PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Looking good Haro, its always nice to see something get restored.

*dang* andrew you busted your ass on this car

as i was reading the thread i was happy to see that your not planning on parting it out its just to nice as you said

keep up the good work and more pics of progress

I really admire the work that's being done here. It's not too dissimilar from my '88 Lesabre T-type project. When I got that I just wanted it for the transmission, but I took a second and third look at it only to realize it need only a little elbow grease to become a show winner. Sure enough, after two slow years of restoration, I've won 3 trophies with it.

Point is, keep at it! Please keep me in mind as well if you ever decide to sell her . I've always loved that color...very similar to my '86 Buick Regal T-type.

So is your brother getting the car or are you selling it? I just realized I have two good spare power antenna's, along with all the other stuff I mentioned earlier if you are still interested. I'm converting to a fixed mast antenna so I'd sell one of my powers for the price the local salvage yard wants for a fixed mast assembly from a Bonneville -it's worth it to me... I get no power to the antenna and there are only two radio stations I can get and I like neither of them (my CD's are pretty much worn out and boring now).

Its in the air at this point. I told my dad I would like to get more than he offered, so it will start off for sale locally and if it doesn't sell, I'll give it to my bro.

I'm interested in the power antenna also, but I might have one locally.

I talked to a couple local body shops before I went to my main body guy in Madelia (the one that painted my Park Ave). Both of them wouldn't even touch it.

When I told my Madelia guy about it, he said he has done stuff similar to it and would definately take a look. He said if I provided the new piece, he could do it for a couple hundred bucks.

So, I went to town today cutting up my 96 shell. Here is what I got.

Here are some real gullwing doors
Before


After


Here is where I cut. Its probably way overkill, but its always better to have more than not enough.



and here is the transplant piece. Amazingly this fit in the 2000!

Is that all that's left of Steve's 96 SSEi?!?!

Yup! LOL

Isn't that structural? Wouldn't that compromise the structure if you welded that in? I'm not sure I would do that let alone give it to a family member unless I'm sure you won't hurt the rigidity of the car.

The body guy is not going to use the entire piece I give him. He is only using a piece of the sheet metal. I just wasn't sure exactly where to cut, so I gave him a lot more than needed. This is not a structural fix at all, purely cosmetic. I just don't have the ability to cut apart the spot welds.

Oh ok, I see what you're doing now. Man, if I was closer (and if I had a job... and if I could sell the Impala) I'd take that off your hands when you're finished.

Dropped the car off today at my body guys shop. He said he would be able to do it, and for the great price of $250. He also agreed to fix the trunklid for $20. Can't beat that. I am going on vacation next week, so I just left the car there and told him to work on it whenever he has time. Never rush your body guy. He said he would probably get to it the week of the 16th.

Until then....

So I saw a 40th DCM SSEi even rougher than this one today. Rocker rust, quarter panel rust, dull paint, missing both exhaust tips, and two Buick LeSabre wheels out back and the two chrome torquestars up front.

BlackHawk99 wrote:Is that all that's left of Steve's 96 SSEi?!?!

harofreak00 wrote:Yup! LOL

Steve, Dont look

It's 1am on the 16th... Where's the body shop updates? haha!

Just kidding - just found this thread. Glad you decided to fix her up. Looks great so far.

I happened to be in the area, so I stopped by the body shop today. He was just getting started drilling out all the spot welds on the donor piece. There are a TON! I'm guessing he will be done sometime this week.

I picked up 3 - 5oz cans of Dark Cherry Metallic to paint the rocker when its done.

I ordered and received the rocker molding clips from clipsandfastners.com

I received a stash of parts from an old BC friend (ddalder) from his local u-pull yard in Canada.

2 power antennas (in case one doesn't work)
1 standard antenna (in case both power ones don't work)
MINT steering wheel controls
glovebox latch
center console rear vents
dash vents
door speaker
door speaker grills
6x9 BOSE speakers (to replace the Pioneer 6x9's in there right now.... trying to return it to 100 OEM).
MINT sunvisors (except for a small cigarette burn in the passenger side).... anything would be better than mine.. they are sagging several inches.



When I get the car back, I'll install all these small parts and it should be just ready, other than the engine mount I still need to do.

Body shop called today, car is ready to be picked up. I'm gonna stop over and get it tomorrow morning. I can't wait to see how it turned out.

You might want to check the edge of clear center on the 6x9's. If they have any small hairline cracks they WILL rattle. I have one good BOSE 6x9 out of 6 I've had or bought before I went to Infinity Kappa 6x9's.
Good luck with everything there. I too can't wait to see the final product.

harofreak00 wrote:I picked up 3 - 5oz cans of Dark Cherry Metallic to paint the rocker when its done.

Where are you able to find cans of dark cherry metallic? I've looked at Autozone, Advanced Auto and Wal-mart but can't even find the touch-up paint let alone spray cans. Thanks!

Where are you able to find cans of dark cherry metallic? I've looked at Autozone, Advanced Auto and Wal-mart but can't even find the touch-up paint let alone spray cans. Thanks!

Any decent auto body paint supply will match the color and make up cans for you. Spraying a BC/CC urethane is a much better alternative if at all possible.