64 Chevelle 2-Door Wagon LS-300 Project

[hotrodgary]

I recently sold my 62 Chevy II and have begun my next car.

64 Chevelle Wagon, 2 Door! Its a "300" wagon, with the "LS" engine, hence the LS-300 lol

Picked up a SUPER solid and complete unrestored car to start with, its gonna be nice to start with a solid car and not have to patch and make everything for a change! Only rust is in the front floor pans, few dings and dents but thats no biggie. I'm in the process of collection up parts now to start working on it.

So the plans are so far,
LS engine, Carburated, LQ4 short block, CNC LS3 heads, not sure of cam specs yet.
Overdrive trans, prolly a 2004R, but still have not got that yet.
Moser 9" ford, 3:90 gear
Full air ride suspension I picked up all the suspension from a guy, had less than 500 miles on it all
E3 ride pro system
strong arm front control arms
shockwaves front
hotchkis front and rear sway bars
hotckis steering arms
delphi 600 power steering box
air ride rear lower control arms and bags
hotchkis dbl adj upper arms

Planning to run 17" and 18" wheels

I want to run air conditioning on this one too
Black mountain precision front drive system on the engine

Thats where I am at so far, not sure what all is available for the LS engines since I'm new to them. Same as brakes? I need to get dropped spindles and all the brakes.

-Gary

Heres some pics....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMAG0183-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/100_0870-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/100_0869-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/100_0867-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/100_0868-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/100_0861-1.jpg

[hotrodgary]

Heres a pic of my 62 Chevy II I just sold, also a pic of my 66 Chevelle SS I sold awhile ago.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/sucs_0700_02_z1962_chevy_novapassen-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/2238760_1_full-1.jpg

[Reckn8]

Fix the rust holes and don't paint it! It's looks awesome.

[craigs73]

cool was wondering what your next project was going to be after selling that sweet due!! with a big car like that maybe go 18" and 19" wheels that way you can also get some big brakes on that baby!! looks to be a very solid car!! i cant wait to see the build up of this car... if its anything like your last car we all know how nice its going to be

[HRBS]

Nice score Gary...... those are super rare to find in the first place let alone one that solid and COMPLETE.
Glad you decided on Air Ride..... that boat will ride THAT much better with it.
I agree with going bigger on wheels. That big car will swallow those 17's and 18's.
18/20 or 19/20 will look way better.

[The Stickman]

Cool project. And another wagon to add to the list.

[Chadly B]

YES! Another wagon!

[Smock67]

Love seeing another wagon on here especially a 2 door thats just awesome. Certainly going to be following this build.

[CruizinKev]

nice project! i love 2 door wagons! can't wait to see more :twothumbs

[craigs73]

hey gary whats the timeline on this car? just came from steves and seen the vid you put up there and that car is bad!!!

[hotrodgary]

hey gary whats the timeline on this car? just came from steves and seen the vid you put up there and that car is bad!!!

Thanks for the compliments. Not sure timeline, prolly be a couple summers before I get it done, never know though?

Little bit of an update, pics to follow soon.

Got the front floor pans replaced (only rust on the car to patch!!)
countersunk the tail lights flush with the body
cut out the dash, in the process now of grafting in a 62-65 Chevy II dash
Got something in the works with the rear bumper...
I drew up some engine adapters and had em laser cut so now the engine/trans is set in for mock up and I got some headers

Guys at Scoggin Dickey came thru with all the goodies for me to put together a very stout 416 Stroker motor!
Should move the grocery getter down the road pretty well!

Still working on ideas to get rid of that ugly gas fill door, and something different for door handles.

I'm heading down to Goodguys Columbus to see what kinda deals I can find down there and I can start moving foward
with some of the other stuff, steering, brakes, air cond, etc.

-Gary

[Motown 454]

Wow thats a trio of great cars. That Chevy II is beautiful, you did an awesome job. My first car was a 66 SS so that tells you how much I like that one.
Your new project is going to be a sweet ride when your done. I love the 2 door wagons.

