1966 Chevelle Pro-Touring Project - SiniSSter

[BuffaloMotorama]

I guess for my first post, I'd tell you about my project.
I picked up a 1966 Chevelle after wanting one for a while. It's an extremely clean car that has lived it's entire life in the Northeast.
It's a 1966 Chevelle Malibu with the original 283 and powerglide. It has all of it's original sheet metal, there is no rust, and there is little to no body filler.
So people ask, why take a perfectly fine car and tear it apart? Because it's not what I want in my 1966 Chevelle.

We are building this car in parallel to a show that I run, the Buffalo Motorama. It is the largest and longest running indoor custom car show in Western New York. Our plans are to document the build of the car through the entire process of paint and body and all the upgrades and customizing and then unveil it on opening day of the 2014 Buffalo Motorama (http://www.buffalomotorama.com) on March 21, 2014.
Plans are to keep some design aspects of the Chevelle SS396 with performance upgrades in drivetrain, suspension, and interior and many custom details. All within a 6 month timeframe.

Updated rendering (Nov 4, 2013) from Studio Lundeen
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Early rendering of the Chevelle
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We wanted to drive the car for a while as it was only making a few changes. The Powerglide transmission slipped when we got it and the valve covers were leaking oil like crazy when we got it, so we pulled the drivetrain and freshened it up and swapped the Powerglide to a built Turbo 350 with a Hurst Quarter Stick replacing the column shift. We also pulled the factory bench seat and installed 2010 Camaro bucket seats with some fabbing of frame brackets to mount to the floor. For a 48 year old car, it honestly rode smooth and comfortably.

We'll be posting often on the SiniSSter Chevelle Facebook page also: www.facebook.com/buffalomotoramaprojectchevelle

Here are some picture of Chevelle before teardown
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[BuffaloMotorama]

It's incredible the amount of work you can get done in 7 hours when determined. It also helps to have a great base vehicle that is so clean and rust free.

Some of the teardown pictures from this week:
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[BuffaloMotorama]

We are even building a mini version of the Chevelle

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[BuffaloMotorama]

We've been adding a lot of pics to our Facebook build page for SiniSSter Chevelle - https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloMotoramaProjectChevelle

Drove the car up to the Olcott Beach Car show on Labor Day weekend that we run. Had dinner with Dennis Gage and he checked out the car
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Tore the Chevelle down in 11 hours then shipped to Great Lakes Media Blasting in Alden, NY
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Disassembled it a bit more once it got to the blaster
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Trunk is clean. Purists are mad that we're going to put in some ABC Performance Mini Tubs
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Interior floor is clean
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Out with the old, in with the new. UMI Performance and Viking Performance suspension as well as SSBC Brakes will replace the original components
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Firewall will get filler panel, AC/heater will go under dash, and engine will be a Mike Janis Racing (2x NHRA Pro-Mod Wally recipient from Elma, NY) built 396
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Doors stripped and pretty solid
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Lower door lip is blasted and clean
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Components are heading to the paint shop - Zeon's Collision in Lockport, NY. The body will finish media blasting and ship there next week.
Body will be removed from the frame, mini tubs installed, and frame will be media blasted and powder coated.

[cactuss4]

Nice!

[kwhizz]

Keep the pic's coming!!!.........Do you have the wheel and tire sizes picked out yet???


Ken

[BuffaloMotorama]

Keep the pic's coming!!!.........Do you have the wheel and tire sizes picked out yet???


Ken

We are going with the Forgeline DE3P, 18" front and 19" rear in gunmetal with brushed outer
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[alowerlevel]

Looks like its gonna be sweet. What were those seats that were in it out of?

[BuffaloMotorama]

Looks like its gonna be sweet. What were those seats that were in it out of?

The front seats were out of a 2010 Camaro. We needed to make mounting brackets but other than that, fit perfectly. When we upholster them we are going to shorten the height of the head rests.

[BuffaloMotorama]

Today seemed like a good day to take the body off the frame. It will help us media blast the body and floor as well as clean up the frame and prepare it for ABC Performance mini tubs and to box the frame in.
Then we will powder coat the frame and install SSBC Performance Brakes on all 4 wheels, UMI Performance suspension, and Vi-King performance shocks and springs

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[BuffaloMotorama]

Some more progress and parts are starting to arrive.

SiniSSter Chevelle removed from the frame and ready to be media blasted
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Ring Brothers hood hinges. The build quality on these are amazing. In awe of everything that comes through their shop
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Doors, fenders, and trunk are media blasted. No rot, just need the TLC of our body man. Parts are being delivered to him today
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Tore apart frame to prepare for ABC Performance mini tub and frame boxing. Once completed, we will send for media blast and powder coat

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[brownz]

moving along nice! keep the updates coming

[BuffaloMotorama]

moving along nice! keep the updates coming

We have less than 6 months to finish, so we have to keep a steady pace. This project is being done alongside of our regular jobs, late nights, and with some great friends and family.

