72 TA : New Project

**njsteve** · #1 11-23-2006, 07:14 PM

And here's the last stage of the broken face bar's repair. The uneven area underneath is actually the factory clearance cut out for the mounting bolt:

**njsteve** · #2 11-23-2006, 07:18 PM

Here are the two edge sections. Both were heavily cracked due to the fact that factory molding process injected very little plastic on the ends of the panel. The main area of the valance is about 3/8" thick while the outer edges are only about 1/16" thick. I had to reproduce a missing section from one end as evidenced by the different color of the polyurethane material in the lower photo. I also heavily back-filled the thin areas around the edge so now they're about 1/2" thick:

**njsteve** · #3 11-23-2006, 07:23 PM

As a final judge of the repair I trial-fitted the NOS front spoiler on the panel. (it's actually made of injection molded fiberglass -why they didn't also make the valance out of that is beyond me!) The spoiler just dropped in place and lined up perfectly.

**mockingbird812** · #4 11-23-2006, 07:36 PM

Very nice Steve. I love it when a plan comes together. Nice treat for me on T-day. Thanks!

70 Forest Green Zee · #5 11-23-2006, 09:02 PM

A very interesting post....the repair turn out very very nice..... outstanding job Steve!!

70-SS/RS-L78 · #6 11-25-2006, 01:28 AM

Steve that is SWEET, It sure looks a lot easier then the way I used to do the 78-81 Z covers. The Black Cat 2K Waterborne Primers
look like the way to go. We used to add flex additive to our primers to make them work. I remember having to strip to strip all of the
original factory lacquer paint off by hand.

**njsteve** · #7 11-26-2006, 04:35 PM

The front sheet metal and other panels are at ENOCH's shop in Pennsylvania. He updates me with photos of the progress. Once the front clip is done I hope to bring the rest of the car to him to finish the job. It's been 2 years since I started this project in November, 2004 and I'd really love to get her on the road for next spring. Here are some shots of the trunk lid and passenger fender getting done. Both were rust-free so they were stripped, scuffed and primed. The fender had a small dent in the flare area and had to be massaged back into place.

**Xplantdad** · #8 11-26-2006, 05:30 PM

Looking good Steve. Massaging metal...a sort of lost art these days...

DaJudge · #9 11-23-2006, 10:01 PM

Looks great Steve can't wait to see the finished car.Happy Thanksgiving ,Mike

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