project 72 Chevelle RS1 [Archive]

zipsimons

09-09-2011, 10:15 PM

Well hello everyone and i appologize for my lack of time on the computer! my name is tim but everyone calls me zip. I started this project with a friend almost 2 years ago now. it was going to be a mild makeover car to flip. My friend was fronting the bill and I was to do the concept and build. After about a year and a halfs time and still having a long way to go, it seemed to be less like a flip and more like a personal project. My friend did not mind the timeline thus far but i just didn't feel right about having his money tied up. I knew that with my new baby boy here that things would only slow more. Lucky for me I have a great friend, Shawn Marasco with his own custom shop in Orange City, FL. It's called Rockstars and Custom Cars. We used to play in a band together and had even taken autobody class together in high school. Well now with his new shop i asked him to take over the project build and handle the frame, suspension, motor, and body completion. basically, from this point, I will be handling the concept and reassembling the car. The car was a malibu 350 that i decided to go freestyle on. I decided to do a sort of "what if" chevelle being they never made a rally sport. i am incorperating some of the key styling features of an rs but not all or limited to. like I said...FREESTYLE! I will reveal those feature as a make them! lol I also figured what would be more perfect for a rally sport than a real performance package pro touring build. I want to keep this car a true driver with show and peformance capabilities but not go too overboard trying to make it more for a track. It will be made mostly for comfort, styling, and reliability. So now that I have truely bored everyone to death who has made it this far... here are some pics... i'll probably screw something up with the link so please inform me.

http://photobucket.com/72RS1

Smock67

09-10-2011, 05:07 AM

Negative Ghost Rider here are the pics

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3574-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3573-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3572-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3571-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3568-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3575-1.jpg
Underside
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3579-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3580-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3581-1.jpg
:seizure:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3583-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3584-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3585-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3586-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3588-1.jpg

Engine
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3577-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3576-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3578-1.jpg

Interior
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3594-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3589-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3590-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3591-1.jpg

Smock67

09-10-2011, 05:14 AM

The metal work begins
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3642-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3641-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3640-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3639-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3638-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3637-1.jpg

And some bling
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3636-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/brakes-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3635-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3634-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3633-1.jpg

What can brown do for you?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3680-2.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3681-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3682-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3683-1.jpg

Panel repair
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3852-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3841-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3840-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3839-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3838-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3837-1.jpg

Smock67

09-10-2011, 05:22 AM

More repair
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3836-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3835-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3800-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3799-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3798-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3796-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3795-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3785-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3783-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3782-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3769-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3770-1.jpg
and
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3766-1.jpg
Wheel wells
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3765-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3756-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3755-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3750-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3742-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3651-1.jpg

Smock67

09-10-2011, 05:33 AM

And some color

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_4345-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_4344-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_4343-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_4342-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_4341-1.jpg

Where'd the frame go?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/bodyoff-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/frame-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/wil-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/untitled-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/str-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/rrsuspw-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/rrsusp-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/rrbr-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/roller-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/rear-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/ltknu-1.jpg

Smock67

09-10-2011, 05:38 AM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/frrtsusp-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/frsuspside-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/front-1.jpg
What might this be?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/ls1before-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/ls1-1.jpg
and its going where?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/font4-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/ls1b-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/ls1a-1.jpg
Headlight plans
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/white-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/rs2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/rs-1.jpg

Thats just about all the pics I shall let Zip fill in all the details

zipsimons

09-10-2011, 06:00 AM

thanks so much chris... I knew I would probably get it wrong!

Smock67

09-10-2011, 06:16 AM

Not a problem, you're in FL too we gotta stick together. Great progress on the car btw, can't wait to see it further along. But just for your own sake post up a mod list like the engine tranny whats been done to them, suspension, wheels and brakes. People here love lists and pictures. Oh and just to help out when you get more pictures uploaded to photobucket, hold your mouse over the picture and 4 different links will pop up click where it say IMG code it will automatically copy it and then you can paste that code directly into the reply section.

