This page details the progress of restoration.

Below are the first pictures I took of the car the night I drove it home.

Here it is after I cleaned it up the best that I could.

Restoration began February 2009.  I'LL BE ADDING A BUNCH MORE TO THIS LIST AN THINGS PROGRESSES!

Listed below are preventive maintenance or appearance enhancements. I started fixing these problem areas soon after I bought the car.

Cleaned inside and outside of vehicle. Including the door jambs and under the package shelf just behind the rear window on the outside.
Thorough safety inspection before driving vehicle.
Reline front brakes with new seals and pads. Turned the rotors and repacked the wheel bearings.
Inspected, cleaned and adjusted the rear brakes.
Oil change, lubed chassis and checked all fluid levels.
Adjusted transmission shift cable.
Cleaned the rims
Cleaned engine compartment (still dirty)
Fixed the interior lights and under hood light.
Fixed hood latch so hood will release when inside cable is pulled.
Adjusted shift linkage after putting body bushings in
Adjusted steering gear
Front end alignment
Serviced Transmission
Serviced differential
Serviced Powermaster (replaced fluid in entire brake system)


Listed below are items that are BRAND NEW...NOT USED!  "DONE" means it's already been purchased or installed; ( ) means quantity of item.

145 Speedo (recalibrated speedometer...no reducers used): DONE
A/C-Vent chrome surrounds (3): DONE

A/C condenser, high efficiency: DONE

A/C Compressor: (Will buy a new one when summer comes)

A/C Hoses: DONE

A/C Drier: DONE

A/C 134A Freon change-over with fittings:

Orifice Tube: DONE
Ball joints Upper (2): DONE
Ball joints Lower (2): DONE

Belt: Serpentine DONE
Body to frame bushings: DONE

Body Side Moldings, Chome/black DONE

Boost gauge...mechanical analog: DONE
Boost/Tachometer (factory recalibrated unit) (1): DONE

Bulbs, #1157 x 6 turn signal/brake - front and rear: DONE

Bulbs, #194 x 8 side markers front and rear: DONE

Bulb, console shift indicator: DONE

Chrome/black body side moldings: DONE

Chrome reproduction grill: (1) DONE
Chrome OEM Headlight bezels: (2) DONE
Chrome OEM side marker lenses: (2) DONE
Chrome door handles (2): DONE
Chrome OEM entry moldings (the BODY BY FISHER pieces) (2): DONE

Chrome Oil Fill Tube and filter kit; DONE

Chrome center caps for rims (4) DONE

Chrome Blower motor cover; DONE

Chrome EGR cover: DONE

Chrome Fuel Pressure line: DONE

Chrome Hood Shock covers: DONE

Chrome Powermaster reservoir cover DONE

Chrome coolant jug cap; DONE

Chrome turbo inlet pipe: DONE

Chrome intercooler up pipe: DONE

Chrome valve cover fin inserts: DONE

Carpet (1): DONE

Carpet, re-upholster rear window package shelf: DONE

Carpet Jute insulation: DONE
Cruise/Turn signal lever (1): DONE

Coolant Overflow jug: DONE
Drag link (1): DONE

Dome Light Lens: DONE

Dome Light clips (2): DONE
Door panel clips: DONE

Door panel carpet, lower dark blue (2): DONE
Door lock cylinder rubber gaskets (2): DONE
Door weather-strip... upper and lower (both doors): (4) DONE
Door hinge pin/bushing rebuild kits (4): DONE
Door handle gaskets (2) DONE

Diamond cut aftermarket headlight lenses (4) DONE

Engine Mounts(2): DONE

Emblem, fender "T" (2) DONE

Emblem,  "BUICK" chrome for rear of trunk(1): DONE

Emblem, "3.8 SFI TURBO" chrome rear of trunk(1): DONE

Emblem, "REGAL" Quarter panel chrome (2) DONE

Emblem, "3.8 SFI TURBO" Hood(2): DONE

Emblem, Trunk lock cylinder: DONE

Emblem, "C pillar" square emblem DONE

Fuel Pump: DONE

Gauge holder...twin gauge, console mount: DONE

GM Ignition and Trunk keys (4) DONE

Gas Tank: DONE

HID headlight kits...2 kits - bright and dim lights. DONE

Heater Hoses: DONE
Hood Shocks (2) DONE
Hood Ornament (1) DONE

Hood Insulation (1) DONE
Headliner material (1) DONE

Headlight switch DONE
Idler arm (1): DONE

Ignition lock Cylinder (1) DONE

Leather Steering wheel, Reconditioned: DONE

License Plate bulb DONE (might put a LED lamp in there):

Overlay Kit, Simulated Aluminum,  Speedometer bezel DONE

Overlay Kit, Simulated aluminum Console Shift plate: DONE
Overlay, Radio bezel (2) DONE

