Re: Hey guys

Rick, good advise. Something I have told people for years is to build the vehicle how THEY want it. Some wish to spend $250 fora date coded radiator hose. Not me. Heck, I just sold a whole Gremlin for $450. While some prefer to keep it AMC, others do not, that to me is fine also asthe alternative is the car goes to the crusher or parted out, or as someone else mentioned rusts into the ground like many of those cars at www.carsinbarns.com or many of these AMXs off my 'ugly amx contest' file on my site:

http://www.planethoustonamx.com/ugly%20cars/uglycars2.htm

There is nothing wrong with setting one's goals high. However, one has to be practical about it. What type of driving do you wish to do with it when done, street, daily, race? What is your budget? Everyone has to have a budget on their vehicle. What is your timeline such as school, work, family, all of these come into play and are a hell of a lot more important than a piece of iron no matter who made it. The cars will belong to someone else one day anyhows, but family and friends you can't replace!

As for altered AMCs, I even have a file on my website about that as I like altered cars.

http://www.planethoustonamx.com/parts%20&%20Literature/alteredamcs.htm

You would too if you have seen over 8000 of them crushed in 20 years in local junkyards like Pick A Part

www.houstonpickapart.com where a majority of cars are RUST FREE, but again, we are a disposable society, and 90% of these cars could have been saved, but weren't. So keep everything in perspective, do a restoration to the BEST of your abilities, it is always a learning experience! Most of all, just have fun with it. I have judged many a car at many anational and I would be the first to tell you there are over restored cars and my guess is less than 4% of them are indeed "Stock" regardless of what class they may be in. Good luck with your vehicle.Eddie Stakes' Planet Houston AMX www.planethoustonamx.com

Rick wrote:

I'm sure there are many of us that have had that same passion. Don't set a goal so high that you would loose interestor go broke before it is completed. I have seen some fine examples of carrying a restoration to an extreme.

When I attend any car show, I like to see a vehicle that shows detail. This does not necessarily mean a "factory correct" type of restoration either. Attention to detail is limited by cost, time,and imagination. Regardless of the make, model or year anyone is into, there are a lot of unfinished "projects" for sale out there also. Things can change in a heartbeat. Priorities can shift and passions can dwindle.

You will need a lot time and plenty of patience. There is a lot you can do in the mean time. How solid is the Gremlin? A car can deteriorate badly just sitting there. If it is under a tree, I take it that it is sitting on dirt. Over the years, the moisture in the ground can seriously cause problems.

It is vital that you have a good solid vehicle to start with. Unless, you can do the cutting, shaping, fitting and welding, it could be costly.

Check it out and look close to see what you really have.

Rick