zipsimons

09-10-2011, 06:29 AM

well thank you homie! haha... you are an incredible help. the firebird rocks

zipsimons

09-10-2011, 09:06 PM

chassis-

stripped and painted (sprayed) with POR15 silver
UMI rear upper/lower control arms
Mr Performance front upper and lower control arms
UMI front and rear sway bars
CPP front lowered 1" coils
CPP rear lowered 3" coils
KYB performance shocks (rears painted red)
stock restored/rebuilt steering box
new front end bushing kit for steering linkage
restored center link
CPP 2" drop front spindles
Wilwood dual piston calipers on 12" rotor in front
Wilwood dual piston calipers on 11" rotor in back
Wilwood master cylinder
12 bolt rear with 3:73 gears
shortened aluminum driveshaft
custom trans crossmember with exhaust tubes
Flowmaster series 40 exhaust
Dougs ceramic coated longtube headers
LS1 motor from an 01 SLP camaro gone over and fully refurbished
4L60E trans
corvette fuel rail covers that will be shaved, painted red, and have custom chevelle emblems on them
all new brake lines
new gas tank and sending unit
external hp fuel pump and lines
custom radiator and electric fans new
vintage air gen IV

Body-

new goodmark quaters
new outer wheelhouses
new trunk floor
new trunk drop downs
new rear panel
inner structure that was solid was stripped, epoxied, and rhino lined for corrosion protection and sound deadening
underside and inside will be coated with Lizard Skin
Quarters were etched and rhino lined on the inside before installation.
I am ICAR certified and used the most modern standards for installation.
the quarters were attatched with 3m panelbond and welded at the cosmetic seems as well as the structure points (rear body and B pillar)
light rust was in the roof from vinyl top sweat which was stripped, ospho treated, etched, and repaired.
the trunk lid was originally replaced with a new one but fit horribly. I found a used one in very good shape and restored it. i sectioned the ends of the trunk lid and quarters to meet with a straight line against the rear bumper.
It will recieve Grey PPG base/clear paint with red one off "RS" stripes to appear period correct.
The bumpers are shaved and will be finished in a satin to resemble the wheel center color.
Front and rear glass will be installed without chrome trim
i've mocked up an "rs" grille that is working quite nicely.
i will be using 71 parking lights to follow the theme out
Fog/driving lights will be grafted into the bumper from a 69 camaro
the rear valance will be home to the reverse lights and all 4 tail lamps in the rear bumper will be running/brake/turn only and all red

interior-

mostly stock appearing bright red bucket seat interior
bucket seat backs and bottoms will be smoothed and painted body color along with the bottom of the dash and several other interior pieces. i'm building a custom guage cluster with intellitronix guages and push start ignition.
flaming river tilt column
electric life power windows
custom center console with horseshoe shifter
mild audio system
the trunk will be panelled off and upholstered to resemble the cabin interior

i'm sure i forgot plenty but here is my list!

zipsimons

09-12-2011, 05:31 AM

Any suggestions on carpet color?

deejai35

09-12-2011, 06:39 PM

Nice transformation. So far so good!

zipsimons

09-12-2011, 08:01 PM

Thanks.. I should have some pics of the chassis completed soon!

zipsimons

10-13-2011, 07:01 PM

Got this video from the shop today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPPL7ESfvZY

zipsimons

10-13-2011, 07:04 PM

Got this video from the shop today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPPL7ESfvZY

MGCslugger33

10-13-2011, 07:35 PM

Awesome Project. I'll be keeping a close eye on this one.

rfalker1

10-13-2011, 07:54 PM

wow thats a lot of metal work!!! you got a good friend there!!! keep it up, its already starting to look good too

zipsimons

10-13-2011, 08:06 PM

i did all the metal work in my two car garage! I decided that I just didn't have the space or time to do the body off so shawn at rockstars is taking it the rest of the way up to being ready for wiring, interior, and assembly. We went to high school and auto body school together and even played in a pretty big band in orlando for some years so we definitely have some history!

