Sadly, I've given up on restoring my X

daveblaney

That was unexpected...
A little over a year ago I posted how my Sons and I were working to get my '81 back on the road after it had sat for many years due to my health issues. Sadly, the task was too great for the time I have to give to the car, so I have decided not to go any further with my efforts. What I have done, however, is what any self-respecting X-head would do- I bought another one that needs nothing.

I am now the proud owner of another '81 X, sold to me by forum member Hiwheel (it was in the FS section here on Xweb as a Craigslist ad out of Bridgeport WV). I cant say enough about how great the condition of this car is. Everything is in fantastic shape, and many important maintenance items like timing belt and tensioner, new hoses, rebuilt trans, new tires, clutch, and on and on, have already been done very recently! This car needs nothing! As a bonus, it came with a treasure trove of additional new parts, including new struts and springs, cables for the engine cover and rear trunk, CV boots, and much more. Hiwheel was even gracious enough to deliver the car so as to save me the hassle of transporting it.

My old '81 isn't going anyplace, as the next generation of Xhead in the family has laid claim to it. I have all the items necessary to repair it, I just didn't have the time. My 17y.o. does, so the task falls to him. My youngest son didn't put up too much of a fight for it, as he is occupied with restoring his '77 Ford Bronco.

Here's a few photos I snapped this evening...




 
Congrats on a great looking X...

Nice car, you are very lucky to have it, from what I can see it is in great shape and should need very little. Glad it went to someone who will treat it right!!!!

PW
 
Hi Dave! Hey, long time no hear!:)

Looks like you scored a nice one:clap:, best of luck with it and with your health issues. Now kick back, put your "supervisor" hat on, enjoy an adult beverage, and make sure the youngins do a nice job with your old X.
 
Well, well, well Dave... I dunno what health issues...

you have but I do know that you have some mental/emotional problems when it comes to X1/9 ownership.

Intervention isn't necessary until you have THREE and no longer shave, shower or change out of your chonies... So you have a ways to go yet.

Since you haven't been instituted yet, do spend your time as Dan suggests directing those boys on the restoration of the other car... then put it up for sale along with the plethora of spare parts you gleamed with this purchase. Others will really appreciate it and your effort. BY NO MEANS let those BOYS drive the other car... It will be more humane to burn it down in the driveway and collect the comprehensive under an Agreed Upon Value policy.

Additionally... as I said... I dunno what your health issues might be but I was given 3 - 6 years to live with a terminal form of Cancer back in 1984. It ain't been easy but I bought this car in 1983 so I think there is a connection... It might also be a cure...

Lastly... your 1981 sure has all the markings of a late 1980 FI car, especially the wheels. 1980 cars were both carbed and FI'd and sales were in the pits... so it could very well be a 1981 leftover from 1980. Those wheels are the giveaway and I know of no one would opt to replace the typical alloy wheels for these steelies.

But all and all... it looks FANTASTIC! What a find! Congratulations and don't be a stranger!
 
Tony, you may be right...

I do believe this car is a late 1980 hold over. I'm not nuts about the steel wheels, but I did put the trim rings on that came with it, and they do look better. Eventually, I'm going to put the wheels from my old '81 on this one, as soon as I can get some proper tires for them. Between this car, the other '81, the '78 (complete shell and motor), the two spare FI engines and lots of stuff from a disassembled '85, I should qualify for an intervention.

About the only thing I an defiantly going to do is fit the seats from the old '81 into this one. I have a set of seats from a Mitsubishi Starion that are a perfect fit, much smaller, and exceedingly more comfortable for me than the stock seats. They have a range of adjustments, and give me several additional inches of headroom which I need. And though I'm not crazy about the color combination of the Black exterior with Off White/Brown interior, I'll probably leave it alone since it's so nice and original.

As for my health issues, it was some major back problems. I spent many years where I could barely walk, let alone contort my 6'4" frame into an X. Six major surgeries and countless procedures including the implantation of 3 different spinal cord simulators + some good doctoring with an excellent pain management specialist, and I'm almost good as new (almost). I'll even be graduating in December with a teaching degree that I began back when this car was only a few years old. Hey, if the X affliction doesn't get me, teaching Middle School just might!

And thanks all for the compliments on a good purchase, it's good to be back in the fold. But I must say, the real compliments belongs to Hiwheel, who was an outstanding caretaker of this X for the last 23 years. I took the car to a car show this evening and it garnered quite a bit of attention. It's not perfect, but for 34years old, she still draws attention.
 
Ever heard of Kyphoplasty?

My wife is going through a terrible time with Osteoporosis and has fractured 3 vertebrae since March for a total of 4. This procedure worked wonders and I dunno if its appropriate for you... but you may wanna google it.

Congrats on your Teaching Degree... but it might be best to commit Harri-Kary than to teach Middle School-ers! The RAGING HORMONES can KILL... or at least impregnate others just by "touching"!

I didn't know about all the other stuff... but do get the '78 together and when done... list all the other stuff along with the car so you can MAYBE finance one semester of College for one of your boys... You can then avoid a rather nasty intervention as well as keeping the wife.

Good luck and good fortune to you... keep us posted with PICTURES, dammit!
 
Whoops, sorry,double post. nt

.
2Q==
 
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The '79 Steelies can be made to look very attractive...

IMHO...

Repainted these all Silver and added NEW plastic Beauty Rims for $40 bucks. Today I would use a Duplicolor Metallic WHEEL paint with just a little more BLING... I think it makes the wheels look like a FACTORY PHONY MAG... and just goes well with a primarily stock car.

 
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