Restoring a Legend
05-14-2013, 10:08 AM
#1
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
Restoring a Legend
Howdy Folks,
So I had been daily driving my SS Cobalt for quite some time now, recently cammed it, built the top end, and converted to e85. It's really fun to drive, but not really a practical DD anymore since gas mileage on E is awful and having to strategically plan fuel-ups isn't too fun.
So back on December 21st of 2012, I went and picked up this beast. It's a 1994 LS in Milano Red.
Drove from DFW to Kansas City to pick her up, round trip was 1100 miles.
Interior was in such great shape!
In the shop getting ready for her makeover. She was quite rusty on both rear fenders, and the front fenders were god awful and needed to be replaced.
Still have a ways to go on her, but here is how she is sitting at the moment.
Hope you enjoyed the transition! In about 15K miles from now, she will be getting a hybrid 3.5RL (C35A) motor swap. Should be quite fun with the 6MT gearbox.
-Blake
So I had been daily driving my SS Cobalt for quite some time now, recently cammed it, built the top end, and converted to e85. It's really fun to drive, but not really a practical DD anymore since gas mileage on E is awful and having to strategically plan fuel-ups isn't too fun.
So back on December 21st of 2012, I went and picked up this beast. It's a 1994 LS in Milano Red.
Drove from DFW to Kansas City to pick her up, round trip was 1100 miles.
Interior was in such great shape!
In the shop getting ready for her makeover. She was quite rusty on both rear fenders, and the front fenders were god awful and needed to be replaced.
Still have a ways to go on her, but here is how she is sitting at the moment.
Hope you enjoyed the transition! In about 15K miles from now, she will be getting a hybrid 3.5RL (C35A) motor swap. Should be quite fun with the 6MT gearbox.
-Blake
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05-14-2013, 10:30 AM
#2
In the Mid-South meow
iTrader: (2)
Awesome work! That's quite the transformation!!
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Hockeyman (05-14-2013)
05-14-2013, 10:36 AM
#3
Moderator
Nice. Looking forward to the progress.
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Hockeyman (05-14-2013)
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Hockeyman (05-14-2013)
05-14-2013, 10:59 AM
#6
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
Seats are not Katzkin, they were done by a local upholstery guy (lower cost this way). I did everything mechanically to the car and tore down the motor, but the shop did the paint/body work.
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Hockeyman (05-14-2013)
05-14-2013, 11:52 AM
#10
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
The brand is Kudo, not sure which model. I had never heard of the brand, but in my vast search for a low cost and good looking wheel i stumbled across them. Lugs right now are the stock chrome ones, but I do plan on getting a color matched lugs in the future. Too many other things on the agenda currently.
05-14-2013, 12:01 PM
#11
Everyday I'm rofling
Sweet! What a transformation.
Looking forward to seeing it in person soon.
Looking forward to seeing it in person soon.
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05-14-2013, 12:41 PM
#15
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
Let's see here...so many little things that keep adding up! In no particular order and i'm sure i'm forgetting a lot.
1. Install trim around the rear glass
2. Install chrome trim around driver/passenger door (in the mail)
3. Install OEM fog lights
4. Colorsand the whole car, paint is rough in a few areas
5. Try to save the badly stained carpets, might do a dye.
6. New window tint
7. New spoiler (without 3rd brake light)
8. Swap in a new motor from 3.5 RL, current motor is burning a bit of oil from bad valve stem seals and would rather just do a swap for increased reliability. Current motor has 240K on it.
9. Fix broken cruise control
10. Replace steering wheel
11. New shift boot and knob
12. New center console
13. New e-brake
14. Needs brake job all around
1. Install trim around the rear glass
2. Install chrome trim around driver/passenger door (in the mail)
3. Install OEM fog lights
4. Colorsand the whole car, paint is rough in a few areas
5. Try to save the badly stained carpets, might do a dye.
6. New window tint
7. New spoiler (without 3rd brake light)
8. Swap in a new motor from 3.5 RL, current motor is burning a bit of oil from bad valve stem seals and would rather just do a swap for increased reliability. Current motor has 240K on it.