CruizinKev

10-13-2011, 08:46 PM

wow looks great!! awesome progress!!! :twothumbs

zipsimons

10-14-2011, 05:12 AM

Thanks! Sickest Monte I've seen... the perfect look!

zipsimons

11-20-2011, 07:45 PM

here's a 6 gauge panel i am in the middle of building to convert the sweep style malibu cluster

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/IMG_48081-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/IMG_49021-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/IMG_49031-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/dash1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/dash2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/dash3-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/dash4-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/dash5-1.jpg

They are intellitronix digiatal gauges in artic white. all my interior stuff that gets painted is ready so hopefully in a week or two i can get in the booth at work.

aps63

11-20-2011, 07:59 PM

Great work so far. Keep it up.

zipsimons

11-28-2011, 01:54 PM

Rendering should be done this week! Just have some final tweaks being done... Stay tuned!

zipsimons

12-01-2011, 09:43 PM

well here it is!... just got it from zee at zvtdesigns...i'm trying to figure out how to make it bigger! lol

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

this is a generic diagram of the stripes
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/STRIPEdiagram2-1.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/lscovers-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/final-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/finalclose-1.jpg

zipsimons

12-02-2011, 11:28 AM

Not sure if anyone actually reads this stuff but i would love to hear some feedback... Good or bad

Amatouring

12-02-2011, 12:12 PM

First of all, I would like to compliment you on the car and the work you have put into it. I am looking forward to seeing it finished. Overall I am a fan of the concept and the color combo. The color looks a little sinister while still being classic. I am not so sure about the rear stipes on the fenders. Personally I think they may be a bit too much. Either way it looks cool.

zipsimons

12-02-2011, 12:35 PM

Thanks alot! I was all over the place with those rear stripes in conception! It just looked to plain to me without. I really appreciate your honest input. I love your screen name! Thats how I described my car to someone once because it's not a track car but everything is still upgraded!

spoilersbyrandy

12-03-2011, 11:50 AM

Looking good Tim. What color is the interior going to be?

zipsimons

12-03-2011, 03:11 PM

Looking good Tim. What color is the interior going to be?red with painted body color accents... I'm using your pt spoiler!

SShep71

12-03-2011, 10:16 PM

Is that black with red or dark grey with red? Im doing dark gunmetal grey with a deep red stripe. I like the design it looks good.

dropit69

12-03-2011, 10:35 PM

Great project!!..i dig the paint scheme but then again i like stuff out of the norm..do what you like screw the rest..lol..my motto..can't wait to see it progress..!!!

zipsimons

12-04-2011, 07:05 AM

Is that black with red or dark grey with red? Im doing dark gunmetal grey with a deep red stripe. I like the design it looks good.As of now it's going to be 1GO lexus grey. Ben from srd showed me your car when I told him my idea.. My original stripe idea was very similar to yours and lethal induction's. I was dead set on grey and red for about a year now so that didn't change that. I love the way you're going with the scoop and wheels! Very evil!

SRD art

12-05-2011, 12:07 AM

Hey Zip- That dash looks totally bad bootie! I Love it!

I like the rendering but the stripe breaks are throwing me off a little. I like what you're doing to the grille, coupled with the turn signals it makes for a very linear front fascia. The stripe breaks make sense according to the body lines on the middle of the hood but maybe I'm feeling the two design elements of the grille and stripes need to tie in together a little more? Did Zee happen to do a version with the stripe connecting both fenders over the hood, much like the full length grille bars? I'd like to see that, maybe it'd flow better, then again maybe it wouldn't. Just curious...

If you keep the stripe breaks, consider the fender stripes stopping at the hood to fender gap line or where the horizontal and vertical planes of the fender meet. Those body lines are a natural design element that we are subconsciously familiar with looking at. Stopping the stripes in the middle of the fender creates another "visual" line that runs front to back. Notice in the front view "generic stripe drawing" the fender stripes don't flow with all the body lines. I'm wondering if the way you have it right now there may be a bit of a visual battle of which design element gets the viewer's attention, especially with the high contrast between the red and grey and the strong gap line.

Whether it's a painting, a toaster, or a hot rod, you want it to be "easy" to look at, i.e. to allow the eye to easily flow over it. Consider the thought that sometimes too many elements make a design look over done and can create subconscious visual chaos, which in the end translates to it being uncomfortable to look at. Any time there are two close strong design elements fighting for dominance it can cause this feeling. I'm not suggesting your car is like this it's just a design "rule" if you will. "Less is more" is truer than most folks tend to believe. Maybe Zee can do a revision with the stripe ending at the gap or the fender peak and compare to the original design.

