Midnight Express

[1981 Z28]

I will not post any before pictures because everyone knows what a triple black vert looks like, but here are a few things I have done this weekend.
First thing was the Heritage Grille with the center SS emblem. Not hard at all and had it done and on the ground in 1 hour.

Next was the cold air intake this was a very quick mod I had the old one off and new one on in 20 min. and yes it did wake up a few more HP's.

After that of course, If you let more air in you've got to let more air out. So I lifted the rear of the car and installed an axle back exhaust system. (ATAK) and it sounds really good. Not as loud as I thought it would be at cruising speed but when you get on it the noise is there!!!!!!!!! Notice the tips are painted black to match the rear of the car. Well taking the old exhaust off was about a 5 min. job but lining the new ones up took a while longer but within an hour I had it where I wanted it. While I was in the painting mood I also removed the rings around the tail lights and painted them to match the exhaust. Also while I was working on the rear of the car I removed the bowtie and the SS emblem and replaced an SS emblem in the center. Then I put some window tinting over the reverse lights to blacken them out. That took care of working on the car on Sat. Then I had to go to work.Here is a pic of the rear end.

Sunday morning I got up bright and early and put the top down and got out the fabric dye and started dying the stitching on all the seats, shifter, console, and everywhere else there was white stitching. This was about a 2 hour process and alot of twisting and contorting to be able to reach in cracks. After the dye job, I wiped down the whole interior with leather conditioner. Here are a couple of pics of this. Sorry these are not very good pics I may replace them with better ones.


Here is a pic with the new wheels. These were put on Thursday afternoon with 72 miles on the odometer. Even after all the MODS this weekend I managed to rack up 250 topless miles on Midnight Express.
I do have a few more mods in store but they will be done in a few more days. I have to take it to the dealership to have the top replaced. When I get it back the mods will continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ron10]

it sure is purdy.

[10spokess]

Man that is pretty sick looking I love the black chrome

[1981 Z28]

Originally Posted by 10spokess

Man that is pretty sick looking I love the black chrome

Thanks. I got the wheels 2 months before the car came in.

[SUX2BU]

Good looking car, I was thinking about painting my exhaust tips black but wasn't sure if it would come off, so I just left them polished.

What size wheels and tires is that? The fronts look like stock pirellis, but not the rears. Did you buy the wheels/tires new or used?

[1981 Z28]

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

Good looking car, I was thinking about painting my exhaust tips black but wasn't sure if it would come off, so I just left them polished.

What size wheels and tires is that? The fronts look like stock pirellis, but not the rears. Did you buy the wheels/tires new or used?

I sanded down the exhaust tips the put primer on them then I used a high temp spray paint and it should last.
As for the wheels I went with 20"x9" wide all around and those are the stock tires all the way around 245 width in front and 275 width in rear but once those wear out then I will put the same size tires all around and I will be able to rotate the tires when needed. As for new or used, everything is brand new. The car only had 72 miles on it when I switched the wheels out.

[8cd03gro]

Super clean. I'm not a huge fan of the wheels, but the rest of the car is just right imo. Great job.

[1981 Z28]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

Super clean. I'm not a huge fan of the wheels, but the rest of the car is just right imo. Great job.

Thanks for your compliment. I wanted to go with the blacked out look and I thought the wheels fit the look I was going for.

[john2plus8]

noticed the SS emblem the second I open the spread. Very nice job

[shadow09]

I really like those SS emblems! where did you get those?

[1981 Z28]

Originally Posted by shadow09

I really like those SS emblems! where did you get those?

Sorry it took so long to respond but I have been very busy!!!!!!!
I got them at http://www.sparksrestorations.com/
They are just what I was looking for after debadging the car.