Hi All, The winters here in Canada are very long which leaves lots of time to tinker while the snow is on the ground. Today I finished my winter project and thought Id share pictures of it with the F-Chat community. My restoration project included a full concourse correct suspension re-build on my 1977 308 GTB. The only upgrades were SS brake lines and ES bushings. The restoration included the following: -Energy Suspension bushings -Goodridge stainless brake lines -New Koni shocks -Re-finish ALL components and fasteners in correct plating and colours -Replicate factory markings, decals, and stamps -Re-building of brake calipers with low dust brake pads -New wheel bearings -Magnafluxed stub axles -Re-finish wheel wells, chassis components, and inner wheel arches (Special thanks to my brother Paul for this one). The list is seemingly endless but the preceding covers the main points. I took over 400 pictures and the pictures that follow highlight the work done. Ill be posting pictures in three sections. First the before, then parts as they are restored, then the assembly and final product. I hope you enjoy it. Before pics: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
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Looks like a time warp to 1977 and we're back at the Ferrari assembly line. Great work!! Congratulations!!
Beautiful. Can't imagine mine looking that good. Nice job. I would be very tempted to go with some aftermarket shocks, but there's nothing wrong with the Konis.
classic. just the stuff to build confidence needed to tackle the job. approx how much in parts and how much saved diy. certainly no price on the peace of mind and satisfaction of diy. thanx for your time.
Such a beautiful job. But how can you bear to take it out on the road?! And you even put the chalk numbers back on the arch covers! I assume you powder coated the 'heavy metal'. What did you use on the arch covers and under the arches? Looks kinda grey rather than black.
Robert, SWEET job man! That is simply amazing. But seriously, what happens when you get it dirty???? AHHH! Birdman
Beautiful photos and great work! Thanks for sharing- those photos certainly provide some strong inspiration. Have you driven her yet? I want to replace exactly the same components some day and am curious if the ride changed drastically? Thanks again- Jwise
Since EVERYONE is tap dancing around the obvious question I will ask it....does the parking brake work now? and if so, how did you fix it?
great pictures, looks like a lot of hard work,but well worth it. It all looks factory new, great job.
Thanks for all the positive replies. The job was a labour of love and I am really pleased with the results. I just came back from getting a wheel alignment done and I can now say that I drive a Ferrari; what a difference! To answer some of the questions posed: - I'm not sure how much I spent in parts but I estimate that I'm out about 3K Canadian (low 2K's USD). This includes caliper re-building which I sent out, powder coating, re-plating charges, and some labour I subbed out because I had did not have the right tools (shock disassembly/reassembly and rear bearing replacement) - I have no problems driving the car. My philosophy is to resore as best as I can and then enjoy it. There is no point owning a car that is not driven. - Powder coating was used on metal parts. This excludes the springs and sway bars that were painted to avoid subjecting them to extreme heat. The wheel arches were painted with a combination of satin black and flat black depending on the application. They look a little grey due to washout from the flash. In person they are VERY black. - As for the hand brake, it always worked but now it is clean to boot.