HB1 Barracuda build

[Ronbo73]

Drip rail, vinyl top molding and front end parts install. Repainted the grill with paint from 8774paint1.com. That really freshened up the grill. I painted the front bumper filler the same color as the grill. It was so yellowed from the sun. I know that its not correct but looks better than it was and cheaper than buying 1972 bumper brackets just so I could remove the sun faded filler.

 

[Ronbo73]

Headliner install was definitely a very time consuming task especially when you have never installed one and it has been over 30 years since I removed it. Little did I know that a portable steam unit from Harbor Freight would be an important tool when installing the headliner. It can take minor wrinkles out like nobody's business. Also some really good spray adhesive like 3M 90 is crucial to holding the material to the shark teeth that run along the C-pillar, windshield, back window and door glass area's. Also do not install the window weather strip channels or the weather strip until you install the headliner. The weather strip channel is in the way when you stretch the headliner material to the shark teeth. You can't pull out and up enough, the weather strip channel gets in the way, you loose leverage. I had to remove mine as we installed the headliner. Once removed it was much easier. It took us a good 4 hours to install it. I had bought the headliner 27 years ago. I ironed it with low heat prior to installing it to remove some of the wrinkles. For sound deadening on the roof I used self adhesive duct wrap that I bought at home depot. I did some research and many people were using it and had positive feedback. Also the cost was was cheaper that others. I'll know this summer weather it was good choice or not, fingers crossed. I used a soldering iron to make all of the holes for back window moldings, windshield moldings, visors, rear view mirror, seatbelts etc. anything that is associated with the headliner.

 

[Ronbo73]

Back window and windshield install were next. If I was to do it again I would have installed the A-pillar moldings and front windshield trim first. Once the windshield adhesive is installed, because of its location, it was more difficult to install the moldings after. That comment applies to the front windshield only. Not sure if the new AMD windshield is a different size that the original but a dry fit showed the adhesive needed to be right on the inward edge of the windshield frame. It all worked out in the end, so far....

 

[Ronbo73]

Some interior installation came next. All of the quarter interior trim and door panels were bought from Van's Auto. The price was good and so far the fit and finish is very good. Nothing fits like the factory originals but to refinish mine was an astronomical price from Just Dashes. I used leftover material from the headline to recover the C-pillar cards. Using the 3M 90 adhesive gave fantastic results when applying the headliner material. Originally they were non-perforated but at $100 a pair and I spent $0 to refinish them, I think I made out. The carpet was purchased from Rock Auto and the carpet is from ACC. It came rolled up and once it was unrolled it had virtually no wrinkles. I bought the carpet with the mass backing. To make the holes for the seatbelts and bucket seats I cut a metal tube and added a wooden handle. The tube diameter is about 5/8". I heated the tube with a torch and melted the holes for all items. Super clean and no fraying of the carpet. This is a far as I have gotten so far...

More to come.

 

[TomIGo]

Looks Amazing!! Good work!

 

[Ronbo73]

Looks Amazing!! Good work!

Thank you. I have spent almost every Saturday and week nights after work assembling her.

 

[Ronbo73]

Installed the door panels, front seats and finally the dash name plate. I used a flashlight to see inside the door to attach the remote door mirror cable and then put the door panel on. I was looking for the flashlight when I realized it was inside the door..... ;"( The nice thing about the aftermarket door panels was that on the backside they had marks where to drill for emblems and the remote mirror. That saved a lot of headaches.
Once the weather brakes here in southeastern MA I plan on taking it for its first ride since November of 1988 to work out the bugs..

 

[moparlee]

Those interior panels from Van's look great. How is the texture compared to originals?

 

[Ronbo73]

Those interior panels from Van's look great. How is the texture compared to originals?

My originals are so deteriorated that its hard to tell what the texture should be. My originals are so "crunchy" that the only areas that look good are the back and under the armrest. lol. From what I can see they look very close if not the same. Very happy with the fit and finish so far. We will see come summer time when the temps are higher if they flex or expand.