hi all - my first car in 1989 was a '79 X (bought for $400 then rebuilt the motor, trans, repainted in father's garage) and after a looooong hiatus finally got back into the game with the Rosso Arancio '82 from BaT a few weeks ago. It made the 220 mile trip from San Antonio to Houston this week without issue, just plenty of grins!
Solid car: strong motor, smooth suspension, good steering, but sketchy shifting (have a new lollipop and wavy washer on order), jittery/clicking speedo, a few inop electrical things and misc cosmetics so enough things to do to keep me and my son occupied while we enjoy driving her.
She'll be a fair weather runabout, with a time or two exercised at a local kart track for "Track Casual" fun. Don't plan to mod the drivetrain or suspension for higher performance (unless a VTECH engine swap somehow falls into my lap).
I'm now putting together a to-do list, and would greatly appreciate any wisdom from the group to supplement various threads here (some of course a number of years old).
1)
Tires. Has a ~8yr old set of "Joyroad" 175/60R13s, which feel fine but while I'm redoing the Campagnolo wheels figure might as well replace them with fresh rubber.
a) I see stock size is 165/70 (skinny/tall). Searching here shows 185/60 is also done. What's the current size and model (availability) y'all are going with for "period" grip at reasonable price? Anyone try Waterfall Eco Dynamics? Stock size:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Waterfall-Eco-Dynamic-165-70R13-79-T-Tire/986034974
Or would you go for Achilles 185/60 (same diameter, 20mm more tread width):
https://www.performanceplustire.com...zi5w8zeVrOSvOG2plWPmAhgG0KpyD37RoC87YQAvD_BwE
NOTE: PP Tires is OUT OF STOCK on these as of 12/30/22, even though website shows in stock.
or something else right now?
2) Whats the preffered product(s) for
redoing stock Campanolas? Figure I'd sandblast these to bare aluminum then spray paint with some kind of aluminum-look rattle can, then clear. Anyone have tips/recommendations on paint type/brand/color for stock appearance? VHT, Rust-o-leum, Eastwood etc?
3) Plan is to take the
seats and sunvisors to a local upholsterer for firm quote of new replacement covers. Budget quote was $550 for both seats, backs and bottoms for new, custom-made vinyl covers which seems super reasonable assuming I'm happy with the work! Based on lessons-learned by y'all, anything in particular I should know/ask/demand of the upholster to get the best results? NOTE actual cost is $1000, for exact same panels/stitching as original, but with a black/white checked fabric on center sections.
4)
bouncing/clicking speedometer. Haven't yet gotten to searching here yet but anyone have a link saved to a "definitive" thread, or just easy advice to diagnose/fix?
Thanks much for input/help on the above. I'll definitely be investing lots of time searching further here for undoubtably great intel.
salud!
Kurt
Cypress TX
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