Ok - some have already seen pics of this "work in progress"... I figured I'd put this in one spot to entertain the masses.

In short, this is the story of my '96 Convertible

I bought this in pretty beaten-up shape for $1k.




Of course, it had mechanical issues, though the engine was fine.

I wound up replacing the brakes all around, though the front rotors were a pain:




The convertible top needed serious love too:





And if you noticed in the last pic, the window is completely out of its channel.

For a while, it sat in the snow until I could get time to work on it:


Of course, when the snow melted, it went right through the top and I had to use a Shop Vac to get all the water out.

Then finally I got space in the garage to start work. The biggest item was the top:




As well as fixing the driver's window. I wound up tack-welding one of the runners back into the channel, and replacing the broken felt-fuzzy brackets up top. (I'll put up pics later).

So after much pulling, pushing, stapling, cursing and sweating, I managed to get the top on and replaced the headliner myself.




It looks a good bit better, IMHO.

Anyhow, the other bits I don't have pics of are replacing the remotes, spare and jack; I also swapped out the transmission shifter cable, as the adjustment pin was gone.

Next up is finishing the interior cleaning and trim, as well as some rust spots all around.

 

nice car. its cool to c people fix up camaros that people didnt take good care of

 

Agreed I had to do the same thing for my Hyundai but then I had to sell it Can't wait till I get my own camaro.

 

Thanks...

Couple other updates and old pics:

The tacked window channel wheel:



Also repaired the window support tabs:


Replaced rear brake line:


Replaced shattered tensioner pulley:



Replaced front struts/springs and swaybar endlinks:



Also replaced both front wheel hubs, A/C compressor line, the stereo and speakers, as well as some odds-and-ends in the interior (light bulbs, repair center console hinge, etc).

As for mods, I've also added some UMI convertible subframe braces. I got the weld-in ones, but they're currently just bolted in.

Still also have to do a general maintenance plug-and-wire change, and an A/C purge/recharge.

 

Nice to see the care you have put into this car. It will all pay off.

 

Great work so far!

 

Kudos to you for allo your hard work. Resurrecting an abused/neglected car ALWAYS takes more time, money, and effort than you expected. I always wonder "who would do such a thing to a car?" and, unfortunately, the answer is a LOT of people would.

You picture that car new on a dealers lot and wonder when all the bad stuff happened.

BTW, what's wrong with those brake rotors? LOL...

 

Nice work -- you have been busy! Get those SFCs welded, you will like them even more, make sure the shop doing it loads the suspension before welding (i.e. wheels are supported).

The black top is MUCH better than white -- dunno what they were thinking with a white top on red/black car!

 

The rotors were rusted on. They were also partly rusted through, and came apart getting them off with a BFH.

 

You mean a BFH. LOL