This Concours wagon is original metal in excellent condition except for the pass side fender, which is a used OEM from another car, painted to a fairly good match but no trim.
First priority was to get it up on stands and clean the underside. I didn't spend a huge amount of time under here, mostly just a good pressure wash. Fremont was very generous with overspray on the floors! Note the welded muffler on the original factory dual exhaust system still in place.
Next came dropping out the front suspension, here's where the cleaning became more difficult. The OO was religious about lubrication, the original ball joints and steering linkage are in great shape, but the build up of grease mixed with dirt was hard as concrete and had to be literally chiseled off followed by hot tanking control arms and steering linkage at the machine shop. Very nice original finishes were exposed from under that grime!
Upper-inner bushings were replaced, wheel cylinders rebuilt, and horseshoe spacers under the front springs to level ride hight up a bit. Multiple seals were replaced in the Powerglide to dry up leaks.
I opted for a 1 1/8" front sway bar and a GM rear bar in the interest of controlling body roll.
Up next, interior.
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