Hey everybody, just wanted to say hi since I'm new here. I've been looking and dreaming about buying a 68-70 chevelle for years now and may have finally gotten my chance. A local guy just started advertising and interesting deal. He has a '69 non SS that he started doing a from off resto on a few years back and needs to give up because he is being forced to move. The car is currently completely disassembled (which worries me a bit) but includes some nice parts. He has gotten the frame and suspension all professionally powdercoated, willwood front disc conversion still in the boxes, brand new 360Hp 350 that has never turned over (built by a very good local shop) TH400 slightly warmed over, all new interior upholstery, body is incredible - straight and no floorpan rust or major issues. The paint isn't great but definitely not bad either, bumpers are perfect, dash is good and he claims all the parts are there. It worries me a bit that I may be walking into a nightmare but I gotta start somehow. I definitely want a big block so I may sell the 350 off without running it and swap to a manual at the same time. I haven’t' seen everything yet (I'm waiting for him to call me tonight) but it sounds like there are a pile of new parts with it including complete poly suspension bushings. He's asking $12K Canadian for it. If the body is as good as he says and everything looks complete I think I'll go for it. Any thoughts?

Is this new paint or old paint


I assume the doors and fenders etc. are off from it. If they are I would be concerned on how they fit, like did he replace the quarters or any part of the car that might of put it out of alignment.

Also he powder coated the frame, so you could have some minor issues installing parts, like the holes might need to be enlarged.

You can look at the panel lines on the floor and the trunk, like at the back of the floor of the trunk where it curves upward, look carefully at those trunk and floor panels.

It's easy to hide 3/4 of an inch thick bondo on the bottom of those trunk pans.

Look at the trunk and gas tank supports, see if they look straight, look for the edge of the supports, like a distinct edge.

Look at the area where the body mounts to the frame, do the holes look uniform, or have they been welded on.

Look at the bottom edge of the rocker panels, are they nice and straight, they are spot welded there, so see if the two panels are starting to separate. That seam for the full length of the rocker should be tight together.

Are the cage nuts inside the body mount holes in the floor, look for broken bolts in them.

Look closely around the windows edge for any signs of rework or rust starting to form.

Does he have any pictures prior to dissasembly or powder coating.

Look at the seams on the frame if you can, like it still looks like a factory weld, kind of hard to see because of the powder coat.

Look inside the doors and look at the bottom of them.

Does he have all the glass and the window regulators.

Look at where the back bumper bolts on, see if there is any broken bolts, you can get them out, but if there still in there and broken off, this might tell you a little bit about what type of work he has done on it.

It really sucks when the trunk lid is off because of the quarters being putting on ski jawed.

Look underneath the wheel wells, where the body adjoins the wheel well, thats another good place to look for buldging where the panels are spot welded together. It would be the area that goes in a semi circle.

If the headliner is out of it, look under there where the quarter and roof come together, see if it's rusted or recently welded, and if they welded it solid or spot welded it.

I don't have that much to go on from your description, so I'm just throwing stuff at you.

Also not trying to scare you with any of this.

Anyway, you will need a good flashlight and figure on spending a little time looking at these areas. But it's well worth the time spent looking it over.

Theres more, but I don't want you to go into mental overload.http://www.chevelles.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

Good luck

Keep in mind these cars are 35 years old.

Rob

Thanks for the tips! I went and looked at it for a couple hours last night. Since the body is somewhat burried in his sister's garage it was a bit tough to see evey part I wanted but I was amazed with what I did see. The body is amazingly straight. I checked all the common places (most of the ones you mentioned) and could see no evidence of any work being done. It has been repainted but really doesn't look like any body work was done at the time. There was a small bit of surface rust over the passenger wheelwell that he buffed down to bare metal and sprayed with some clear to protect but that was it. It looks like if you wanted you could basically scuff it and paint it today (not that I would).

The frame loosk really good with no evidence of any work being done to it. He has a new quick ratio steerign box, willwood brakes, new fuel and brake lines, all new upholstered seat covers and headliner, new ply master bushing kit, 360HP 350 with the full detailed build sheet, protect-o-plate and warranty cards etc. He seems to be a real enthusiast that just couldn't finish it due to circumstances. He was doing things properly and it showed (everything tagged and labeled, bolts in zip lock bags labeled, every possible piece powdercoated).

I gave him a deposite and we agreed on $10K for it. I will be picking it up next week when I get back from a trip and it will be a completed deal as long as I don't see anything bad on the body when we pull it out. I can't wait to get started...I've wanted a '69 for years!

Sounds like a good one, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to post this on our tag team section, probably a lot of guys on here didn't see your question, theres some experts on here that could give you some insight to different particulars about this car.

Rob