Between all the design elements created under the car and in the interior, nailing just the right amount of visual elements on the outside will prevent throwing the car over the top of "over-doneness". The most important part of this car is that it's visually appealing to the masses rather than just you if you still intend to sell it at some point.

I'm not trying to bust on your design in any way, just throwing out my anal artsie-fartsie designer opinion, take it as just that, lol. Overall, I love the RS style direction you're taking the car, and my intentions here are just food for thought.

I'd like to see a larger version of the rendering too, that might help a little. :)

zipsimons

12-05-2011, 05:05 AM

Hey Zip- That dash looks totally bad bootie! I Love it! I like the rendering but the stripe breaks are throwing me off a little. I like what you're doing to the grille, coupled with the turn signals it makes for a very linear front fascia. The stripe breaks make sense according to the body lines on the middle of the hood but maybe I'm feeling the two design elements of the grille and stripes need to tie in together a little more? Did Zee happen to do a version with the stripe connecting both fenders over the hood, much like the full length grille bars? I'd like to see that, maybe it'd flow better, then again maybe it wouldn't. Just curious...If you keep the stripe breaks, consider the fender stripes stopping at the hood to fender gap line or where the horizontal and vertical planes of the fender meet. Those body lines are a natural design element that we are subconsciously familiar with looking at. Stopping the stripes in the middle of the fender creates another "visual" line that runs front to back. Notice in the front view "generic stripe drawing" the fender stripes don't flow with all the body lines. I'm wondering if the way you have it right now there may be a bit of a visual battle of which design element gets the viewer's attention, especially with the high contrast between the red and grey and the strong gap line. Whether it's a painting, a toaster, or a hot rod, you want it to be "easy" to look at, i.e. to allow the eye to easily flow over it. Consider the thought that sometimes too many elements make a design look over done and can create subconscious visual chaos, which in the end translates to it being uncomfortable to look at. Any time there are two close strong design elements fighting for dominance it can cause this feeling. I'm not suggesting your car is like this it's just a design "rule" if you will. "Less is more" is truer than most folks tend to believe. Maybe Zee can do a revision with the stripe ending at the gap or the fender peak and compare to the original design. Between all the design elements created under the car and in the interior, nailing just the right amount of visual elements on the outside will prevent throwing the car over the top of "over-doneness". The most important part of this car is that it's visually appealing to the masses rather than just you if you still intend to sell it at some point.I'm not trying to bust on your design in any way, just throwing out my anal artsie-fartsie designer opinion, take it as just that, lol. Overall, I love the RS style direction you're taking the car, and my intentions here are just food for thought.I'd like to see a larger version of the rendering too, that might help a little. :)Hey ben! Thanks for the comments. I respect your "theory" on the stripes and i did try a version that connected. That version just looked like a squashed version of voodoo child or lethal induction. I also tried bringing the fender stripes to the hood gaps and they looked cut off. Being that the main color is so dark the gaps really don't play a role in draw of the eye.. Maybe in the generic white version. I'm working on getting a larger pic up of the actual rendering

ZVT

12-05-2011, 06:34 AM

Zip Here you go I am also sending you the hyper link via email so you can post it bigger

52081

zipsimons

12-05-2011, 06:39 AM

You ZEE man! :)

ZVT

12-05-2011, 06:41 AM

I'm working on getting a larger pic up of the actual rendering

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/710/zvttim72chevellers1fini.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

SRD art

12-05-2011, 11:50 AM

Nice work Zee! It definitely looks better large, and perhaps you're right- maybe on the white version it's a little more enhanced. Looking forward to seeing the end product!

zipsimons

12-05-2011, 09:14 PM

Great project!!..i dig the paint scheme but then again i like stuff out of the norm..do what you like screw the rest..lol..my motto..can't wait to see it progress..!!!

