[Chicken Coupe]

I am coming to the point where I have to begin making decisions about under the hood layout, interior, paint, wheels and other details.

I'd like your help.

so...

I thought it would be interesting to ask..

What kind of innovative modifications could you send me that would make my car more unique without pushing it so far out of the "Classic" mode it becomes undesirable?

Ideas for:
Paint
Interior
Cooling system
Other under hood treatments (no smoothing thanks)
Other things someone has mass produced
Things to do if I had the talent and tools
Things to do if I have the money to "invest"

Don't want a "custom" car, I want different, subtle different.

I don't want to chop up the body (that's why I'm using a Richmond 5 seed w OD instead of a Tremec), smooth the handles or lose the drip rails.
Won't paint the bumpers.
Won't use Ostridge leather, air ride, 22"s, a covan's dash, stock buckets, a console, turbo, juice, a small block, lot's of extra chrome.

Don't want to build a clone of the other 700 cars I've seen at shows:
New paint,
Mostly big blocks,
Single 4 bbl's on Eddy intake,
Full length headers,
2 1/2" or 3" exhaust,
1 of about 10 popular wheel styles,
Stock or Covan's gauges (other than the few that have been posted here)
Stock buckets,
Consoles, etc.

I've been searching the web for ideas but, don't see a lot of innovation.
2008 Catalogs are, for the most part, reprints of last year's catalogs
Still can't but a pre-made x-pipe to fit "shorties"
Intakes are the same but available in black (Oh goodie. How about w/o NASCAR on it)
No Stainless Strikers, A/C delete plates, chassis boxing parts etc.
Bla, bla, bla.


Talk to me people!

 

[camcojb]

is there anything left to do??????????? you want innovative and unique, yet not custom or like anybody else's car.

Jody

 

[Chirp08]

I'll have to grab a pic under my hood, just got done everything and its as close as to "smoothed" as you can get without any metal work. Anything not needed has been removed, all else has been routed nicely. I don't even want to put the inner fenders back in it looks so good right now and you can see all the trick new SC&C suspension parts.

 

[brans72]

looks like you better get the wheels turning in your head then. i just think up ideas when ever i can in my head etc and look at what others have done, what could be improved etc and go with it. good luck with all your ideas

 

[Chicken Coupe]

looks like you better get the wheels turning in your head then. i just think up ideas when ever i can in my head etc and look at what others have done, what could be improved etc and go with it. good luck with all your ideas

Already there. Got 100's of ideas...you?

 

[Chicken Coupe]

I'll have to grab a pic under my hood, just got done everything and its as close as to "smoothed" as you can get without any metal work. Anything not needed has been removed, all else has been routed nicely. I don't even want to put the inner fenders back in it looks so good right now and you can see all the trick new SC&C suspension parts.

Excellent and thanks for "stickin yer neck out"! :thumbsup:

 

[Chicken Coupe]

is there anything left to do??????????? you want innovative and unique, yet not custom or like anybody else's car.

Jody

Awww, come on. You can do better than that! I hear your an idea factory! :thumbsup:

 

[Chicken Coupe]

is there anything left to do??????????? you want innovative and unique, yet not custom or like anybody else's car.

Jody

Oh, like your's is stock? Tisk, tisk, tisk :noway:

 

[Chicken Coupe]

Yea, I'm tryin' to get you all riled up and throw out some great ideas.

Did I get you yet?

 

[camcojb]

Oh, like your's is stock? Tisk, tisk, tisk :noway:

no, mine is not stock at all. You just have so many "don't wants" that it was starting to look impossible to build you a car............

Mine has some custom stuff, but not much; most everything can be duplicated with your checkbook or credit card. Unique in many areas, but simple in many others. I'm very happy with how mine turned out, and I'll be glad to help you with yours in any way I can. I just saw your list of what you didn't want and got dizzy.................... :wacko:

Jody

 

[CRUZN68]

Already there. Got 100's of ideas...you?

