Project Cars

[Boomhower]

So here is a project thats been off and on for a few years. Its a ‘68 Chevelle true 138 code SS396 4spd. I purchased it out of SanAntonio in 2016 and started the sheet metal work in late 17. Now its just setting until we see what this economy does.

Knowing what I know now I would have walked away from it. The extent of rust was not visible untill interior was pulled and quarters cut out. But past all of that and its starting to take shape once again. Here is a pic of it the next morning when it got tucked away in the garage for a bit.

 

[Boomhower]

Finally on the rack for a good look.

 

[Boomhower]

The good, the bad, the rusty.

 

[Boomhower]

So the story on the car was it was purchased by the second owner in the late 70’s from a used car lot in SA. They drove it until sometime in 81-82 when it was parked. Last time it was tagged was ‘82. That owner pulled the 396 and 4 spd out and the story I got was they put the drivetrain in a Vega and was long since gone. He then parked it under a lean-to where it sat untill 2016.

The third owner, although never titled in his name listed the car on craigslist. Im guessing he figured it was more of a project then he wanted to mess with. I watched it on there for a month untill I made the drive with trailer jn tow. (should have left trailer at home) more pics to follow.

 

[Lightning Performance]

68 and 69 can be built in any form now. It's rough but having a whole car vs the shell is much better. So much easier to fit up the build.

Your mistake here, and it's a big one, was not welding tube to keep the car the correct shape. Better get good quality full quarters and do the doors first then fit in the rear glass as the quarters go on. You need them doors done first to fit the side body line, make sure the ass and nose fit right before you weld anything. Fixed a few of those out of shape cars and clipped a few together. Last piece is to fit the windshield and don't just skip it. Make sure a good welder cuts and plates the frame rails.
GL

 

[Boomhower]

So I think I have an idea why it was sold at a used car lot back when.

Someone had grafted a complete section of car from another on the right rear from the rocker to the center of the tail panel.

Grafted section of inner fender well.

 

[Boomhower]

And so the cussing begins. Turns out that the vinyl top started a rust hole that allowed water into the drivers side quarter. (Side exposed to outside elements under lean-to). Rusting out the package tray, trunk pan and partial floor pan.

 

[Boomhower]

Trunk pan in.

 

[Boomhower]

Quarters fitted up

 

[Boomhower]

So the car decoded comes back as a early October build. Kansas, Fathom blue, black vinyl top, black bucket 396 4 spd. No way to tell if it was a 325 or 350 horse car. But it does have a factory roller tach which was an option I havent seen a lot of. They picked a roller tach over AC, go figure.

 

[Boomhower]

Time for some primer. Its starting to take shape.

 

[Boomhower]

 

[Boomhower]

So with the majority of the sheet metal work done on the rear we moved on to the front. We pulled the front clip off and decided to do patch panels instead of messing with new aftermarket replacements. The only bad spots were the lower rear of fenders, so a few patches and they were good as new. Of course I went ahead and replaced the inners while I was there. Surprisingly enough the core support was in good shape so cleaned it up and reused. Another shock was the radiator was the correct date coded original to the car. Not that it matters in this case since its not a nut n bolt period correct build. Just a cool find some 50 years later its still there.

 

[Boomhower]

Back on the lift for some demo.

So more rust. Im starting to think it rains salt water in SanAntonio.

Lil body filler for some ugly azz welds...

Firewall getting some new paint.

 

[Boomhower]

With the frontend taken care of it was time to move to the underside. Frame out and off to powder coat.

 

[Boomhower]

New frame n wheels[emoji3]

 

[Boomhower]

Fenders and doors getting primmer and everything is getting some Fathom blue sprayed in the jams for first time in 50 years.

 

[Boomhower]

 

[Boomhower]

Frame blasted and powder coated. While I was waiting I tore down the rear end and ran the numbers. Came back as a 64-67 which is slightly narrower than the one for 68-72. Most likely swapped in during the body repairs from long ago. So I decided to get another one and had it built with a eaton locker from Jims Chevelles. Turned out very nice. He was nice enough to personally deliver it to me on one of his TX runs to pick up frames. Turns out the south has rich pickins for A body parts.

 

[Boomhower]

Almost ready to go back on the frame but it sets and waits.

So if you guys have any car or truck projects going on post them up. Take care, Adam