Imperial Pete
Member
G'Day from down under Melbourne Australia,
I have just finished restoring my 71 Imperial factory sunroof coupe. Thought you guys would like to see some photos and read a bit about it.
First off a very big thank you to Steve saforwardlook for selling me the car. It took a bit of convincing and arm twisting for Steve to let it go but I got there in the end!
Also for his help with loading parts that I sourced, sourcing some parts that I needed and re building and replacing all of the brakes which need to be done with the Asbestos laws that we have here in Australia.
A bit of info about it and the restoration:
As I bought the car:
Absolutely rust free Californian car.
GB2 Blue, Black Vinyl Top, Gold Bucket seat interior.
Absolutely complete which is a big deal when you are on the other side of the world.
Body: LH Side had been repainted a long time ago, rest of body was original paint.
Untouched engine, never been apart. Runs like a clock.
Front drivers eat had some rips, passenger was OK. Rear seats very nice.
What I have done:
External re spray. Door jams and engine bay left with original paint. Fenders still have "Paint OK" stamps on them so I really wanted to leave it original.
New paisley vinyl roof. I like it, full 70;s feel, not as per Fender Tag but it looks great. Some may not agree.
Complete new front end. All NOS excluding re built idler arm and repro pitman arm
New 4 core radiator, new hoses, belts, water pump, fan clutch, core plugs, timing chain, re built carby, new plug wires, rotor, points.
ATC II Fully re built and works beautifully.
New gears on power window motors.
Sunroof fully re built with new cables, seals, adjusted and works beautifully.
New trunk carpet, all the side cardboard covers are the originals.
All of the lenses are NOS.
NOS grille and grille corners.
Interior front seats re trimmed with special order gold leather, new headliner. Parcel shelf cover re trimmed. The rest of the interior (door trims, carpet, dash, steering wheel etc) is the original that was scrubbed and cleaned. The photos show the interior looking like a cream colour but they are a metallic gold almost perfect colour match to the original.
Yep I know it needs white walls, but I wanted the quietness and smoothness of Michelin tyres. I will get a dual white wall painted on. We do that here in Australia, comes up really well and lasts.
Anyway thats enough of me waffling on. Enjoy the photos and any I hope all of you guys comment and feel free to ask me questions.
I have just finished restoring my 71 Imperial factory sunroof coupe. Thought you guys would like to see some photos and read a bit about it.
First off a very big thank you to Steve saforwardlook for selling me the car. It took a bit of convincing and arm twisting for Steve to let it go but I got there in the end!
Also for his help with loading parts that I sourced, sourcing some parts that I needed and re building and replacing all of the brakes which need to be done with the Asbestos laws that we have here in Australia.
A bit of info about it and the restoration:
As I bought the car:
Absolutely rust free Californian car.
GB2 Blue, Black Vinyl Top, Gold Bucket seat interior.
Absolutely complete which is a big deal when you are on the other side of the world.
Body: LH Side had been repainted a long time ago, rest of body was original paint.
Untouched engine, never been apart. Runs like a clock.
Front drivers eat had some rips, passenger was OK. Rear seats very nice.
What I have done:
External re spray. Door jams and engine bay left with original paint. Fenders still have "Paint OK" stamps on them so I really wanted to leave it original.
New paisley vinyl roof. I like it, full 70;s feel, not as per Fender Tag but it looks great. Some may not agree.
Complete new front end. All NOS excluding re built idler arm and repro pitman arm
New 4 core radiator, new hoses, belts, water pump, fan clutch, core plugs, timing chain, re built carby, new plug wires, rotor, points.
ATC II Fully re built and works beautifully.
New gears on power window motors.
Sunroof fully re built with new cables, seals, adjusted and works beautifully.
New trunk carpet, all the side cardboard covers are the originals.
All of the lenses are NOS.
NOS grille and grille corners.
Interior front seats re trimmed with special order gold leather, new headliner. Parcel shelf cover re trimmed. The rest of the interior (door trims, carpet, dash, steering wheel etc) is the original that was scrubbed and cleaned. The photos show the interior looking like a cream colour but they are a metallic gold almost perfect colour match to the original.
Yep I know it needs white walls, but I wanted the quietness and smoothness of Michelin tyres. I will get a dual white wall painted on. We do that here in Australia, comes up really well and lasts.
Anyway thats enough of me waffling on. Enjoy the photos and any I hope all of you guys comment and feel free to ask me questions.
