Not an air shocks fan, so...

Took a little time to get started, but I've finally taken some baby steps. I replaced the rear air-shocks that a previous owner had installed. I know there are lots of folks who swear by them, but I'm in the "unit-body cars are not meant to have weight carried by the shock towers" camp.

The ass-end now rides on KYB Excel gas shocks. I have KYB Gas-A-Just units for the front. That will be part of the rebuild of the front end. As a side note, I have discovered three new ways to hit my head... 1/2" drive ratchet handle, left to swing in gravity's own arc, scootching under the car and conking myself on the tailpipe, and scootching out from under the car and conking the bumper extension... Three for three...!


















I took a calculated risk by buying 1" wheel spacers before actually doing the math (which means they won't work) to test fit the Mustang Bullitt rims on the drivers side. I think they will look very at home in the Hornet wheel arches once we get rid of the "baja" look. There is entirely too much room in the wheel wells as it sits. If I can get 2 inches of drop in the back and maybe 2-1/2 or 3 in the front, she should sit down over the 245/45's pretty nicely.





























Posted a few pics for your perusal...

1975 AMC Hornet... not much, but she's mine...

I've wanted a project for quite some time... and I'm a Rambler guy. Chevy guys are cool... I have no issues with the Blue Oval crowd... and the Mopar folks have taken the orphan AMC brand into their shows... but it takes a special kind of crazy to love the Kenosha Kadillac.









My little Hornet hatch is a base model. Originally tan, but after a couple DIY spray jobs, she's now a very orange-peel turquoise. That is the least of my worries... lots of mechanical stuff to do. The venerable AMC in-line 6 provides motivation (this is the 232 CI variant). The Mopar sourced 904 TorqueFlite automatic connects to a leaf-sprung AMC-15 one-legger rear end.

















A brief list of To-Dos:

1. fix leaky trans pan
2. re-build front suspension
3. disc brake upgrade
4. add front sway bar
5. install KYB gas shocks all-around
6. fit Mustang Bullitt 17x8 wheels over new brakes

















I'm tired just thinking about it.

It's going to be a busy Spring, but I can't wait to get her out of storage in about a week. Hopefully, I can get a few folks to follow along. The advice and encouragement will be vital when the going gets tough.