I just bought my 1965 Chevelle Malibu and I am new to this forum. My plan is to restore the car to "close to orginal" condition. I have owned several other older cars but I want to do this one right. I plan on doing alot of the work myself. My question is were do you start. I am the type of person that needs to map out my plans before I start. Any thoughs would be appreciated.

P.S. Great Forum......

[This message has been edited by 1965_Malibu (edited 06-10-2002).]

[This message has been edited by 1965_Malibu (edited 06-11-2002).]

The first step is to do the research on your numbers. Look for a build sheet, you may not have one on this year, or it may be a punch card under the bottom of the seat. The main TC page has the data pages links to decipher these. You should take alot of pictures to document the current condition. When removing parts and their attaching hardware, bag and tag them to gether to keep them from getting mixed up into a big bucket of who knows where this goes. When cleaning parts, use mild cleaners if you plan on reapplying the inspection paint or wax crayon markings. There is a difference in many of the New Old Stock (NOS) versus the reproduction pieces. NOS is more expensive of course. But the repro parts will look good until you can find the correct NOS piece.

I would start on the mechanicals first, brakes, suspension, engine, trans, etc. Next work on the body, and then the interior.

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Brian TC#1092, ACES#4374
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1965 El Camino (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino1b.jpg) Before Restoration (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino1a.jpg) (My Hotrod)
1981 Corvette (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino81.jpg) (Daily Driver)

"How to Restore Your Musclecar" by Greg Donahue. You can get it from the man himself at Greg Donahue Colletor Car restorations, 12900 S. Betty Point, Floral City FL 34436. $29.95 plus $5 shipping. (preceding info from his column in the Jan 2002 "Muscle Car Review" Magazine)