There she goes.

My first car... Big thanks to my dad who managed to talk my mom into giving the OK for it. Got it eight years ago when I was 15. We logged countless hours in the garage over the years. The first engine I built was for this car. My first tranny swap, rearend swap, suspension rebuild, rewiring job, etc... all on this car.

But over the years I started to get burnt out. Through college the car stayed at my parent's house while I was 300 miles away. During that time I started to gravitate back to what I was raised on... old tin. Last September I bought a new project car and decided it was time to turn the chevelle loose. So, today, almost 8 years later, I said bye.

Lots of my time, money, sweat, and blood drove away from me today... but don't get me wrong. I'm excited as hell.

I don't have a chevelle anymore, but I will check in from time to time. You still can't beat the enormous tech resources here on TC :thumbsup:



So, with that said, anyone have a SBC 3x2 setup or maybe some K-H or '35 Ford wires for sale? :cool:



http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/DSCF4773Medium.jpg
(In the foreground you can almost make out some pieces of the new money pit.)

- Matt

Wow that's a good but kinda sad photo! Hope ya don't miss her too much.

Geez, I'm gettin' all misty over here.:sad:

http://bestsmileys.com/crying/14.gif
Lets see some pix of the new project.

ahh, don't worry matt, it's only a 71/2 (?) anyway..you'll get over it. now if it was a '69, I think the picture would have included you running down the street after it.

I just couldn't do it, I am getting emotional, I'm out here. :)

Yeah, it was a bit sad watching it drive away, but I'm so pumped about the new car that I'm not worried.
I took the chevelle out for one last drive this morning. Hit the road for about 45 min... it was nice. Made me realize that I need to get the new one on the road SOON!


Lets see some pix of the new project.

1928 Ford Model A
4" chop, 5" channel. Custom 2x4 square tube frame.
Superbell 4" drop axle up front, suicide mount.
GM 10 bolt, ladderbars / panhard bar / coilovers

For now it is setup for a 350/TH350. I have a Studebaker 259 that needs a rebuild that might end up in it sooner or later. I REALLY want to find an original McCulloch supercharger from a Stude/Packard.

Haven't decided what I'm going to do for front brakes and steering. The drawing board is filling up rapidly.

As of now, it will be white, white frame, black engine, black roof insert, black '35 Ford wires... clean and classy.

Here's basically how it sits now.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/28%20Model%20A/side_reststop.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/DSCF4768Medium.jpg

Honestly Matt, I don't see what took so long to find a buyer. I thought you had sold it long ago. That was a nice Chevelle, not perfect, but nice and the work was well done.

If you need any old tin stuff, I have a good friend here in Granbury that's loaded with the stuff.

Honestly Matt, I don't see what took so long to find a buyer. I thought you had sold it long ago. That was a nice Chevelle, not perfect, but nice and the work was well done.

If you need any old tin stuff, I have a good friend here in Granbury that's loaded with the stuff.

I figured it would have been gone long ago also.

Oh well, I have the cash now :)
Speaking of parts, do you know where I might find a 28-29 decklid?

Sweet new ride Matt. But I think it would have looked better sitting beside your velle!!

Damn dude, i allmost wanted to cry reading this, and looking at that photo... I myself had all my firsts with my Chevelle. Got my 70 in the summer of 93 when i was 17. My first car,my high school car... Spent years working on her,building my first engine,transmission,suspenion,interior,body work and paint,and lots of blood sweat and tears when into it... Went on to work in the automotive industry workin on other peoples car for about 5 years, then i took a career turn and went to school and served an apprenticeship to become a CNC Machinist and programmer... But thanks to all the experiance i gathered from working on my chevelle,it has taught me alot, and i continue to work on project cars,trucks and so forth... Still own my Chevelle, and i dont think i could part with it... You are a strong dude for sure.... Good luck with your future hot rods!

Matt, I don't know if you have discovered this yet, but you might like http://www.racingstudebakers.com/ for info on building the 259. Watch eBay for listings on the McCulloch superchargers. More VS-57 info at http://www.vs57.com/ When you find the supercharger, send it off to http://www.paradisewheelsinc.com/?whatnext=services for a quality rebuild - Craig bought up all the old ball bearing drive Paxton stuff when Paxton merged with Vortec and they decided to cut the ball bearing drive supercharger line. The Vs-57 and SN series blowers are perfect for the Stude 259, and there are a surprising amount of modernized internals available if you decide to turn it up a bit.

