1973 B5 blue w/red stripes Road Runner GTX sunroof car with 59k mile original paint original survivor

[RSMS]

I had a pretty good afternoon playing with the GTX and I thought I would share a little progress since last night and include a couple pictures that would reflect upon it. I haven't mentioned that the engine was frozen as I didn't know to what extent. I find this to be the case pretty often when I'm buying barn find cars or cars that have sat for many years. Remember, this car was last driven in 1989, so it was very expected by me to not be able to turn it over. My typical protocol in doing these cars is to pull the plugs out and immediately get either some marvelous mystery oil or my own mix of diesel and transmission fluid in the cylinders as to not break a ring or damage a cylinder when trying for the 1st time. I always try to turn it by hand without using ape **** crazy force. The old 440 would not budge, so I increased the volume in all cylinders and let it sit over night. This morning it was the same off the snout of the crankshaft, nothing. I decided I would bring a fresh battery home tonight and start giving it a couple light bumps and on the 1st bump it sounded like it moved. I immediately got a piece of tape and marked the top of the A/C compressor and gave it another quick bump, it's turning effortlessly now. I'm now confident it's going to run without having to come apart, I will now get the excess oil out of the cylinders to not spray it all over everything or hydro lock it when the plugs go back in. Pretty cool it came free so easily, I have a 61 Fleetwood with a 390 I'm also playing with currently that sat since the late 70's and it took me about 2 weeks to get it to let loose (still haven't got around to starting it but that's another story) Now I can start working thru the ignition and fuel systems and get this old girl to kick over. Hopefully you enjoy the picture of the passenger seat I pulled out to get the Broadcast sheet from underneath of and a engine bay- 3/4 front clip shot of the car. More to come as I continue to play around with it

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Why won’t you show pictures of the car. Are you embarrassed of it or something, or do you just seek attention by stringing us along?

 

[Runcharger]

Looks to me like he's working on it in the shop, hasn't cleaned the exterior yet so he can't get us shots any better than a Facebook flipper does just yet. I like what I see so far anyway.

 

[RSMS]

Looks to me like he's working on it in the shop, hasn't cleaned the exterior yet so he can't get us shots any better than a Facebook flipper does just yet. I like what I see so far anyway.

Seeing how I'm primarily a GM collector and most of you guys do not know me or how I do my cars, I guess I can see how this may seem odd to you. I have probably 20-25 survivor type cars (among many others) and even though I do restore some of them (usually the ones that aren't original when I find them) my real passion is survivor cars. I spend a lot of effort making them as true to original as possible. I do these cars for me not others, I don't need anyone's attention or praises. This is what makes me happy, I grew up doing it. My father got me into this when I was 8 with a 62 corvette race car he bought and returned it to stock. My 1st car was a 66 Mustang when I was 12 and he and I made it into a descent car even for a 6cyl, base model auto. I've had several people ask me to try and document some of the things I do so I started a YouTube channel showing some of them. If you would rather not see the progress of this car, check back to this thread in about 2 months as by them I'm pretty sure there will a lot of pictures and details of the car in total. If you have an interest in what I'm trying to convey in this post, here is a quick video of some of the cars I have waiting to get to. The GTX is not in this video as it was a more recent purchase. I warn you in advance, I work on cars and I'm not a video producer. There are other videos of a couple of my finished cars on the channel if you want to look around on it. Either way....this GTX's progress will continue and be shown at my pace.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Ignored

 

[RSMS]

Ignored

Thank you as I haven't seen you bringing anything positive or constructive to this thread!! I hope by you announcing you are ignoring my thread it brings you the attention you so crave....Most people, when they don't like something just don't continue to do it without finding a need to announce it but after looking at your last thread I see why. You come to an old car forum and create a thread about your homes water softner?? I hope that keeps you occupied and gives the thumbs up you so look for. Thanks anyways but I'll guess you'll still be back.

 

[MarPar]

Thank you as I haven't seen you bringing anything positive or constructive to this thread!! I hope by you announcing you are ignoring my thread it brings you the attention you so crave....Most people, when they don't like something just don't continue to do it without finding a need to announce it but after looking at your last thread I see why. You come to an old car forum and create a thread about your homes water softner?? I hope that keeps you occupied and gives the thumbs up you so look for. Thanks anyways but I'll guess you'll still be back.

Really?

Im done too.

 

[RSMS]

Really?

Im done too.

That's too bad as I appreciated your contributions and knowledge. It's a shame Dan thinks my lack of pictures to his satisfaction means I'm stringing him and others along or only trying to gain attention or approval from others. Definitely not my intentions as I tried to convey previously. If I come off rough by stating my opinion, I can live with it as I'm not always the most subtle, but you will always know where I'm coming from.

 

[RSMS]

Congrats, sounds nice. A Toyota Cressida is a nice car. Show pics of that too.

1) Wanted ad for a used torsion bad. Get the 3 digit number from the one end, should be 663
2) magnifying glass. Don't try to go over it with a pen to make it easier to read, leave it as is. There may be another sheet in the car. Search for it under the back seat for starters. Does it have the tag underhood by the battery?
3) sounds like a seat belt buzzer strip.

