The rear seat area in Dales car looks good but you don't necessarily "have" to loose the seat. I decided I wanted to keep it in my car and just designed everything to make it work. Of course no one can use it, (no one could even get back there) but it's a "look" I wanted for my car and it doesn't weigh much. The rear seat bottoms don't even have frames, they're just foam covered with the upholstery and I them out before track days.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...nterior484.jpg

Dang Doug! You're beating me to my dream car, lol. I really should post mine the projects section. I have a 79 TA that's nocturne blue as well and it also has ttops. Mine has the tan interior though. I want to build it one day to sit very low and haul ass. I can't add much to your ideas because I think they are great and headed in the right direction. Only thing I can add is my agreement to get the car to a chassis guy who can build the frame/braces correctly so that the car doesn't twist. You may need to use swing out door bars to get this right. Keep us posted. I want to see this come together as mine will be a long way away from its completed design.

Welcome to the BB. I look forward to seeing your project.

Couple Questions.

1. Are you building the car or is a shop building it.

2. What is your budget ?

I have plenty idea's that i can pass your way and plenty of things that I've learned on my last project that may help you out. As you said it' all about impact and what is it going to take for people to walk over to your car and take a look.

Color being the biggest draw. Let's face it "Red" will get your attention. Soft colors are nice but the project needs to step up so there is some other draw.

Here is something i posted in another thread years ago

okay this is if i'm looking at a modified car not a Friday night cruise car. Which I think is smarter in the end then a modified car that ends up in your garage as a piece of art because your afraid to drive it.

1. Stance ( possibly a rendering )
a. Gives you a visual tool to see the end results

2. Wheels & Tires
a. does the style fit with the body design
b. Size does matter

3. Suspension - Front
a. what type ( air ride, leaf or coil over type )
b. my prefernce is air suspension they are so much more enjoyable to drive on long road trips ( re: power tour )

4. Suspension - Rear
a. what type ( air ride, leaf or coil over type )
b. once again my prefernce is air suspension they are so much more enjoyable to drive on long road trips ( re: power tour )

5. Chassis (stock, modified or custom )
a. i really love custom chassis
b. perfect example are the AWD Chassis the Troy is buildin
c. frame connectors are they well executed

6. Body modifications
a. stuff so simple you didn't even know they did it.
b. panel modifications that help the overall feel of the car

7. Engine compartment
a. how well was it thought out (packaging)
b. is the plumbing hidden or exposed
c. inner fender / firewall design

8. Exhaust
a. does it hang below the rockers ( is it visible )
b. they should be heard not seen


9. Fuel System
a. is it upgraded to something safe
b. fuel line are they in dangerous locations
c. will it meet the demand of a street car

10. Tranny - who built it and what did they do.

11. Cooling
a. what type of radiator
b. take a look at the snazzy Aluminum Core Support with integrated radiator

12. Engine management
a. who's sytem and what do you think of it (efi )
b. is it hidden or in plain site.

13. Electrical
a. is it stock or aftermarket ( AAW make a very nice setup )
b. Headlight, taillight, driving lights ... stick with one manufacture

14. Paint & Bodywork
a. is the car straight
b. panel gaps
c. did the body shop fix the penels or shim the heck out the car
d. rain gutter - were they stripped of old paint before they were painted
e. really i could go on here but i'll stop now

15. Interior
a. what's the theme (stock, custom or all out crazy)
b. how well was it executed
c. quality of the work that was done

16. Stereo
a. is a nice stereo or a boom boom system
b. how well was it executed
c. they should be heard not seen


Okay side note.

Pick manufactures that you like.
Here is an example

Your buying the DSE Stuff.
You should also buy there Roll Cage Set Up

Everything is designed to work together. What makes a project fail is when people try to coble things together from other manufactures to save a few bucks.

Pick a Manucatures Theme
Ex: Billet Specialtes
Wheels
Serpentine Set Up
Dash Vent
Door Locks

Ex: Flaming Rivers
Steeriing Column
Firewall Adapter Plate
Universal Joints
D-Shaft
Steering Box ( not needed in your case if you buy the DSE Chassis )


Guages / Dash Panel
Autometer
Anvil Dash Pod in Carbon Fiber
Factory Center Consule Trim Plate ( Send it to HydroIllusions to get the CF Treatment )
Marquez Design Door Panels
a. Send it to HydroIllusions to get the CF Treatment

Here is another Example of something little that is trick but you better empty your pocket book because it gets Expensive
Chassis Hardware
12 Point ARP Bolts, Washers and 12 Point Nuts
These look trick as hell and cost an arm and a leg to do.

Have you build plan in place before you start the project so you know where your going. The shot gun approach is sure to fail and or cost you a lot of money in the end from "Do - Overs"

And the most important thing I can tell you is:

"Project Creep"
Ex. If I do this then I should do this

I could go on and On

BTW - John still one of my favorite Pontiac to date.

Great tips, I will admit. Some I have covered but others made be think about nailing the project down as tightly as possible before hand. I thought mine was pretty well thought out but now I realize it is not as much as it needs to be. Nothing major, just more details.

Keep the ideas coming guys! I have been planning on doing the majority of the work myself but can't do the custom metal work that I now want. So I will be farming that part out and maybe some more depending on the total costs.

Okay im looking at the catalog. DSE 1970 Test car kit, comes with powdercoated subframe, quadraLink, deep tubs, subframe connectors, body mounts with bolts, remote canister monotube double adjustable shocks front and rear, shock mounts. This kit goes for 12,800. I don't know what the list price on all of that stuff is but i would assume that you would save some money

I will call first thing Monday and double check. The only thing I can think of is the 6 piston Willwood brake system and Vintage Air system would make up a good bit of the difference between the 12,800 and 21K.

worth a shot, i can't imagine brakes and the ac unit costing $8000, plus the 21k was with mid-grade adjustable shocks, i think thats a savings of 1200 over the remote canister shocks.

This TA will be for sale. As soon as the Divorce Court Judge rules on it.
We also have a bolt in full frame chassis available for 2nd gens and 15 other cars. Which this car already has in it.
It's also been minitubbed and painted.
Call if interested 815-206-2230 as I haven't had much time for boards lately.

Never a happy ending there...