RowanAmethyst
Well-Known Member
Well, it's about that time again: time to talk about my Volare. I haven't really touched it since last year, though last time I started it, it fired right up. I wouldn't want to try that again until I drain the tank and put fresh gas + stabilizer in there, the gas in that tank is a couple years old now.
The reason for this hiatus: finances. I haven't even been able to afford wiper linkage bushings, let alone materials to get it back up to road legal. But hopefully soon I'll be employed again, and while I won't have as much time to work on the Volare, I'll have more funds to throw at it. And maybe a weekend or two with my friend and some drinks (soda for me, thanks) and we can get it back up to speed.
To recap: The wiper bushings are dead. Completely disintegrated. The horn has a short in it that causes the relay to click rapidly as the wheel is turned. The oil desperately needs changing, likely the AT fluid too. Other than that, it's just loose trim and a touch of rust, and that can wait.
Now, as for plans: fix what needs fixing, then gut the interior. The upholstery is wrecked, the dash is cracked, everything about it is worn out and broken. But, I'm no longer looking to do a restoration, I have grander ideas for this one. I have two ideas, either lift the rear and make it into a kinda drag-ish car, or lift the whole thing and throw dirt tires on it, and make it into the most hilarious rally car you've ever seen. Obviously it'd be more about having fun than being competitive, but I can imagine whipping around a dirt or gravel road, or getting WAY sideways in snow, with a limited slip rear and a stick shift. I already halfway deleted the A/C, I just need to find or fabricate a bracket (I think you can get alternator brackets that convert it to non-AC), I want to pull off the vinyl top, delete most of the trim (it's broken and falling off anyway), and repaint it the same blue it is now but with a nice glossy clear coat, maybe with white racing stripes. As for the engine: Carb, intake, headers, exhaust, heads, cam, and other various parts will have to be upgraded if I want to race it without destroying it. I considered a throttle body EFI system, but I dunno if I want to go that route. Either way, there's a lot of work to do. Put a couple racing seats and a roll cage inside, and other than that just leave it stripped down.
Apologies for the stream-of-consciousness ramble, it's late and I'm just spitballing. I've never seen a rally F-body (probably for good reason), and I think it would be a fun project.
The reason for this hiatus: finances. I haven't even been able to afford wiper linkage bushings, let alone materials to get it back up to road legal. But hopefully soon I'll be employed again, and while I won't have as much time to work on the Volare, I'll have more funds to throw at it. And maybe a weekend or two with my friend and some drinks (soda for me, thanks) and we can get it back up to speed.
To recap: The wiper bushings are dead. Completely disintegrated. The horn has a short in it that causes the relay to click rapidly as the wheel is turned. The oil desperately needs changing, likely the AT fluid too. Other than that, it's just loose trim and a touch of rust, and that can wait.
Now, as for plans: fix what needs fixing, then gut the interior. The upholstery is wrecked, the dash is cracked, everything about it is worn out and broken. But, I'm no longer looking to do a restoration, I have grander ideas for this one. I have two ideas, either lift the rear and make it into a kinda drag-ish car, or lift the whole thing and throw dirt tires on it, and make it into the most hilarious rally car you've ever seen. Obviously it'd be more about having fun than being competitive, but I can imagine whipping around a dirt or gravel road, or getting WAY sideways in snow, with a limited slip rear and a stick shift. I already halfway deleted the A/C, I just need to find or fabricate a bracket (I think you can get alternator brackets that convert it to non-AC), I want to pull off the vinyl top, delete most of the trim (it's broken and falling off anyway), and repaint it the same blue it is now but with a nice glossy clear coat, maybe with white racing stripes. As for the engine: Carb, intake, headers, exhaust, heads, cam, and other various parts will have to be upgraded if I want to race it without destroying it. I considered a throttle body EFI system, but I dunno if I want to go that route. Either way, there's a lot of work to do. Put a couple racing seats and a roll cage inside, and other than that just leave it stripped down.
Apologies for the stream-of-consciousness ramble, it's late and I'm just spitballing. I've never seen a rally F-body (probably for good reason), and I think it would be a fun project.