Update for October 22, 2015
Yes, it's been seven years. Yes, the project never stopped - and I'm finally getting my '76 MPG wagon ready for paint. Block sanding is God's answer to the argument "gee I'm bored - what can I do that will take forever?" LOL. Anyways, I have been, over the last year, not only collecting as many NOS parts as I can find but also prepping the body for paint. I hope to get it in ONE COLOR of primer NEXT WEEK before we get colder - of course in Texas, it's reasonably warm until Thanksgiving.
There's so much to say here, I'm way behind - but this car WILL be like brand new when I'm done. Waiting in the wings I have the following parts to install:
1) NOS bumpers
2) NOS grille and lamp housings
3) NOS rock guards
4) NOS chrome headlamp surrounds
5) NOS door handles
6) NOS rocker panel mouldings
7) NOS wheel well trim
NOS tail lamp housings
With the headliner FINALLY installed, and a new windshield in, it's bodywork/paint/reassemble. OH! And I have an 8" rear end out at the mechanic, gonna replace the 6.75" unit in case I ever up my power. I have 3.18 gearing now, going to 3.4, no biggie.
What have I ADDED to this wagon, from how I purchased it?
1) Factory AC pulled from a '74 hunk and completely restored (just bought an NOS condenser
2) Power brakes (it's a four speed manual, but I liked the feel of the power brakes)
3) Cushioning under the hood (including the crossbars to hold it in place)
Other NOS parts I have already added, or things done:
1) Power brake booster
2) MPG transfers (after paint)
3) Entirely rebuilt suspension, now working on rear suspension (have new leaf springs sitting waiting)
4) Entirely rebuilt dashboard, pulled, sandblasted, repainted, NOS cap, NOS speaker and bezel kit, NOS dash trim, NOS AC/Heater controls
5) Floor fully "fatmatted"
6) Gas tank removed, patched (welded), flushed, lined, painted, NOS sending unit
7) NOS horn cap (to be installed)
New headliner
9) New windshield
10) All trim buffed and polished (to be installed)
11) Motor and tranny removed and refurbed, new starter, alternator, solenoid, battery, regulator, water pump
12) NOS battery tray
13) NEW steering hardware
14) Interior trim repainted
15) New undercoating
16) All connector (bulb terminations) replaced; all wires reloomed
17) NOS right inner fender welded in (old one was DESTROYED from battery corrosion)
18) New firewall padding
19) Laser cut door panels (mine are all warped, I'm gonna redraw them in AutoCAD then have them cut
Yeah, that's about all I can think of. Anyways, here's a few pics of me nitpicking the heck outta the body. Man, I'm working SO hard to make this body perfect. Enjoy! I'll try to stay in touch more often. (SORRY FOR THE PICS - DONT KNOW WHY THEY WENT VERTICAL).
PS - RENEWED MY MEMBERSHIP HERE TOO