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Hello Gents and the odd Lady,
I am about to start restoring my ute and was wondering if there is any documented help on restoring holden utes/sedans etc available online ?
I want to restore the chassis and bodywork but do not know where to start...any tips and ideas...(It does have rust in usual places but not bad).
I'm not in a rush and will be working on ute on my days off.
Any help would be appreciated.
Neil Dunbar....I'd rather die sleeping peacefully like my grandfather, than screaming in abject fear and terror like his passengers... |
Neil Dunbar....I'd rather die sleeping peacefully like my grandfather, than screaming in abject fear and terror like his passengers... |
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Rank: Member
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I started here and worked my way up 
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Rank: Veteran
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my advice, sell what you have and buy one done, easier, cheaper, less stress and just jump in, turn key and off you go.
"Reputations are made and broken as soon as you enter or leave my shed.."
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Rank: Member
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Well if you have a half decent complete ute in the first place its worth doing. Establish first whether the rust is truly minor in which case you can do the repairs yourself, ie cut out small sections and pay an expert welder to put them in. If its not minor then do not start on the car, move it on and look for a better one. If its worth doing strip it carefully, bagging and tagging everything down to a rolling shell if its HK like mine, sandblast underneath, inside, tub, sills, doorjams and doors edges and hinges etc .Its messy but cheaper and not as invasive as dipping . get the bonnet dipped and in my case I paint stripped the guards, doors and quarters, easy to do and your labour is free.Underseal the floor and interior when the rust repairs are done, recon rear and front end as required, probably just seals bushes and brakes nothing the home mechanic cant do, and paint with the correct colours on reassembly, a cheapie compressor and gun will do the job and will cope with putting on the rust proofing. Get all the bits that were originally zinc plated after you've cleaned them up, probably get everything on a ute plated for under $200. etc.etc.etc. The beauty of doing a ute is that its simpler only 2 doors and half an interior,less costs for rubber kits and chroming etc. It is more than possible to paint all door jams and time consuming spots yourself in acrylic and help keep costs to a minimum . Buying a completed car is a good idea, but if you have the time and the inclination and a vehicle you truly like you will enjoy the effort put into the project. A reasonable cost estimation is probably around $10-$14k depending on the vehicle. Good Luck.
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quote:
Originally posted by we wreck 81837s only
my advice, sell what you have and buy one done, easier, cheaper, less stress and just jump in, turn key and off you go.
"Reputations are made and broken as soon as you enter or leave my shed.."
agree^^^^spend $6000 minimum WANTED: -2 14 x 9.25 CSA style Centrelines. -2 x 15 x 8 Dragway centrelines |
Old holdens brought on the spot, quick decision, cash paid. |
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Its easy. Just pull it apart, look at what you need to replace, buy or make the new panel sections, weld them in. Then get it painted and put it back together with all of the parts original or reconditioned. It is not too hard, it just takes time. A few thousand hours will get you there, so 10 hours a week will get it done in four years. If it is old or rare - Cut it! http://www.ehlimo.com.au/ |
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Get yourself a genuine parts manual off ebay not cheap but worth its weight ,these books have exploded diagrams of the cars and where things go , when putting the car back together it will make life easier like making a model kit (just a big one)..
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Rank: Member
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Thanks for all your great ideas...especially cloudy's.
Will post pics over the next 4 years...LOL.
Neil Dunbar....I'd rather die sleeping peacefully like my grandfather, than screaming in abject fear and terror like his passengers... |
Neil Dunbar....I'd rather die sleeping peacefully like my grandfather, than screaming in abject fear and terror like his passengers... |
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Rank: Veteran
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quote:
Originally posted by peter_smol
Its easy. Just pull it apart, look at what you need to replace, buy or make the new panel sections, weld them in. Then get it painted and put it back together with all of the parts original or reconditioned. It is not too hard, it just takes time. A few thousand hours will get you there, so 10 hours a week will get it done in four years.
If it is old or rare - Cut it! http://www.ehlimo.com.au/
thats about it in a nutshell... the other night at a gelati club meeting(the last before winter recess)we discussed the merits of restoring an car here, and it just isnt worth the hassle and stress of dealing some some of the whinging whining numbnutz we have here in this country, so we came to the conclusion that it would be cheaper, easier, less hassle and quicker to ship the car to USA, have a reputable shop do it and ship it back. granted that they can do some utter trash in some of the resto's that i seen, but i still know of a couple of shops that are ok on the westcoast and will do proper job, and beside, not everyone wants to make love to their car for ever. build them to enjoy. hurry and start it nevertooold58, before you become to old.hahahaha "Reputations are made and broken as soon as you enter or leave my shed.." Edited by user Friday, 14 May 2010 7:20:20 PM(UTC)
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