The Start to our Journey for a family fun budget 1966 Chevelle!

[one_lo_one]

About 8 years ago I purchased a car for dad and I to build together. It has seen many changes up until the last two years when I had my son. This winter we decided it was time to get back at it again and we tore it right down to the frame instead of just putting in a new engine and interior like we were originally going to do and drive it. As we dug a little deeper there were just to many little thing that added up to a lot of things that made the car unsafe. After discussion it with a couple close friends and Dad we have now gone to the extreme just because of where I work(A Powder Coating Shop!) but budget is still the main perspective it will just be really nice and clean and will be using as many of the existing parts we currently have already. Hope you enjoy our travels to the end of a car that will be used to take our family to car shows and cruise nights for a long time to come.

Below is the first few pictures of tearing it apart and mini tubbing the frame an inch and half and the car will be done the same to add larger rims later but create clearance for the 10.5 inch Z06 wheels. Then on to blasting the body to redo to the tin work so we can later powder coat the body inside and out. The frame went to the shop for blasting and on Jan 1, 2014 it came home done in Misty Black and a month later most of the suspension followed. This weekend we finished up the suspension and rear end and it is now just loosely bolted into place with no internals right now. The suspension parts are done in Anthracite with Transparent Red over top to give it a Cherry Black effect which will follow with the colours on the car.

[68400BIRD]

I like the two tone theme of the suspension and frame. I have a good friend who does powder coating on the side. So, I ended up with a lot of parts powder coated on my car to. What are the plans for paint? I really like the light blues that these care came with originally. Good luck with the build.

[epeterson]

I love the wheels! They belong on that car.

[Zoomin]

It may be low budget, but it sure doesn't look it!

[one_lo_one]

The joys of working in a powder coating shop it allows me to make things look like it costed it a lot but because I can do the labour I can save big money. Sweat Equity is the name of the game when it comes to budgets. Were doing as much of the project that we can our selves to save as much $$$$$ as we can. I have been lucky to be involved with many builds my biggest challenge will be body and paint. We will do what we can. The body will go to the powder coating shop to have all the underside and inside done and will be finished in a grey colour. We tossing around the idea of doing a Matte Clear on the bottom of the car to create a contrast. We are also going to powder coat all the inside of the fenders and doors as well. As for colour we are doing a charcoal grey car with one large Cherry black stripe on the hood and trunk. Just like the Goolsby Chevelle that was done a couple years ago.

[one_lo_one]

Well it's starting to come together. Got the new wheels. Took a few pictures just to see the wheels against the new frame.

[dusterbd13]

man,i want the old z06 wheels....

looking good. and ive never heard of someone powdercoating the body. im interested to see how this turns out!

[one_lo_one]

Well we're getting closer to a rolling frame. All the front suspension is in and tight. Just need to assemble the rear end and bolt on the wheels. Got the shocks back today all painted up and now installed.

[apocalight]

What wheels are those? I really like them.

[one_lo_one]

The wheels are 19x8 and 20x 10 Rushforth Livewires with Nitto NT05 tires. 245/35/19 Fronts and 275/35/20 Rears.

[one_lo_one]

Finally outside. The boys posing with what will be the family cruiser hopefully next summer. Taking it to a show in the morning. It's gonna be a shame to cover this up.

[one_lo_one]

Some pictures of the 1-1/2" mini tub per side and the smooth fire wall and moving the wiper motor over to create an even smoother look while retaining function of the wipers.

[one_lo_one]

Hinges now filled in and ground smooth.

[one_lo_one]

Well the budget has gone out the door. The third picture is of the motor that use to be in the car before I tore it all apart. I sold the block last year and all the parts off of it last week. New motor has been purchased. Needs a colour change and some powder coating on the valve covers and intake. Pulleys will be left alone. Was a deal I couldn't pass up. 427 BB with Edelbrock Fuel Injection all the pulleys and headers as well as a Muncie M22 Rock Crusher complete with bellhousing and clutch and all the old parts like a Holley 4 barrel an Offenhauser intake and all the factory pulleys altenator and Power Steering pump housing I chrome as well as Long Tube headers for a 66 Vette. All in for 8 Grand. By the time I sell everything I don't need from the purchase as well as all my old stuff from my last BB I will be into it for less then 3500 dollars. To good to pass up........

[2ndroundko]

Very nice

[gmgiuffre]

Did you need spacers to run the Z06 wheels on the old setup?

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=91229&stc=1&d=1393759100

[one_lo_one]

Yes I had to run a 1" adapter on the front and 2-1/4 on the back and the fender lips were rolled. The rear rim was a 18x10.5 and fronts were a 17x9.5. 10.5 rear rim is about as max as you can go but they look unreal. Had a 295/40 on the back and a 275/40 on the front.

[WallaceMFG]

Nice work! It's gonna be a good looking ride when its done!

[one_lo_one]

Well the motor is now repainted/powder coated and ready to go in. The 700R4 is sitting in the garage waiting to be attached and placed in the frame so we can take some more pictures. Can't wait.

[Munssey]

Man oh man, looking good sir.

[Roger Poirier]

:bananna2: Impressive! Keep the pic's and updates coming...

[Motown 454]

Very Nice. keep them coming!

[PhillipM]

What size tired are you running now in the back after cutting? I have a 65 cutlass with 275 20s on the back and didn't need to cut but am thinking of going bigger.

[one_lo_one]

What size tired are you running now in the back after cutting? I have a 65 cutlass with 275 20s on the back and didn't need to cut but am thinking of going bigger.

I use to run a 295/40/18 on a 10.5 rim but the fender lips were rolled and if you really pushed it I could get them to rub the inner wheel housings on both sides. Then we mini tubed it 1.5 inches both sides. The plan was to go 20x11 but i got such a great deal on a used set of rushforth livewires that i couldn't refuse but they were 20x10s on the rear with a 275 on them but want to upgrade to a 295 as i find them skinny on a 10 inch rim. The saving grace was the rims were set up for a rear end out of a 69 so they have an extra inch of back spacing so it should work out that i don't need to roll the fender lips and still have inner wheel housing clearance. Hope this helps you out.

[scott_fx]

awesome build so far. cant wait for updates

[Arctic_Ragtop]

Great job so far. Nice project

[srh3trinity]

That engine looks really nice. Great job showing that budget doesn't always mean lack of attention to detail. If you counted your man hours, this certainly wouldn't be a budget build, because it is clear you are putting the time in.

[Arctic_Ragtop]

Where are you located ? I spy BC plates in the original photo and Alberta plates with the Z06 wheels.

[one_lo_one]

Where are you located ? I spy BC plates in the original photo and Alberta plates with the Z06 wheels.

The car came from BC and I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

[one_lo_one]

So the new carpet came in today and the vynil on the seats is a really close match. So happy. Started test out the new Procar bucket seats in the front and we are doing a matching set in the back with no headrest. Plans are to do a waterfall console down through the moddle of them all. Also got the final pieces on the engine, matching powder coated breather and pcv. Hopefully this engine will meet the frame in the next week or 2.

[one_lo_one]

Looks like a great match!

[one_lo_one]

Well the motors in place and so is the tranny but I didn't get a picture of it yet.

[one_lo_one]

Well the bodies on the frame finally after 2 years.

[one_lo_one]

Couple more pictures from the night we put the body in including my little man. He loves cars and is my little shadow.

[Zoomin]

Congratulations on getting the body back on there!

Great pic of the lil feller too. Start em young.

[one_lo_one]

Were after 6 years the car got painted and then stalled for the last 2 years as I worked on my truck. Here is an undated.