newest project 68 chevelle

[Hunter]

Its a good time to start a new thread on our newest project 1968 chevelle. Its in the teardown mode as of right now. We're waiting on all the new sheetmetal, quarters, doors, trunk lid, etc.

Wheels are ordered. Boyd Dictator 17x8 18x10 with 235/45/17 and 305/45/18 nittos 555 with 555Rs on the back. We got our wheels and tires from Newstalgia. I'm calling Morrison on monday to order our backhalf. the floors and trunk are gone so after the new rear clip is installed and frame boxed we'll set the body down over the frame a few inches to get it down low. Engine will prob be sbc set back with recessed firewall and 4 speed. heres how the car was when we got it and after swapping of old frame for another one the owner had. heres a few pics of "mock up stance"
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/garys_wheel-1.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/IMG_2855-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/IMG_2873-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/IMG_2880-1.jpg

[derekf]

I'm digging the stance.

[Tiger]

Cool! another 68 Chevelle.

welcome to the site!

[Hunter]

A little update. We got the sheetmetal in and starting fitting the new quarters. The back half and cage were ordered and the new front suspension should be here shortly after Christmas.

Heres a few shots of the structure areas coated and fitting the quarters.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/rear_quarter_coating02-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/rear_quarter_coating01-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/quarter_mockup02-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/quarter_mockup01-1.jpg

[Rantheman]

i will be subscribing to this I am interested in what the wheels will look like on this project.

[Hunter]

its been a long time since I've updated. We've got a few more things completed but are still waiting on the wheels. they should be here in less than 2 weeks.
heres a few shots of the roof. had rust issues along the side. cut it out as well as the drip rail and put the rod in place. we like this look rather than just taking them off completly. They still work a little this way.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/roof-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/roof_2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/008-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/020-1.jpg

[Hunter]

Heres some shots of the front frame rails. the only thing we're using from the original frame is from the firewall to the cross member. everything else will be built in house.We smoothed them up a little.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/chevelle_sheetmetalnew1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/frame_clean_up05-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/frame_after_clean_up01-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/frame_after_clean_up02-1.jpg

[hdesign]

Great project! My favorite year of Chevelle! Keep us posted.

[Hunter]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/IMG_2909-1.jpg

heres some nice rust we found. We were able to buy the window channel piece but had to make the other part where the vent and wipers go. we're going to be building a new firewall and cleaning up the front a lot.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/IMG_3009-1.jpg

Heres a few shots of the rear clip and the body gutted ready for the frame to be built. We got our tubular A-arms and 2" drop spindles. We're also using the coil-over conversion set up on the front and doing away with the factory steering and doin a power rack set up.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/IMG_2993-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/IMG_2988-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/IMG_2989-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/IMG_2999-1.jpg

[Hunter]

its been a long time since I've posted an update on our project. We've got a few more things done and the wheels are finally in. We're starting the wheel tubs this week and moving to the floors next.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/new_firewall1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/newframe4-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/new_wheels-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/PICT0002-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/PICT0011-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/new_firewall2-1.jpg

[vp23271]

Nice Metal Work and Stance Looks Good!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/PICT0002-1.jpg

[Hunter]

We are pretty much done with building the frame. We had some issues with the fatman frontend stuff.(dont want to start trouble here either just pointing out). after a few phone calls we got everything straightened out. we built the rack mounts and are using an early 80s T-bird power rack. We had to thicken up the upper control arm mounts cause of the amount of spacers we would have had to use. but we took care of it. The engine has been set back 5 1/2 inches and we're running a healthy sbc with TKO 5-speed. We're moving the seating area back and building a custom dash and center console.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/sd10012-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/sd10021-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/sd10030-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/sd10031-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/sd10032-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/sd10022-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/sd10010-1.jpg

[MrQuick]

very nice work, looking really good.

[tom_a]

Very nice progress!

[cheapthrillz]

Those engine mounts look slick! Nice work so far!

[Over Actor]

Wow this car is really coming along great. Any Idea of a color? Black? haha

[Young Gun]

looks killer! that car is gonna be sick!

[Hunter]

Wow this car is really coming along great. Any Idea of a color? Black? haha

yeah black has been getting tossed around but we don't want it to be another black car- even though black is the stuff in my opinion, there are a lot of beautiful colors out there. what ever color it is, the frame, motor, and body will be one color and we'll bedliner the bottom of the body and inner fenders for a little protection.

[tony byram]

Thats gonna be one killer Chevelle. Love the stance!

[Code Red]

looking good

[dodge]

oh i like the look of this build..well done guys

[badbu68]

Very nice!