[hotrodgary]

Heres a pic of my other 2 projects too, dont laugh at me!
The yellow 69 is a cruiser/beater.
The other one, volksrod, is about 6 diff years, been tinkering around with it.
And more importantly, the wagon pics...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03176-1.jpg

Floors patched
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03181-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03183-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03190-1.jpg

Starting the nova Dash
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03199-1.jpg

Flush fitting the Tail lights
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03191-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03192-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03195-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03198-1.jpg

mock up engine set in place with a 2004R trans
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC03200-1.jpg

[bhcustomdesigns]

Cool project!

[RicerwannaB]

Nice, Cant wait to see what it looks like finished!

[NJSPEEDER]

Love the voksrod. An old bug is one of closet cars I have always wanted to do.

-Tim

[craigs73]

cool gary you have any pics with the lens on the tail lights pretty clean car!! im going to columbus good guys this yr to what day you going im going friday maybe we can meet up

[Jims78elky]

Cool project Gary! Your old 62 Chevy II was a sick ride...I just loved that awesome red interior ,so clean and well placed.

[craigs73]

hey gary i know you have some progress to post by now.....................do you do you lol plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :)

[devwil68]

one nasty grocery getter!

[hotrodgary]

Got the suspension on and mocked up today. Its low... should be cool! The front crossmember is sitting on the ground when you put some weight on it, might end up putting some sort of bump stops on it?

Next gotta get the body back on the frame and start building the tube x-members and make all the engine and trans mounts!

I will probably end up notching the rear floor slightly for the upper rear control arms and to gain a little extra exhaust room.

You can see the frame all boxed in, the rear control arm brackets boxed and a support brace/tube for the upper rear arms.

Finally some pics... -Gary

Also, the big Hotchkiss sway bar didnt fit the factory bracket holes, so we welded a plate to the bottom and drilled and tapped to 3/8" bolts. Using the original front hole location and moving the back ones location. AND you can see how much I had to cut out of the spring pockets for the shockwaves to have enough clearance not to rub!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC03686-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC03691-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC03692-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC03688-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC03684-1.jpg

[CruizinKev]

wow looks great! also like the volksrod! :twothumbs

[hotrodgary]

Thanks for comment!

Got the body back on the frame over the weekend, need to set the engine/trans in next and start building mounts, crossmembers and x-members in frame. Hopefully have that done by the weekend, or at least close!

-Gary

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC03698-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC03697-1.jpg

[craigs73]

the car looks sweet i been waiting on updates... somehow i missed the one from other day.... but glad i caught it this time. great work :headbang:

[astroracer]

I loved your deuce Gary but I think this wagon is cooler... You are doing some incredible work here Bud! looking forward to seeing it in person.
Mark

[SteveMarsa]

Whats up with the small kid statue eating watermelon??? Its in the pictures of the frame off to either side of the photo???? What exactly is that? Looks like seedless watermelon

[chunger]

Whats up with the small kid statue eating watermelon??? Its in the pictures of the frame off to either side of the photo???? What exactly is that? Looks like seedless watermelon

That's funny, you notice something like that, but nobody comments on the dude having a gas pump next to his house!

[DroptopJ]

I wish I could find a solid 2 door malibu wagon, I love them wagons, every time I've look at one for sale their rotted out. I can't wait to see it completed.

[hotrodgary]

Engine mocked up, I made 3 different style adapter plates, the set in the pic is what I went with. And than my buddy made up some frame mounts for me. Also bolted up the accessory drive system from Black Mountain Precision.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/photo122-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/photo124-1.jpg

Started cutting up the nova dash and making some new panels for it...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/photo125-1.jpg

Another pic of it
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/photo123-1.jpg

[hotrodgary]

Well been cutting up the nova dash some more and made the panels and have it fit pretty good now, got the vintage air unit mounted, havent finished the dash yet cuz I have some more stuff to do under it, make mounts for the coils and fuse panel, etc.

