TC XL, Finally Underway

[TCXLECoupe]

Well figured, with the Nationals coming up and what not, that I better actually get started on getting something together.
So the TC drew the short straw. The following photo's have been taken over the last couple of days.
I know they are only 3 months away. Who doesn't love a challenge!!!!!

Here she is, parked in the backyard.

Sadly to get her in the garage I had to move all the cars behind her and push her out that way. What a job.
But she got in the garage.





So got stuck into removing all the bling on her.



Those chrome strips between the vinyl roof and the quarter panels, boy are they fun to get off.



What the ?, weird stuff people leave in their cars.


Okay Close of business on Saturday night



Boot is stripped of all jewellery chrome strips at top of quarters are gone, Only indicators and Front bar left on front.
And chrome on top of doors. Started peeling vinyl of to.
Will try to keep updated as much as is possible while typing one handed and working on the car with the other.

[EBXR82BEE]

Wow you have as many cortys as me not a bad looking TC that one. Please tell me that not a lancer in the shed?

[TCXLECoupe]

Wow you have as many cortys as me not a bad looking TC that one. Please tell me that not a lancer in the shed?

Yeah, all in all she's not to bad.
Sadly your right it's a lancer (the missus wanted it repainted a new flashier colour. But I struggle to get motivated to work on that thing). Oh well it's on hold and can wait. I have no time for it these days. Far more important stuff to do. Besides after this corty is done, The lancer will be getting painted, put back together and sold. Don't need (or want) it. So I can free up space for another corty. Yay.

[al campbell]

Nice project. I hope it comes together in time for the Nationals for you. What colour will it be? looks like it might have been jewel green originaly.

Cheers Al

[tfghiatcxlematt]

Hi Chris,

Its been a long time since we talked, hope you can forgive me if I dropped any silly comments in the past as I do have a bad sense of humor or maybe no humor most of the time. Anyway hope all has been well with you, your wife and boys I guess your eldest son must be 7 now?

What Al said above got me thinking [hows' that!] but he had a good point though, when I was talking to Sandra about that car she said it had a respray maybe 20 years ago [hard to remember but 1991 rings a bell, I got the impression that it was turned into a XLE look alike esp from the pics she sent me] with luck you'll have bugger all rust as she did look after it for many years but fingers crossed because you never know what to expect with these cars. Would be good to hear more about your plans for the car? From memory the interior was in VGC and the engine, auto and suspension were fine as well, hopefully a respray and there shouldn't be much else after that.

Good luck with it and I look forward to seeing the progress pics!

Take care buddy.

Matt.

[corty80]

Wow no wonder its hard to find cortys between you and EBXR82BEE you have taken the last remainding ones. So whats the plan, restore it back to origional of go a different route. Whatever the plan will be good the see the progress.

[TCXLECoupe]

Okay guys. Plans for the time being are to get her all cleaned up and fresh looking, so a repspray is in order.
Al I think you are correct, Jewel Green. And thats the colour that will be going back over her, With the gold pinstripe along the top body line, like in the photo's.

Hay Matt it has been a long time. Sadly I don't get on the puter as much as I used to with new job (well nearly 2 years now) but I will try with this build and keep photo's up. As for the body, it's pretty good and pretty straight, Sandra must have looked after her pretty good. Sadly I have found rust on the roof after peeling back the vinyl (wow rust under a vinyl roof, never seen that coming), luckily none of it has gone right through, so It shouldn't be to much hassle to fix.
Other than that, the worst is the front of the passenger guard. You can see the damage in the photo's, but the filler in it is only about 1-2mm thick, so not much at all.
The rest of it is just old paint starting to show its age. Yeah Matt my oldest son is now 7 and the other is 4, And the misses is cooking another one.
So busy all round, In fact this new one is due 2-4 June 2012. So with any luck, it will be born, loaded into the car and of to the Corty Nationals. What a first few days of life hay. Hay Matt you still got my Email???

Anyway, Better go get some sleep, have an early day tomorrow, got a lot of work to get done as haven't been able to work on it the last couple of days.
Will update on the next lot of progress. And thanks to all for the good wishes. Hopefully can catch up with everyone at the Nationals, And best wishes to all of you on your projects.

[tfghiatcxlematt]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reply and I recon the original color of Jewel Green will look beautiful with the gold pinstripe and like most of us here I'll certainly be looking forward to seeing the progress pics! I still have your email address, for privacy I won't give it here but the address is with optusnet so if your no longer with them just email me at: mat78au@yahoo.com.au with your new address. Will be good to catch up with you as its been a while but the best news is, is that your wife has your 3rd baby on the way! Maybe a girl this time would be good but honestly as long as him OR her is healthy that's all that matters, my son was born on the 14th of June and will be turning two this year makes you wonder where all the time goes, I remember when you second boy was born which was about the time of the Heathcote Cortina Forums cruise in late 07 and I liked your white te 6cyl sedan that you brought along, I can see it in the background behind your yellow te ghia

Well Take care Chris and best of luck meeting the deadline for the Nationals, I'm pushing it myself fingers crossed we'll get there!

