OMG...it's really going to happen!!! (Pt. 2)

[71ZZZZZ]

Well gang, it's being over a year since the first part of my tale was told...maybe you can see why it's taken so d### long to get it to this point. Let's just say life takes unexpected turns so enjoy EVERY moment (and always buckle up for safety...)

I'm in the reassembly stage, saw my ride for the first time in several months...happy and shocked by the amount of work needed to get it back in drivable form. I'm hoping it all goes back together, found a strip of mystery chrome can't for the life of me figure out where it came from, thought I got every piece off before I took it in. I'll post a pic to see if you can help me figure it out. Like some amazing jigsaw puzzle, and it's not nearly as deep as some of you have been or are dealing with: rusted out floor pans etc. The body work came out very well even the rusted out portions of the rear hatch, can't tell there was ever a problem there. My man Tony perservered...

Now I have to get some parts for the interior lined up, with tax season just around the bend, budget fatigue is creeping in and I haven't even ramped up yet. Oh well, I really can't quit now. Talked with a really cool local upholstery guy today so that helped cool my frenzy...I wanted to do some of the interior work myself but time is just not on my side so I have to bite the bullet to get 'er done. I won't make the prom again this year at West Coast Nationals, my engine bay and dash would be my shame :classic: , but you do what you can do. Little by little, step by step...

Good to see the site going strong and that there's still plenty of love happening for the early Zs....stay tuned more details and pics to follow.

[71ZZZZZ]

Augghh, flatbed dropped off my ride this morning, spent the last little while taking inventory of stuff in the cabin. I really applaud you guys who do all your stuff yourself. Continuity is a really important thing in this process. I now have to plug back into the flow and am a bit down...is the hassle gonna be worth it?...yes of course (it HAS to be), it's just a little hard to see the forrest for the trees...more story and pics to follow...

[Zak's Z]

Hey.

keep plugging away at it. It will be worth it in the end. You probably wouldnt have gotten started if you didnt have a final vision in mind for the car. Any time you start to feel like youre in too deep, just have a look at some of the pics of the guys who get a step ahead and it will keep you going.

I started my tear-down 2 years ago, and at the time I took detailed photos of every piece I took out or moved around. Now, for the life of me I cant remember what some of those pics are. Looks like a totally different car in some of them. Continuity IS IMPORTANT!

But its a fairly simple car and theres lots of people here to help out if you just cant seem to remember something. The FSM and parts fiche are also great for looking at where things go and exploded views, etc.

Anyways...keep at it and keep us posted.

Zak

[71ZZZZZ]

Hey Zak,

Thanks for the support...it LIVES!!! Got 'er started up yesterday and it really took a worry off my mind...I forgot that after sitting so long the carbs/head gets dry...after a few almost starts, I remembered the primer trick, a few teaspoons directly into the carbs and it roared to life...I had redone the pipes in the first wave and forgot how nice the note was...totally reaffirmed my direction so on it goes...gotta get the carbs rebuilt this week. Spent some time today finishing sealing off the fenders. I'll post in that thread later...I appreciate your sentiments, step at a time...I just can't fade now, that's been part of the problem over the years...but now that I can actually see the end results it's moving me along. I had the strangest reaction yesterday/today of not being able to relate to the car that's before me now. I had gotten used to every rust spot, ding, dent, hole...now that they're not there it's a different experience. I can see the lines really well now...what a fine piece of automotive body design, it really has stood the test of time. Being a perfectionist in recovery, it's hard to pickup the pieces not having been directly involved in the teardown of the front end/bumpers. But as you said it's a simple car...I just am amazed at the choices of fasteners it some places and postioning of seals...some very weak points but I digress...I just have to let go of the fact that if you don't do it yourself you won't have it "perfect"....