Project Project My modest

[slow_and_ugly]

Hi,

This isn't much of project compared to the others on the site, but it's what I got.

I bought my civic last fall just before the weather closed in.

I didn't work on it through the winter because the garage is unheated, but once it got to be warm enough I started. I had big plans, but I have settled down and my goals for this year are fairly simple, clean it up, get new tires, and start to address the interior.

The first thing I did was remove the roof rack. I really like the look of these cars and feel that the roof rack ruins the lines. It came off easily enough but left holes from the mounting bolts and strips of unfaded paint from underneath the roof strips. I bondoed the holes and spot painted with grey primer. (what's one or two more blotches?)

Next I addressed the paint. The original colour is B-15m Montparnasse Blue. It was also spray bombed at some point, but I can't tell if the paint if faded original or faded spray bomb. But in any case the paint was dead.
I used a clay bar, then rubbing compound, then wash and wax.

The car doesn't have hub caps in the picture because I took them off for 'refreshing'

The next thing was tires. The car is equiped with decent 12" snow tires, but I don't want snow tires.
I couldn't find any 12" tires except snow tires (or trailer tires), so I sourced some 13" accord rims.

I spent sometime cleaning and painting them. I managed to find a set of summer 155/70R13 tires. Skinny, but I am happy to have them. Hope to get them mounted tomorrow.

[slow_and_ugly]

Got my wheels mounted.

Now I have to address the interior.

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Looking good, at least you started your project. Little wins during your project help quite a bit so keep at it!

[slow_and_ugly]

Hi,
I have a new dash.

Ten hour round trip. Twelve+ if you count the stop at the Dinosaur Museum.
A bit dirty but I hope it will clean up okay.

The one in the car is missing the bottom of the parcel shelf, has a digital clock which does not work and (apparently) cannot be replaced, and has been drilled to accept a tachometer mount. I am pretty sure the radio installation did some more harm.

[Randy]

Nasty old dash the way they hack them up.

I had that same situation in my last 1978 Civic. A university student put a massive radio in a cut from the heater controls over to the steering column.

I can't see why the lower portion of your dash was cut out unless there was a big console below there at some point.

I used to have a similar digital clock in my 76 Civic and it' the first time I have seen one in years.

[slow_and_ugly]

I have been away for a while and thought I'd leave a little update.

I've had some ticks in the windshield fixed but the windshield is showing its age. When driving into the sun it's like trying to see through frosted glass. I have a replacement, but waiting until I absolutely have no choice.

I made a leather steering wheel cover and will be sewing it on in the next few days. I had one back in the day and it really made a difference.

I had a compression test done and cylinder 3 is not good. Starting to plan for a valve job.

In the meantime I am just bombing around having fun.

[slow_and_ugly]

Oh...and I fixed my radio. I...uh...put the aerial up.

[bob78cvcc]

Glad the radio is fixed. How many stations does it pick up?

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Looking good, have you thought about purchasing a "vintage look" radio but it has bluetooth/ modern electronics and putting that in place?

[rmilano31]

Nasty old dash the way they hack them up.

I had that same situation in my last 1978 Civic. A university student put a massive radio in a cut from the heater controls over to the steering column.

I can't see why the lower portion of your dash was cut out unless there was a big console below there at some point.

I used to have a similar digital clock in my 76 Civic and it' the first time I have seen one in years.

Looks like a great start to a nice car!!!! Keep posting