[HappyRtFt]

A little background is probably appropriate so here goes: Found my new mistress in Milwaukee Jan of 2013, (motor and tranny in but not working, ok with me since I have plans to replace both) and after a few pics, a few calls, and navigating the world of auto transport she was delivered April 3rd and I was now a proud chevelle owner. Yep, broke the first rule of buying sight unseen, but it didn't matter as I knew I wanted to do a full resto with her....I had been wanting a welder anyways. The gentleman who sold it to me owned a body shop and said the 90% of the metal was all done just needed help around the windows and she'd be ready for paint....you all probably know where this is headed... so yep, as you'll see from the pics, said gentleman was juuuuust a bit outside (thanks Bob Uecker) on his 90% estimate. No harm no foul, for a few reasons(1) I enjoyed the tear down process,(2) I purchased the car at a price anticipating the worst case scenario,(3) living in Az I can work damn near all year round (when life, wife and my real job are all playing nice),(4) I want the challenge & (5)most importantly...new tools. Some things probably could have been saved, but too late to worry about it now. I've done all the tear down, bracing, sanding (until I realized nearly everything was getting replaced) myself, with some help from my son when he's here. We couldn't help but laugh during the dismantle process as the Franken-car just kept getting "better", by this I mean removing copious amount of expansion foam, rat nests, snake and lizard skins, different era GM parts, rivets....lots of rivets, about 8 tons of bondo, hacked up sheet metal/tin trunk and floor patch panels etc. It will be easier to outline what WILL be staying (1)Hood, (2)Deck Lid, (3)Grill, (4)Cowl Vent Grill & (5)possibly the doors....there ya have it. This will be my first solo project, helped my dad change engines/transmissions, do brake work, suspension work etc in my late teens, but never anything to the extent of overhaul my chevelle needs. My wife's family says I have the patience of a saint so tackling the hot bag o' mess in front of me isn't intimidating, I'm fully committed and well aware of the task ahead of me and will enjoy the journey. I will only do what I feel comfortable doing, but just in the past few months all the great support on TC is inspiration to challenge myself. My approach is in line with the Johnny Cash song, "One Piece At A Time"...although, I'll be purchasing not pilfering all the parts....so without further adieu

 

[HappyRtFt]

Dismantle process begins...

Who needs drop-outs when you have expansion foam..

 

[65chevelle502]

Cool project! What are your plans for the engine, suspension, paint, etc? One bit of advice make sure to bag and tag all the little brackets, screws and clips.

 

[1966_L78]

Yikes!

Is that expanding foam under the dash too?

Incorrect floor pans?

Very ambitious... Please be sure to regularly update us on your project...

 

[cooperhw]

Are you going to do a body off frame resto?

I am in Mesa, so I am pretty close. Guy out in far east mesa has lots of parts. guy in north Phx. does too.

If you need a rotiserri let me know (PM). I built one for my Nova then hauled it up to my cabin in the mtns. to sit idle.

 

[Freddy Mercado]

Wow!! Foam in a car??? Bodyman or Contractor???

 

[busterwivell]

This is going to be a fun build to watch. Keep us posted, neighbor.

 

[65chevelle300post]

What sheet metal guy would use expanding insulation foam?

It would have been better if they didn't try to "fix" it in the first place but you already know that.

None of these cars were in good shape to start with so it doesn't matter much anyway.

Looks like you have your work cut out for you. Good luck on this project.

 

[HappyRtFt]

Thanks for the feedback guys, yeah there was foam everywhere! Coming from the north most the brackets and screws/bolts were rusted, been able to save a few that can be cleaned up, but I dont mind spending the money buying new items...assuming I can find everything. Thanks for the offer on rotisserie Wayne, I may take you up on that. When I get home (been traveling for work the last 10 days and still have 4 more days to go), I'm going to start building a jig so I'll post the progress on that. Before leaving town, I got a nice little early Christmas gift for myself (Full floor, full trunk pan, A-pillars, package tray, outer A-pillar posts, & roof...already have both 1/4's, deck filler panel, tail panel and support braces)..so I got some work ahead of me. As a side note AMD did a fantastic job of packing all these items and the trucking companies did a great job handling/securing this shipment, ZERO damage. Sorry about the 2nd pic being so dark, but thats how she sits at this point.

