1979 Lancer A72 Restoration

[Davy]

Hi Guys,

I wanted to post this for quite some time now but didn’t actually have a chance. Bought this car in 1997 and my dad and I worked on restoring it since 2003. The best car I’ve owned to this day.

I had to give her away a few months ago with great regret (a story for some other time).

THE CAR: 1979 Mitsubishi Lancer A72 V (station wagon)

ENGINE: 4G33 (Saturn 1400cc carburetor)

TRANSMISSION: 4 speed manual

BRAKES: Front and Rear drum and liner

RESTORATION PHASE 1 | 2003 – 2004 | BODYWORK+

- Restored all body panels and chassis to its original condition

- Replaced all door moldings, windshield beadings

- Replaced tail lights

- Changed color from silver to metallic black

- Replaced stock 12' rims with 13' Alloys

- Installed brake booster (servo)

Sorry for the low photo quality, I didn’t have a good digital camera back then.

 

 

 

 

AFTER

 

More to come... stay tuned...

 

 

Edited January 11, 2021 by Davy
Fixed Broken Image Links

[CyRaX]

She looks great, but did you really have to paste those WRC and Ralliart stickers

[Komisiripala]

Wow! Respect, man! Glad to see someone loving a car to this level! More photos please

And details on what you've done

[The Don]

The restoration seems to have been done well! Ironically I think the silver suited the car better but that that is probably personal taste. Still the car looks very good! Could you show us the interior and the engine please!

[Davy]

RESTORATION PHASE 2 | ENGINE OVERHAUL | 2010

Engine Disassembly

More to come...

Edited January 11, 2021 by Davy
Fixed Broken Image Links

[Davy]

  On 5/15/2012 at 10:44 AM, CyRaX said:

She looks great, but did you really have to paste those WRC and Ralliart stickers

Thanks for the comment CyRaX. I took off the RalliArt sticker but not the WRC. Did them all on my own, so didn't want to put that effort to waste so to speak.

[Davy]

  On 5/15/2012 at 10:46 AM, The Don said:

The restoration seems to have been done well! Ironically I think the silver suited the car better but that that is probably personal taste. Still the car looks very good! Could you show us the interior and the engine please!

Thanks for the comment. Honestly speaking, it was my idea to go for black... didn't think it would be so difficult to maintain that paint.

Interior and engine coming up...

[Davy]

Water lines

BEFORE (yellow) and AFTER (chrome)

Cleaned pistons

Polished engine block

Welch plugs before and after

Main bearings

Piston rings

Timing belt and tensioner

Edited January 11, 2021 by Davy
Fixed Broken Image Links

[CyRaX]

  On 5/15/2012 at 10:50 AM, Davy said:

Thanks for the comment CyRaX. I took off the RalliArt sticker but not the WRC. Did them all on my own, so didn't want to put that effort to waste so to speak.

Hats off to you and your dad mate !!!

[Davy]

New water pump

New Gasket overhaul kit

New oil pump

Big-End (con-rod) bearings

New engine valves and valve body (ports polished)

Edited January 11, 2021 by Davy
Fixed Broken Image Links

[Davy]

Engine cover (BEFORE)

Engine Cover (AFTER) - Red heat resistant paint

Engine re-assembled. Those chrome water lines look good! The engine block was painted black.

 

Edited January 11, 2021 by Davy
Fixed Broken Image Links

[Davy]

It took me almost three months to complete the engine. I got the engine bay painted and worked on as well. Purchased all parts from no other place than Panchikawatta. Can't count the number of days that me and my mechanic used to walk through all those shops and dodgy places to find the stuff we needed.

Will post the next set of photos when I have the time.. this is it for now. Let me know what you guys think.

[Davy]

  On 5/15/2012 at 11:02 AM, CyRaX said:

Hats off to you and your dad mate !!!

Thanks CyRaX!

[bogzy]

brilliant work machang !

hats off for your effort.

[Schiffer]

Brings back lot of memories. had a '79 12 Sri A72 myself.. had it for over 25 years in the family..

this is awesome.. well loved and cared.. might be one of the best here in SL

Hats off to you and your dad

[trinity]

Wow machan,,,

I knew that it was you even before opening the thread machan... This is one hell of a job well done.. can only imagine what you went through make her glimmer again... Hats off bro...

Ah,,, engine parts kept in the trunk of your CS3 when you took da pics rite,,, new generation helping the restoration of the elders...

Cheers mate...

P.S. eagerly awaiting the rest of the pics.....

[H.C]

great work mate!. Some interior pics plz!

[LashNeo]

Yo ma man Davy! So glad to see that you have decided to share this hot topic we used to discuss during our tea breaks among the lads in AutoLanka

[maheshw]

wow. no words.. great job !!!!

[The Don]

It makes my heart leap to see the good old 4G33 shining as the day it left the factory How much did this labour of love cost you? I know it isn't about money but I am just curious.

I have a little labour of love myself, my old Mirage. Now nobody gets me as to why I dump massive amounts of money into it every year even though I only drive it for about 2-3 weeks every year. And I've probably spent a lot more money than its worth and continue to do so, because it has sentimental value to me. It's the first car I bought with my own money The time will come when I need to find it another hopefully equally loving home but for now it will remain my loyal servant and will be treated to some goodies in a couple of weeks time Can't wait!

[terrabytetango]

fkn A. My 2 cents, since pretty every other adjective in the English language has already been used up already.

Edit: pls to be the excusing the redundancy, am slightly inebriated.

Edited May 15, 2012 by terrabytetango

[Skyline R33]

Resto topics are my favourite and some this with well doccumented photos is just my type. Respect to you and your dad.

[MrCat]

Damn.!! how did you make up your mind to get rid of that car??

[Sampath Gunasekera]

While hundreds of people try to modify their vehicles, few great people try to restore their oldies to brand new condition which is more difficult to do.

Hats off mate.

http://www.mitsubish...er_1600gsr.html

http://www.mitsubish...018_lancer.html

Edited May 16, 2012 by Sampath Gunasekera

[MkX]

Great stuff.