thanks so much! a great car builder once told me... " if ya ain't pissin people off then ya ain't doin it right!" lol

zipsimons

12-08-2011, 08:05 PM

here's a look at my bumpers which have been shaved of the bolt heads on the faces and a 69 camaro valance was grafted into the front to accomodate the fog lights and have a natural look to it. the valance fit so well you would have thought it was specifically made for this mod. it also took care of the ugly license plate pocket but still retains a small indent to mount one. the bumpers will be painted the same satin "graphite" as the center of the wheels

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/shavedbumpers-1.jpg

ramlinman

12-09-2011, 03:14 AM

gotta do what you feel and feel whatya do! wow

zipsimons

12-11-2011, 05:00 AM

gotta do what you feel and feel whatya do! wow

that's been the objective thus far! thanks

cwmiller

12-23-2011, 06:36 PM

muthstryker

12-24-2011, 11:31 AM

I have a question.. Did you use PVC pipe for your gauges on your panel? It looks like gray electrical conduit and white plumbing pipe.

zipsimons

01-02-2012, 07:26 PM

Nice project Zip! My quarters looked the same way yours did in the lower corners of the rear glass... Except I have some rust issues in the corners of the package tray and the support for the trunk hinges (support metal under the panel below the back glass and in between the quarters). Did you have this issue?

Thanks! I got lucky there. I had a tiny bit of patch work in the corners of the package tray. other than that just some light surface stuff but blasted off with ease. then epoxied it and used a rihno lining for sound deadening and corrosion protection.

zipsimons

01-02-2012, 07:30 PM

I have a question.. Did you use PVC pipe for your gauges on your panel? It looks like gray electrical conduit and white plumbing pipe.

damn skippy I did! lol I needed the perfect fit to go around the guages and allow room for a strand of el-wire to go around them.. took forever to finally find the right diameter! I actually had to shave a 1/16 off of the inside of the larger tubes to achieve the same effect as the 4 smaller ones.

zipsimons

01-15-2012, 06:47 PM

chassis is pretty much wrapped up for the most part. firewall is shaved and painted, 2 stage lizard skin (ceramic heat shield and sound deadening) has been applied to the underside. those were progress pics i recieved from rockstars and custom cars. i finally test fired my instrument cluster in the garage tonight! i used intellitronix artic white gauges and red el wire to trim them

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/frame1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/firewallpainted-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/testfire1-1.jpg

MonzaRacer

01-19-2012, 01:27 AM

zipsimons

01-19-2012, 09:45 PM

I bought Intellitronix gauges many years ago, I doubt its same company anymore, but if those have near the number of features my older ones had they should be awesome,,, mine are dial gauges but ran by stepper motors and have output controls, if I remember I got them from Summit back in like 99/00, one reason was the output control from the water temp to control a fan relay. One issue if same company make sure you use a good dedicated ground to block or you can get odd readings. Car looks great by the way.

thanks alot! i read that some company took them over but then ran it into the ground and has since been taken over by the original owners..? something like that. not sure of the time line on that.. i used to work in a car audio shop a while back so believe you me, i understand the importance of dedicated grounds and avoiding interference. you can create an eletrical nightmare by having the wrong two wires even near each other! I'm really excited to see how they work out once in the car

zipsimons

01-30-2012, 08:09 PM

stopped by rockstars and custom cars over the weekend and got to see the better half of the project (the car) in person... had been a while.. I was in awe seeing the progress that had been made! body is on, front sheet metal all aligned, and getting ready for the secondary primer. I went over the stripe layout dimensions with shawn and it really looks great in person.. even if it was just masking tape! lol.. I could not have been more impressed with the lizard skin used on the underside of the body. It was a very nice looking product and was smooth to the touch. The rep, Don, from lizard skin convinced me I would not be disappointed and he was right! It was even grey! I was looking for protection, sound and heat proofing, and washability. It's all there! anyway, should have some more cool pics coming soon

ProTourGSX

01-31-2012, 12:39 AM

zipsimons

01-31-2012, 05:05 AM

My '70 GS Stage 1 is real close to how yours started out, needing pretty much the whole back 1/2 of the car (1/4's, trunk, wheel wells, rear window channel, etc.), and I'm having a hard time finding a body shop that does anything else besides "insurance work", or giving me quotes of "1,000+ hours@$60/hour", even when I tell them I only want the BODYWORK (sheetmetal/prep/paint) done, as I'm capable to do the assembly (drivetrain/suspension/brakes/interior/etc.), myself!

