First Convertible Post

[BlueSS454]

I'm collecting Sheetmetal parts for my 70 Convertible. I plan on sharing the entire restoration process with pics, and info, as well as providing some how-to's when it comes to sheetmetal replacement. Another thing I'll add in when the situation presents itself are the quality of the aftermarket parts used, and who they came from.

Here's the candidate...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20CONVERTIBLE/P1010220.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20CONVERTIBLE/PB120283.jpg

[Andy69]

that looks familiar. been there done that with a rusty convertible.

[MalibuSeaS]

that looks familiar. been there done that with a rusty convertible.

:speechless:

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc309/MalibuSeaS/convertible002.jpg

[BlueSS454]

It's going to be a huge undertaking, but I'm pretty anxious to tear into it. I want to make sure I have all the metal I need for the cab secion before i start drilling and air chiseling rusty old metal out. I already have the quarters, trunk floor, drop offs, and trunk weatherstrip channels. I have the outer wheel houses and tail panel on order. The last thing I'm going to need is the full floor with rockers and braces. The whole car with the exception of the doors and firewall is going to be new metal.

[Andy69]

wow, i wish mine had been tha solid when I started

[BlueSS454]

Every piece of metal in mine is going to be new except the friewall, lower cowl, and windshield frame. Stay tuned to see a convertible tub cut in half :D

[droptop396]

Nice project.
Always like to see another Chevelle convertible being restored :yes:

[Andy69]

Every piece of metal in mine is going to be new except the friewall, lower cowl, and windshield frame. Stay tuned to see a convertible tub cut in half :D


Me too. Everything is new except the upper firewall/cowl/dash/windshield, side rails, rear seat back, and tail piece. Everything else has been patched or replaced. Don;t buy a West Virginia car :sad:

[64SS-283]

Oh Boy Tom You know I just got done with a project like that Good Luck :tongue:

Dave

[Czeto]

You have to much time and money on your hands! I'm still trying to finish my first restoration with a lack of time and money.

[marooned]

We need to find you a woman Tom :yes:

[BlueSS454]

You have to much time and money on your hands! I'm still trying to finish my first restoration with a lack of time and money.

If I did have too much of those two items, that car would have been done by now. I am just fortunate enough that I can do every aspect of a restoration myself from welding new metal on, bodywork & paint, chassis, brakes, suspensions, engines, rears, electrical, and interiors. The only costs I have are in parts and materials. I have nothing but time on my hands and restoration is what I do with my time.

[Built4Fun]

Cool Tom :cool:
Looking forward to updates.

May need a couple of pointers myself this year as All the glass needs lining up and I think the drives door glass is ...well lets say its not really attached :D

[70ChevelleRagtop]

If I did have too much of those two items, that car would have been done by now. I am just fortunate enough that I can do every aspect of a restoration myself from welding new metal on, bodywork & paint, chassis, brakes, suspensions, engines, rears, electrical, and interiors. The only costs I have are in parts and materials. I have nothing but time on my hands and restoration is what I do with my time.

Care to adopt me and my '70 vert?!?! :yes: Seriously, I'll be watching your process closely. One of these days, my car is going to have to go under the knife for some cosmetic surgery...

[Dave Birdwell]

We'll have to have a race.... your vert against my coupe... :biggrin:

[BlueSS454]

You're on Dave :yes:

[ss1970chev454]

Well Tom, all I have to say is, I'm just happy your working on a Chevelle this time :biggrin:

[Postsedan]

Tom,

What color are you going spray? What drivetrain combo?

Dan.

[BlueSS454]

Tom,

What color are you going spray? What drivetrain combo?

Dan.

It's going to be Autumn Gold with black D88 stripes, black top, black interior. The original top was white, but if I did that I would have to do white stripes and I'm not really sure I like white stripes on a gold car.
For the running gear, I'm doing a 454/450 4 speed backed by a 3.31 12 bolt posi. The engine is going to have some extra goodies on the inside, but look bone stock on the outside :yes: I have a 1970 date coded 512 block on the way. Also have the 569 intake, 811 water pump, and might have something in the works for a pair of 291 heads. I have a rebuilt M21 4 speed that I'll probably convert to an M22 just to make the LS6 look complete. The only thing I'm really torn on right now is whether or not to do bench or bucket seats. I have bucket seats and a console already so I'm leaning towards that route, but the bench seat 4 speed has a serious cool factor that I like more every time I see it.
I might be starting on this thing a little sooner than I thought. I only need one more piece of sheetmetal for the cab section...the 1 piece floor with braces & rockers. I already have the quarters, trunk floor & drop offs, trunk gutters. The outer wheel houses, and tail panel are on order :yes:. I'm looking forward to tearing into this car.

[CDN70SS]

It seems like the 4spd w/ bench is becoming more acceptable and cool these days. I would sell console and buckets and re-invest the money on something else.

[BlueSS454]

I don't think i'm going to relinquish those buckets....I still have another 70 sitting in the back yard :).

[Dave Birdwell]

I'm catching up.... I cut the roof skin off today so I can get the shell blasted.... :yes:

[tanner]

I'll try to take some better pics .

[xplantdad]

Very nice!

[fst64_v8power]

bluess454 lookin good

[BlueSS454]

The cab floor finally came in yesterday so once I go down and pick that up and a new deck lid, I can drag the convertible into the shop and start cutting it apart :biggrin: The only other pieces I need to get are a pair of fenders and a hood. I'll order them later in the winter. I don't need them right now to start chopping.

[BlueSS454]

Picked up the floor Friday night. Stay tuned for updates. Time to get the vert in the shop and cut it apart.

[Six Actual]

I know of some kid in CA who rebuilds trannies Tom, so if you really need an M-22 box, I hook you up with him. I believe his prices are reasonable too. :biggrin:

Oh, where did you get that 3:31, 12-bolt from? Did you acquire it along the way in your pursuit of auto parts over the years?

Please keep us updated here with pics. :thanks:

[BlueSS454]

I traded an El Camino frame for the rear axle, the gears I bought from a fellow 69 Chevelle owner in Kentucky :)

[Shadowgray396]

Any pic yet Tom?

Ray

[Six Actual]

I traded an El Camino frame for the rear axle, the gears I bought from a fellow 69 Chevelle owner in Kentucky :)


I'm not going to ask you were you got the El Camino frame from.

[BlueSS454]

Any pic yet Tom?

Ray

It still looks the same, I haven'y wheeled it into the shop yet. I have to get myself organized in there and make room for it.


I'm not going to ask you were you got the El Camino frame from.

I'll tell ya anyway John. I picked up a junked El Camino out of the junkyard for $200. Stripped what I needed, sold some stuff, scrapped the rest, traded the frame for a 12 bolt :).

[Dave Birdwell]

Better hurry up and get cutting, Tom.... I'm gonna spend all day next Saturday welding on my shell.... :) Although I might inherit an L78 project that needs to be done first....

[BlueSS454]

I'm going to give you guys a little sneak peak here..sort of. I've spent the last few weekends cleaning up the shop and getting things organized. I pulled out the engine I had sitting in the convertible, took the tarp off it and aired up the tires. It;s ready to come in the shop. I just have to figure out what to do with my Cutlass.

Here is the vert waiting to come in...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_3953.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_3954.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_3955.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_3961.jpg

I will start a fresh thread in the the project forum once I have it inside.

[Six Actual]

What's the condition of that rad support, Tom. It appears it's GTG to me from the pics.

[BlueSS454]

It's junk, for a non A/C small block car with a small radiator. I have the core support to accept the bigger radiator.