Restoring ’71 Pre-L

This is the before and after of the engine bay;

My first order of business was rebuilding the suspension. I removed, blasted, and reinstalled all four corner’s suspension arms. I put new bushings all around and repainted the front A-arms (the previous owner chromed the rears, so I left ‘em that way).

Once this was done, I moved on to the brakes. The originals were, for the most part, frozen. The car drove, but stopped quite well on its own during the one or two miles I’ve driven it. I purchased SACC’s Wilwood six piston setup, along with the tandem master cylinder and adapter. This was my first foray into a full brake job on my own, but the guys at SACC were very patient and helpful over the phone.

Next was the front end. The radiator support, chin valence, and front frame supports were all crushed and rusted. Likely from repeatedly hitting curbs, and then sitting in the elements for Lord knows how long.

After watching many on line videos and Motortrend restoration shows to build up my confidence, I cut all these rusted pieces out ...fully. What I could find already fabbed up online (rad support, valance, etc) I purchased, and what I couldn’t I started experimenting in my woodshop to create myself.

granted, my home grown welding skills leave much to be desired ...but I’m getting better, and these pieces are solidly in place.

A few more front end pics ...

As I moved my way down the passenger side, I found an archeologist’s dream in the different layers of bondo, paint, and even spray-in foam filling panel and rocker panel defects/rot.
I cut out the rocker to find a mouse nest, lots of droppings, and even a few peanut shells tucked into the internal panel slots  

Again, I cut out all the rust I could, treated what was left (surface rust), and fabbed up my own A and B pillar bases to splice in.

...welding skills coming along.

Finally installed new rocker (purchased over EBay from Antonio4227 in Phoenix, AZ).  

Ok, now we’re real time. All that I’ve posted so far has taken me almost exactly a year (four kids and a regular job).

Great work, and thanks for posting!

Rocky

Wow, that's all I can say is WOW! Fantastic work! It takes patience, diligence, & fortitude, you possess them all. Many many guys just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. The job is coming out perfect! We have a few waiting in line for such work, you're hired! Report to Pantera Miami 8 a.m. Monday! Your'e hired! lol.

Great job and more importantly the guts to do it on your own.  My hat's off to you.  I wished I possessed the skills and the guts to do it.

Wow, indeed. Thanks for sharing. It looks both daunting and a lot of fun. I've always wanted to learn how to weld, but I don't think I'd be brave enough to learn on a Pantera, haha. When did you buy the car? Just curious if I ever saw it down there at PIM. Are you in SoCal?

No, I’m actually in Jacksonville, FL.  I bought the car in October of 2019.  The engine/drivetrain work took until about February of last year, at which point the car was shipped to me here on the East Coast.  My wife (who grew up in a car family) bought me the welder (Harbor Freight) about three years ago as a Christmas present.  It sat for over a year before I had the guts to try little stuff.  I find the biggest challenge is controlling burn through on the thin steel, but I’m getting better ...I think.

I've thought about doing that too -- buy a cheap one at HF, get some metal pieces and just start practicing. Can't wait to see it when it's all done.