As per requested, I’m including a picture of the Cressida that came in the deal with the GTX. I went ahead and added an extra picture of the 3rd car which was a 1957 Chevy 4dr 150. I’m using it for yard art at my new property I’m building for playing with my cars. Also included is a picture of the GTX as I found it before pulling it out. Like I mentioned, it was parked here in 1989

 

[terrywalker]

As per requested, I’m including a picture of the Cressida that came in the deal with the GTX. I went ahead and added an extra picture of the 3rd car which was a 1957 Chevy 4dr 150. I’m using it for yard art at my new property I’m building for playing with my cars. Also included is a picture of the GTX as I found it before pulling it out. Like I mentioned, it was parked here in 1989

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Pretty cool and interesting cars!

Terry W.

 

[DeltaV]

As per requested, I’m including a picture of the Cressida that came in the deal with the GTX. I went ahead and added an extra picture of the 3rd car which was a 1957 Chevy 4dr 150. I’m using it for yard art at my new property I’m building for playing with my cars. Also included is a picture of the GTX as I found it before pulling it out. Like I mentioned, it was parked here in 1989

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Any Buicks, Ponchos, or Olds?

 

[RSMS]

Any Buicks, Ponchos, or Olds?

Currently I have (2) 1971 Buick GS 455 convertibles and a 67 GS400 all in survivor unrestored condition and a 1970 Grand Prix that will be restored, it's a complete and an original rust free car but it had a horrendous quality paint job on it and 2 dead cylinders. The 2 buicks convertibles are total repaints from the early 80's, otherwise extremely original and the 67 was primed over it's original Apple red paint, uuugh!!!! Nothing Oldsmobile now but some left over parts from a couple I did a while back.

 

[Superbird131]

I recently purchased a 73 Petty Blue Charger with 13315 that's right 13315 original miles never restored has all the factory markings and decals. 318 A/C P/S 727 automatic, drives and runs like a new car. Original paint no touch ups all original equipment only items changed are battery, fuel pump and filter, starter and goodyear replacement tires.

 

[RSMS]

I recently purchased a 73 Petty Blue Charger with 13315 that's right 13315 original miles never restored has all the factory markings and decals. 318 A/C P/S 727 automatic, drives and runs like a new car. Original paint no touch ups all original equipment only items changed are battery, fuel pump and filter, starter and goodyear replacement tires.

Awesome!!! I love survivor cars. If you would, could you tell me who made the spark plug wires and either post a picture or describe them, I'm trying to determine if I have the original set that came in the trunk of my car. Also your opinion if you think they are original to your car. Looking for Manufacturer, color of wire, boot colors and how they are date coded. thanks

 

[Charlied]

I'm going to take MPGMike's advice and start a "preservation" thread on this car. For those who haven't seen any of my previous posts, this car was parked in 1989 by the 2nd owner in a makeshift barn/shelter. He had the foresight to place rolled asphalt roofing material on the ground before parking the car to do his best to preserve the car from corrosion damage. I bought 3 cars from this family including an extremely original 1 owner 56k mile 1982 Toyota Cressida wagon that I'm just now finishing up on its preservation. Unfortunately, I missed by about 2 weeks an absolutely beautiful 1957 2dr Bel Aire that the father bought new, from the pictures it was at least as nice as this GTX and still wore its original paint, it also was sitting in the main barn next to the Toyota. Moral of that story is, there are still some really nice cars waiting to be found with wonderful stories out there. This GTX's original female owner specially ordered it and traded in her 1969 GTX for it. It has never been painted, restored or molested and is very original to how it rolled off the assembly line. The son I bought it from, bought the car from her in 1984 he believes and luckily only added air shocks, a flex fan and craggar sst's, he kept the original rims which I got with the car. As of now that's all I have discovered not on the car when it was delivered new. The car was bought new in Tampa Fl and supposedly it's never been more than roughly 100 miles from there it's whole life. The cars B5 blue paint is still original although it's had a little DupliColor touch up sprayed on it along with several spots that have been primed due to weak paint, no accident damage. He evidentially thought about painting it when he parked it and removed the grill, headlight buckets and a few other misc parts and got a little carried away with the primer. I will be documenting this car to the best of my ability both with pictures and video, my goal as with all of my survivor cars is to keep it as original as possible while making it fully enjoyable. I'm a car guy and have been doing this as a lifestlye hobby since I was in high school, I appreciate all unique, special and original survivor cars but I have a special love for hi-performance low production muscle cars. I've owned numerous cool MOPAR's thru out my existence, but they are by no means the brand I'm the most knowledgeable on so hopefully those with much more knowledge will help guide me thru this to help preserve this very special car. I will be posting many pictures, documentation and links to videos if anyone would like to follow this car's journey to hopefully a car that can help document what a 1973 B-Body was like when new. Keep an eye on this thread if you like the fuselage body style cars and as soon as I get a little further along in seeing where I stand with the car, get the 35 plus years of dirt and mold off of it and determine if it will start without any engine dis-assembly due to its prolong sitting, I will start adding lots of pictures and many more details. I have posted the fender tag in the 71-74 era forum for those who would like to see it. Today is the 1st time I've spent any real time with the car and I have a few questions to ask from doing so.....1st-Once I got the car out of its resting place and on my trailer, I noticed the drivers front corner was very low, it has a broken torsion bar which I just removed. After doing much searching, I'm starting to realize this could be an issue that is hard to solve with OEM parts, what should I be looking for, a good used one (equalize them with the adjusters) or is there a similar appearing aftermarket solution? 2nd- I looked for and found a broadcast sheet under the passenger bucket seat. It's not in the greatest shape and I have no practical knowledge of reading and making out all the information from a damaged sheet. I can make out a lot of it, but the springs damaged the places where they were on top of it. Is there a good known copy of one that I could use to possibly try and fill in the parts I can't make out what the line items are? How is the best way to get all the information from a broadcast sheet? 3rd- this is one I feel I should know but I don't so I will also ask, there is a plug with a long thin metal strip that almost looks like a heating element (don't think that's what it is) or possibly a seat buzzer? attached to the springs. It was unplugged so maybe its a buzzer but what is this? This is a very long post with no pictures but this will change very soon so stay tuned and if you have any good answers for these 3 questions please chime in, I'm like a sponge on old cars and love expanding my knowledge so don't be bashful in offering anything you feel I'm incorrect on or something I don't seem to know about. Thanks and I look forward to learning and sharing about this very unique car.

