Cross Country Travels with my Superbird

[limelightsuperbird]

Here I have painted the front sub frame and engine compartment.  Bottom shows front fenders reinstalled for the last time, they will not be coming back off! You can see the hood has been completed and is to the right of the bird.

[limelightsuperbird]

The top pic shows some last minute priming and sanding before painting the exterior body. The bottom 3 pics were taken at 11:00 p.m. on Christmas eve. I transported the bird to a larger building to spray it. Having a lot of room and heat will make it a joy.  It takes about 2 hours to tape it all up to avoid any overspray. I apply the first coat of paint at 1:30 a.m. Christmas morning! I built the trailer back in 1986 and still use it all the time.

[limelightsuperbird]

Top pic is the last one I have before painting it. Finished spraying about 8:00 a.m. Christmas morning 1994. Then I went home to get some sleep. The bottom three pics were taken at 10:00 p.m. Christmas evening.  Now on to some assembly and painting the wing, rear window plug and the rest of the body parts.  

[Steve P.]

Incredible thread. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!   

[limelightsuperbird]

Thanks, Steve.  I have more to post so enjoy!  I would very much like to see your pics too.    

[Charger-Bodie]

I am also enjoyong your thread! If you want to see the pics of my clone build you will need to click this link:


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,59899.0.html

[Steve P.]

hahahahahaa....  Sorry to say, but there are NO PICS of my restoration as it has yet to happen..    One day..... I have 4 grandsons so I figure the day will happen....

[limelightsuperbird]

With a lot of wet sanding and polishing it really shines. First I carefully apply the nosecone decals and front rub strip. I have ordered most everything new from Year One.  Next come the PLYMOUTH call outs on the rear quarters. Then I install the rear bumper, trunk lid ROAD RUNNER emblems and the tail panel PLYMOUTH letters. Boy, the hours just fly by!

[limelightsuperbird]

Having fun putting it together. Now the rear axle, super stock springs with urethane bushings and shocks are installed, along with the emergency brake cables, stainless steel fuel and brake lines, dual exhaust hanger bracket and pinion and axle bumpers. Testing fit of the exhaust tips in bottom pic. I Have moved the axle 2" forward to slightly shorten the wheel base and adding a rear sway bar.

[limelightsuperbird]

Now you can see the k frame and front suspension are installed. I have converted it over to power disc brakes and also installed a few items in the engine compartment. In the bottom pic I am checking the clearance between the rim and caliper and steering lock to lock.

[limelightsuperbird]

Next I paint the rest of the parts like side scoop bezels and the rear window plug plus lower corner diamond trim pieces. Soon I'll be drilling holes to install the fender scoops. But it looks like more wet sanding for now. Whew!

[limelightsuperbird]

In the engine compartment I start with the brake lines, then wiring, throttle linkage and a few other items. Next comes the wiper motor and wiper linkage. Then the dash along with the heater core, brake booster and steering column. I will install the brake line distribution block as soon as I finish test fitting the latch tray. Then I'll paint the roof black.

[limelightsuperbird]

The roof is painted and I have stretched the vinyl top over it to let the wrinkles settle out for a few days. You can see the hood pins and cables are installed. The antenna and front turn signals are also. It is looking more complete by the day!

[limelightsuperbird]

Spring is in the air! First time the car gets outside. There is a warm breeze and I have to chip a few inches of ice off the driveway a good 4' out just to swing the garage doors open. Even though I am tired I still muster the strength to push it halfway up the driveway. I quickly throw an extra control arm behind the rear tire to keep it from rolling back. As I stand there I catching my breath I can't stop staring at it in the warm, bright sunlight.  O. K., enough of THAT! Gotta get the rear window plug and vinyl top installed. Still a lot more to do and I have to get it back down the driveway by myself.

[Steve P.]

~~~~~ SWEET ~~~~~   

[limelightsuperbird]

 Thanks A LOT Steve!  Glad your getting some enjoyment out of these.  Now that I've installed the fender scoops, lower fender extentions, rear marker lights and tail lights I get the window plug and vinyl top on. Then I painted the interior door shells, put in the rear 1/4 windows, headliner, pedals and carpet. Testing out the electrical system now. Road Runner decal is quite reflective.

[nascarxx29]

  Alot of those conversion steps you did on your own with tremondous results.So many of them are still familar to me.From helping out on my friends superbird convertible.Changing out the rear tail light harness as satellite bulb sockets to long for the RR lights .Tried to keep the original instrument dash cluster frame and change over to rallye. I do Mechanical and electrical rewiring .Another friend did the metal work. There was plans to do another Superbird conv with this yellow car.But never happened .The original FM3 Moulin Rouge AKA Panther pink Satelitte ragtop to Superbird we had at nats and carlisle.

[nascarxx29]

This is a friends car a orig FM3 70 satelitte conv. I helped out on the build in the 90-s .It has all real genuine parts from a parted out superbird I located for him.It has in it the rallye dash 440-6 pack and dana 60 both jacks etc.

[limelightsuperbird]

Thanks nascarxx29!  Making some time to post these and while doing so I kept having flash backs of each and every step, even all the ones I never took pictures of. I am surprised my memory is not fading in the least bit, and it made writing the text very easy. Each one of these pics puts me standing there that day in that moment. It's suprising how much they put you back in touch with yourself too.  I'm gonna look at them a lot more now, And I suggest you look at yours a lot more if you don't already. Glad your getting something out of these and I look forward to seeing yourself and others this summer at some events. Maybe even Woodward Cruise if any can make it!

That convertible is awesome! They are so different looking with the top down and I think a lot more fun to drive. I have never been lucky enough to own a convertible mopar before, but if I had my top would go down too! Love it, Love it, Love it!!!!!

I know it takes time to dig up pics and post, but if you have more I would love to see them same as my own. I will be posting more pics, hope you do,  Jim

[limelightsuperbird]

In 1995 I rented a larger garage since we were temporarily living in an apartment for a couple months until the current owners move out of the house we purchased. Can't wait to finally have a little bigger space to work in! Till then I'll keep getting this project finished. I don't want to trailer it to the new home. I have just installed the vinyl top and have some masking tape holding the front edge until the adhesive dries overnight. I have also completed the nosecone assembly. Picked up an NOS passenger side mirror for $220. I add one to all of my cars that didn't originally come with one. Now for the engine and windshield.

[RIDELIKEHELL]

So glad we met my brother. .small world. .also helps living an hour from the motor city

[taxspeaker]

Great thread!!! Love to watch the progress, thanks
Bob

[birdsandbees]

He hasn't been on here in 7 years.. 

[RIDELIKEHELL]

He hasn't been on here in 7 years.. 

We cruise together in Southern Ontario & Michigan! He's more on groups on FB etc now..He's a great guy!

[nascarxx29]

Never will forget buying a superbird in TX and fueling up for drive back to NJ.Back in 79 80s no cell phone just gas and go for 24 plus hours for 1500 miles.And made it with no major breakdowns