100's of ideas huh bright star? Why don't you lay a couple out to get the ball rolling? Let me guess, you would like someone to come over and help you do everything as well right? This is just lazy. You want someone to give you any idea they can think of to make YOUR car unique. Pathetic. Have some respect for the people on the board, as well as your car. Even if it doesn't end up as unique as you would like, at least have the balls to do it yourself. Asking for help/advise is one thing, but this is just ridiculous.

 

[Chirp08]

The things that make your car unique are the little things you do. Small things here and there. I recently moved my battery to the trunk, ran the positive cable through the frame the whole way, over the rear wheel hump, even down into the front cross member, you can't see it otherwise. My car is far from a show car but things like this make all the difference in the world.

 

[Chicken Coupe]

no, mine is not stock at all. You just have so many "don't wants" that it was starting to look impossible to build you a car............

Mine has some custom stuff, but not much; most everything can be duplicated with your checkbook or credit card. Unique in many areas, but simple in many others. I'm very happy with how mine turned out, and I'll be glad to help you with yours in any way I can. I just saw your list of what you didn't want and got dizzy.................... :wacko:

Jody

I think you car is the "bee's knees" excellent! I'd love to hear your ideas on a '70! :thumbsup:

 

[Chicken Coupe]

The things that make your car unique are the little things you do. Small things here and there. I recently moved my battery to the trunk, ran the positive cable through the frame the whole way, over the rear wheel hump, even down into the front cross member, you can't see it otherwise. My car is far from a show car but things like this make all the difference in the world.

I think that subtle differences are really in "the details".

I'd like to hear everyone's ideas of how to do that. Even if I don't use one, others will and that makes all the difference in the world!:thumbsup:

 

[Chicken Coupe]

100's of ideas huh bright star? Why don't you lay a couple out to get the ball rolling? Let me guess, you would like someone to come over and help you do everything as well right? This is just lazy. You want someone to give you any idea they can think of to make YOUR car unique. Pathetic. Have some respect for the people on the board, as well as your car. Even if it doesn't end up as unique as you would like, at least have the balls to do it yourself. Asking for help/advise is one thing, but this is just ridiculous.

Gettin a hair testy are we?

 

[daveseitz]

Why would I send my ideas your way now, then i would look like I'm trying to copy you.

 

[Derek69SS]

Paint it pink and lime green 2-tone... that would be "different"

Why don't you give us some of your ideas, then maybe we can help you expand on those. Maybe give us a little bit of a "theme" to your car... Color, wheels, stance, interior... Tell us what you want and we'll give you ideas on how to achieve it. You didn't even tell us what year your car was until post #13.

I like things that are FUNCTIONAL, such as heat-extractor hoods, air-dams with brake cooling ducts, ram air from the high-beams, canted radiators with ducting to the heat-extractor hood, NASCAR style rear spoilers (before the COT wing) and some big tires.

At most shows, big brakes and 17"+ wheels will make your car stand out in the crowd. At Chevell-abration I only saw one other car on the whole field with 13" front brakes besides mine.

LSXs are getting more common, but they still stand out from the crowd at a local show... they are really only "common" in magazines and the internet. LT1s are the same way, but quickly becoming a dinosaur.

BTW, all you need to make an X-pipe kit fit shorty headers is a pair of 45deg bends with an extra foot of pipe. I have a universal "Pypes" kit on mine with shorties.

 

[Chicken Coupe]

Derek,

i was actually thinking pink & turquoise!

Good points.

So far the best comments are "functional" and "in the details" and right in line with my thoughts.