Thomas

I've bought (and sold) quite a few classics in the last few years, and i can honestly say that each car never sounded better, or looked cooler than they did as the new owners drove them away from me... I'm sure i'm not the only one who's had that feeling so we're with ya...

but the new project will soon get rolling!

:)

If you have no plans of making a rat-rod out of the new project, there are many people over at
www.hotrodders.com (http://www.hotrodders.com)

that can help figure thing out on these old rides.
Some of which I have even seen here.

Be a good place to visit if you got some time.

I am amazed at how you have cars that old there, in good shape. Anything over 5 years old is rusted here. :( Anyways, looks like a nice project.

Nice photo. Makes me kinda sad seeing it though, putting myself in your place. Your standing there with a heavy heart watching it drive away but I sure the new owner was smiling all the way home. Good luck on your new project.

Hi Matt,
Sorry to see your Chevelle go, but I am into the old rods myself and see the appeal there as well. How about a 392 Hemi or a Flathead under the hood to keep it an Old School Rod? Or keep the Chevy Small Block and get the Decal that says: Body by Ford, Heartbeat by Chevrolet.
Good Luck with the new project.
Tory
ACES Member #1890

That pic reminds me of when I sold mine about 6 months ago.I took similar pics.There goes mine on the trailer.
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4154/img0831ac5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

That was a nice car Matt. I remember seeing it at some local shows. Didn't you take it to a dyno pull in Lewisville a few years back? Anyway, it was a nice car and I wouldn't mind owning it myself.

At least you got to finish it and enjoy it for a few years. I had to sell mine as an uncompleted project in mid restoration a few weeks ago. I only got to drive it a few times in 1999 and 2000. It had sat in the garage ever since. A former co-worker of mine from Delta bought it for some guy in Denver. The guy in Denver put up the money and the former co-worker is going to finish building it.I hope to be able to post some pics when he's finished before it gets shipped to Colorado.

It wouldn't be so bad if these cars didn't all have their own personalities. It's like your dog is different from any other dog of the same breed, even though they look exactly alike. Don't worry about missing that car, worry about it missing you.

I hate seeing her leave. But I love watching her go. :D

I just have to ask WHY WOULD YOU SELL IT!? :p

Just kidding. I'm sure you have your reasons why. But me, I'm going to be one of those angry old men with his cars rotting into the ground. I don't think I could bear emotional burden of seeing my baby being driven ,or towed, off by someone else. :(

That was a nice car Matt. I remember seeing it at some local shows. Didn't you take it to a dyno pull in Lewisville a few years back? Anyway, it was a nice car and I wouldn't mind owning it myself.

At least you got to finish it and enjoy it for a few years. I had to sell mine as an uncompleted project in mid restoration a few weeks ago. I only got to drive it a few times in 1999 and 2000. It had sat in the garage ever since. A former co-worker of mine from Delta bought it for some guy in Denver. The guy in Denver put up the money and the former co-worker is going to finish building it.I hope to be able to post some pics when he's finished before it gets shipped to Colorado.

Sorry to hear you had to sell yours, Randy. Hope you're not done with us here, we've missed your uncanny insight on a lot of stuff. Good to see you're still around.

That was a nice car Matt. I remember seeing it at some local shows. Didn't you take it to a dyno pull in Lewisville a few years back? Anyway, it was a nice car and I wouldn't mind owning it myself.

At least you got to finish it and enjoy it for a few years. I had to sell mine as an uncompleted project in mid restoration a few weeks ago. I only got to drive it a few times in 1999 and 2000. It had sat in the garage ever since. A former co-worker of mine from Delta bought it for some guy in Denver. The guy in Denver put up the money and the former co-worker is going to finish building it.I hope to be able to post some pics when he's finished before it gets shipped to Colorado.

Thanks Randy. Yes, I'm pretty sure we met at a dyno day at LG Motorsports loooong ago. I think that was right after I got the car. I remember it only made 198hp at the rear wheels!

