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Current Projects - 71 Formula 350

1971 Formula 350
Nordic silver, black custom interior, 350, auto, AC
     
This was a two owner car that had a restoration started, then the car sat for years. Somone had decided to improve it by adding TA fenders, but the car was very solid and original except for the fenders. Fenders will be replaced with correct, one year 71 fenders.

Although the gasoline smelled like varnish, the car started and drove off the trailer - straight into the garage to be disassembled. The engine compartment had 30 years of original grime, oil and crud covering everything, so at the least the engine was coming out for a thorough cleaning.


The interior was mostly in boxes, but very original and in excellent condition except for the front floors. The front seats were recovered (with standard seat covers in a custom interior), while the rest was original. Fronts will be recovered with correct custom trim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New floor pans were a necessity, and were installed using the new, high tech epoxy that is replacing welds in much of body repair today.Rest of the floor pan is amazingly solid and rust free.

 

 

 

The original 350 engine is all there, but very grimy, as is the entire engine compartment and subframe. Time for the least pleasant restoration work - cleaning gunk, grease and grime from a dirty engine compartment.

The effort is worth it though, with a dramatic improvement after many hours of work.

 

All new ball joints and suspension bushings were installed, along with a new brake booster and front brake lines.

Transmission had a nasty leak and some wear was found internally, so a complete rebuild was done.

       
All that remains now is to get the car assembled enough to take to the body shop....      
       
       
Ready for the body shop. Notice the carefully aligned bodywork - figured most of it was coming back off anyway. After a fairly long wait, car is back and looking good. Ride height is still too high, but the body work and paint work are excellent.
   
Rear ride height is much better with different springs. Front height is correct per the factory specs, but looks slightly high to me.