Here's a rundown of what it will definitely have:

body-off restoration effort
blasted and powder coated frame (done)
SC&C AFX package with their lower arms and lowering springs (approx 1-1 1/2" drop rear, 2" front) (Also already done)
Baer 13" GT front brakes and 12" Sport System rear disc brakes (here but not yet installed)
All new Moog steering components (all painted Eastwood Zinc phosphate gray) awaiting a new P/S pitman arm to complete the install.
Energy suspension 1 1/4" grease-able sway bar brackets/bushings, and links
Replacement 1 1/4 ft sway bar (old one worn too much in the bushing areas).
Hotchkiss solid rod sleeves
Lee 670 P/S box (on frame done)
Currie rear adjustable upper arms and alum lowers (awaiting the finish of rear axle to install) inc. SC&C graphite bushings in housing.
Moser alum 12 bolt cover
New Superior axles, bearings, seals, studs in stock 331 posi
Bilstein Ft shocks, QA-1 adjustable rear shocks (here not yet installed)
All new stainless steel hard brake lines and woven stainless flex lines
1/2" stainless steel fuel line (all hard lines installed)
All new stainless or coated fasteners, grade 8
496 big block (streetable, alum heads is all I have so far. Engine shop within the next 2 weeks)
Richmond 5 speed with OD (on the way)
Lakewood bell housing (blasted and powder coated chassis black already)
Stock drive shaft (blasted and powder coated chassis black already)
Modified stock trans cross member (cut out for exhaust clearance blasted and powder coated already)
Complete new wiring harnesses (brand model not yet decided)
18" ft, 19" rear rims (awaiting reinstallation of body to measure and choose)
New gas tank with 1/2 inlet
Alum radiator
Front runner pulley system P/S, A/C
HydroBoost PB
Shorties, Warlocks with electric exhaust cut-outs
Electric fans
Pwr windows
Hydroboost, coolant, and A/C lines will be run out of sight over inner wells.
Heater delete plate and bulkhead connector to connect A/C, heater lines.

Whew!

I am especially intrigued by the ways that Hot Rod builders marry old school looks and new technology that when combined deliver a unique eclectic harmony.

I'm trying to find a way to pull that off in a very low key way. Hopefully I can. These are "details" worth slowing things down for. Also trying to avoid "branding" with accessories that say anything except Chevrolet where ever possible.

It'll be Black. Solid black, black with stripes, black metallic, flat black??, flat and gloss?? Still not sure.

Overall, I just thought "Why not ask 1,000's of enthusiasts?" What would make them say, "Excellent!!"?

That good for starters?

 

[Scotch]

If the look of a carb bores you, go EFI. You can be really creative with the manifolding (a box type can work well, as can a set of stacks) or run some freaky carbs (cross ram, or Inglese Webers) for a different look. Run a Jones Racing Products belt setup for cleanliness and functionality.

My '67 wagon is PT, but I've added a slew of '60s-era details to make it look like it came from then. Check my pics to see what I'm talking about. I just got an old Sun column-mount tach with the chrome cup that I'll be installing soon. I'm about to install a bent-arm shifter handle with a cool old-school T-handle on top, so it'll look like a '60s-era street racer, but the shifter attaches to a T56 6-speed.

Have fun with it, keep it functional, and if you do a good job, it'll stand out on its own. If you pick a "theme", be tasteful and stick with it throughout the car.

It's the details that count.

~Scotch~

 

[Chicken Coupe]

If the look of a carb bores you, go EFI. You can be really creative with the manifolding (a box type can work well, as can a set of stacks) or run some freaky carbs (cross ram, or Inglese Woo Hoo $5 Grand! Webers) for a different look. Run a Jones Racing Products belt setup for cleanliness and functionality.

My '67 wagon is PT, but I've added a slew of '60s-era details to make it look like it came from then. Check my pics to see what I'm talking about. I just got an old Sun column-mount tach with the chrome cup that I'll be installing soon. I'm about to install a bent-arm shifter handle with a cool old-school T-handle on top, so it'll look like a '60s-era street racer, but the shifter attaches to a T56 6-speed.

Have fun with it, keep it functional, and if you do a good job, it'll stand out on its own. If you pick a "theme", be tasteful and stick with it throughout the car.

It's the details that count.

~Scotch~

That's the kinda stuff I'd like to hear...Your car is VERY cool! Thanks!

so far it's-
Function
Details
TastefulTheme