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View Full Version : You have to check this out...


69TAPoser
10-22-2006, 09:44 AM
Want a new 1st Gen shell? And I am NOT talking about Dynacorn either.

Here is his site:

http://www.musclecarmetal.com/home.asp

This is a guy that is amazingly 10 miles from me in NH. I do not know of anyone else doing this. He takes a 1st Gen skeleton (literally just the the internal body pieces like the dash support, roof support, etc.) and builds the car around it from the frame rails up:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/10/P1010041-1.jpg

You end up with a new shell WITH A VALID TITLE and VIN:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/10/P1010060-1.jpg

I found him when we started buying more and more panles for my 69 Firebird. I dropped my shell off to him this morning. I wish I had taken some pictures. He has several jigs that he uses to "rebuild" a shell and he works within 1/4" tolerances (GM built them with 1/2" tolerances). His seams are so good you cannot see daylight even witout seam sealer:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/10/P1010055-1.jpg

Anyway, I dropped my car off this morning and I will get it back in 2 weeks. :jump: I had already purchased all of my metal by the time I found him, so he gave me a nice low fixed price on building the new shell (labor only)...try and get that from a bodyshop!

Now that I have mine in, I thought I would share his info. His work is amazing and I can't wait to get my shell back in 2 weeks!

Btw, he does 1-2 shells per month and he now has a 4-car back log.

Phil
Patrick
10-22-2006, 10:09 AM
Pretty cool! Keep us posted on the outcome of your shell.
dslwizard
11-03-2006, 01:55 PM
That's seems to be where builders and hobbiests may be going. Let's say for example, I could get a POS 67-69 but with a title! Then rebuild the entire car or buy a dynacorn chassis (specifically 69). I would do it if I found an original that was affordable. Do you agree?
You frind has some skill too. Thanks for sharing.
mike
Tiger
11-03-2006, 02:18 PM
nicey nice,

whats he charging for a whole shell?
6'9"Witha69
11-03-2006, 02:26 PM
Looks awesome. AND it comes with a title!

MAD SKILLS!!
Leadfoot1
11-03-2006, 07:54 PM
Nice.

So i guess you don't know Mike...

www.mikescustomcars.com (http://www.mikescustomcars.com)


Got to the "Projects" page and pick one out. Take the time, its worth every minute, even if its only to learn how your car is built.

Let me know how you like his work.

:secret:

Lead.
(Get ready to fall on your a$$, i've NEVER seen better work)
Steve68
11-04-2006, 07:06 AM
Thats' the guy I was thinking of I just couldn't remember his name he used to post pics awhile back,
69TAPoser
11-04-2006, 04:14 PM
Nice.

So i guess you don't know Mike...

www.mikescustomcars.com (http://www.mikescustomcars.com)



Very cool. Didn't mean to insinuate Tony at MuscleCar Metal was the only guy doing this, he was the only guy that I had heard of doing this until now. And he is 10 miles from me. :cheers:

It still blows my mind that this can be done. To see a carcass that is totally shot (and I meam almost nothing left) get reborn is unreal. Mad skills and loads of patience.

I stop by next weekend to take some pics. It should be nearly done. I will post them once I get them.

Phil
sskustomz
11-05-2006, 01:41 PM
he had some cars on ebay awhile back
Ricoch3T
11-07-2006, 10:55 AM
Wish i could get some more pics of his body jig.. I have a camaro i'd like to do this too someday.. I was thinking redo the body, deep tubs, full chassis, and a supercharged ls1 :razz:
Leadfoot1
11-07-2006, 01:45 PM
Ricoch3T,

Just flip thru the albums (mikes customs) and you'll be able to see many pics of the jigs. I wouldn't try to build those myself but it sure is feasible!

Enjoy,

That other gentlemen seems to be doing very nice work too! we definetely need to see those guy's come out of their garages!

Mike is too far for me anyway but NJ is OK!

Thanks for the link!

Lead.
69TAPoser
11-09-2006, 09:05 AM
Wish i could get some more pics of his body jig.. I have a camaro i'd like to do this too someday.. I was thinking redo the body, deep tubs, full chassis, and a supercharged ls1 :razz:

Funny you say that. Tony at Musclecar Metal says he is already getting "bored" with the 1st Gens and may start producing and selling his jigs for $1K (which sounds like quite a deal). Personally, I think he is nuts as he would be giving away his "secret sauce recipe." Then again, his point was, if he could sell 500 of them in a year on eBay, that would be quite the wad of cash! :rolleyes:

Phil
novanutcase
11-09-2006, 10:28 AM
I think boilermaker(Chad) had a shell done by Mike. If I remember correctly, he said that it cost around $14,000.00 for the completed shell. Not bad, when you think about the prices of Camaros these days! The best part is you know that all the rust that you would find in a car with original panels would be taken care of since the skeleton of the car is exposed so it can be rust-proofed!
Tiger
11-09-2006, 11:08 AM
.... if he could sell 500 of them in a year on eBay, that would be quite the wad of cash! :rolleyes:

Phil

he is right, but just until someone in china copy his jigs and start selling them cheaper.. but for as long it lasts its a good one