Matt.

[Gracer]

Hey mate, looks like a good starting base, Good luck with it I hope it all goes to plan and you get it to the nationals.

[TCXLECoupe]

Okay little bit of an update. As have been really busy. Will add some photos soon.
Fisrtly, Matt It will look good in Jewel Green, but Al, sorry to say, you are wrong, it wasn't originally Jewel Green. It looks like it was originally A light cream, beige, colour. Matt you said Sandra had the car repainted about 20 years ago. Well she must have had it painted that Green. Don't know exactly what green it is though. And she had it painted cause it appears that somebody bumped the front drivers side corner, and so had the drivers guard and the bonnet replaced with ones of a wild plum car. That appears they where repainted sometime before that. 9 different layers of colour later we had the green.
Must admit though, all in all not to bad. So Drivers guard, Both Drivers side doors drivers side sill and quarter and half the back end are all repaired and undercoated and ready for colour, along with the bootlid, bonnet and the 2 passenger side doors. So this weekend the Passenger side sill, qaurter and the other half of the back panel will be tackled. Just leaving the front stone tray and the passenger guard (Not looking forward to this as this is damaged pretty bad). Then I will work on the roof, as that is getting a new vinyl done.
Did find a little rust though. But the amount that was found was practically insignificant for a car that is 40years old.

So now on the hunt for some bits and pieces. But will hunt those down later, just worrying about the body for now, and hopefully it should be in the paint shop for some colour early April.

On a more personal note. Matt it's not a girl. It's another Boy. So my tribe will consist of 3 boys. Luckily I have enough Cortinas for them to have one each.
It will be good to catch up some time. But it may have to be at the nationals or after as I don't have 5 minutes to scratch myself being so busy looking after a pregnant wife 2 other kids, working and getting this car done.

Oh by the way I did find 5 minutes to make another addition the the stable. And here she is.



What a lovely looking driveway.
Oh and it's actually Breeze Green rather than Blue, Just the light makes it look that way. Need to get some day shots.

[tfghiatcxlematt]

Hi Chris,

Was good read your latest update, lots of progress happening at all levels! Firstly I think its good you'll be having a 3rd boy, nothing against little girls but I remember my two cousins [girls] when growing up they were always getting new clothes, makeup and toys and seemed to be a handful compared to the boys. Hopefully I'll see you at the Nationals or when my car is registered I might be able to bring it over and meet you somewhere near your place but likewise I'm quite busy as well so we'll keep that on the plans list but I'll do my best to make it happen sooner or later.

Moving onto your new car [was going to say maybe your wife's new car but lets say new family car!] that's a really sweet looking FG! I'd love to see pics of it in the daylight, it really looks like a blue colour but you said its Breeze Green so would be good to see pics of it during the day time and some interior shots would be great also. It doesn't help with a clown like me asking for this when I'm sure you haven't even got 1 min to scratch yourself, I admire you having a 3rd child with me I think 1 will be enough, don't think I'll be having another. So that's the latest Falcon? Its an FG obviously but it must be the series 2? I'm not up to date with the latest models [surprise, surprise] but I'm hoping that Ford doesn't kill off the Falcon, I read somewhere they have to keep making them until 2016 but after that it could be the end. You probably know I have the bf mk2 egas XT also known as the TAXI pack model but after 70,000k's and four years of ownership its been and still is a wonderful and reliable car to drive. Your new falcon doesn't look like the base XT model, maybe its a G6E? Isn't that the next step up model? I love the wheels they just go nicely with the lines of the car, styling etc What else can I say except I'm jealous but also happy for you because I'm sure you have worked hard and certainly you and your wife deserve this!

Moving onto your TC, by any chance can you make out the paint code letter on the ID plate? Would be interesting to know exactly what the original paint was, sounds like it was a nice colour to begin with. Sandra never told me anything about accident damage but then again why would she when it had obviously been fixed OK then fully resprayed 20 years ago, i think she bought the car in 1986. Your lucky having that car because it is a very straight and rust free car [as you said for 40yrs old] did it have a little bit of rust on the passenger side rear quarter? If so I'm sure you can easily repair that and lets face it what TC/D doesn't have rust in that area unless been in dry storage for 40yrs. I could ask more questions but I''ve bombarded you enough with questions so I'll leave it at that and please don't rush with your reply cause I recon you must be flat out looking after your wife, your 2 boys and also working. Well it'll all be worth it and at least you won't ever be a lonely old man, this will all pay off and just seeing the boys grow each day would be wonderful as I've enjoyed watching how fast my son grows and seems to learn new things each day.

