The Easy Parts First

The dash looked pathetic, but most of the problem was surface rust, so I chemical stripped the old paint and used rust killer on the back side. When I make a final decision on the interior colors, I'll paint it and store it away until the car is ready for reassembly.

Polishing the Pig

I cleaned up most of the stainless trim and the chrome parts are ready for re-plating.

A few hundred dollars later, most of the parts look presentable, if not show quality. Driver quality was substantially less expensive, and if everything in the restoration was top shelf quality, I'd be scared to drive the car once it's finished.

Beauty is Skin Deep, but Ugly Goes Clear Through

The floors and trunk are in bad shape, but at least the aftermarket has two sources for replacement sheetmetal. Both sources are expensive, but it will be a lot cheaper than having someone custom form every piece.

Teardown Begins

The car has been sitting partly disassembled for more than a month, but a couple of spring-like days fired up my enthusiasm again. I removed the doors and the few remaining parts and unbolted the body from the frame. It's now almost ready to haul in for a chemical dip treatment to remove all the rust. I only need to build a fixture to place the body on after I lift it off.