Overlay, RH Dash plaque (1) DONE
Overlay, Upper door panel pull-strap: (Probably will not install the door straps at all)

Pinstripe, dark blue metallic: DONE

Pad, Accelerator pedal (1) DONE

Pad, Brake Pedal (1) DONE

Pad, Emergency Brake pedal (1) DONE

Power door lock switches (2) DONE
Power window switches (2) DONE
Power Antenna mast repair kit (2) (one is for the Grand National too) DONE

Power Antenna, upper mounting nut, chrome: DONE

Power Antenna Tip, chrome: DONE

Power Brake Booster - Remanufactured Powermaster: DONE

Radiator: DONE

Radiator upper hose: DONE

Radiator lower hose: DONE
Rear window filler pan clips: DONE
Shifter handle (1) DONE
Shocks (4): DONE

Seat belt guides on headrests: DONE
Seat upholstery...front DONE

Seat upholstery, Rear DONE

Speakers, Front 2 way 3.5" with tweeters DONE

Speakers, Rear 6x9 with adaptors DONE
Speaker panel for upper dash (1) DONE

Steering Column to firewall seal (1) DONE

Stainless Steel Exhaust System, Pypes brand, dual 2.5": DONE

Sticker, Belt routing: DONE

Sticker, Caution Fan: DONE

Sticker, Oil Recommendations: DONE

Sticker, Air Filter: (Not applicable. Installed a K&N 9" cone): NOT INSTALLED YET

Sticker, Jacking Instructions: NOT INSTALLED YET

Sticker, SPID label (options label under trunk lid): NOT INSTALLED YET

Sticker, Coil Pack: NOT INSTALLED YET

Tachometer: Aftermarket Analog (1) DONE
Tie rod ends, outer (2): DONE
Tie rod ends, inner (2): DONE

Tires, P235-60-15, factory optioned with white letter tires (4) DONE
Trunk weather-strip (1) DONE
Trunk lock chrome emblem (1) DONE
Trunk Carpet (1) DONE

Trunk lock cylinder rubber gasket DONE
Upper control arm bushings on both sides (4): DONE
Upper Door panels (2) DONE

Window Tint, 35%: DONE
Window molding clips...front and rear DONE
Window guide felts DONE

Windshield, DONE

Windshield Wiper refills: DONE

Windshield wiper jug: DONE
Window sweeps...inner and outer (both doors) (4) DONE

Listed below are items that are "used" but VERY NICE:
 

Arm rests (2) DONE

A-pillar trim (2) DONE
B-pillar trim (2) DONE

Brake Light assembly, rear (2)
C pillar trim (2) DONE

CD Player, OEM from a 1999 S-10 Blazer DONE
Heater control cable: DONE
Lower door panels: (2) DONE

Mirror, rear view, used with compass display:

Quarter glass chrome inserts: DONE

Sun visors (2) DONE

Seat trim pieces for sides of seats (4): DONE

Seat belts Inner front: DONE

Steering Shaft...from Jeep Cherokee from column to gear DONE

Tail Lamp Bezels, chrome (2): DONE

Tail Lamp lenses, (2) DONE
Third brake light assembly (1) DONE
Trunk lid (1) DONE

Listed below is what I've done to existing parts to cosmetically improve the appearance of the car.

Installed a recalibrated 145 speedometer: DONE

Chrome plated all exterior trim pieces...rear hood, lower trunk, A pillar, B pillar, drip edge, windshield, rear window, upper door: DONE

Chromed Bumpers; Sent out front bumper to have re-chromed and bought a re-chromed rear bumper: DONE

Cleaned, bead blasted and painted windshield wiper motor assembly: DONE

Cleaned and painted front part of frame: DONE

Cleaned and pained firewall: DONE

Cleaned and painted blower motor: DONE

Cleaned and painted wiper motor: DONE

Cleaned and painted wiper transmission & lubed: DONE

Cleaned and painted inner fenders and fender wells: DONE

Cleaned and painted radiator support: DONE

Cleaned and painted miscellaneous under hood brackets: DONE

Cleaned under hood wiring harnesses: DONE

Removed, cleaned and painted steering column: DONE

Polished 4 fender well moldings: DONE

Polished A/C evaporator lines to a mirror shine: DONE

Polished all exterior lock cylinders: DONE

Undercoat exterior floor boards while engine and transmission was out: DONE

Rims, bead blasted and applied clear coat: DONE

Listed below is what I've done to upgrade/improve the car overall as a "driver".