 

[HappyRtFt]

Frame will likely be an Art Morrison GT Sport, but also looking at the SRG offering for A-Bodies. Engine is still up in the air...do I want to be practical or do I fork over the cash to build/buy exactly what I want...either way, the objective is for something that will fire up and take me wherever I wanna go cause this car will get driven...A LOT. Keep ya posted as I get to that point of the project.

 

[cooperhw]

Frame will likely be an Art Morrison GT Sport, but also looking at the SRG offering for A-Bodies. Engine is still up in the air...do I want to be practical or do I fork over the cash to build/buy exactly what I want...either way, the objective is for something that will fire up and take me wherever I wanna go cause this car will get driven...A LOT. Keep ya posted as I get to that point of the project.

I will be looking for this bad girl out at the Pavillions. You ever go?

 

[66Broke]

Wow you tore that car down fast, 2 days if I'm reading the days correctly. At this rate you should be ready for paint next week!

Looks like a great project. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[1965_ss]

WOW! Now that is taking a car down to nothing. Can't wait to see this build!

 

[65chevelle300post]

Frame will likely be an Art Morrison GT Sport, but also looking at the SRG offering for A-Bodies. Engine is still up in the air...do I want to be practical or do I fork over the cash to build/buy exactly what I want...either way, the objective is for something that will fire up and take me wherever I wanna go cause this car will get driven...A LOT. Keep ya posted as I get to that point of the project.

The Art Morrison frame is excellent top of the line for certain but $ expensive stuff there. If I had the choice and the cash that would be my first choice.

In case you haven't decided yet and want to check out more options, Dave Hellwig has a frame stiffening kit for the 66.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=499473

Nice start on this one, keep us posted.

 

[HappyRtFt]

Brian, if I could work that fast I'd probably be a gajillionaire...no the tear down has been happened over about 14 months and started the day after she arrived. I've taken my time and shot plenty of pictures.
Wayne, never been to the Pavilions, but will get out there to see all the great rides.
Rob, the frame is gone, it was rotted to the point that I could stick a screwdriver through the metal in a few places, so I said, ok let's look for a frame.
Here are a few more pics (I have almost 600 so I'll post them when I get em organized):

I'm no rocket surgeon, but me thinks something's not right....

 

[cooperhw]

Brian, if I could work that fast I'd probably be a gajillionaire...no the tear down has been happened over about 14 months and started the day after she arrived. I've taken my time and shot plenty of pictures.
Wayne, never been to the Pavilions, but will get out there to see all the great rides.
Rob, the frame is gone, it was rotted to the point that I could stick a screwdriver through the metal in a few places, so I said, ok let's look for a frame.
Here are a few more pics (I have almost 600 so I'll post them when I get em organized):
View attachment 190730 View attachment 190738 View attachment 190746 View attachment 190754


I'm no rocket surgeon, but me thinks something's not right....
View attachment 190698 View attachment 190706 View attachment 190714

Cool. I am planning to go next Saturday if the rain will cooperate. This time of year I don't go out until around 5:00 and stay till 9:00. Couple hundred cars, lots to look at, and 50's music, food, good times.
Look for the black Pro-Street 67.

 

[65chevelle300post]

I didn't realize the frame was rusted through. Never seen that before but at least the option is there for the custom frame.

 

[cooperhw]

Have you considered a new (used) frame. I know a guy in the east valley who sells them from time to time. This is his business, so he buys 4 door cars and strips them out.

 

[HappyRtFt]

So I have been reluctant to take take off these pieces, but did and looks like I have more metal to replace...

May be able to salvage the passenger side,

Driver side is no bueno

Window frame obviously calls for a do-over, package tray is also comin out...

 

[tommycomfort]

Wow, that is going to be a serious project. I applaud your motivation! Really looking forward to following along!