 

[Charlied]

Great car, great project
I’m the original owner of a 74 Satellite Sebring Plus big block 4 spd restored in 86.
Have some good trim and other parts. If you need something let me know might have it.
Good luck with the Thermoquad if it has it, always a bear to get right! Have dealer parts book if you need to verify correct part.
Good luck.

 

[autoxcuda]

I think 1974 was seat belt interlock that sensor-ed when you sat on the seat and would not let you start car without putting seat belt on.

In 1973 was that just a seat belt warning light?

Is all the interior the same condition as that passenger seat?

Torsion bars rarely break in southern climates. Look for some impacts to suspension from underneath.

Shame the exterior is so warn out.

 

[RSMS]

Great car, great project
I’m the original owner of a 74 Satellite Sebring Plus big block 4 spd restored in 86.
Have some good trim and other parts. If you need something let me know might have it.
Good luck with the Thermoquad if it has it, always a bear to get right! Have dealer parts book if you need to verify correct part.
Good luck.

Really cool, I wish the 4spd was available and ordered on mine. It’s always interesting speaking with original owners, did you order yours or find it in inventory already at the dealership? I’m in the process of finally going thru mine and seeing where im at and what it takes to get it back into shape. I will definitely reach out to you once I get there. Thanks for the offer!! My knowledge and experience isn’t the greatest on the carter carbs, I’ve done several thru out the years but I always seem to be finding my self needing refresher reading.

 

[RSMS]

I think 1974 was seat belt interlock that sensor-ed when you sat on the seat and would not let you start car without putting seat belt on.

In 1973 was that just a seat belt warning light?

Is all the interior the same condition as that passenger seat?

Torsion bars rarely break in southern climates. Look for some impacts to suspension from underneath.

Shame the exterior is so warn out.

After running the part # it appears to be just a seat pressure switch for a buzzer or light, I was unaware they used them in 1973. The rest of the interior is very close if not just like the seat pictured with the exception of the drivers seat have spilt where the stitching cross on the bottom cushion. The headliner shows a little bit of staining from possibly a leaky seal but I believe it will clean up nicely. I was surprised when I discovered the torsion bar being broke, when I bought it it was on 4 flat tires and sitting really low. I got it back to my place and free’ed the brakes up, pulled the crager SST’s off it and got new tires for the original wheels. Lowered it down and it sat really funny. When I got back to it I adjusted the bar and it made no difference, I’ve never seen a broken torsion bar and I assumed it was weak which also seemed odd but…it’s snapped in 1/2. No damage I can see anywhere but where the break is I now notice the bar is thinner and it appears to be from corrosion. The break isn’t clean, I will post a picture for opinions later today when I’m back around the car. Totally agree on the excessive primer, what a shame but I’m going to work on removing it I think to expose what’s underneath, I think???

 

[HawkRod]

After running the part # it appears to be just a seat pressure switch for a buzzer or light, I was unaware they used them in 1973.

I had a 73 Road Runner for 42 years that was purchased in 1979, so it was original except someone had put a 2 barrel carb on it to attempt to get better gas mileage during the gas crisis (wrong move, but that's what they did).
Anyway, my 73 had the lap belts pulled out, wrapped around themselves and then allowed to retract back into the seat belt holder. Once I unwrapped them, I found out why. There is a red seat belt warning sign on the dash along with a buzzer. It stays on and will not stop until the belt is pulled out (and presumably latched). If I recall properly, there was also a passenger seat sensor that would make it do the same thing.
In my case, the buzzer was found and discarded really fast, but I left the light functioning.