1975 Monza 2+2 project

[1975monza2+2]

Guess I should begin a project journal for my 75 Monza 2+2, purchased 8-9-15. I know you guys like seeing these projects. My goal is to build a fun street car on a budget. Similar to a 75 Monza 2+2 my brother built back in the early 80's. It's cool that I was able to fid the same year with similar options. Flashback, I had a 66 Chevelle SS at the time but loved driving my brothers Monza every chance I got. Both of our cars had high performance engines with 4-speeds but his Monza had better brakes and handled better than my Chevelle. It felt like driving a little Corvette.

My Monza project came as a roller with trans but no engine. It has Weld Rodlite wheels and a 4 1/2" cowl hood. The previous owner began installing a new wiring harness and cut a big hole in the dash. He wanted to make a custom gauge panel for aftermarket gauges. Also included the original hood, new Sanderson headers and a new Milodon oil pan which he said was bought specifically for the Monza. Unfortunately it's part number #30700 which is just a stock replacement oil pan. It will fit just about everything except a Monza.

These are the best pictures I have at the moment.

[1975monza2+2]

Here's a picture with the hood. I saved this picture from the craigslist. That's where I found the car for sale.

[1975monza2+2]

This Monza appears to have the original paint and looks good except for the nose and bumper covers. They are weather beaten so I decided the first step with my project is to paint them. They have been in a state of neglect for far too long. The top of the bumper covers have completely lost their paint which has exposed bare urethane. The car is going to look much better after I paint these parts.

I was very lucky to find a new NOS front bumper cover on ebay for a reasonable price. Now I don't have to repair the original front cover which was torn on both sides by the lower spoiler and had many other scrapes and gouges.

[1975monza2+2]

I began working on the rear bumper cover. I have restored several old cars but none with flexible bumpers. These require different materials. After some research I chose SEM 68422 Bumper Repair to fill any scrapes and scratches. I bought the small 1 oz tubes. This stuff works great and was easy to sand. The only problem I had is this product is very hard to dispense by hand. I even tried separating the tubes and dispensing them one at the time but still was a pain. I should have bought the gun for dispensing this product.

[1975monza2+2]

Next I am using SEM 39134 Flexible Primer Surfacer. This comes ready to spray. No hardener or thinner is needed. It dries fast and is easy to sand. I am liking these SEM products.

[1975monza2+2]

A couple weeks ago I finished prepping the rear urethane panel and bumper cover. They are ready for paint.

Next I prepped the back of the car. First I removed all the old cracking seam sealer. Then primed and applied new seam sealer. I used 3M Ultrapro 08361 seam sealer.

[1975monza2+2]

Next I decided to prep the rear quarters. I began with the drivers side where I found some damage. Apparently this car was hit in the rear which made a couple minor compression dents/creases on the drivers side. I didn't even see them before buying the car. Of course white hides flaws better than any other color. I used a hammer with a punch to tap down the high points of the creases. I was worried about distorting the panel but worked great. Next I applied some body filler, sanded, applied a second coat of filler to any low spots and sanded again. Now it's looking really good after a couple coats of primer. I think it will appear flawless once painted.

[1975monza2+2]

Right quarter only had a few dings and a couple small rust holes.

[1975monza2+2]

The drivers door was sagging so I bought new hinge pins and bushings from Clyde in the forum. Thanks Clyde.

First I tried using a hammer and a chisel but the pins wouldn't budge. I just couldn't get a good angle to hit the pins with the chisel. There isn't much room to work. Then I borrowed my brothers air hammer which made removing the pins a breeze. I still couldn't get a good angle on the pins with the air hammer but worked like magic. The magical power of vibration. The upper bushings were completely worn thru on one side. The bottom not so bad.

The door no longer sags and is easier to close with the new pins and bushings.

[cjbiagi]

Glad they worked out for you. Yeah, tapping the pins out can be a little challenging especially with those little ears on the pins which are designed to keep the pin from coming out.

[1975monza2+2]

Glad they worked out for you. Yeah, tapping the pins out can be a little challenging especially with those little ears on the pins which are designed to keep the pin from coming out.

Activate the flashing lights and sound the siren. We finally have a winner. You are the first person to post a reply to my project journal. Clyde just won ten million dollars. Would you like a lump sum check or monthly payments?

[TOM71VEGA]

Glad they worked out for you. Yeah, tapping the pins out can be a little challenging especially with those little ears on the pins which are designed to keep the pin from coming out.

Activate the flashing lights and sound the siren. We finally have a winner. You are the first person to post a reply to my project journal. Clyde just won ten million dollars. Would you like a lump sum check or monthly payments?

Looking real nice so far, can me and Clyde split the money LOL

[cjbiagi]

I am a little partial to 75 Monza's you know..... I will take a lump sum payment, thanks!

[1975monza2+2]

[/quote]Looking real nice so far, can me and Clyde split the money LOL[/quote]

Second place is.....a new Corvette. All kidding aside, thanks for the compliment. I'm having fun doing the bodywork.

[1975monza2+2]

I am a little partial to 75 Monza's you know..... I will take a lump sum payment, thanks!

Is Monopoly money okay? Haha. All kidding aside, thanks again for the NOS parts. Speaking of parts, I thought of something. I need the plastic push-in fasteners for the rear bumper cover. It uses two different types. I will post a picture of them. Stay tuned.

I'm also a little partial to the 75. I guess mostly because my brother had a nice 75 2+2 back in the 80's. That's why I bought my 75 although needed a lot of work. Your 75 is super nice. One of the nicest I've seen here in the forum. Maybe the nicest and probably the only original owner. That's really cool.