1986 Utah SSP Rescue

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by 86UtahSSP

Well, I got lucky and got some lift time at a garage a friend works at. I was able to replace a leaking rear main seal, install a new FRPP clutch kit, and FRPP steel input shaft bearing retainer. Very productive day right before the 500 miles to Foxtoberfest!

Sorry I missed you there. Saw your car, but never got the chance to meet.

[86UtahSSP]

Cobra Jet, I took a couple photos. I’ll find another post to put them up. I also did t take many photos. I also regret not meeting all the SSP owners there. The journey was really enjoyable. The car drove really well considering everything that has been done to bring it back to fighting strength. I think the total mileage was just at 900 miles for the whole trip.

ImEvil1, I am sorry as well! I will have to do better next time. Clearly a great group of people!

[86UtahSSP]

A couple months back I staged the car to look more “in service” for future car shows. I know the lightbar is not Utah spec, but the price was right. Just sat it on top, put the decals on magnets, and found a license plate to match the car’s patina.

[Cobra Jet]

The first pic looks really neat with the patina and decals on it!

How or where did you find the Utah license plates?

[86UtahSSP]

Cobra Jet, thank you for the comments. I found the license plates on EBay. I’m really pleased with the patina plate. It has several years staked on each other. Possibly saw service on an SSP in its day!

Bill, thank you for the comments. I really grew attached to the patina so I threw some Poppy’s Patina high gloss to seal it in.

Rick

[86UtahSSP]

A little work has gone into the car since last year. Thanks to community members like Anthony and Jon, I was able to source some OE SSP wheels and sand beige seats. Juan got me hooked up with some Utah door decals. I was also able to install some new KYB rear shocks and quad shocks to reduce some of the rough ride. I’m excited to get the car displayed at Carlisle in a couple weeks. More photos to come once the car gets staged at the show. I hope to see some other SSPs there!

[86UtahSSP]

So many of you probably saw the photos of the car from Carlisle. It definitely has come a long way in the past year and a half. Other than some small items (headliner, sun visors, etc), it is time to decide how far this will go. Does this go to paint and body? Do I just mitigate the rust on the undercarriage and engine compartment, leaving the body panels patina? The engine also has several seeping leaks from bad gaskets, so I’d like to pull it and do a refresh, but try to avoid a full rebuild. Let me know your thoughts!

[28HopUp]

Originally Posted by 86UtahSSP

A couple months back I staged the car to look more “in service” for future car shows. I know the lightbar is not Utah spec, but the price was right. Just sat it on top, put the decals on magnets, and found a license plate to match the car’s patina.

The car looks great with the patina. I know it's become fashionable to have a patina car, but authentic wear & tear never goes out of style IMO.