Well, Here goes...

Just about to start working on the car after way too long. Owned it since 1986. cleaned the garage/ uncovered the car (Looks worse than I remember)
I've got a 70 convertible Malibu originally an inline 6cyl.,
Here are some of the other details:

As it sits...up on blocks
front disk brakes
Sloid floors and trunk
Solid doors and pretty solid r.r. quarter,
left rear quarter. to be replaced (patched and solid but inner/outer wheelhouses have holes and rust.
roof was new when I took it of the road last in 1993 (slightly faded now) (power top works)

The plan is to put these parts on the car someday...
Have a new OEM rear bumper
OEM SS (non cowl) hood
New Engine wiring harness
aftermarket front fenders/inner fenders
new front/rear door panels
2 engines -
completely rebuilt small block 1970 blockw/4bolt mains late model vortec heads and hypereutectic pistons,(flattops) - pink rods
completely unrebuilt 454 from a 1971 ramp truck (probably save for another project
tubo 400 - rebuilt
10 bolt posi w/ 3:31 gears


SOrry for the long post but I've watched for a long time here with nothing to say!!!

Wish me luck! I've learned a ton by reading the posts here and hope to learn a lot more. I'm starting by sandblasting the front frame/ engine compartment. We'll see from there.

Overall plan is to leave as a Malibu but include the ss hood and stripes- can't help it - love the look. No SS badging.

Thanks for reading... Input???? I'll post pictures as soon as I figure out how to. Any suggestions?

Looks like you have quite a project on your hands. Have fun. As for any suggestions, the only thing I have to add is if you are going to add SS stripes( good idea) then you should jack the rear end up a bit. Maybe you are going to already, I don't know.

Now accepting any and all suggestions for springs/shocks!

Far out! Restoring a convertible is more fun than sex! Er... wait a minute. no, I guess it's not, but fortunately you get to do both!

Seriously, I'm having a blast! Took a long time to get to it - had to buy a house, build a garage, repair the house after a tree fell on it....


Andy

Don't feel bad.
I bought my 69 Chevelle convert in the fall of 1990.
Got it running within 2 weeks. (No engine/trans when I got it). Drove it for about 10 days. Wouldn't pass the visual for smog test because of Holley carb. Parked it and it hasn't seen the road since.
So in some sense, you're ahead of me now !


Nate

dont cal, have any rules about old cars when it comes to smog inspections? i mean a 1969, lets see that makes it about 36 years old. would that be classifed as an antique? just wandering.

Only 1965 and older vehicles were exempt from smog tests in 1990 !

I believe it was changed to a rolling exemption in 2000? Jan 1. At which time they bumped it to 1973. Each year it went up another year.

Then after Jan 1 2004, they cut off the rolling exemptions. Now 1976 and up require smog. Some counties are annual and some bi-annual.

I know some people who were sitting on some cars/trucks that would not pass smog, only to be let down when they stopped the rolling exemptions.

My 74 Firebird Formula 400 squeeked by. Whew !!! No smog for now.

As a side note. Even though 1975 and earlier vehicles are exempt from annual or bi-annual smog tests, they still must have their original smog equipment installed and working. You can be called in for a visual at any time. So I've been told. scary.

Nate

Only 1965 and older vehicles were exempt from smog tests in 1990 !


As a side note. Even though 1975 and earlier vehicles are exempt from annual or bi-annual smog tests, they still must have their original smog equipment installed and working. You can be called in for a visual at any time. So I've been told. scary.

Nate

Thats right, the older vehicles are exempt from the biennial and transfer testing, but NOT exempt from the smog requirements...

Yeah, my hardtop quit running in 1985, but I still registered it every year, until they changed the smog laws... But actually saved me money, as the Planned Non-op Cerificate is much cheaper than registration every year...

Still have the car, and have recently started on the resto... Been down for 20 years!!!

And here I have been thinking of buying another Chevelle... It's a sickness, but I don't want the cure...

the economical way to go with the shocks, are air shocks/ Hijackers coupled with springs from a wagon. It'll be stiff but it will never sag. You could do BB springs up front to beef up the stance a bit and use air shocks up there too, but I have had great luck with gas charged up front with air in back. Without replacing springs up front the whole combo should cost you approx 140 US. You could certainly always go air bags, which I see a lot of guys going with now, but the installation is a little more tricky and a lot more costly. Good luck Jason.

Thanks Jason!!!

I like the slightly elevated rear end look. some of the chevelles you see have that look where the front end is equal to or lower and that drives me nuts... don't like it at all.... anyway starting to degrease and remove rust from the firewall this weekend!!!