[AMC-List] State of the Charity AMX

["Widiker, John D" <john.widiker@xxxxxxx>]

I've been holding off posting an update for a little bit now, time to
fill you guys in with where the project is at and what's being done to
move it forward. Some of what I'm going to say is a rehash, some not,
here it is.

PR: I've sent information to Car Craft, Hot Rod and Popular Hot rodding
magazines, I am sending info to Hemmings Muscle Machines shortly to get
some coverage for the project and to solicite parts and donations. I'm
also meeting with a local newspaper to get an article on the car
shortly. 

Parts currently being obtained: I'm working with Legendary to try to get
the interior soft parts, I'll update as things happen. A buddy also has
put me in touch with Summit Racing's PR department

Supplies obtained: I have gotten basecoat/clearcoat and primer donated
by our local paint shop for the purpose of painting the car the original
color. 

Commitments for labor: Hedidit paint has committed to doing the body
work (more on that later) and painting of the AMX. They will be starting
that phase once we have removed mechanicals and gotten it to the point
they want to begin work. I'm currently talking to an automotive
stripping business to see if we might be able to get it down to a
workable point for free, I haven't heard back yet with a yes or no. 

Parts that are missing that were seemingly there at one time
(disappeared at some point):
Tail lights
Tail light buckets
Center light (reverse light)
Center light bucket
Correct grill turn signals (nos set donated by Benvie)
All the trim for the front end of the car headlight/hood and fender
trim/bumper scoops

Missing parts that are currently needed and were not previously believed
to be with the car:
http://www.mattsoldcars.com/charityamx/partsneeded.html
More to be added from the spreadsheet we are putting together (don't
have the copy here like I thought I did)

Parts that are in rough shape that could be repaired, might be easier to
find decent examples or get them donated
Dashpad
Shifter (very worn)
All wood grain overlays (I could do custom but this is a stock
restoration so we need some)
Arm rests
Lock levers
Pull straps
Gauges faces are very faded
Many more that I'll post shortly

Body work we are correcting before paint can be applied:
Passenger door perfectly aligned to the front fender that's very much in
the wrong place (meaning the door and fender are both way off)
Rocker panels are VERY rough and mostly composed of filler at this time
(anyone has some it would be nice to weld them in)
Rear of roof panel is somewhat s shaped at this time, looks like someone
roughed in some filler then shot primer over it (looks BAD)
Hood skin is not connected to the hood right now except at the edges,
this is distorting the shape and we're reattaching the two before we
form more opinions
Finding body seams that were bondo'd over, using an original amx for
reference.

The guy who did this work no longer works for Zion and I'm not judging
their work by this car... It is however a long way from being ready for
paint. They did a very nice job putting the quarter panel on the car and
I've got no complaints about how it looks. 

With regard to the missing parts listed above: I've been in touch with
Zion Auto Body, they don't remember these parts being on or with the car
when it arrived. They also state that it's possible they were there when
it arrived. Zion stated if anything turns up they will contact me and
we'll ship them to rejoin the car. I have no reason to think they would
do otherwise, nobody acted like a princess or got all offended when I
asked, I came away having respect for these guys.

I do want to take this opportunity to make one very clear statement if I
may. It does not matter to me a bit who misplaced this or any stuff, who
may have taken it, or broken it, or allowed it to be taken hostage by an
international drug ring, I furthermore don't care a bit where these
parts are currently unless they can be found. If they turn up we need
them in a bad way. I do care a great deal about making this car a
success, to me what's already happened is irrelevant, what I'm concerned
where we are going and concerned about getting what we need to finish
it. This stuff is not cheap, putting broken old stuff on the car is
pointless so we are left needing stuff that's rare and spendy when it's
nice. This is part of owning/restoring/liking a 1970 AMX and one of the
major pitfalls of this car.

The Charity AMX is a good STARTING point right now, it's not close to
saleable, it's not close to nice, it's honestly worth a few thousand
dollars right now and there is no way in hell some paint alone is going
to get it in an auction much less sold. HOWEVER when I stare at it with
my eyes squinted just enough I can see a beautiful car though and that's
enough right now. 

My friends and I are willing to work it like our lives depend on this
car happening, unless we or somebody else gets lots of parts this car is
never going to be done. I'm working to get people donating and involved
from the outside of the amc hobby, that's something I can do besides
working on it. 

I bet you are saying "I don't have the parts that are needed or a shop
to work on it in but I want to help...."  if you want to take part of
the responsibility There are things you can do: 

Compose an email (this one I sent is for us on the list, not outsiders)
and tell people about this project, ask your buddy or boss to throw a
$20 or whatever into the pot to help kids, it's the holiday season, no
better time. Frank has the purse and here are the details for how to
help him fill it:

There are two ways to donate money. The first is by mailing a check or
money order (please, no cash) to: 
Frank Swygert/AMX
574 Roberta Avenue
Dover, DE 19901-4646
Phone 302-233-4925
The second is by credit card through PayPal. To make a credit card
donation, go to http://farna.home.att.net/purchase.html. Click on the
button for "Canada/Mexico/Overseas and All Other Purchases" (this is the
third one on the page). This will take you to the PayPal site where you
can make the donation. Be sure to indicate that this is a donation for
the project AMX.
If anyone has any issue with what I've said, or what's going on, or
what's missing I expect it to be dealt like grown up men or women, that
means posts to the list are factual and bring added value. I don't mind
criticism (in fact I should have had my sheets with me before even
starting this mail) and if it's going to bring value it's appropriate.
If anyone wants to attack anyone with things that aren't going to help
or have no relevance to moving ahead then deal with it off list, one of
my biggest fears has been starting a flame war by stating things about
this car when I have no idea which people have a hand or emotional
investment in it, thus starting a flame war.
 
Lets see how this mail goes and I'll send more updates shortly

~John


_______________________________________________
AMC-List mailing list
AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list

or go to http://www.amc-list.com