I got to the point where I decided I could either do a frame off to get it how I really wanted it, or I could start throwing money at all of the small tedious things... and I didn't really want to do either.

I really enjoy the building, parts gathering, assembly, etc so I decided it was time to move on.

Here's a pic of the new car as it sits right now:

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/28%20Model%20A/garage3-1.jpg


- Matt

Wow, that makes me have second thoughts about selling mine.

Your first car is like your first girl. Sometimes it is time to end it, but you'll never get over it. In your mind, each passing year it will become nicer, faster, and in better shape than it ever really was.

Good luck with the A. My secret passion is to someday build a bobbed fendered 32 5 window. Oh well, maybe someday.

ahh, don't worry matt, it's only a 71/2 (?) anyway..you'll get over it. now if it was a '69, I think the picture would have included you running down the street after it.



Ummmmm, speak for yourself Mr. 69

Matt,
Didn't I see that decklid somewhere on the highway? :D
Congrats on getting the 'velle sold. It was a nice car. Hopefully the new owner will become a member here so you can see it every once in a awhile. The new project is looking good. Looks like you got the frame all welded up. Keep posting updates as you go.
Frank

Sad to see it go,but the new project looks killer!I bet you're going to have a lot of fun with that car.

Is the Chevelle going to stay in the area,and did you tell them about teamchevelle and North Texas Chevelles?

There she goes.

My first car... Big thanks to my dad who managed to talk my mom into giving the OK for it. Got it eight years ago when I was 15. We logged countless hours in the garage over the years. The first engine I built was for this car. My first tranny swap, rearend swap, suspension rebuild, rewiring job, etc... all on this car.

But over the years I started to get burnt out. Through college the car stayed at my parent's house while I was 300 miles away. During that time I started to gravitate back to what I was raised on... old tin. Last September I bought a new project car and decided it was time to turn the chevelle loose. So, today, almost 8 years later, I said bye.

Lots of my time, money, sweat, and blood drove away from me today... but don't get me wrong. I'm excited as hell.

I don't have a chevelle anymore, but I will check in from time to time. You still can't beat the enormous tech resources here on TC :thumbsup:



- Matt

Sounds EXACTLY like my story, so I know the feeling. The only difference is I waited 17 years to sell mine.

Sorry to hear you had to sell yours, Randy. Hope you're not done with us here, we've missed your uncanny insight on a lot of stuff. Good to see you're still around.

It's been a slow and painful recovery period after our loss. I hated to sell the 71, but financial need forced the issue. I had to fight for temporary custody of my granddaughter to keep a crooked and corrupt government agency which poses under the guise of Child Protective Services from putting her in a foster home. Unfortunately, attorneys got the money from the sell of the Chevelle, but we retained custody of our granddaughter and put CPS in their place. (I've declared war on CPS; they are worse and more out of control than the IRS.)

That was a hell of time for us. We went broke protecting our granddaughter from the evil known as CPS after her little brother died. I went through retirement savings and 401K money and money from an IRA. But you know what? I'd do it again. My granddaughter was going into a foster home over my dead body.

I appreciate your thoughts and kind words. I haven't forgotten about this site or the people here. We had a lot on our plate.

Someday, I plan to own another car. I'll probably buy something like Matt's car, something that's a little closer to being done, something I can drive and enjoy with the family.

Well family should always come before a car. After all ,no matter how much fun they are, they are just glass, metal, and plastic. And they can be replaced.

Keep posting updates as you go.


Hey guys... I thought I'd pop back in here and give an update. I don't have a chevelle anymore, but I just can't stay away. LOL. I've spent way too much time here over the years.

Anyway, I sold my chevelle on 9/8/07.

On 10/6/07 I was starting from scratch with this bare perimeter frame:

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/28%20Model%20A/DSCF5126Medium.jpg


On 12/19/07 the chassis got rolled out

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/28%20Model%20A/chassis1.jpg


And on 12/21/07 the body went on.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/28%20Model%20A/bodyon028Medium.jpg


Starting from the bare frame, it took me 76 days to get to this point... and my self imposed deadline to have it on the road and ready to road trip is just 87 days away. :eek:

Come spring I might have to bring it out to one of the TC track days in DFW and meet up with some of you guys again. It's been a while.


