't to be compromised. And if you've seen Nick's work, you know that goes without saying. It'll be at the BPG Nats in whatever state it's in at that point- finished, great; well underway, that's good too!
And to Yards and Dave, your posts are pretty much what I would expect from you sophomoric geniuses. Words of encouragement or a friendly gesture (not the BPG salute!) would come as a surprise and have me calling JW to see if your accounts had been comprimised! :laugh:
Well, I don't have pictures yet, but in talking to Nick at Ivyland, the body is back from the blaster having the firewall and underside stripped to metal. In the corner of the firewall down low on the inside drivers side the mice decided that would be a good place to build a latrine. It's blasted clean, but Nick will have to fab up a small piece to weld in where the mice urine made a few pin holes. The rear vinyl top was lifted and where it was bubbled over just behind the back window channel it was essentially just the vinyl bubbling up and not a major rust issue. Window channels look good! That was a relief! Parts, parts, and more parts have been ordered and sent to Nick. My credit cards are starting to melt! Nick took what was a decent looking frame and turned it into a work of art. It was minorly pitted- not anymore, it's like new! The numbers motor is finished and waiting for a place to be installed, so the drivetrain is essentially ready to rock. Nick is ready to bring my frame over to his house to start reassembly, but he needs to make room as it seems SOMEONE is HIDING a WAGON there until the right combination of flowers, wine, candles, and soft music will allow for a confession to be made.... Anyway, I'll be heading down to see Nick next week and bring some parts. I'll snap some pictures then!
