FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS...
This is how I found my W45 coupe, this is the state she was in the first time I laid eyes on her. Buried in the snow, her face beaten in and left for dead.
I was originally looking for a center console to use in a Celebrity project I was working on at the time when I found this International. However, after finding this coupe in such relatively great (and complete!) shape, I did some research and found out that these cars were not too common - they were actually something a little special. My focus quickly shifted and before long I had this coupe strapped to my trailer heading for home.
A Getrag HM-282 5 speed manual transaxle and an OEM ABS system will be installed on this car. The manual transaxle components were obtained from a donor 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport, and the ABS system is a combination of components from late model A-body and U-van components. Details of these upgrades will be posted on this site as time allows.
UPDATE! - 2008-01-06: I have FINALLY completed the reassembly under the hood of everything that was dismantled, cut or broken from under the hood while the Ciera sat in the salvage yard. I have ran the engine before, but not for very long. After I repaired the cut high pressure power steering line and refilled the system I ran the car for 15-20 minutes tonight. It's now ready, once it's back on it's wheels, to move under it's own power once again for the first time in years! Also, I've added pictures to the miscellaneous pics directory below!
UPDATE! - 2008-08-04: The Ciera has now been reassembled with U-van balljoints, driveaxles, struts and knuckles, not only equipping the car with ABS compatible front hubs, but also increasing the size of the front brakes to that used by the U-vans. I don't have the actual size comparisons readily available, but a 14" wheel will no longer fit on the front of the Ciera. I'll get the details of the differences in the brakes soon enough. I drove the Ciera for the first time today, although it was basically just to move it from it's parking spot that it has occupied for far too many months onto the driveway. Serious work can now begin on the car such as installing a much needed exhaust system and replacing all brake lines on the car as well as the power steering high pressure hose and rack and pinion assembly. I may wait and replace the rack when I have the drivetrain out to install the 5 speed setup, but that will depend on how much the Ciera will be driven prior to the upgrade. My wife has taken quite a shine to the car and can't wait for it to be on the road.
Feel free to click the link below to browse a directory with additional pictures of this project:
W45 Misc. Pics
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