[BuffaloMotorama]

A few more updates for 9/25/13
The body should be finished and arrive at the collision shop early next week. We're starting work on the frame and hope to have all the suspension and brakes installed in the next few weeks.

The frame is now at the collision shop, Zeon's Collision and Restoration in Lockport, NY
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Our designer and renderer has some trick up his sleeves. Here's a teaser, but we're giving the 1966 emblems a 2013 refresh with custom CNC emblems
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Painless wiring harness arrived and we opted for the Phantom Push Button start (with the red start button of course)
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Vintage air system. So compact. Will give us a clean firewall and fit nicely under the dash
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UMI Performance Suspension powder coated the suspension in a satin black. Made in the USA, which we love. Look at the finish and the exact welds. More like pieces of art

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The 396 block has been disassembled and ready to clean and check the block.
Mike Janis and the crew at Jan-Cen Racing in Elma, NY will be building the engine
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It also doesn't hurt that the engine builder is one of the top NHRA Pro-Mod drivers around
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[BuffaloMotorama]

Picked up the custom built radiator from Wizard Cooling (www.wizardcooling.com)
I have a radiator they built in 2007 in my big block 69 Camaro and I have no overheating issues. Incredible build quality, and perfect welds.
And the bonus is they are designed and built in the USA, actually in my backyard in West Falls, NY
When I picked it up, owner Scott Attig gave me a tour of the shop, which was very impressive to see the behind the scenes of the build process

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I will be adding a pair of 12" SPAL fans to finish off the combo

[BuffaloMotorama]

Frame is media blasted. Going to smooth out and clean up the factory welds. Then install ABCPerformance.net mini tubs and frame box. Progress pictures of frame boxing and mini-tub to follow.

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UMI Performance parts came. Satin black powder coated a-arms, nice clean welds, soon to be installed.

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[BuffaloMotorama]

Zeon's Collision started on the frame boxing and mini-tubs from ABCPerformance.net

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[BuffaloMotorama]

Our creative friend at Studio Lundeen designed a modern emblem for the Chevelle. We will also have updated emblems for the quarter panel, tail panel, and grill.
Myles Tool in Pendelton, NY (www.mylestool.com did the CNC work. Here is the finished product

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[kwhizz]

Beautiful...........!!!!!!!!

[CruizinKev]

wow nice emblems!!! maybe he can do a few more? :twothumbs but with LSX 376? :)

[cactuss4]

Nice updates, that radiator setup is over the top. Really nice looking piece!

[BuffaloMotorama]

wow nice emblems!!! maybe he can do a few more? :twothumbs but with LSX 376? :)

The emblems were a combination of my designer and Myles Tool. They are looking at getting into making the emblems and other components.
Look up www.mylestool.com and ask for Mark. But skies the limit on what they can do.
That's only the first piece they are making for the Chevelle.


Nice updates, that radiator setup is over the top. Really nice looking piece!

I have a Wizard Cooling radiator on my big block 69 Camaro. I have zero overheating issues. It's a small shop out this way (Buffalo, NY) but are growing due to the popularity of their radiators.

[BuffaloMotorama]

Zeon's Collision now has the body in their shop. They tacked the ABC Performance firewall filler panel into place.
Say goodbye to the world's ugliest firewall Chevy ever made

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[BuffaloMotorama]

A few more updates. First off, here is an updated rendering from Studio Lundeen

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Getting all the body panels and sheet metal together. Replacing the driver side quarter panel with some new Dynacorn sheet metal.
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Cutting away part of the frame for the ABCPerformance.net mini tub kit.
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Spot welding the new steel for the mini tub
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MOre to come. Heading to SEMA to meet with some people and get more ideas.

[Auto Rod Technologies]

I like the rendering.. Looks sick!!

[BuffaloMotorama]

A few more pics of the ABCPerformance.net mini tub and boxing kit. Trick welding by Derek Main.
80% done then it heads to the body shop to match up with the body and get mini tubs. Then to powder coat and the suspension gets installed.

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[BuffaloMotorama]

Some updates:
Myles Tool made 2 more fender emblems on the CNC. We had the bowtie graphic adjusted. Rear quarter emblems coming soon

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ABCPerformance.net mini tub and frame boxing just about finished also. Our welding and fabrication friend Derek Main did an awesome job. Time to mount the body to frame and check fitment.
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[BuffaloMotorama]

Always nice to see some color on the media blasted panels.
Zeon's Collision laying down a coat of BASF R-M red epoxy primer on some sheet metal

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Hoping to mate the body and frame together this weekend and get some panel fits checked. Then replace some of the hammered (yet rust free) sheet metal done.

