Author Topic: My AAR Resto gets serious  (Read 39985 times)

Offline AAR6BBL

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My AAR Resto gets serious
« on: November 21, 2014 - 06:18:20 PM »
Hello all,
I have posted bits and pieces on other threads but decided to start a resto thread to try and keep things simpler.
A little history:
I bought my numbers matching FE5 AAR back in 2001. It was originally a NC car then Ill, Utah, and now resides in Northern Calif. It's got some cool options: Rallye Dash, Rim blow, AM/8 track, fader, rear defroster, tinted glass,etc.
I redid the motor @ 6 yrs back and completely rebuilt the suspension at the same time.
I drive the car as much as possible so I never got around to fixing the (I thought) minor rust issues, because I didn't want to take it off the road.
So here we go down the rabbit hole! I am attaching some pictures of where I am now and will keep up as time permits or questions arise. I plan on doing everything except finish body work and paint myself.
I really appreciate all the feedback and expertise you get on this site, and hope you can enjoy sharing the journey.
Greg
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."




Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2014 - 06:24:10 PM »
What I have found so far..
Floor pans better then expected, cowl worse, firewall looks solid (so far), trunk floor shot.
Opening account with AMD.....
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline Haddixj

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2014 - 08:48:33 PM »
Where in California? I'm in shingle springs (Sacramento) good looking start so far

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2014 - 09:13:21 PM »
I am in the Vacaville area not to far away.
I plan on working on it this weekend since its gonna be raining anyway.
Shpuld have the fenders off and hopefully all the door stuff and glass out.
I'll post more progress pics next week.
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline Topcat

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2014 - 09:15:59 PM »
Looking good!

A few members here pretty close to you.

Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2014 - 09:28:13 PM »
Thanks, Topcat,
I have followed your project with great interest.
You are down in the East Bay correct?
I actually was born in SF but grew up in a little town in West Marin.
Moved to Vacaville a few years ago to be closer to work.
Hope to get a little more involved in the local Mopar community when I retire in another 5 years or so.
I had better have her done by then!!
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline Topcat

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2014 - 09:33:48 PM »
Thanks, Topcat,
I have followed your project with great interest.
You are down in the East Bay correct?
I actually was born in SF but grew up in a little town in West Marin.
Moved to Vacaville a few years ago to be closer to work.
Hope to get a little more involved in the local Mopar community when I retire in another 5 years or so.
I had better have her done by then!!

Yes I am. Fremont.

When you get to metal work and have any questions, shoot me a PM.

I just reloaded most of the pictures back up in my resto thread if you need to look at anything.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2014 - 09:39:27 PM »
thanks, will do
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline PasiR

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2014 - 02:44:43 AM »
Great project, be careful with your original windshield.  :thumbsup:

Offline CUDA JAS

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2014 - 08:31:16 AM »
great looking car.  Looking forward to seeing your progress.

BTW, you sig line is hilarious!!!


Jason
74 'cuda 360/727



Gearhead: car nut, automotive enthusiast, one who loves hot rods, muscle cars, hot trucks, burnin' rubber and neck snapping performance. 

Just call me a gearhead!

Offline dfrazz

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2014 - 09:57:22 AM »
Beautiful car.  I'm getting ready to the springs, shocks and tires on mine - I would be interested to know what you went with?

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #11 on: November 23, 2014 - 12:15:42 AM »
Dfrazz,
I went with a complete setup front and rear that PST offered at the time Poly graphite bushings, the shocks were KYB if I remember correctly it was @ 1700.00 at the time.
Cuda Jas,
Thanks I wish I could claim originality, but its a part of a longer piece on the AAR that was published years ago but i can't remember the source.
If I find it I will post it here, it's pretty good.

Been busy today front bumper valance, grill, etc. off. Rear bumper ,valance, gas tank, out. trunk stripped (ugly looks like at some point in the past someone just POS 15 or something right over the crud). Right door stripped, will get drivers door and both qtr windows out tomorrow.
I'll post some current pictures tomorrow.
i am really getting tired of finding rust, if it had been handled properly years ago it wouldn't be nearly as bad.
I don't understand, why you wouldn't fix this stuff properly when you find it. :swear:
The more I rip this car apart the more evidence I find that someone did a half ass "restoration" on it probably to flip it, my guess is late 80's.
Greg

"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #12 on: November 24, 2014 - 05:16:10 PM »
Ok, Pics as promised.
Didn't make it to the front fenders, but front & back are stripped down RH glass & door hardware out,
Front Windshield out, more major rust issues (at least major to me).
Interior out except for headliner & dash, maybe have that done this coming weekend and start on the engine bay.
Major rust behind front windshield at top looks like the way they repaired it way back when was to sandblast it, leave the sand in, and then stuff body filler in the damaged area. When I popped some of the filler out to look at the rust a bunch of sand poured out! I am still trying to get all the silicone rubber mixed with rusty metal particles out from around the rear window so I can cut it out. They must have pumped multiple tubes of silicone under, into and over the trim trying to stop the leaks. It worked (sort of) but man is it tough to peel that junk out. I got the trim off, but damned if I can work the knife through that crap.
The journey goes on. :bricks1:
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline AARuFAST

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #13 on: November 24, 2014 - 07:34:23 PM »
Nice ride and options.
BUmmer on the rust.

We owned ours since 1985. Solid didn't need restoration.
Just repaint.
Well worth it when it is finished.
"Get Er Done"
1970 AAR Cuda
1970 Gran Coupe Ragtop. 1 of 66
Gran Cpe Convertible 1 yr only.

" I Want to Ride "

" I tried to be normal once...
it was the most boring
2 minutes of my life!!!!"

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #14 on: November 24, 2014 - 08:39:50 PM »
Hey AARuFast,
I appreciate the support, I am actually toying with the idea of changing the color to FM3.
I always thought that was about as sexy as you could get, that hot pink with the AAR stripes and blackout.
We'll see, I have quite a bit to do before I need to make that decision.
Greg :cheers:
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."