Newbie hotrod artist with PT 70 Nova project

[hdesign]

Hey guys,

I finally got a chance to join in on the fun. So far, I'm very impressed by what's going on here. I see some familiar names from other forums I belong to.

A little background on me:
I'm a product designer by trade from Worcester, MA (pronounced WISTA in Mass-speak). On the side I design custom cars of all categories for well established hot rod builders and average Joes alike. Check out my website for some of my work.

My Project:
When ever I get spare time (ya right!) between both jobs, my 11 month old daughter and renovating my house I can be found in the garage working on my Pro-touring style 70 Nova. I rescued it from being donated to the Kidney Foundation in July '00 and I've made slow progress ever since. I started out with an exceptionally clean, original 200K mile car with a 230 I-6 and P.Glide. I immediately stripped the car and sold the drivetrain and various other unwanted parts to make way for the 500 Caddy/Th400/9"Ford that'll be going in.

What I've done:
disassembly
rustproof removal
subframe removal/sanded/painted
PST Super polygraphite kit F/B and body mounts
2" de-arched leafs
2" dropped spindles+discs
9" Ford rebuilt/painted with Powertrax diff and 3.25 gears
Lincoln Mark VII rear disc conversion
sanded rustproofed floor
working on smoothing firewall and relocating wiper motor

Where I'm headed:
18"er's Front and Rear
mini-tubbed
Guildstrand mod
subframe connectors
500 Caddy with 500hp /600 lb-ft
shaved trim
custom bumpers and lower valence F/R
fully custom dash/door panels/ 2+2 bucket seats/full-length console
still working out color concepts

Here's one (of about 50) styling concepts I'm working on.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/06/70nova-1.jpg

Here's what it looked like when I brought it home in '00.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/06/orig3-1.jpg

[restomodbird69]

i like the concept ,man i wish i could draw what i have in my mind that i am building

[hdesign]

Hey, gimme a shout...I can help you with that.

[Damn True]

I dig the fender vent, nice little feature.

[TonyHuntimer]

Welcome Ben!

You have some great work on your website. Your site is nice too.

Welcome,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[ixfn]

I rarely post but browse often, and I just had to compliment your artwork. The Caddy is an amazing powerplant, be prepared for a big motor budget :crying: (my 507 (http://web.pdx.edu/%7Ebtc/83/engf.htm))

Ben / ixfn

[hdesign]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Ben, I actually chose the Caddy because of the "Bang for the Buck" factor. Of all the info I've gathered, you really don't have to do much to wake the motor up. I originally wanted a 454 or a 502 but they were out of my price range for the performance I wanted. Besides that, the Cad motor weighs less and is more durable in the long run due to the materials used in the block casting. I'll be upgrading the weak valvetrain and intake, adding a more aggressive cam, porting and decking the heads and modernizing the ignition system for starters. One major concern I have is dissipating heat, hence, the functional fender vent in the rendering. I'm gonna need a serious cooling system in this car.

I know I'm probably going to catch hell for not keeping a Chevy engine in it from the purists but the pros outweighed the cons in this case. It'll also be unique so.....

[derekf]

Welcome to the site, Ben. You're in good company here - we've got a guy with a twin-turbo ford engine in a Camaro; GTOs with Chevy engines, RX7s with LS1s, and even a 12-cylinder BMW engine in another Camaro, as well as other various unusual combinations I don't think you're going to see too many 'purists' here.

We're glad to have you, Caddy engine and all.

Does look like you've got the link in your sig a little off though - it points at https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/www.hermancedesign.com instead of http://www.hermancedesign.com. Some nice work on your site. Got more current pics of the Nova? I (for one) prefer the in-progress pics to the completed pics.

[fletcherscustoms]

youhave PM on work to be done

[6'9"Witha69]

Cool rendering and plan. I love the big old caddy engines. Hate working on them, but seen them make some big numbers.

[hdesign]

Yeah, I have a bunch of pix sitting around somewhere that I can post. Thanks for the info about the messed up link in the sig.

[ixfn]

Ben, here are some resources for you regarding the motor;

Cadillac Power (http://www.cadillacpower.com/forum/) - Top notch forum, frightening expertise.

Cad Co. (http://www.cad500parts.com/) - Excellent info, good page/products.
Maximum Torque Specialties (http://www.500cid.com/) - Good products.
Torque Inc. (http://www.cadillachighperformance.com/) - Bad page, John is VERY helpful though.

And about the cooling; these motors run about 200/210 or so, that's pretty much normal.

Ben / ixfn

[hdesign]

Thanks for the links, I've visited a few before but didn't know there was a forum for it.

[Beegs]

Ben, I love your rendering! Very nice.
I am not very fah from you, up
hea in New Hampsha. lol

[hdesign]

Ben, I love your rendering! Very nice.
I am not very fah from you, up
hea in New Hampsha. lol

Wickid Pissah! :headbang:
Yeah, I moved to the big WOO when I got married in 03. Used to live in Chelmsford (Next to the beautiful city of Lowell).

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Welcome to the site, Ben.