After assessing the damage, I made a list of parts needed. None of the after market companies make a repop hood or front bumper assembly, so the best option was to find a good donor car. It didn't take long to find the perfect car. It was a running/driving 89 Formula 305TPI Automatic.

I hated to cut it apart, but it was the only option to save my car.

The front end was solid and had never been damaged.

I searched for a reputable body shop that could handle the project. Several friends recommended Mike at Moore's Body Shop in Xenia. I towed the car to him and I felt his shop was the right place for my restoration.

Mike asked me to cut the entire front end off the donor just in front of the control arms, so my Dewalt Sawsall was called to duty.

Ready for a transplant

Loaded and heading to the shop

To say I was nervous dropping the car off after spending 26 years finding it, was an understatement.

I stopped by a couple times a week to check on progress.

The guys were patient and allowed me to take pictures along the way

I couldn't control my excitement when I saw fresh paint

It was looking better than new

Every piece painted and buffed to perfection

Fortunately, the damage was only in the upholstery foam. The seat foam below was ok

I ordered a seat upholstery kit from StockInteriors.com

Although I had never worked with upholstery before, the kit was designed to replace the original exactly like the factory using hog rings, and it was relatively easy to do.

A wire wheel and some spray paint made the seat tracks look like new