Take care Chris.


Matt.

[TCXLECoupe]

Yeah Matt things are happening very fast, Can't belive the car is coming along as well as it is and that as of Sunday it will only be about 10 weeks to go till the baby is born. That means only 10 weeks and 3 or 4 days to go until the nationals.
Hopefully we can catch up at the nationals.
I suppose you are right it is the family car. I will certainly get some day picks of it for you Matt and some interior shots. Actually I will wash them both and find a nice place to get some good scenic shots of the 2 of them (the FG and my Ute) together.
It is an FG but it's not a series 2, they have only just been released (and to be honest I don't like the lower grill on them) this one is actually 2nd hand.
It's an 08 model. But it is practically new it only has 35K on the clock. But being an 08 it's only got a 5speed auto not the 6 speed, but in the later one's they changed and put 235 50 17 tyres on, the earlier like this one, has factory fitted, 245 45 17's, So big fat tyres on it. And sorry no it's not a G6E, it's an XR6.
Your wagon though, 4 years you have had it. I remember when you first got it. Gee time flies.
I took the time today to go and have a look at the ID tag today. And the production date is OCT 72, and the paint code is E, so originally it was Pottery Beige.
Which makes sense cause thats the promenent colour I am finding when I am rubbing it back. Also, the ID tag is covered in green paint, so when it was painted they just painted over the tag rather than tape it up or take it off. Other than that though everything else matches the car, interior code, gearbox code etc.
One other thing though that is good news for me and sadly bad news for you Matt.
Remember way back when you found This car at a little old lady named Sandra's house, and I went and had a look for you and told you its a real good car and you should buy it. And you said yes yes, but I really really want an original 6 cylinder XLE not just an XL and I said fair enough and then I checked with you if you would be okay if I bought it and if you where sure you really didn't want it, and you where so I did. And all indications have pointed to XL, The XL centre console (although the Dash is brown and the console is black which looks out of place), The cluster which has a clock, speedo, Fuel guage & Water temp in that order, and the XL badge on the boot lid. Strange thing happened today, When I looked at that ID tag there is a particularly interesting line on there that says. CORTINA XLE SED.
So it appears that maybe all those other things where changed at some point. And she is actually an original 6 cylinder XLE, not an XL as originally thought.
Sorry Matt.
As for that rust question, I haven't hit the passenger quarter yet, but I imagine there will be rust there. But the Rust I have found so far was in the Drivers side lower quarter at the lowest section of the quarter, And a little tiny bit in the top edge of the sill right near the front.
Oh I also did find a rust hole in the bonnet, Strange spot to, but oh well.

Okay, Time to get back to getting things done. Will post up some progress shots of the cortina soon.
Take care Matt and all else.
Update soon.

[tfghiatcxlematt]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your reply and I gota say you have a good memory! I had forgotten those details about Sandra's car but your right at that stage [was it 09?] I had to have a TC XLE it was only my tc wagon that got me in the end because it was a one owner with recorded history [receipts]. Yeah the old heart stopped a bit for a few seconds when you told me what you found on its ID plate BUT I don't have any regrets and I know you are giving it a better home than I could of, I would of probably just left it how it came from Sandra but its much better to have this resto work done as you'll give it a new lease of life! Only got you on one thing, you said I've had my wagon for 4 yrs now [may seem like that as I've taken so long to get it sorted] but truth is its now exactly 2 years, my son was born in June 2010 and I got the wagon about 2 months before his birth. Good news is I got the new windscreen rubber today and it only cost $83 so I'll have someone out soon to remove the old screen and put in the new rubber and glass.

Pottery Beige you say I wonder if that's the colour of this TC pictured here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2694...57840346opDlIW
Another point that's got me is that you said its an Oct 72 model, I thought Sandra said its a 73 model? Are you sure its 72 because IF you are sure then you'll get me started on that history cr.p again that I always go on about, OCT 72 would make it one of the first or at least very early TC 6's because they were released officially in Nov 1972 and I thought the TC XLE started full production in Dec 72 but hey its certainly interesting what you found! I think I still have Sandra's email address, I can't remember what else she told me about the cars history except that she got it in 1986, not sure how you'd feel but I could send her an email and see IF she remembers anything about its history from the previous owner to her? Your TC seems to have a fascinating history, makes you wonder WHY someone turned it into an XL unless it was stolen at some point and recovered OR maybe it was parts availability from a donor car when Sandra had it who knows but would be great to find out.