Also finished up my tail lights today, turned out nice, I love em flush, nobody will probably ever notice LOL!

I stuck a set of 17x8 smoothies I had on my daily driver on it to get an idea of fitment.

Anyways, time for some pics!
-Gary
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03707-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03708-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03712-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03711-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03709-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/photo-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/photo2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03714-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03715-1.jpg

Here are all the different engine adapter plates I made, I went with the one all the way on the left, then my buddy (SteveMarsa on here) made some mount for the chassis, placed them right in the middle of the front crossmember.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03706-1.jpg

[HotRod47]

Loving your project!!

[Bryce]

This is looking great!

[craigs73]

gary this car is gonna be sick.... unfourtunately you can update this thread as much as i crave it lol

[tommycomfort]

Very slick wagon project!

[Mr. Anderson]

Wagon looks awesome! And the flush fit tail lights are a GREAT idea. Might have to borrow it!!

[CruizinKev]

wow looks great with the 17x8 smoothies!! :twothumbs good work!!

[sanman357]

Any updates?

[hotrodgary]

Any updates?

Yes actually! Need to get some pics, will do that this week and post some progress which has been slow going!
-Gary

[ent72olds]

:twothumbsSubscribed! Any 60's A-body wagon is OK in my book!

[Capown]

Love it!! I have my eye on a 64 Lincoln Continental for a cruiser while im working on my LeMans but my next build or Toy def has to be a wagon. Great job!

[cobragt]

Very cool! My friend Clayton has one.

[r.a.w.rods]

Nice too see another wagon.

[hotrodgary]

So haven't posted in awhile. Had some down time but got back on the car and getting quite a bit done. Finishing up metal work, than going to the media blaster to come home for more metal work lol. SteveMarsa came over and we bent up and made a tubular k-member for the frame, new trans mount etc. so the engine and trans mounts are all done now also.

Figured I post a few pics of what I have gotten done recently.
-Gary

So heres couple pics of the kmember and trans mount
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/kmember-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/transxmember-1.jpg

62 nova dash, just have to finish the column hole, the console you see is actually a gas tank cover/seat pan off an old kawasaki...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo1b-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo1a-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo1bb-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo1c-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo1d-1.jpg

pretty aluminum driveshaft
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo21-1.jpg

firewall all done, smoothed, steering is all done too
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo8-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo21-2.jpg

67 nova rear bumper, widened it, extended the sides also to wrap further around and reshaped quarter panels to match the bumper, made some new bumper brackets, also smoothed the tailgaite and removed the original license plate recess in it and the rear pan
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo7-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo6-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo11-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo10-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo9-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo3-2.jpg

cut out and raised the spare tire well so it no longer extends past bottom of the quarter panel, will be the new home for the battery
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo13-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo14-2.jpg

[hotrodgary]

new door handles, work really well
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo4-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo15-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo19-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo18-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo20-2.jpg

still finishing up the gas tank, was going to put the fill behind the license plate but changed my mind, figured this was cooler. flip out tail light with the fill cap behind it, this pic is just mocked up, i'm currently finishing this all up. Also I frenched, or flush fit the tail lights
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03715-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo22-1.jpg

[hotrodgary]

Does anyone know if they make an LED conversion for 64-65 el camino station wagon tail lights? I have seen some universal led boards that i could make work possibly, curious if there is anything else out there?
-Gary

[KnightMare]

Cool wagon, looking awesome

[454bug]

new door handles, work really well

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Hey Gary,

You sure have some GREAT fab skills!! :1st:

The wagon is really coming together nicely. I really like your other projects as well! I happen to have a special fondness for Beetles...

By the way, what did those particular door handles come from? They really have a nice style to them.... I have been looking for a nice set for my project.

Keep up the great work! :cheers:

[65elkyprotour]

Do you have any pics of how you made the door handles work with the latches? I am doing 96 Miata door handles on a 65 ElCamino. https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/m8h2y0-1.png

[shane38]

Great Project i used to have a 65 chevelle 2 door wagon missing it!!

