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FootSoldier's '66 Chevelle Build

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#161 ·
FootSoldier said:
Also got the fuel lines finished up. What a challenge getting a 1/2" and 1/4" hard line over the rear frame hump.

View attachment 821050
Click to expand...
I started using cupronickel lines for all fuel and brake lines several years ago and am well satisfied.
It is more malleable, (easier to bend and flare) European car manufacturers have used it for years.
 
Discussion starter · #164 ·
Got a recommendation from a friend for the work of two brothers who work full time as bodymen in a collision shop, but their real hobby is old cars. Been doing both for 15 years. They do the shop work first, then work on restoration after that. I decided that I would trade money for time, to speed up my project and get a better product in the end. To quote Dirty Harry; a man's got to know his limitations.

So off we went with the car, both quarter panels, both outer wheel housings, trunk pan, trunk turn downs, package tray, deck filler panel and tail light panel w/bracing. Between rust, collision damage and a terrible quarter panel replacement done years ago, my car needed some love. I opted to go with replacing full panels rather than patching everything in. I think there will be less body work after the metal is done, I guess we'll see?

They have had the car for almost two months and I go see it every Friday. They only work on one car at a time and I can stop by anytime. So far, I am tickled pink! Workmanship, attention to detail, communication and even price have all been a very good experience. That, and my car is moving along!
 
Discussion starter · #166 ·
Justin M 1967 said:
Pictures!!
Click to expand...
I have taken a bunch with my phone and found that I can't load them for posting because they are iPhone format. Old guy is digitally challenged. I'll take a camera this week and try to get caught up.
 
Discussion starter · #167 · (Edited)
I finally figured out how to convert the pic file so I could work with it.

We decided to work from the center out and rear to the front, so the guys started with the trunk pan first which was rusted with holes and bad pitting. It was fitted with the quarter panels on the car. The right side fit perfectly, but the left wasn't cooperating at all. The left quarter panel had been replaced (poorly) and the turn down was still mangled and the outer wheel housing was also damaged in that accident. So the decision was made to cut part of the left quarter outer wheel housing off to investigate for further damage.

The car had been hit hard enough from the left rear that there was damage in the inner structure behind the upper quarter panel next to the rear window. It wasn't much, but there was bent metal in there. After the outer wheel housing was removed, and the inner structure was pulled a little, the trunk pan slipped right into place.

Image
 
Discussion starter · #169 · (Edited)
The left side was the collision damage side and someone had previously cut the wheel opening lip trying to get wider tires in there so since the quarter panel was being replaced anyway I wanted the outer wheel housing replaced so the wheel opening would be fixed too.

Image
 
Discussion starter · #170 · (Edited)
The right side quarter had had been hit too, but not badly and we were planning on just doing body work to repair it. The repair that had been previously done had ground the metal thin and there were pin holes through the metal. There was also some rust through damage on the upper sail panel from the vinyl top. The wheel opening had also been cut up. So I decided I wanted to do both the quarter panel and the outer wheel housing.

Image
 
Discussion starter · #171 · (Edited)
The rear window channel had rust damage on the sides and bottom, where an ugly repair had been welded in. When I found the the deck filler panel included the lower rear window channel I decided to replace it. Since the quarter panels included the side rear window channels, that made one more reason to do full quarters.

The package tray had the typical massive holes hacked in for speakers, but otherwise was structurally sound. But since the area would be open and accessible I decided that the package tray needed to go.

Image
 
#177 ·
Impressive. Way more ambitious than I would ever be on one of these builds, but you're doing an awesome job. Super clean. Better than the General did it.
 
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Pete 67
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