72 vega budget build

[ryguy442]

Hey guys, my names Ryan from NC. So I'm about to start my vega project. The story about this project is my father and I were looking for a vega for me. We found a few that just weren't going to work for what I wanted to do most were really rotten. We found this one and it was pretty solid, but the battery really did a number on the fame on the right side. So I was going to pass this one up too. The guy who had it was going to start crushing and offered it to me, if I'd pay the crushed weight. So couldn't pass it up. I brought it home and parked in the back yard while I worked on other projects. My father hounded me all the time to work on the vega instead on what I was working on because it would be the easiest. Well of course I didn't listened.... Then I suddenly lost my dad 2 years ago. The more I thought about the more I realize he was right. So that bring us up to date. Today I dragged it out of the woods. It looks kinda rough right now but it's not all that bad the floors and trunk are solid from what I can tell. There is alittle rot in the right fender. I got a new fender for the left side. The door on the left side will need some help but nothing major. The worst part of the car is under where the battery was, also the rear hatch is shot. Also the lower valance is missing. So ill need some help from you guys to find some parts.

[waybad]

buy a chassis and go from there

[ryguy442]

Iv been doing welding and fabrication work for close to 15 years now. I can handle the rust, if I got too ill cut the frame section out of another car or ill just make it.

[74Sleeper]

Hey there, Im not sure where you are located but you may want to talk to a guy on this forum named "VegaGT". He has an entire front portion of a 71 (I think its a 71) Vega that may be of use for rust repair on your car.

[VegaGT]

Mine was a 74, but I have not gotten rid of the nose yet. If you want the frame rail portion of that section I would gladly cut it off and ship it to you. PM me if it is something you want to do. Just need to know how far back from the front you need. The rest would be easy to fab out of sheet. Mine met it's demise because a very complex to make part of the structure was gone. Make sure you check it out very carefully. I thought mine was good, until I cut off someones repair below the cowl and uncovered NOTHING of structural value... I had little interest after that.

I have been super busy lately, but could get at it in a week or so. Just let me know soon, I am donating the scrap metal from this car to a local guy, but have not called him to let him know he can come and get it yet.

[ryguy442]

Thanks for looking out for me guys! I got a buddy in Texas who has a monza he is parting out so he said he would give me the piece I need. If that falls thru ill let you know! Beleive it or not this is the most solid project I got even with the frame issue. I'm hoping I don't run into any major structural issues I did find alittle bondo on the door so hopefully there isn't anything hiding. I'm going parts hunting Friday, and I'm starting work on the vega this weekend so ill update you guys.

Ryan

[ryguy442]

So this is what I woke up to this morning. Not a lot I can do on it where it's sitting, did alittle cleaning in the inside. I did end up find alittle bit of rust I wasn't expecting. One small spot on passenger side floor and another in the trunk where the spare goes. It's not major. I wanted to make the section where the spare was flat anyway to mount my fuel cell in there. From what I can see the channel under the windshield is solid. So that's good

Ryan

[sportriderok]

It looks cold and lonely out there!

[michael allman]

What part of N.C. are you at ,I 'm in Conover ,N.C. ,if you need something my way let me know. Michael Allman

[ryguy442]

I live in the Burlington/Greensboro area aroud two hours or so from where you are.

[ryguy442]

Hey guys, got the vega up to the house this morning thanks to a friend on mine and his 4x4. I got the interior cleaned out, took the bumper off, replaced the driver side fender and gave it a quick bath. I got a rearend for it yesterday had to roll around in the mud for awhile to get it. So that'll be going in soon. Ill also be doing the floor repairs soon.

[ryguy442]

Damn weather doesn't want to work with me. Woke up to a vega popsicle. Luckly it thawed today so hopfully I make some progress tomorrow

[ryguy442]

Progress today! Got the old junky 4 clynder out of it today. Surprisingly went really smooth. Now I can get in there and fix the frame section and start rebuilding the wheel tubs and rad. support. Just need to get the piece to fix the frame.

[ryguy442]

Did pretty good this weekend. Got the old rearend out and torched off the brackets. Took all the control arms off and boxed them. I would love to got with tubular one but I don't the money. Mine arnt the prettiest work iv done but they will work. I hope to have the new rearend in by the end of next weekend. I got a deal working out from the frame section I need and also have traced down a front and rear valance. We'll see how it works out!

[sportriderok]

Good deal! Finding parts for these things is the hardest part sometimes. I like the boxed control arms.