1968 RS Forensics

[SMS]

Off the main topic but the part of the N30 deluxe steering wheel that is showing looks like there isn't any cracks in it. That's unusual for a car that's had a rough life.

Correct, frame rails are gone with the back half job.  No hood hinges  either.  The PO had a one piece glass doghouse that came with it when he got it.  I have learned that it changed hands once at a local auction house a few years ago.  Not a car auction but just a normal all purpose house. I'm hoping they can follow thru and see who they sold it for.

[SMS]

Oops. Quoted the wrong post.

Regarding the steering wheel, another thing that is interesting, amusing or surprising is that the shoulder seat belts are all tidy and stored nicely in their clip overhead.   While the rest of the car went to crap they never messed with the belts. LOL. Back when I was chopping up cars and drag racing gutting the interior was the first thing done! 

[SMS]

I missed the speedo cable... weird. Not a item likely moved. I bet the rear and the frame rails disappeard when they botched the back half..?? Any hood hinges or trunk torsion rods? D80 would be interesting....

Steve

Did the D80 have different tortion bars or was it just an adjustment thing?

[68L30]

One has a larger diameter...

Steve

[cook_dw]

SS/RS L48 from what I see in the pics provided.

[ko-lek-tor]

SS/RS L48 from what I see in the pics provided.

Coming from this guy, me thinks you can take it to the bank. The dude knows his stuff.

[bertfam]

SS/RS L48 from what I see in the pics provided.

I'm not sure I agree. Yet.

I'm not going to comment on what I believe the car is without better pictures and more information (i.e., no snow), but that steering wheel emblem (if original, and it appears it may be) is a dead giveaway!

Ed

[cook_dw]

You have a good point Ed that is why I added the disclaimer.   

In all seriousness I did not see the steering wheel pic.  I still stand by my opinion until more pics come out.

[SMS]

I really appreciate you guys helping diagnose this one.

I'll try to get it out of the snow and into the operating room soon where we can hopefully come to some reasonable conclusions!

Bill

[royal67rs]

I have a question about the black paint around the ashtray opening. Was that something done at the factory?

[cook_dw]

Yes. 

[SMS]

My little project has certainly gotten exciting in the last couple days.

This won't be for the faint of heart, but it's time to save this car.  Settled on a scope of work with a shop to make it a roller, then I'll go from there.

The patient.  Hey, the door stainless is nice.    What sheet metal that's there is actually pretty solid.



Tension rods approx. .230 and .265 for D80.  Plus hole on front cross member for brace.



Finally caught a break from the snow.



April 30 box cover.



Left front subframe with holes but no evidence of proportioning valve, but it's certainly hard to analyze this in current condition.  Solid rockers.



Nice distinct stripe masking into trunk jamb.





The sticker....



Up close...

[SMS]

Currently waiting on the shipping report from Muscle Car Docs and I've learned that is went thru the local auction in mid 2015 (when my seller picked it up) so I'm asking them for past owner info.  Turns out some missing parts came with the car are now in a shed to sort thru, but I've not got my hands on the stash yet.

[SMS]

And to avoid becoming overwhelmed, a little 725 inspiration. 

[x66 714]

Kind of looks like you found the remains of a 1968 Z28RS. See if the spring tags are still on the front springs. They will be "EE"...Joe