1978 Z28

[ZCarr]

Hello,

I have been on this forum for many years and have my Campari for over two decades during which time I have only been collecting parts but never had the time or the means to work on it. I still don’t have the time or the means but figure I best get started before I die of old age.The car is a total basket case, my parents bought it new and it is the car that brought me home from the hospital when I was born, sentimental value is the only reason I am restoring it.

Today I started the floor, the floor was totally gone so I had purchased a full floor with toe board to fix it with. Those car shows that replace a full floor in one episode...well they lie!! It is much harder work than you think, it took about 5 hours of me and a friend with a sawzaw, grinder, and chisels to get it prepped. I going to replace the passenger side inner rocker which I ordered today, it’s in rough shape.
I did manage to get out the rear seatbelt, I have broken two bits trying to remove it and finally I just chilled out the floor around it (see photo). I will post more pictures as I make progress.

 

[ZCarr]

The trunk seems really solid, I going to have to do frame rails after the floor is back in the car. Once the rails are done I can install the NOS full quarters and trunk drop offs I have.

 

[Jodi]

View attachment 94146 View attachment 94147 View attachment 94148 View attachment 94149 View attachment 94150 View attachment 94151 View attachment 94152 View attachment 94153 View attachment 94154 Hello,

I have been on this forum for many years and have my Campari for over two decades during which time I have only been collecting parts but never had the time or the means to work on it. I still don’t have the time or the means but figure I best get started before I die of old age.The car is a total basket case, my parents bought it new and it is the car that brought me home from the hospital when I was born, sentimental value is the only reason I am restoring it.

Today I started the floor, the floor was totally gone so I had purchased a full floor with toe board to fix it with. Those car shows that replace a full floor in one episode...well they lie!! It is much harder work than you think, it took about 5 hours of me and a friend with a sawzaw, grinder, and chisels to get it prepped. I going to replace the passenger side inner rocker which I ordered today, it’s in rough shape.
I did manage to get out the rear seatbelt, I have broken two bits trying to remove it and finally I just chilled out the floor around it (see photo). I will post more pictures as I make progress.

Sentimental reason is a very powerful emotion... my 20 yrs old daughter is now driving the car we brought her home from the Hospital.
We bought this car new, driven daily and has almost 400,00 km. It's getting rusty and smokes a little when first started but she would not Trade this car for another car.

 

[ZCarr]

I couldnt get the bolt out of the seat belt, had to chisel it out. Not sure how to remove the bolt without damaging the belt assembly.

The trunk is pretty solid, I hope not to find rot when I sand it down. Does anyone know what color the trunk is supposed to be? I already rebuilt the twilights as a winter project.

The last time it was on the road

 

[ZCarr]

The inner rockers are ordered. I don’t know when they will arrive because of the slow down I’m shipping due to the virus. I only need the passenger side, I found a deal for free shipping which means the drivers side was virtually free, I figure if it turns out the drivers side is bad at least it wouldn’t be 65$ in shipping for that side.

 

[junkyarddawg]

The work you are doing is first class and you are obviously a tradesman who is not afraid of the big stuff. Try to keep up the momentum cause you know it take more than skill and time to get it done, it takes energy, focus and safety. I think the seatbelt bolts have some locking sealant on them or they are rusty, perhaps you could carefully tack weld an old socket or a nut to the bolt, the heat from welding will help loosen it up, then use some penetrating fluid, a impact gun, or a air chisel to get it moving.? BTW what type of frame jig is that you are using to support the uni-body.

 

[ZCarr]

 

[ZCarr]

They have arrived, shipping was delayed due to the virus. These are AMD pieces and I am very happy as usual with the quality at first glance. The metal seems to be a heavier gauge than the factory pieces, I will let you know once I get the old ones out, I will also let everyone know how they fit.

 

[ZCarr]

My son is due on Sunday so it most likely won’t be this weekend because I would like to stay married.

 

[ZCarr]

The work you are doing is first class and you are obviously a tradesman who is not afraid of the big stuff. Try to keep up the momentum cause you know it take more than skill and time to get it done, it takes energy, focus and safety. I think the seatbelt bolts have some locking sealant on them or they are rusty, perhaps you could carefully tack weld an old socket or a nut to the bolt, the heat from welding will help loosen it up, then use some penetrating fluid, a impact gun, or a air chisel to get it moving.? BTW what type of frame jig is that you are using to support the uni-body.

Thank you for the compliment. I am just a hobbiest with no formal training. I read a lot and see what others have done then go for it.

The body cart is part of a frame machine from a shop hat was going out of business. It’s called a Quadra clamp system and holds the car right by the pinch weld.

Thank you for the suggestions on removing the seatbelt bolt. The biggest concern is not harming the plastic surround. So far it has broken two bits.