Installed a FAST START IGNITION system: DONE

Installed window regulator "helper" springs to help the window motors roll up faster: DONE

Installed a CD Player: DONE

Installed LED instrument cluster lamps: DONE

Installed 'jute" backing material to help out on noise and to help the a/c and heater output: DONE

Installed a automatic dimming rear view mirror: DONE

Installed 6x9 rear speakers and two way front speakers: DONE

Installed a lighter/hollow IROC-Z anti roll bar:

Installed a lighter F body aluminum radiator: DONE

Boxed in radiator to make all incoming air through grill go through condenser/radiator: DONE

Rebuild engine.....maybe to have 375 to 400HP at 17psi of boost. DONE

Rebuild transmission...no specs yet but needs to handle 400+HP (Will rebuild at a later...no time right now)

Here's the restoration process I'm doing to the car. It's not going to be a full "frame off" restoration because I plan on driving the car. No sense in having a cleaned and painted undercarriage when it's just going to get dirty again.

Time to start assembling the car! 7-6-2009 to 7-11-2009 I wet sanded the body of the car, the doors and the two front fenders. I also cleaned the inside of the car out along with the trunk using the water hose! I installed the doors and bumper fillers on the rear.
July 16th to 17th 2009 I removed the window regulators so I could clean up and lubricate the tracks. I also added "helper springs" to the regulators so the windows will go up faster and take some of the load off the motor itself. When the regulators were out this allowed me to vacuum out the inside of the doors and spray undercoating at the bottoms. I also recovered the rear package shelf and added some padding to the bottom of it similar to the factory. I also added some insulating "jute" to the roof, on the sides and behind the rear seat. Hopefully, this will make the AC/Heater more efficient. It will also make the interior quieter. I got the new door handles and polished door lock cylinders installed. I also installed a new turn/cruise signal lever.
July 18th 2009 I installed the interior and added some trim overlays to the dash and console. WOW....looking GOOD!
July 18th 2009 More pictures of the interior and some of the trim pieces I polished. All of the door hinges were taken completely apart and rebuilt.
Just to play around a little while i was cleaning the dash and vents, I installed a blue LED dash light strip. The original bulbs emit a yellowish glow that doesn't look very good in my opinion. The blue courtesy lights are temporary until I get my white LED's in the mail.
The rear of the car is almost complete with the exception of the lower trunk lid chrome.
Here are some pictures of the car when the engine was about to be removed. I pulled the entire wiring harness out so I can clean the firewall and paint it. I also tore down the engine and plan to rebuild it. I'm uncertain if I'm going to put some upgrades in it out not...probably so...hehe!
The cleaning/sandblasting/painting of all the brackets is done. Here they all are hanging on the line to dry.
August 16th 2009:  Today my nephew and I cleaned the frame of the car and painted it. It was a big improvement over what it used to look like.	BEFORE AFTER
September 22nd 2009:  Tonight I pulled the steering column out and painted it. While it was out I installed a new column to firewall seal. I also installed the new leather wrapped steering wheel.	BEFORE AFTER
September 5th 2009:  I've had some trim pieces sent out to get re-chromed. They looked really nice and since they are actually chrome and not anodized or polished aluminum, I can just wipe them off with soap and water and they shine like new again! Plans are to have the other pieces sent out to be re-chromed also.
September 6th 2009:  I've finally got the front end of the car back on! I'm cleaning up almost everything while I out it together. I also changed the side marker lenses to LED's. This made the entire lense light up evenly when turned on. Check out the before and after pictures.
October 1st 2009: I haven't done a lot to the car in the past month. I've been busy with other things in life.
Here are the latest pictures. I just put the front grill on...looks really nice! Also bought some HID lights and some gauges.
October 18th 2009: I got several things some to the Turbo T this weekend. I've installed a re-chromed rear bumper...WOW...looks GREAT! I've installed the windshield and the rear window. I also had a friend tint the windows to 35%. I put on all the chrome body moldings on the car around the windshield, rear glass, upper door and around the side glass on the door. (I had ALL the moldings re-chromed by a chrome shop.) I've installed all the door and side glass rubber seals and adjusted the windows so no air will leak. I also put the trunk seal on too. I've mounted the HID ballast boxes behind the front bumper fillers after making some mounting brackets. The ones they send with the kits are a joke...lol!
December 8th 2009: I've been a little slack in working on the Turbo T. However, I do have the engine built and installed in the car. Although not finished, it's coming together. It's clean, clean, clean and that's very time consuming!   I  also got my front bumper back from the chrome shop!
As of January, I've driven the car about 7 miles...without a hood. Also, there are some miscellaneous things I have to finish up before I start driving it on a regular basis.
Here it is at the end of January 2010.  The car is almost finished with the exception of a few details.  I've put on the emblems and moldings to finally finish the outside of the car. The inside is also finished!

 To see more pictures of this restoration, go to the pictures section and you will find almost every picture I've taken during the restoration process.

This is the END of updating this page.