Congrats! That's a great feeling when you hear it start up. Don't get discouraged by the minor set-back - you're doing fine! :)

Awesome! congrats!

yep! it sure feels like i was a little boy who opened up his awesome Christmas gift on Christmas day when it finally fired up after 7 years of being lifeless with dead motor (no oil pressure) and VERY ugly one that is.

Remember I'm not making a lot in financial side like some of you guys so I'm doing my best as possible to make this ssp restored the right way, help me out for good advices such as what's good parts to get and what's not and hopefully i find its service history sometimes soon. This is my first restoration.

Congrats. It is a good feeling when you finally have a running car again. I know what you mean by doing this on a budget. People have helped me out before so let us know what you need. Some of us just have what you need laying around just waiting for a good home.

Money is one thing, hard work generally is the best for any restoration. You have more appreciation and you know what was done. Take your time and do it right. If there is something that you are not good at get some help (paint and bodywork is generally the most troublesome for many). It sounds like you are getting the mechanical out of the way and working through some of the rough edges. The more you are able to do yourself, the lower the cost will be.

Historical stuff is pretty easy if you know where to look. Carfax is a good source to get started and then call a department and ask if they have a historian or a public relations officer to help you out. They can best direct you to who might be able to help you out. Know the approximate years of service and have a note pad ready to take notes. Keep your notes and photos together so you don't misplace anything and you will be able to get your whole restoration notes and all put together for a great scrapbook of the progress and the adventure that you've had.

Just some of my thoughts from rereading your posts here.

Updates...
 

Hello,

I've not done much to it since it has been running besides fixing idle issues, it's almost completely cured, TPS is the last thing which i will be replacing soon. Already replaced oxygen sensors and cleaned mass air sensor, solved surging idle issue and no more black smokes out of exhaust.

Trans has been shifting REAL HARD since day one, it made trans pan to get loose by its bolts and leaked a lot on my carport area... not cool. So i will have it completely rebuild next week so it won't leak anymore which i am looking forward to. My trusty shop tightened up the bolts for 2nd time in a month, it finally stopped leaking so I'll leave her alone until next week so that way no more mess on floor! I used about 3 large jar of trans fluids since she got on the road.

So far no luck finding 87-89 regetta blue interior... so i might be restoring my original set with this..

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...Interior-Paint

Will restore my original seats with new foams and covers and good set of tracks as original ones are obsolete and beyond repairable condition. Anyone have good recommendations for foams and covers to be period correct as much as possible?

just got marti report... now i see it was sold from ford dealership in Jacksonville...

Sweet! May I include your Marti Report in our VIN Project?

oh yes you may. :)