A little more gradual refinement has been going on, it's been slow going lately, but the auto shop has slowed down some since the weather improved. I've got my lift back now! Got to get underneath this thing and get some loose ends tied up.
Got the shifter installed in it's permanent spot now, the factory gauge cluster and console were interesting to fit into the scheme of all this, but after some carving here and there it all fits back together now. I had a ball playing with those shifter rods! Can't wait until it actually controls something that's running.
The radiator and other necessary engine accessories are all back in place now. Jim Mantle of Div 6 AMC Pacer fame has been a tremendous help on getting my header fit issues solved, nobody makes a true fit header for these old AMC cars anymore, so you have to use Jeep ones, and now I can get the proper type ordered, reconfigured, and get that heavy chunk of cast iron exhaust manifold out of the engine bay.
My old brown 4 door '73 Ambassador bracket car I lovingly used to call the 'Stool Strangler' will soon be giving up it's fuel system, gauges, line-loc, and Weld wheels for this project. Sadly, the old race car will probably have to get parted out after this, it's time has passed and there's not much left on it that restorers would ever want. The built 360 engine and trans in it will probably go into a '67 Rambler wagon I've been saving to make a street machine out of. I have a feeling they're going to be surprised at how little the big brown car weighs when it finally crosses the scales at the scrapyard. It looked like it weighed every bit of 4200 lbs when it was on the track, but it sure didn't. The 80's Camaro and 5.0 Mustang boys at St. Louis can attest to this.
The interior in the AMX is pretty complete right now other than a missing radio, which I have at home, and a broken sun visor which I'll have to do some junkyarding for. I may not use it, but I want it there just in case the sun is at a bad angle near the tree. I got two new lift supports installed on the rear hatchback and it sure is nice having that thing hold itself up. I can retire the 2 x 2 chunk of wood now.
Next on my list of things to do are some wiring on the transplanted 258 engine to get it to start, and tackling the left suspension. After that, only about 712 more things to do before May. We'll get there...