Vb sl/e

[s_ikari2015]

Greetings! So I've acquired a 1979 VB Commodore SL/E as a project. My goal is to repair/replace everything broken/missing and then sell it to someone who will love it for years. This isn't the first car I've worked on and won't be the last, but is the first one I've set a timeframe and budget in order to "flip" a profit.

So it has the 253 4.2L V8 with the Trimatic 3 speed auto, all into a Salisbury GU7 2.78:1 diff.

Original Nocturne Blue in colour, even though the clear has been resprayed (cheaply) and has glitter in it... yep, I know, but it's barely noticable.

Interior is in good condition, mostly, and the whole car falls into the "Survivor" category. Around 98% complete when I picked it up. I've been hunting around for all the missing and broken parts, just really need the Left headlight wiper arm and blade.
A lot of the electrics don't work, so I'll be pretty much removing the entire interior to check all the cables and components. I hope there isn't much to replace.

In summary the following was wrong with it when I bought it:

• Front electric windows didn't work - switch cleaned fixing one, but other has busted regulator
• Speedo didn't work - replaced driven gear, started working but was way out and wobbled, so needs new drive gear and different driven gear
• Fan doesn't work - don't know why, might be switch, might be relay, might be wiring
• Heater core is bypassed - guessing it's cactus, thus why the heater switch is jammed shut perhaps
• Aircon doesn't work - won't switch on so can't check compressor clutch, may be linked to fan not engaging/relays again
• Clock not working - light works but mechanism cactus, replacement sourced
• Electric aerial doesn't work - switch makes it go "meeeeep" but won't budge, replacement sourced
• Transmission slips out of gear - filter kit didn't fix it, needs a professional... also to install the speedo drive gear
• Exhaust mounts missing/broken - replacements sourced
• Headlight upper chrome mouldings missing, both sides - got em
• Left headlight lower chrome moulding missing - got it
• Several window bailey channels perished - got the new stuff
• Window weatherstrips/belts perished - got them too
• Centre vent broken, bashed in - not happy about this one, but got an excellent replacement part
• Front left wheel bearing noisy - font end kit in the post
• Sunvisor clips missing - guess what... yep, got them too
• Carpet missing in driver's footwell - all new carpet on the way, will use the old stuff to hide the speaker holes cut into the kick panels
• Central locking doesn't work - aftermarket kit ordered to replace it, not worth trying to figure out why the factory stuff doesn't work. Might try it when I remove it, sell anything that still works
• Front passenger interior handle chrome surround missing - got it
• Left front bumper over rider missing - on the way
• Interior light lense - you know I've got that
• Drivers door lock missing - new barrel set on the way. Going to keep the boot and glovebox the same, have a "valet" key which only does the doors and ignition.
• Flasher unit was dying - replaced that
• Under bonnet light - amazing what you can find on the interwebs
• Clear coat pealing in places, like the roof - got the paint, gonna tackle that soon

So yeah... some pictures. I'll add more as I progress on the semi-restoration.

I've got a video uploading at the moment, will post it when it's done.

 

[s_ikari2015]

As promised, just a short video of the purring kitten.
View My Video

 

[SquishyShoes]

That sounds really awesome man, very smooth. Did you have to service it much once you got it or..?

 

[s_ikari2015]

I just did the usual oil and filters. Oil was like pitch but air filter was pretty clean. Engine runs smooth as (which you can probably tell from the video).

I'm still waiting on some parts before I tear the interior apart chasing these electrical gremlins, but I'm still missing a replacement LHF electric window regulator if anyone has one they're willing to sell me.

I really do hope the HVAC is simply relays as the budget is getting tight and I don't really want to spend more than just re-gassing and possibly a couple of o'rings for the aircon. I already suspect the heater core is swiss cheese but that's accounted for already. The aircon is just too unknown at the moment.

 

[s_ikari2015]

So car is stripped out, heater core removal on the Harrison aircon setup is a bloody nightmare, especially after 35 years of the gasket goo hardening around the bolt heads. Having to disconnect the aircon to remove the heater box wasn't desirable, but at least it has now given me the opportunity to strip out all the aircon hoses and pipes, take them and the components to an aircon specialist and have them test/repair/replace. I can then reinstall and take it back to them for gassing and leak tests.

Should be relatively cheap... Things are adding up, though, and I do still want a profit so I won't be going crazy on the "restoration". I hope to sell it to someone who will fully restore it as a passion, because that level of restoration is only warranted if you are going to keep the car, and I don't intend to.

 

[s_ikari2015]

Just a couple of update pics for you.

 

[s_ikari2015]

Car is now ready for sale if anyone is interested.
1979 Holden Commodore VB SL/E


I've got everything but the aircon working, and for that I've ordered a replacement compressor with clutch. Once I have that I'll be getting the aircon fixed.

 

[VK SL 3800]

Looks pretty good in the pictures.

 

[s_ikari2015]

Yeah, so got some quotes for a full respray because no-one seems to be interested, and I've decided NOT to go down that route. Just not worth it and won't make money out of it. I will re-clear the bonnet and roof again and post some pictures once that's done. Might also clean and paint the wheels, make them look new-ish.