1975 Rambler Hornet

My project has been complete now for about a year, and it doesn't get used, so it's got to go. It took 10 years to restore it, and that might sound a lot, but a couple of other restorations got in the way, like a 66 Mustang and a V8 Commodore Ute. Now, I'm looking for another interesting project that only has 2 wheels, so Mr. H has to go.

What work has been done to the car? Fffffff ing heaps!

Brakes

Brake Master cylinder S/S sleeved and a seal kit installed.
Master cylinder plunger shaft also S/S sleeved.
Brake vacuum booster stripped and overhauled, repainted.
Front disc callipers overhauled, new pistons & seals installed.
Both front brake hoses replaced.
New rear wheel cylinders installed.
Hand brake assembly completely removed from car, stripped and cleaned,
lubricated, and re-installed.
It stops very quickly for a car this age.

Engine
Engine overhauled. New rings, bearings, gaskets, valve seals.
Head bath cleaned, crack tested, valves re-seated.
Both engine and gearbox mounts replaced.
Alloy rocker cover sourced from USA and fitted.
Alloy rocker cover/cylinder head intermediate plate laser cut and fitted.
Fuel system
2 Barrel AMC intake manifold installed.
2 barrel Motorcraft 2100 carby sourced, overhauled and fitted. (This is on recommendation from AMC/Rambler/Jeep enthusuasts in the USA. Also because I dislike Carter carbies)
New (NOS) long-range fuel tank sourced and fitted. (Mascot Motors)
New electric fuel pump sourced and fitted. (mechanical pump removed) This was because I replaced 3 crap mechanical pumps in 4 years.
Engine cooling
New Holden 308 V8 radiator fitted.
New hoses to suit.
Radiator mounted 60mm further forward. Body modded to suit.
Twin temperature-controllable adjustable thermatic fans fitted.
Gearbox
904 auto gearbox and torque converter overhauled.
New universal joints installed (they’re the same as in an XYGT.)
Pinion seal replaced.
Diff
The diff has no nasty noises, so I left it alone.
Steering
Genuine Power steering installed (from Mascot Motors). New crankshaft triple pulley manufactured and installed to drive 3 belts (AC, Alternator & P/S). New Pitman and idler arms installed
Suspension
Front – All upper and lower ball joints replaced.
Both spring saddles replaced.
Both Radius rod bush kits replaced.
Both upper and lower control arm bush kits replaced.
All bushes replaced were Nolathane.
Rear – New ‘uplifter’ spring boosters sourced and fitted. So now it has that slightly lifted rear end popular back then.
Body
All doors/guards/boot and bonnet removed for inspection.
Body pressure cleaned.
All rust removed in 2004(all 4 doors, both rear wheel arches, and above LHS taillight), repair sections made and welded in. Rest of body and floors perfect.
Front bumper upper plastic infill cover replaced with custom made alloy cover,
And upholstered with exterior-grade vinyl.
Interior paint (cabin, boot & engine bay) done with 2-pack Protec in 2004.
Exterior paint done in 2-pack Protec in 2010.
Both front & rear windscreens removed in 2003, and re-fitted into the car 2013.
Not one rust spot has appeared since all the work was done. This vehicle has enough fishoil in it to make a shark grow legs & chase it. It's okay, it's deodorised fishoil
Interior
Front and rear seats re-upholstered, XR8 pattern inserts.
New door cards made, upholstered and fitted.
4 New window winder handles fitted.
Old plastic dash was buckled, so it was removed and a replacement fibreglass dash made and fitted.
Crash pad on front of dash removed. A new, padded upholstered crash pad was custom made, upholstered and fitted.
Clock removed from instrument cluster and replaced with a tacho.
New VDO gauges fitted above console.
Old radio removed (it was nerked), new Radio/CD player fitted.
New 6” X 9” speakers fitted to rear deck.
Twin 1500W subwoofers and amp fitted in boot. (and they work well.)
Boot fitted out & upholstered to take amp and subwoofers.
Yes, the original jack & handle are behind the spare.
Electrical
Old front indicators removed, replaced with LED’s.
Grille refurbished.
Spotlights fitted to old indicator openings in grille and wired in. Yes, they can be adjusted.
New reversing lamp wiring installed from gearbox to rear lights (most have this feature missing).
Spotlights, gauges, audio system professionally wired in, then all of wiring loom cleaned up and tested. This was $1,200 for labour alone!
Air Conditioning
Smiths unit removed and checked.
New AC compressor fitted.
All new hoses fitted.
Plus there's a shipload more stuff I've done that I haven't listed here, and I have all the original suff that was replaced. Plus a towbar and a sports steering wheel.
What would I do in the future
The tyres are at least 11 years old, but look to be in excellent condition. I would probably replace them with a slightly wider set of rubber.
I had planned a new exhaust system, even though the existing one is quite good. It needs one that will give the car the burble that it needs.
When I did the front bushes, I should have done the rear ones as well, so they should be done.
Finally, I have spent an inordinate amount of money on the car, and it was always going to be a driver, not a trailer queen, so if you're after a show car, this ain't it - although it's as good as it's photos in the flesh.

Give me a call on 0407757949 and we'll see if we can work out a deal, but don't text - I'm an old fart who prefers to talk to people.

Likewise, if you want a question answered on here, send it via ebay and it will be answered on ebay.


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