After seeing what you've done here, with this '72 Chevelle project, you've inspired me to try to do my own car, the way that I'd rather have it done, anyway, as I'm confident that I could do this, and I'm aware of the techniques/materials used to get it done, I've just never tried it before.

Thanks for sharing here, Zip, and keep us posted with progress!

Wow! That is an incredibly nice thing to say and an honor to hear. I actually sold out and work in heavy collision now! Lol... I did all the sheet metal replacement and gor the body work roughed in but then decided to have my good friends shop wrap it up to speed up the progress. He cut me an incredible deal though! He is a fairly new shop though we both started doing body and paint when we were in high school together. He figured it would be a great car for his shop to have his name on and I can still retain full credit for concept. I'm still doing alot of other items on the build while he has the car. Good luck with everything and please ask if you have questions.. I'll give you my number and help as much ad possible.

ProTourGSX

01-31-2012, 09:46 AM

Thanks for the offer, and I sent a PM to you, for further contact information!

Looking forward to it!

zipsimons

02-02-2012, 07:07 PM

Thanks for the offer, and I sent a PM to you, for further contact information!

Looking forward to it!

I have a crazy busy life but I will help when and where I can! My pleasure!

ProTourGSX

02-02-2012, 11:29 PM

I have a crazy busy life but I will help when and where I can! My pleasure!

If you had any idea what parallel lives we live... ; )

zipsimons

02-16-2012, 08:18 PM

had some professional photos done of the frame before the body went on... just for good memories and since it will probably never be seen again from that angle. I got a sample today!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/frame2-1.jpg

CornHusker4Life

02-17-2012, 04:16 AM

The work looks amazing. When I was working on my chevelle I recieved a lot of slack for building it the way I wanted it especially from team chevelle. Build it exactly the way you are it will turn out sick. Awesome work again.

zipsimons

02-17-2012, 05:35 AM

zipsimons

02-22-2012, 09:43 PM

so here are some faces to put with the build... that is me (zip) in the middle. Shawn is on the right with the dreads. We were in a band together a few years ago and he now owns Rockstars and Custom Cars. He stripped and painted the frame, installed all the new suspension and steering components, did the LS swap, and is picking up the body work where I left off and painting it. I should hopefully see this thing back in the next couple of months and wrap up my end. My buddy Charlie is on the left and is pretty much responsible for starting this whole thing. It was his bright idea for me to do a "quick flip" car in my two car garage at my house in my "SPARE TIME!!!!!LOL". original deal was he was flipping the bill and I was doing the work and we would split the profit. Then we were like "well, we've done all this extensive restoration to the body.. may as well put an LS in it." then i thought "this will never get done" at the slow rate it was progressing and that is when shawn got involved. then i said "i'd hate to see that motor and body work go to waste on old suspension and brakes and a boring interior!" so now our wallets are near empty and the car does have to be sold when finished (after some fun!) and we probably wont profit anything... but who cares!!!!!! I am having the time of my not having a customer tell me how he wants his car... this is everything I want to do and how I want to and it feels great! lets face it, it's all about the build. shawn is very excited because it's the first car that his shop has been able to go all the way on in the less than 2 years he has been open. charlie is just thrilled being a part of all of it... so here is three genuine smiles man!!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/IMG_5336-1.jpg

Ron.in.SoCal

02-23-2012, 08:42 AM

Great post Zip. That's what this hobby is all about :cheers:

zipsimons

04-11-2012, 09:00 AM

Well all the parts are in final prime except for the body. The lizard skin is going on all the interior surfaces before that is applied. Should be seeing paint next month. Rockstars and custom cars is going to do the paint on a weekend so I can be there to help with the layout of the stripes. I gave them a rendering and schematics, but there is nothing like using your eyes! Wish me luck

67speedfreak

04-11-2012, 10:59 AM

Great project ! Love the name Rock Stars and Muscle cars ! The two biggest passions in my life are cars and Guitars !

