Hi all,

I bought a 71 HG Kingswood last week, which I have been dreaming about doing since early high school. I am planning on fixing it up, interior, exterior and engine. It currently has a 186 in it, which I am planning on keeping at least for a while. It is also the Trimatic, which confuses me because I thought only the Premiers came with the Trimatic, but I also thought that the Premier weighed more and according to Vic roads the weight is 1250kg. So I'm thinking either someone has previously put the trimatic in, or the weight is wrong, or I am horribly mis-informed.

My dad owned a HK belmot wagon back in the day, which he did up with a new paint job he did himself, put a new engine in and converted it to a 5 speed manual. He also re-did the brakes, suspension and a fair bit more himself. So I'm lucky I've got him to help me along with this project.

My plans are to re-do the exterior, interior and engine. I'm not looking to keep it original, so a lot of the car will not be original, I will however be keeping the original body and also the interior, while being re-done, will be mostly original.

My plans are to get the exterior and interior done, along with brakes and suspension. Then get RWC and rego, and then do alot more to the engine.

This weekend I managed to strip the car down and get it ready for sanding, here are some of the pics I took.








I have done a little bit more than the pictures show, I've got the door trims and windows out, the bonnet is loose and the front is all off. I will be getting the front 1/4 panels off before next weekend when I will begin sanding. Hopefully there is not too much rust, if so I will deal with it then.

I'm very new to this, I have helped my mechanic mate on his 80's supra, with his engine conversion. But I have never done any paint work. Any help, suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.