1980 Pontiac Sunbird Formula: Project Phoenix
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2016 2:41 pm
Anyone that knows me knows that I am a huge Sunbird fan. I had two in high school (1991), one was a hotrod with a 327 and the other was a daily driver 151 car. I always wanted another and finally was able to pick up a nice 1976 Sunbird Towne Coupe in January 2016. It was quickly followed by a 1980 Sunbird Towne Coupe in April or May. Think that would cover me? Nooooo... It should have.
The Formula was always my holy grail. Always wanted one. Never had a chance to get one. Then Jerry Boger sent me a picture of his 1980 Formula. It was a wreck and I should have passed it up but I just couldn't. I drove 8-hours from Cleveland, Oh to Hamptonville, NC to pick it up. It looked a lot worse than I expected and I almost said I'll pass. But, again, I couldn't...probably should have...and loaded it up for the trip home.
I started cleaning it out today so I could figure out how to proceed. The hatch window was broke out years ago so it had been home to who knows how many critters. I also assumed that the floors would be really bad from water getting it to the car. Surprisingly, as I vacuumed out all the dirt, nuts, leaves, etc. I saw that the floors were not all that bad. A few holes here and there but nothing major. The interior is a complete loss. Fortunately, I was able to pick up a 1980 Monza hatchback that seems to have a mostly complete and intact interior. The only part that is really worrisome to me is the A-pillar on the right side is pretty damaged from an encounter with a steel mailbox. I am hoping I can simply cut that out, cut out the same from the blue car, and splice it back together.
The Formula was always my holy grail. Always wanted one. Never had a chance to get one. Then Jerry Boger sent me a picture of his 1980 Formula. It was a wreck and I should have passed it up but I just couldn't. I drove 8-hours from Cleveland, Oh to Hamptonville, NC to pick it up. It looked a lot worse than I expected and I almost said I'll pass. But, again, I couldn't...probably should have...and loaded it up for the trip home.
I started cleaning it out today so I could figure out how to proceed. The hatch window was broke out years ago so it had been home to who knows how many critters. I also assumed that the floors would be really bad from water getting it to the car. Surprisingly, as I vacuumed out all the dirt, nuts, leaves, etc. I saw that the floors were not all that bad. A few holes here and there but nothing major. The interior is a complete loss. Fortunately, I was able to pick up a 1980 Monza hatchback that seems to have a mostly complete and intact interior. The only part that is really worrisome to me is the A-pillar on the right side is pretty damaged from an encounter with a steel mailbox. I am hoping I can simply cut that out, cut out the same from the blue car, and splice it back together.