[Hunter]

Its been a while so i thought i'd show a few updated pictures. the engine went from a sbc to a 502 ram jet....we've got it i just don't have any pictures yet. they'll be here shortly. The very bottom is a sneak peak of a 70 camaro we're currently doing.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/IMG_3124-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/IMG_3125-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/IMG_3126-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/PICT0092-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/PICT0095-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/PICT0159-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/chevelle_frame_body-1.jpg

hope this isn't breaking posting rules....bagged 70 camaro project....the frame table represents the floor

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/big_wheels-1.jpg

[shortrack]

very cool.....where did you get the roof.....????

[Hunter]

the roof? its the one that was on the car. we just fixed the area around the drip rails and took the stock rails off and welded in the rod.

[mach1stang]

Hunter, Check your PM box.

Also quick question, why are there so many short welds on the side of the quarter extension at the bottom of the point?

[Hunter]

Its kinda hard to explain but theres a slight taper in the extension towards the very back. The metal in those areas actually had to be shrinked but instead we made some simple relief cuts and it allowed us to bring the metal in and create a slight roll like the stock one. i'll get some grounded down photos up so you can see the final product.

[mach1stang]

Ohh ok I was just wondering why there was that many welds in the one area.

[Chevrolaine]

Cool! Don't see enough of the custom 68-69's.
Pssst, don't take so long between pics!!

[1offwizard]

Nice work! How about a thread on the camaro?!?!

[shortrack]

the roof? its the one that was on the car. we just fixed the area around the drip rails and took the stock rails off and welded in the rod.

sorry in post 6 you said you had rust issues with the roof so you "cut it out"....I thought you meant the whole roof......do you know if anyone makes a roof for a 68-9?????

[Hunter]

Nice work! How about a thread on the camaro?!?!
yeah that'll be coming soon....I wanna get some pictures of it on the ground....we're getting the rear narrowed and getting some new axles.

[Hunter]

sorry in post 6 you said you had rust issues with the roof so you "cut it out"....I thought you meant the whole roof......do you know if anyone makes a roof for a 68-9?????

hey, sorry about that. i didn't explain it very well. the inner structure of the chevelle roof was in good shape and the window channel wasn't too bad, we new we were going to do something with the drip rails so we just worked with what we had. I'm not sure who makes a roof for the chevelle, we orderd the roof for the camaro from good mark.

Did you guys pick up on the custom roll pan on the back? we're going to run a thinner bumper from a later sixties mustang. lengthen it and rework it to follow the curve of the back of the body

[Satatic]

Thats a really cool building you have.

[birdsandbowties]

thats a very nice start i cant wait to see more , keep the pics coming, 68 chevelle is my favorite !!!!

[Hunter]

Thats a really cool building you have.

thanks, it was an old speed shop 35+ years ago. my dad remebers goin in there years ago and buying speed parts. its just a one bay door in the corner but opens up to a decent size shop.this is the view of the crusty place from outside.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/048-1.jpg

[KnightMare]

That Chevelle is coming along nicely

[cityofthesouth]

if only the factories had done drip rails like that, functional and NOT a pain in the ass. What a killer car and with killer craftsmanship. Can't wait to see it done.

[maldo]

very nice damm love the frame work .... do you want to show off your skills on my 80 camaro for free advertising lol :smoke:

[Erik Beckett]

What size are the rear rims and tires on the chevelle? The car is going to be killer!!!

Erik

[Hunter]

its been a long time since we've updated. we're lurking on here everyday at lunch checking stuff out but never remember to update our own projects. Heres a few shots of the 502 crate motor sitting in place. We've also cut up a 70 camaro bumper in 100 peices and made it fit the front of the car. A new roll pan was made from scratch to flow with the bumper and help make the car not look so heavy. We got our new Afco radiator in position as well as starting on the inner sheet metal for the car. body work has started on the back half of the car and hopefully we'll have a coat of high build primer on in a week or two. enjoy the pictures...

BTW the rear wheels are 18x10 with 4" of backspacing. -thats for eric beckett
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/PICT0096-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/PICT0093-2.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/PICT0112-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/PICT0122-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/PICT0172-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/PICT0213-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/PICT0215-1.jpg

[rlplive]

awesome build

[SLAMDIMPALA]

That is some very nice work you guys are doing.That chevelle is truly a work of art with all that metal work going on. What size metal did you use on the frame to fill the holes?

[Hunter]

That is some very nice work you guys are doing.That chevelle is truly a work of art with all that metal work going on. What size metal did you use on the frame to fill the holes?


thanks a lot for the positive feedback. On the front frame stub we used 16 ga for any non structural areas and 10 ga for any areas in question. The holes were there from the factory so using a thinner gauge metal made it easier to cut out templates quickly and its not effecting the integrity of the frame.

[Motown 454]

Looks good!

[454bug]

AWESOME body work!!! :1st:

[redzula]

I was lookin at your drip rail and was wondering how you did it ... how big a rod was used... where did you cut the stock rails?

[ponjohn]

Real nice craftsmanship!

Looks like you have pleanty of work.

[icebird84]

AWESOME body work!!! :1st:
indeed