by 79MonzaSpyder » Wed Jan 27, 2021 5:24 pm
Project Spyder Clone
I will start off by saying back in 1984 I tried to find and buy a decent unmolested 78 or 79 Monza Spyder with the V8 and a 4 speed but everything I found was either modified and trashed, or unmolested and unrealistically priced. So, I settled for a 1980 V6 Monza Spyder. I loved that car, but always wished it was a V8. I still have that car, time and mother nature however has not been very kind to it. It has passed to my son, (oldest), as a graduation gift and being a typical teen, he blew the running gear out of it a couple of times, eventually parking it at my house with the intent of fixing it. He even bought another 1980 2+2 roller (was a factory V6 4 Speed car, but someone had swapped a 350 into it, which was pulled before we got the car). It does have a good 79 Monza 7.5 Posi rear with 2.73 gears that we will be freshening up. His intentions were to take all the good stuff off the Spyder and put them onto the 2+2 and put a built 350 and 4 speed back into it. Him and his friend spent one day tearing the roller apart and then it sat for the next 10 years outside. So, when it came time for me to move 9 years ago I told him that he had to take them to his house and he said no, he’s just going to sell them. So, I told him I would buy them and he said no, dad, for you, I will just donate them for all the stuff you have done for me over the years.
So, the decision was made that we would build the car as a joint project depending on his position when I was ready to start it. My youngest son has offered to help as need as well as he too would like to see the Monza come back to life again. Well, its that time. Last night was day 1 of our project. This is going to be a slow build at least in the beginning because I have to balance the wife’s needs/wants along with my sons (oldest) schedule and his wife and kids needs with working on the car. The plan is to finally get a V8 Spyder, I want it to look like the 79, (79 stripe kit), but have the larger 80 front spoiler. I have a low mile 305 4bbl, so we are going to start with that but likely eventually drop in a mild 350. I also have a Saginaw 4 speed out of a Monza with all the mounts and torque arms etc.
Both cars have been indoors since the last move 9 years ago as I was lucky to buy a place that had a 1400 sq. ft. shop so I tucked them away in a corner and started sourcing all the parts I think I need. We did get some of the V8 parts with the roller when my son bought it. The roller is mostly rust free. It has a couple thin spots in the battery tray only, (the inner fender under the tray is fine), a small spot on the inner fender by the A frame, the lower drivers front fender, (have a rust free replacement) and both doors are bad but thanks to Len on this site I have a set of rust free replacements for them. Both cars are factory tach cars but someone butchered the dash on the 2+2 so I will probably start with it the way it is but eventually be using the one from the Spyder and the interior from the Spyder. I plan to paint it the factory dark metallic blue for 79. To start we are going to stay with the factory 4 bolt wheel set up as I have a new set of BFG 205/60R 13 RWL and a couple of different mag wheel options, a set of chrome and a set of alloys, not sure what set is going to be used.
I have seen to many people start a project and loose interest and then sell it off unfinished. I have done 3 previous restorations, 2 motorcycles and a square body truck. On each one I got them running and driving and then enjoyed them during the summers and worked on them during the winters. Ya, it takes longer doing that way but I find it keeps me wanting to work on them since I get to enjoy running them around in the summer. The plan for this car is just that. We plan to detail and paint the engine bay and then freshen up the 305 and 4 speed and clean and seal the gas tank and then get the driveline working. Then tackle the brakes and anything else that needs to be done to get it road worthy. Then finally take on the interior, body and paint work.
The Fleet
2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6
79 Chevrolet 3/4 ton Pickup Fully Restored with matching 78 11' Camper
80 Monza 2+2, Cloned into a 79 Monza Spyder V8 4 Speed (Current Project)
80 Monza Spyder V6 Auto (parts car, sadly)
80 Honda CB750K Fully Restored with Custom Full Dress
80 Honda CM400A 10,000 Orig. Miles Full Dress
75 Honda XL250 Fully Restored (first vehicle I ever owned)
73 Honda SL125 off roader
72 Honda Motorsport 250 (XL250) off roader