1981 merc marquis brougham + GMGT rebirth!

[marquisman]

Well, had a pretty good summer with this car but, storage time is upon us. Hope to get a quick video before it goes into storage for winter. Also, still very happy with the lentech street terminator AOD. Works awesome with the revised VB. And it chirps the tires from 1st-2nd.

I was not able to get everything done that I wanted this year but, who wants to complete a car 100%, right? lol. That being said, the rims need to be updated. I really like the cragar soft 8 chrome rims but, they are kind of expensive to get(for what they are) and after seeing some recent pictures of other MGMs, true spoke wire rims keep coming up in my brainstorms. I am trying to find a pic of a 2-door that has standard offset wire rims. I keep finding cars with lowrider reverse offset rims. I am thinking a subtle chrome set of chrome wire rims, 15x8/15x7, with my current tires, would look kind of cool and be a bit different. I don't know, should I pursue this or just stick with the cragars? Thoughts?

[johnunit]

I've batted around the idea of real wire wheels. It could look nice.

[marquisman]

I have been thinking about this all summer long. I get lots of mixed reviews. Thing is, I can get wires for roughly the same price as the cragars. I need to make a decision before spring.

[packman]

I can't remember the username, but there was member on here that had 20" wires on his MGM. They looked really good on that car. I think that car burned though. Too bad, as it was a beautiful car.


Packman

[packman]

ltdcrwnvic, that is the username and he still posts. His sig pic has his old car. Although the wheels are 20", they really looked nice on his box.



Packman

[marquisman]

I know the car but, I would only be sticking with 15 inch rims. My mind would be made up, if I bumped into a set of true spoke rims that don't use knock offs. Like true spoke or appliance wheel company. Cragar star wire rims look sweet but holy shit, they are very pricey.

[marquisman]

The winter blues have driven me to buying parts lol. I ordered an NOS grille and lowering springs from speedway motors. Also going to have gauges coming from sly and NOS fender louvers. I think I want to go with correct year fenders and bumper. I have a line on a bumper but, not 100%. So, I am gathering parts over the winter, to be installed come spring.

[marquisman]

Well shit, $1700+ shipping for correct fenders and bumpers. That's not including paint. Well, that Idea is out the door. How ever, I have a line on a '79 front bumper. Only thing that I'm on the fence about is, the license plate location. I don't know why but, its something I think about.

In other news, my springs are on their way. 925s up front and 175s rear. I think someone on here ended up cutting a coil out from the 925s? I may entertain this idea.

Now, I wait for my gauges and other NOS stuff to arrive. Also have to harvest some parts from a buddies '88 MGM.

[87gtVIC]

79' bumper has the license plate mount in the center. I don't mind it.

[marquisman]

I should buy it any way, really. A re chromed '79 bumper is worth having around.

[packman]

In other news, my springs are on their way. 925s up front and 175s rear. I think someone on here ended up cutting a coil out from the 925s? I may entertain this idea....

How much lower did that put the car? Only reason I ask is because I've seen AFCO springs that are 9.5" tall with the same ID as the Tru-Coils. Since I haven't considered making my CV any lower than it already is, I don't know how much the 9.5" springs will drop a box Panther.


Packman

[marquisman]

I think it was pesty's vic. By looking at his pics, the front of his car sits at a good height. Also, I think it was Mr. ltd who put in t-bird SC rear spring in the front, for a 3'' drop. Having a hard time tracking that info because, I am late to the suspension game lol. But, it seems that the regular 12''/925 on the front is a decent drop.

[packman]

It was almost 2" for mine with those springs on crap shocks. I regained about .25" with the Bilstein shocks. I would consider dropping it a little more if my exhaust didn't hang so low. Gonna fix that this Spring though.


Packman

[marquisman]

I would like to get a 2.5'' drop. Maybe even 3''. I have to do my research.

But anyway, my first shipment of parts! One never installed NOS grille and three fender vents. I have five more coming. Total of two sets.

[87gtVIC]

Perty