[LUV2XLR8]

that belt drive system looks awesome... who makes it?

[hotrodgary]

Thanks for the good words.

The door handles are from an 80's Fiat Spyder, I dont have any pics of them right now and how they work, not sure how to explain, but when you pull the lever, it pushes on the inside, and pushes right against the factory mechanism. When I get the doors back on and handles in I will get a pic!

The belt drive system is from Black Mountain Precision. Nice guy and he does awesome work.

-Gary

[Glenn]

I like your outside-the-box-styling ...

[SparkyRnD]

that is a very cool build and some great fab skills. Will be watching this thread!

[hotrodgary]

Got the body back off the frame, get it ready for the media blaster. You can see the frame all boxed in and the tube x-member we made up for it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/7B8A0372F573457C93A836E46C1F53B217636000-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/C80B0E4D49AB4B5A9FDD37E694236EB917636000-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/BDDA553586694907834001A4377BC67517636000-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/3E8BE878976F4D0AAF46A537760C6A5717636000-1.jpg


The floor pans & new trans tunnel

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/29F114822BF247259F8D37F54FC2C8E817636000-1.jpg


Body back from the media blaster, only found a couple small surprises, nothing big though, turned out good


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/89EB5DDC8F01459C8B2CFF711921437617636000-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/CDB3C086C214453285E5245B20FC42B017636000-1.jpg


The 62 Nova dash (whats left of it lol) looks good in there, I'm glad I used it

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/3CF5DB3AA29649828BACF4EDDB99C54117636000-1.jpg


starting to put it all back together again so i can start fitting and reworking all the panel gaps, etc.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/1457E817CF7748A491DCCCD30AFE40AD17636000-1.jpg


The widened 67 Nova bumper fits pretty good, still needs some tweaking but looks like it belongs

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/AAD0C95D23874DC296AFEA70966C749217636000-1.jpg


Looking like a whole car again!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/11/CF23A39552F8474D96B6287073C0BE3817636000-1.jpg

[craigs73]

car looks great gary i like all the small changes you did like the dash,tail lights,gas cap removal,door handles and the nova bumber on the rear looks dead on...

[Zoomin]

How do you decide to use these bits and pieces like the Fiat door handle and the Nova bumper? Are they sitting around somewhere?

Love it!

[blade]

Nice build, I like all of the custome fab work!

[Glenn]

Man, it's looks so cool in Grey primer and with those painted steelies, WOW, right-on!

[hotrodgary]

I have been massaging dents out and fitting all the door and fender gaps, etc. got it looking pretty good. Patched up the couple rust spots found after the blaster. Bout ready to start some body work! I pulled the inner fenders out... prolly gonna end up making my own cuz I hate how they fit and they are hard to make look good. Also will be modifying the grill and surround next.
-Gary

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/44E54D5148A740D6A4F5AC613AC7127536890000-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/EA9E674F75364A1991D6FB67C65E1DDC36890000-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/0BAE1402FACE43E9BAB873C1B21C93DC36890000-1.jpg

[Zoomin]

Wow, Gary!

It looks awesome as it sits, it's going to be over the top when its done.

[colgad]

new door handles, work really well
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo4-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo15-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo19-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo18-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo20-2.jpg

still finishing up the gas tank, was going to put the fill behind the license plate but changed my mind, figured this was cooler. flip out tail light with the fill cap behind it, this pic is just mocked up, i'm currently finishing this all up. Also I frenched, or flush fit the tail lights
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/DSC03715-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/photo22-1.jpg

I know this is an old thread but does anyone know what door handles these are?

[sik87gn]

I know this is an old thread but does anyone know what door handles these are?

Thread says Fiat Spider....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Good-Used-OEM-Take-Off-79-85-Fiat-Pinninfarina-124-2000-Spider-Door-Handles-pair-/351836411730?hash=item51eb159752:g:DusAAOSw-kdX1Pho&vxp=mtr