Rock on Brothers !

Brian

zipsimons

04-11-2012, 12:45 PM

Great project ! Love the name Rock Stars and Muscle cars ! The two biggest passions in my life are cars and Guitars !

Rock on Brothers !

Brian

Thanks man! It's actually rockstars and custom cars because he does all customs. I see you're from meritt island... Have you heard of our old band "coletta"? The owner of rockstars and I were in it together. He now plays for "eleven 29" they played a bunch of shows this past bike week in daytona.

zipsimons

04-17-2012, 07:40 PM

just got some pics of the lizard skin all done! I saw it on the bottom of the body and fender wells last trip up there. It looks very nice and surprisingly, very smooth to the touch. On top of that it finishes out grey so it will just compliment the body color!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Picture002-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Picture003-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Picture004-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Picture005-1.jpg

CornHusker4Life

04-18-2012, 05:21 AM

Looks great

71chevyy

04-29-2012, 12:25 PM

nice project! look forward to seeing some paint on there!

ChevelleNV

04-29-2012, 01:43 PM

Looking good...

zipsimons

04-29-2012, 01:58 PM

Thanks guys... Should have some paint on it in a couple weeks!

zipsimons

04-30-2012, 08:33 PM

Well the gauge panel has gone aluminum! A local muscle car parts store, Muscle Express, convinced me that I needed to build my gauge panel out of aluminum and reproduce it. I thought this was a great honor but just to be sure I started a thread on Team Chevelle to see what kind of response it would get there. It was beyond anything I had ever imagined! So now I have been to the end of the world and back trying to get this accomplished... I am fluent in fab/body/paint/audio and capable on interiors, but I have really never dabbled in "machine work." Since my old drummer in Orlando has been in the industry and owns his own machine shop, I figured I would get him involved. He seemed excited and into the concept so we moved forward. He was to figure out the most efficient way to reproduce the panel without compromising quality. Well three weeks later the "prototype" was complete... problem is I already made a prototype and I needed to reproduce it. I think we were just not on the same page as I thought we were. I settled up with him for his 16 hours of labor and called it a day.
the next day I spent about an hour on google and my phone at lunch break. I pretty much lined up all the neccesary avenues to get all the parts made and to build it myself. I sat down with a C.A.D. designer and programmed a waterjet to cut the faceplate. We ran several test runs and got it dialed in just perfect. I had called every metal supplier in world almost to find the tube size I needed! I needed it big enough to allow the gauge to slide inside and still be small enough to fit in the dash slot. Now everything is in place except for time! It takes about 2.5 hours for me to assemble one of these panels. Right now I wish I had 2.5 minutes to spare. Which leads me to today... I've met with numerous people (lets call them machinists or fabricators for the sake of arguement) in the last couple of weeks. Mind you, this is during my lunch break at work that I'm conducting all of this. Everyone said that they couldn't guarantee that it would be any better than the first reject! Some said it would take them all day to build it... What happened to the Craftsmen dammit! I see so many truely talented people on here it blows my mind. Wish everyone in this "pro touring" community were actually living in the my community. It seemed like every "shop" I went to was just some guys working there that were taught to use one tool and had no drive to respect the art of any craftmen and strive to make it your best. So now I'm back to trying to find the time to assemble these unless I can find someone QUALIFIED to handle it. I may be able to get one done this weekend. I wanted to do a step by step photo documented install to include as directions when sold... maybe next weekend. LOL. Anyway enough of my ramblings

zip

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_5577-1.jpg
this is the first aluminum "failed prototype" it is generally how it will look though. I spray painted it just so I could see how it will look.

zipsimons

05-16-2012, 08:56 PM

PAINT HAS BEGUN!!!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/phoneaprilmayish018-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/phoneaprilmayish017-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/phoneaprilmayish019-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/logocomplete-1.jpg

should be spraying the whole car on the weekend of june 1st!

CruizinKev

05-16-2012, 10:29 PM

OH PAINT LOOKS GREAT!

these are 20x10 on the rear? what tire size?

zipsimons

05-17-2012, 05:49 AM

OH PAINT LOOKS GREAT!

these are 20x10 on the rear? what tire size?

