Thinking About A '68-'70 GM Project Car...

[Evan A. Beck]

Hey guys, I am seriously considering buying a project car, something to keep me busy in my spare time. What I want is a 1968-1970 Chevelle, doesn't matter if it is a true SS or not, as it will be turning into one by the time I am done with it. I just have visions of a '70 Chevelle SS, in red with black stripes, ground punding big block... . Oooooh baby, I am getting carried away here...



Anyways, I was just wondering if any of you have done a project like this, and if there are any tips you can give me before I find a car and get started. This is a project that's probably going to take a long time, but thats ok. Time, I got. I just think it would be so cool to have an old muscle car to cruise around in and take to shows. Anyone know of any message boards like the TDR that are dedicated to Chevelles or classic GM cars? Surely there's gotta be something out there...



I'd appreciate any input at all, including cars for sale! Thanks!

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Pictures

Some pictures of what I want... I need a bucket, I am drooling... ... .



#ad




#ad

 

[Evan A. Beck]

More...

#ad




#ad

 

[lschultz]

Evan if you got some time on your hands come on down this way and you can work on sons 99 and my truck. When ever you get time on your hands just come on down



Can't help you on the chevys I kinds partial to Mopars.

 

[lmills]

here is one web site. For what it's worth, I have a 71 big block car. Fast and fun to drive. Stock bottom end, stock heads with roller rockers. Big roller cam, aluminum intake and nice carb. Runs high 11's all day long.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Originally posted by lschultz

Evan if you got some time on your hands come on down this way and you can work on sons 99 and my truck. When ever you get time on your hands just come on down!

I'm down in TX from time to time... Maybe I'll stop by.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Evan, whatever you buy, find a southern car. If you buy a rust bucket, it'll cost more to fix than it's worth. My old man is working on a 66 SS396 Chevelle that we found WAY too much rust in once he got it apart. Too late to turn back now. I'm partial to Camaros (I have a 69 Z-28 that I bought when I was 14) but everyone and their dog has one. Let us know what you get.

 

[big jake 1]

do a search on Ebay for item



24121705835



I would rather have one of these with a 340 and the factory six pack



big jake

 

[TowPro]

Shame you did not mention this last year. my Buddy had a 69 Chevell. True SS396, owned it since we graduated in 1977. He totaled it when we were around 21, but he kept it, and started doing a restore on it. The body was done, all new metal, leaded in rear quarters (like from the factory), no rust of filler at all. All in sealer ready for final sanding and pant. only problem with it was we had used a convertible frame when we rebuilt after the accident in 81. Convertible frames were a full box frame where a normal frame was a C design. it had a fresh rear (buddy builds Drag car rears for a hobby, to pay for his chevell restore and tools) Last engine in it was a 454, not sure what happened to the 396. He had all the interior parts, used but in great condition, he was waiting for the money to buy new interior parts for it.



In the mean time he had 4 kids (now from 4 to 18 years old)



Last winter he traded it, plus $3000 for a 69 camaro. Just a 6cyl camaro, that is in the same state of repair as his Chevell was. Still apart, but in great condition. with no motor.



I guess 25 years with the same project might grow old, plus he wanted a smaller/lighter car. First thing he is doing is putting the grand daddy of all rears in it.



Had another buddy sold a 69 chevell SS396 convertible for $2000 in 1988. It was ready for paint, all new chrome for it, great top and interior, he needed cash to move, and the new place he was renting did not have a garage!



I am still waiting for a deal like that! There out there, my brother picked up a 1978 plain Jane corvette. 80K miles, the last owner was trying to fix something under the dash, and ended up pulling the whole interior out. It set in the last owners driveway for about 3 years (as he started having kids). Brother bought it, had it towed home, within 1 hour we had it running do he could pull it into his garage. All for $500. 00!!!!! Sure it needs work, paint, and put back together, but thats what projects are all about. I have noticed parts for corvettes are 2X more expensive then other older Chevys, but now at least its sitting inside. All he wants to do is put it back together, paint it, and make it a Sunday run around car for his wife. He also has a 70 Nova running around 375hp for him to drive on Sundays, and he loves his Hemi Ram every other day of the week!

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I know it's not what you're looking for but if anyone is interested my brother in law has a 1978 Trans-Am, gold, 4 speed, 400 with something like 50,000 original miles on it that he wants to sell, there is something about the way it was set-up from the factory that there are only a few hundred like it. I think he wants $12,000 which is less than it was appraised for by a few thousand.

 

[JLinder]

I'm also partial to Chevelle's.



This website is pretty good: Team Chevelle

 

[The patriot]

I never owned any GM's. After I got married, my wife had a few.

My buddy in shcool had a 67 chevelle that had a 427 engine in it. It was all done up.

That thing was so fast it was scary to drive.

Eric

 

[MMeier]

Damn, the pictures of the red one look just like my '70, right down to the vinyl roof, 'cept I have Weld's all the way around!! 414 " big block with A/C, P. S. , P. B. Run' easy mid 13's on a REAL street tire (295/50/15 Kelly Chargers), Have to nurse it out of the hole for 100' but oh well!! Hopefully will redo the 33 yr. old rear suspension this fall and let the thing launch!! Also have '72 Vega bracket car that runs 12's, pretty competitive too if I keep my head out of my backside !!

 

[John]

Evan, if you want to see a Chevelle to die for, HOSS and his wife have a really sweet one. In fact, HOSS has it in his avatar (along with his Ram), and his wife has it as her avatar [i. e. , NW BOMBers]



After all...



it's her Chevelle!



Way to go girl!

 

[HOSS]

Hey Evan,

There is a picture of the wifes 71 chevelle in the readers rig's under "Hoss" I am no good with computers or I would post it here

If you would like a closer look or have any questions feel free to get ahold of me! I am always happy to talk trucks or cars!!!



If you build your own and have a stick go with a five speed!!

I put a Tremec TKO 3550 5-speed overdrive in Terry's car

It does 0-60 in OH MY GOD!!!!!! and cruises the freeway at 70 at 2300 rpm's and will do 120mph all day long!!!! it is . 82 over driven. best $$$ I ever spent on the car.



Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any company I just know what I like and like to talk about it!!!!!!!



Thank's John

 

[Evan A. Beck]

HOSS, we defintely need to chat some more!

 

[HOSS]

I would say bag the SS clone thing, there are a million of them out there. Just build a nice Big block 5 speed manual 4 wheel disc braked car that will handle like a Porche and THEN throw a turbo in for good measure!!!

I would love to put one in my wifes car (with the right engine)

But she wants me to leave it alone :{ She says it is fast enough that is like saying my truck has enough torque

 

[lmills]

Good luck on getting a chevelle to handle like a porsche. Especially with a big block up front. These things ride like floating hoopty wagons. I wouldn't trade it for nothing though.

 

[HOSS]

The technology is there!!!

I have Hodgkins sway bars and upper and lower control arms and a tubular a-arm and 12 inch rotor front disc brake system on the way along with power assist steering box new springs. You would not believe how tight they handle!!!!!

Pacific international raceway just had there Nastalgia races and there are chevelles out there (on the road course) beating corvettes and porches.

Just because they are heavy does not mean they can't corner.

 

[MMeier]

what are Hodgkins bars, HOTCHKIS maybe?