[UMI Tech]

This car is going to be awesome. Of course we're happy you chose UMI suspension but seriously, everything on this build is absolutely top notch. Wow.

[BuffaloMotorama]

This car is going to be awesome. Of course we're happy you chose UMI suspension but seriously, everything on this build is absolutely top notch. Wow.

It's getting there. Some great components ready to be put on the car. Can't wait to put the UMI suspension through the paces

[Munssey]

Good foundation to start with! Coming along. Awesome rendering, btw.

[gmgiuffre]

Do you have the website for the rendering company? I tried "studiolundeen.com" without anyluck
[QUOTE=BuffaloMotorama;1028700]A few more updates. First off, here is an updated rendering from Studio Lundeen

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[BuffaloMotorama]

Looks like his domain is having some issues. You can contact Mike at [email protected]
You can also see his work at www.coroflot.com/MichaelLundeen

Here are a few more renderings he has done for me

The Mustang is the Ring Brothers Dragon Mustang
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The Buick is the Ring Brothers 1954 Buick
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Do you have the website for the rendering company? I tried "studiolundeen.com" without anyluck
[QUOTE=BuffaloMotorama;1028700]A few more updates. First off, here is an updated rendering from Studio Lundeen

[/QUOTE=BuffaloMotorama;1028700]

[BuffaloMotorama]

Been a bit since I posted updates on the SiniSSter Chevelle project.
The frame is getting assembled and the body will be mounted back on this week. Paint very soon!

Replaced both the rear quarters even though they were rust free, just terrible metal work and patch jobs. We also replaced the outer wheel wells as well as replaced the inner wheel wells with ABCPerformance.net mini tubs

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Rear quarter installed and primed

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Perfect trunk to quarter gap
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Smoothed firewall. Holes for the Vintage Air, Master cylinder, and steering column
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Undercoated the underbody. People asked why I don't paint it body color, and the reason is I want to drive it and not worry about touching up the paint under the car.
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Frame powdercoated after ABCPerformance.net mini tub and frame boxing
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Frame and the body back in the same garage
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UMI Performance Suspension, Viking Performance shocks and RJP Ford 9"
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[UMI Tech]

Top notch, Joe!

[BuffaloMotorama]

Top notch, Joe!

Thank! If today goes well we hope to have the body on the frame and final prep it for paint!

[BuffaloMotorama]

Some great progress tonight. The frame and body are back together for good!

The time in this build is starting to make me go crazy. I was making engine noises
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Some redneck engineering to get the body high enough to roll the frame under
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Liking the stance. Can't wait to put those old wheels to the curb
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Test fit of the Baer 6P 14" Pro+ Brakes
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[Bonehead]

Looking good!

[lucky13firebird]

I'm loving the boxed frame, that is some seriously quality welding there.

[BuffaloMotorama]

I'm loving the boxed frame, that is some seriously quality welding there.

Thanks, it turned out incredible. The ABC Performance frame was a great alternative to a Roadster Shop frame (even though those frames are incredible works of art) and should add modern handling to an almost 50 year old frame.

[Flintstones]

Nice build thread, subscribed.

[rrelco]

need one of my front spoilers!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/spoilerside_zps3c4277d2-1.jpg (http://s995.photobucket.com/user/emonteith/media/El%20Camino%20Shots%20ProTouring/spoilerside_zps3c4277d2.jpg.html)

[BuffaloMotorama]

If all goes well, shooting some paint this Wednesday. Now it gets more exciting!

[BuffaloMotorama]

Prepping the SiniSSter Chevelle for some color tonight.

Masking off the body
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Rolled it outside to make some room. Loving the lower stance
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Doors and quarter extensions
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Smoothened firewall
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Rear tail panel
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[BuffaloMotorama]

Started to put some color on the SiniSSter Chevelle.
2010-2014 GM Red Jewel Tintcoat, popular with the Chevy Camaro. We used PPG Paint
We were able to paint and clear the underside of the hood and trunk.

The pictures don't do this color justice. It's incredible in person. Other colors used in the build are satin black and gunmetal gray.

The color fits the name SiniSSter
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John is a 30+ year pro painter. This thing is going to look incredible
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1st coat of color
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1st coat of clear
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Under the lamp
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[BuffaloMotorama]

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[BuffaloMotorama]

Painted the filled and smoothed firewall Hot Rod Black
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Final prep and masking. Paint hits it very soon!
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[BuffaloMotorama]

And we have paint.....
Extremely happy with the color. PPG GM Red Jewel Tintcoat (2010-2012 Chevy Camaro)

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