9. Fix broken cruise control
10. Replace steering wheel
11. New shift boot and knob
12. New center console
13. New e-brake
14. Needs brake job all around
05-14-2013, 12:42 PM
#16
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
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05-14-2013, 12:53 PM
#18
AZ Community Team
Wow, great restoration!
Keep us posted on any more work.
Keep us posted on any more work.
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Hockeyman (05-14-2013)
05-14-2013, 01:03 PM
#19
Nice progress and great work! I know I wouldn't have tackled a project like that, especially with that interior! That Legend is a such a beautiful car though...nice save!
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Hockeyman (05-14-2013)
05-14-2013, 02:17 PM
#20
Senior Moderator
I was about to comment on the head gasket, but a C35A swap will cover that hole. 
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05-14-2013, 02:23 PM
#21
The sizzle in the Steak
Nice!
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Hockeyman (05-14-2013)
05-14-2013, 03:12 PM
#22
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
1st owner: Dealer maintained, records up to 150K miles when sold.
2nd owner: Motor was pulled at some point, chain maks on the engine lift points, they owned the car from 150K to 205K. I suspect the HGs were done by this owner. They also sanded part of the car down for paint.
3rd owner: Put new clutch/lower mileage transmssion and a lot of work into it, sold it at 225K mikes. Active member on the Legend forums.
4th owner: Barely drove it, sat it outside for 2 yrs. Sold it to me with 240K on it. Nice guy just didn't have time to restore it.
05-14-2013, 03:44 PM
#25
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
Haha yes, for now she is sitting in the garage. I'm really debating on which one of my cars to keep in there...I need a two car garage so bad!
05-14-2013, 04:08 PM
#26
Senior Moderator
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As a past '97 3.2 TL owner with a Type II head swap and a past '02 RL owner, I'm especially fascinated by this.
Great job!
Great job!
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Hockeyman (05-14-2013)
05-14-2013, 04:36 PM
#27
Senior Moderator
What's the story with the wheels? It came in on some aftermarkets, but ended up in the shop on stockies.
05-14-2013, 04:47 PM
#28
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
The car came with some 01 Mustang 16" wheels with mismatched gigantic tires, the front wheels wouldn't turn all the way due to tire size...not sure which previous owner did this, pissed that the car didn't come with the GS 16s. I sourced a set of 91 Legend sedan wheels so I could drive it to the shop for the time being and I didn't care if they got overspray on them. When I got the car back from the shop, I put the new 17s on there.
05-14-2013, 07:52 PM
#29
Senior Moderator
I may miss the car, but I will never miss cleaning those wheels. 
Your new setup will be much easier.
Your new setup will be much easier.
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Hockeyman (05-15-2013)
05-14-2013, 10:37 PM
#31
Nom Nom Nom Nom
Great looking car.. Awesome job on the rebuild.. Sooooo glad to see you ditched those vents or whatever in the QP's..
The ONLY thing I don't like is the black leather. The only thing it currently goes with is the roof. Personally would have used a darker brown or something. Just something that doesn't clash so much.
The ONLY thing I don't like is the black leather. The only thing it currently goes with is the roof. Personally would have used a darker brown or something. Just something that doesn't clash so much.
05-15-2013, 10:37 AM
#32
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
Great looking car.. Awesome job on the rebuild.. Sooooo glad to see you ditched those vents or whatever in the QP's..
The ONLY thing I don't like is the black leather. The only thing it currently goes with is the roof. Personally would have used a darker brown or something. Just something that doesn't clash so much.
The ONLY thing I don't like is the black leather. The only thing it currently goes with is the roof. Personally would have used a darker brown or something. Just something that doesn't clash so much.
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Hockeyman (05-15-2013)
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05-15-2013, 03:26 PM
#38
slobalt defender
Thread Starter
05-17-2013, 10:07 PM
#39
Advanced
The Legend is loking great! It is really making me miss mine and I am really thinking about looking for another. I had the exact same car, but in silver. I loved the 6 speed and the Type 2 engine had some pretty decent power with a few mods. Sold it back in 2001 and have regretted it ever since. I have now updated to a 2G RL, but that Legend was still one of my favorite cars. Good luck and I can't wait to see all of the updates!
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Hockeyman (05-20-2013)