- Matt

Bad a$$!!

Sweet Matt. Wow, 76 days!! Took me that long to get my frame stripped and repaired.
Are you in the "test fit and fab" stage or are you doing a rat rod?

Sweet Matt. Wow, 76 days!! Took me that long to get my frame stripped and repaired.
Are you in the "test fit and fab" stage or are you doing a rat rod?

It's in the testfit/fab stage. When this initial build is over it will get 500-1000 shakedown miles (and I'll drive it HARD) and I'll fix anything that breaks.

My goal is to drive it to the Lonestar Roundup in April.
Hopefully anything that's going to break will do it before that 400 mile roadtrip.

After that it will get taken apart and every piece will be blasted and powdercoated or painted and I'll start on the interior. In the end it will be a proper hot rod :cool:


- Matt

That's going to be extremely cool.Good work.

Matt,
She is looking good. Bonneville '08??
Frank

Lookin Good Matt! It took me two and 1/2 years to finish my 3 window coupe. It's a lot more work than I planned for, but worth it in the end. I'm just waiting to see how long you keep it after you're done. ;)

Thats what im talking about.:cool:

Always wanted to build a rat rod style "A".

Matt,
She is looking good. Bonneville '08??
Frank

It's still a possibility. It will depend heavily on how the next 3 months go.


I'm just waiting to see how long you keep it after you're done. ;)

It will stick around for a while. I know once I get to drive it I won't want to stop for a while. :cool:
I've decided that the first thing I do with it, before it even goes around the block, will be a big smokey burnout in the driveway. If it breaks the first time out, I don't want to have to push it too far :D


- Matt

Lots of last minute thrashing from lots of friends to get it running for the Lonestar Roundup this weekend.

I drove it for the first time last night... at midnight with the brakes not totally adjusted and no headlights (no worries, it was in a huge empty parking lot next door to the shop :) ) and this weekend it will get at least 500 miles put on it. :cool:


Here's a quick vid of my friend Myk starting it up at his shop last week. The 3x2, magneto and some other stuff are still on the shelf for now. We went with a single quadrajet and HEI for simplicity to get it on the road ASAP to make it to Austin this weekend.

YouTube - myks trip


- Matt

I was just thinking about your project the other day Matt. I thought it had a April deadline...
Thanks for the update...very cool!!! :cool:
Needs a shorter alt belt. ;)

Matt,
Congrats on getting her running and the maiden voyage sans headlights. Let us know how that 500 mile trip goes.
Frank

You need to flip that alternator around and go with a low mount set up. From the front, you can see the alt. plain as day hanging all the way out the driver's side. Other than that.........

Talk about friggin' COOL!! That's one mean looking car you have, there. Congrats and good luck on the maiden voyage.

Very Cool Matt :thumbsup:

I remember some of those posts...we're ALL getting older :(

Good luck with your new project Matt, we'll see ya on here!

OK guys. One more update for you then I'll go back under my rock for a while.

I made my goal.
Starting with a pile of parts and a bare perimeter frame ~6 months ago, it made it to the Lonestar Roundup in Austin last weekend.

It went on it's first "more than a parking lot cruise" drive last Tuesday night. Wednesday night it went on the highway for the first time.

Wednesday night I put 50 miles on it and Thursday morning I put 50 more on it. Then we loaded up and hit the road. All in all the car got it's first 500 miles in just 5 days with the roadtrip to the Roundup.

It is NOWHERE near finished, but this definitely recharged my motivation stores. I'll take a break for a few weeks then start making it a bit more refined and civilized. One day it will even get something better than spray paint! :D

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/28%20Model%20A/Road7BW.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/28%20Model%20A/Road13640x480.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/Roundup2008/trip4.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/Roundup2008/trip9.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/stroked71/Roundup2008/trip6.jpg


- Matt

Way cool, Matt!! :hurray: You gonna take it to Bonneville this year?
BillL

Matt,
Great job! Love the ride. It is definitely bad a$$! If you get time you should bring it out to one of the NTCCC get togethers so we can see it and compliment you in person. Take care.
Frank