1988 GTX Restoration - Going To Be Fun!

[slownrusty]

Thanks for the comments.

I have not thought about painting any black accents (probably will not) and had the side moulding holes filled to give the car a smooth look. The Japanese fenders that were on the car had no side moulding trim, so that made it easy to decide the path to take. Do you have pictures of Kenny's car?

The car is roller for now and I have a set of aftermarket wheels and tires lined up to mount once the car is home, so did not pay much attention to the direction of rotation on the tires - thanks for pointing that out though.

Cheers,
Yasin

[azgtx]

might have to search the yahoo group. Terry might have a shot of it.

[slownrusty]

After about 4 months, the GTX is finally home and I am quite excited. Now comes the fun of installing all the bits and the re-assembly.
I have boxes and boxes of parts and fasteners to go through, but will enjoy it.

First thing. New rear light gaskets.





Rear lights installed:


Yasin

[FE3-323]

that takes patience to make new seals. what material did you use tho?

[slownrusty]

It didn't take too long just required some patience. I used foam that I bought at my local automotive upholstery shop.

[azgtx]

I did the exact same thing and I am not seeing any leaks...but you will have quite a bit more rain in Houston than we have here in the desert.... but I don't drive the GTX's in the rain either. That foam is high density that is real close to the oem so it should work fine. I sent those gaskets to Rocket man as he was going to try and replicate them using his CNC setup.

[slownrusty]

Today's project.

1) Mount the headlights and corner lights. All factory fasteners are being replaced with stainless.







2) Sand and paint the peeling window trim flat black






After, the painted trim came out great:




3) Paint the door mirrors in metallic silver - also came out really great:

[Mazda16V]

Sweet bf.wish i had a 2 door.i have fe3n bf

[Mazda16V]

Sweet.wish i had a gtx.how far is restoration.

[slownrusty]

The past few weeks have gone by quickly and I have not forgotten about the car or updating this thread.

I carefully stripped the horrid looking weathered rubber / plastic coating from all the window trim which will be painted this Saturday. I also painted the cowl and the top hatch spoiler. Its coming along nicely.













Overspray is nasty!






Painted Cowl and top spoiler:
Primered:

Painted:


Hatch spoiler primered:


Yasin

[azgtx]

The next time you get the windshield replaced have them use the wide rubber edging so you can ditch the metal reveals. You are brave painting that stuff on the car. Those belt mouldings do come off easily as well as the drip moulds. Are you using an etching primer on those? SEM has a nice automotive trim paint in a satin black that looks OEM. Nice car Yasin.

[FE3-323]

my god you have patience...

[slownrusty]

The next time you get the windshield replaced have them use the wide rubber edging so you can ditch the metal reveals. You are brave painting that stuff on the car. Those belt mouldings do come off easily as well as the drip moulds. Are you using an etching primer on those? SEM has a nice automotive trim paint in a satin black that looks OEM. Nice car Yasin.

Will do buddy, thanks for the heads-up on the windshield, the car still has the factory glass (!) - fortunately. I did play it safe and did not want to remove the trim and mouldings, the paint is very similar to SEM.

my god you have patience...

Yes I do....trying to make everything just perfect and the devil is in the details.

Yasin

[crazycanadian]

Talk about the Devil being in the details. Its going to look great when you are finished. Some day maybe I'll get to restoring my GTX like that.

[slownrusty]

Thanks!

Top hatch spoiler painted and ready to be fitted: