63 Rambler Classic 770 sedan - Restoration

It was January 26th when we took that first bolt off the car - and that's where the fun began! As the National Rally started on September 30th, Allan and I had only eight months to ensure I made good on my pledge to take something 'different' to the Rally.

When I told everyone what we were doing, a lot of comments came back saying it could never be done, so this was a major driving force for me. There was no time wasted pulling everything off the car and by the end of the first weekend, there was nothing but a bare shell sitting of four home-made legs - the car's only support for the next six months.

So, with only weekends to work on the car (we both worked full time jobs throughout the week), we pushed hard to get it ready.

Every panel was stripped by hand. First, they were paint stripped, then cleaned back to pure steel with a strip-and-clean wheel until all traces of 'rust creep' (tiny spots of rust) were totally removed. If the strip-and-clean wheel didn't remove the rust creep, I sat there with an electric drill and scratched the spots out with a drill bit. Once we got each panel cleaned, they were etched ready for the next step.

Fortunately, there were only a few minor spots of rust in the whole body and panels. These were cut out and plated with new metal. The only panel we had a problem with was the bonnet, so for this we went to the hardware store and bought some pond liner and made a molasses bath to submerge the bonnet in. When mixed with water (at about 1 part molasses to 3 parts water), molasses is the best rust converter that I have ever seen. After a week of wiping it over every couple of days with steel wool, the bonnet came out looking like brand new steel!

With all the panels except the bonnet repaired and etched, we started to high build prime everything. After the high build, it was time to start filing. Allan did all the filing of the body and panels. Once the body was all filed ready, it was time to get under the car and do some rustproofing and sound deadening. What a messy job this was, but I think the results speak for themselves.

The next job was to tackle the engine bay. I had Allan weld up all the non-genuine holes, as well as some of the factory ones. After a lot of prep work and rubbing ready for paint, I masked off everything and Allan put on the first coat of the colour in the engine bay. What a fantastic sight it was to see some colour on after all that work!

After this, it was back to Allan's for fitting, and as the Rambler was coming off the truck, we had a crazy idea - let's get the motor and transmission (that had already been prepared) out of the garage and put it straight into the car. So we rolled them out into the carport and - very carefully - lowered them to the ground. Next, we lowered the body off the truck right down over the top of the motor, then lifted the engine into place. WHAT A SIGHT! Seeing the engine in the engine bay gave us quite a rush. Over the rest of the weekend, we put in the diff, suspension and front end.

"That was some amazing progress" we were told by some people - and looking back at it, it was. However, some were still sceptical about whether we would have the job done in time for the rally. More ammunition for me to push harder!!

At this stage, we were up to exterior painting. The panels were taken in individually and left for the painter to just lay the colour on, then the body was masked off and colour laid on. The colours chosen were Chrysler Alpine White for the roof and side strip, with Nissan Sky Blue metallic for the body.

The day that the car came out from the paint bay was a major step for us. The finish of the sky blue paint on the car and panels was totally amazing to look at.

So, with paint done, the Rambler was on a truck back to Allan's for more work. There was nothing stopping us now except time, so we started to plough full steam ahead to get this thing assembled. The doors were all hung, boot installed, guards put on and glass in. The car had to then go back to the painters for the white side strip to be added. After the strip was laid on, it was back to Allan's for the last time to complete the car.

With the paint done, all the side trim, gutter moulding, etc., could be laid on. With the guards on, we were also able to trial fit the bonnet for the first time. The bonnet needed some panel work on it before it could be painted, but we had to have all the front assembled before we could do this, so we knew where the bonnet needed reshaping. Five weeks after the car was painted, the bonnet went in to be painted. When it came back and was placed on the car, you couldn't tell they'd been painted at a different time.

We were really flying along now. With five weeks to go before the Rally, we were working weekends, and most nights through the week, too. There were a few late nights put in to finish off the interior, doors, engine bay, grille, bumpers, etc. Then, all of a sudden, the car was finished. We put the trade plate on and did our road testing and final adjustments to kick down and lights, etc., then went to sort out the roadworthy and registration. The Rambler Classic 770 was registered on September 20, 2007, seven months and three weeks after starting the restoration.

What a journey! And much to the amazement of the critics who said it couldn't be done, IT WAS!

There are a few big 'thank you's' I must give for the build.

First, my family for allowing me the time away to get this done.

Second, to Fiona and Preston for putting up with me being at their place while doing the car - late nights and all.

Third, to all the friends and family that said it could never be done - don't underestimate the power of a dream!

Fourth, to all the family and friends who believed in me.

And last, but by no stretch of the imagination the least, a big 'Thank You' to Allan Smith. Without his help and vast knowledge, I know this couldn't have possibly been done to the standard that it turned out to be - thanks, mate.

The build was a fantastic learning experience for a few people, but mainly for me. Would I do it again? Yes.

Would I do it in the same short time again? Only if I had to! Garry Murphy

Our thanks to Garry for his inspiring story.