Thanks also for offering to take some pics of your FG, as I said I'm not up with the latest models, if you told me it was a series 2 and brand new I would have believed you! When we got our BF 2 egas back in April 08 I remember seeing the new FG model with the 5 speed auto and I thought that was impressive, I only have the old 4 speed in mine but I optioned on the H/D tow pack with a separate tranny oil cooler because I heard a few horror stories about people finding tranny oil in their radiators on the BA's. The XR6 model, so that's one level up on the G6E isn't it? Do you remember what the KW rating for the FG series 1 XR6 motor was? Mate its gota be a pleasure and joy to drive and I'm looking forward to seeing pics of it in the daylight including your 03 ute of course. Strange that Ford changed the size of the wheels [maybe some fuel econ idea] but sounds like the 08 alloy wheels were better being a little wider than the latest ones.

I hope to catch you mate at the Nationals though its looking a little worrying for me, my wife's brother is getting married on the Sat so atm I think I can only be there on the Sunday, I'm very worried that I'll miss this once in a life time event! Never the less I do hope to catch up with you but if not there then sometime later in the year.

Take care as always Chris and I'll look forward to seeing those progress pics and there's honestly no regrets I'm thankful you got this car cause I think it needed your body work experience whereas I couldn't give it that.

Matt.

[TCXLECoupe]

Okay been a while since I updated.
Been pretty busy. Bit of good news on a few accounts.
Firstly, the rest of the body has been repaired and undercoated. Inside the door jambs and boot lid edge have all been painted and all the panel work put bacck on and lined up. The passenger side guard, didn't get repaired, I got my hands on a better one so replaced it. and fixed that one.
Secondly, After a few electrical gremlins and power delivery issues, I finally got her started this morning, for the first time in about 2 years. She is still a bit rough to get started and runs a bit rough till warm, but she runs. Some fresh oil, carby cleaner and good fuel and she should be mostly ok. Few little adjustments after that and she will be sweet.
Third, and probably the biggest. Got dropped of at the panel/paint shop today for any minor body work to be completed and the paint done. Should have her back in a couple of weeks, can then get the new vinyl lid put on and start putting her all back together with all the fresh clean and polished chrome work and lights.
Gonna be cutting it fine for nationals.
Would add photos but they are all on my computer and I have been suffering from this SMART HDD virus and haven't been able to use my computer so having to use the missus' computer to write this update.
As soon as I can get my computer working again, I will throw up some photo's.
Chat again soon.

[tfghiatcxlematt]

Hey Chris,

Firstly sorry about being a right pain in the ... with all the questions and photo requests I was asking you got enough things on your plate without that, I'll lay off ya and let you get on with work. Excellent progress, it'll be great to see the work you've done but just wanted to pass on my congrats for making those inroads also excellent news about getting the motor running, my tc isn't easy to start even if its left for only one week so two years sitting couldn't have been easy but I'm glad you got it going.

Anyway take care and will look forward to reading future updates!


Matt.

[EBXR82BEE]

Good work mate cracking along

[TCXLECoupe]

Okay been a while since i updated. Glad to say the car will be at Nationals. And any of you guys that go, Keep an eye out for it. Its British Racing Green with a Black Vinyl roof and Saddle Brown Interior. It will also have Rattlers CC Aus sticker on the back window Its a piston with a chequered flag on one side and a Eureka flag on the other.
I will post some photos of it after Nationals. Just been to busy working on it so far. Matt when i post some photos or if you come on sunday you can take some and if you still have Sandras details you can show her what her old car looks like now. Cheers all and see you at the Nationals.

[77tewagon]

You will not be able to miss me at the Nationals... don't think there will be any other nanna-spec pine n lime TE wagons there - look forward to catching up!

[EBXR82BEE]

well we seen it there and nice car guys it was looking good

top work by all to get it there, wanna do about 5 of mine? so that will take what 15months

was good to meet you mate lets catch up before the next one ok

[TCXLECoupe]

Thanks Dave for the kind words. It certainly was a lot of effort from quite a few people.
We will definatly have to catch up before the next one.
As for doing your cars, Umm pass. The missus and I had a good chat in the car on the way home and have decided that our focus will now go towards the 2 door and we want to try and get that done for the next nationals in 2 or 3 years. So its going to take a lot of work considering the condition of the car.
Chris's Beacon looked good, Strong yellow with a real nice ride height. Made her look tough as.

Anyway as promised here are some photos of her now.
The driveway shots where taken on the friday just before she got loaded onto the trailer (which can be seen in the background).
And the other one is obviously at the Nationals with 2 of my boys.
Also While I was there I was too busy taken photos of everyone else's cars that I forget to get some photos of my own, so if any of you guys have any I would much appreciate if you could post them up for me,
Thanks in advance to all.
And it was nice to meet some of you guys from here and put names and faces to forum callsigns.

[77tewagon]

Had a quick look in my pics and I have this close in shot of yours - the light in the pic is a bit rubbish, but the car looks great - top work for sure and great to meet you.

[TCXLECoupe]

Hey Pete.
Thanks for the photo.
It was nice to meet you to. And i was very impressed with how original your wagon is. Top work.