Yeah, 20x10 with 6.25bs and 275/40/20. I'm changing wheels and tires though. Still 338's because I chose these wheels for the style but with a 5.5 bs on the 20x10 and a very subtle yet custom twist! Also going with 295/30/20 instead

zipsimons

05-31-2012, 09:10 PM

Tomorrow starts a highly anticipated, incredible weekend for me! I'm leaving after work to go to orlando with my wife. We are going to see Shawn (rockstars and custom cars) play in his new band "eleven 29". A ton of our old friends from back when Shawn and I played in a band together, are going to be coming out. With a 14 month old son, my wife Brittany and I don't get out much!lol So we got a baby sitter (her godmother) and will have a little fun together. We'll be staying at Shawn's that night and then it's up at the crack of dawn to head to the shop! Brittany and Shawns wife Jen, are really good friends as well, so they'll be have a "girls day" (get a break from us day)ha. The chevelle will be completely masked and ready for a final wipe down and tack when we get there. Shawn will pretty much spend the entire day tomorrow carefully masking and back-taping to ensure all the finished work inside and underneath are protected from our evil nemesis... OVERSPRAY!!!! We'll start of by sealing the car and allow to flash. We will then put down one full coat of the grey on the entire surfaces to be painted. Then we wait approxiamately one hour for enough curing to allow tape to be applied with out marring or printing that intial base. This initial first coat is specifically to utilize the sealers peak adhesion time for top-coating with base coat. I only need to lay down silver first to get my stripe out lines. I don't want to spray the whole car silver first because it will come back to haunt you on your burn in lines! So after the hour wait we will back tape any body seams or leading endges of panels that the stripe will come near and then spray the silver only in the stripe location using a blending technique for the perimiter of the area spayed. This will cut down on build up of tape lines. It will be 2 full coats of silver. We will then begin the layout in all 1/8 fineline tape. It's going to be a massive amount of measuring to ensure all lines are straight and even! I will backtape around the outside of the stripe, again to cut down on unneccesay material build up. We will then spray the red stripe color. Now it will be another one hour wait. We can then peal the back tape and mask off the red (still leaving the outline tape on as well). Time to lay down the main color! 3 full coats will cover excellently. Shawn just painted a car the same color (I know, shame on me!lol) about a year ago and said it was extremely painter friendly. Remember; Shawn owns a custom shop and I work at a collision (sell out) shop as a collision tech. So I haven't painted an all over in about 7 years. Shawn paints a couple times a week but with customs, you're usually only spraying a few complete's a year. He does all the work there himself and his partner handles the administrative side. She'll also get in there and help shawn when ever needed though. Kristi is very cool! Needless to say, we're a little nervous (more so me!) and hoping the bodyshop gods are on our side. After about a half hour, we will start to peel all the tape. We want enough cure to allow for the bordering materials to truely bond and at the same time early enough for the tape to release and leave clean crisp lines. The car will be closely inspected by us both for any blowouts or discrepencies in the bases and repaired if neccesary. Finally, 7 coats of clear sprayed at 90 psi will be applied!!!! hahahahaha... I kid I kid... We will put down 4 coats of clear increasing the flash time by 25 percent in between coats. 4 coats is not an insane amount of clear, but enough to get you into big trouble if you get to 3 and 4 too soon! I will be posting the progress on facebook on saturday if anyone is interested in following the paint job. For now... here is a pic of the car all sanded and ready (I know, cell phone pic....boooo) It just looks so right! That is what I call some fine tuning by Shawn! So here I am at 12:45a.m. writing about the weekend to come because I am just so damn EXCITED!

zip

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/preppedbig-1.jpg

Hellrace

06-03-2012, 12:45 AM

Nice project, liked what you did to the headlights looking forward seeing this finished :-)

zipsimons

06-03-2012, 08:44 PM

My computer got all screwy on me and I lost everything I just wrote.. It's late so just gonna throw some pics up.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/rear3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/roof1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/sz1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/phone060212039-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/phone060212041-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/phone060212042-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/phone060212043-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/paint011-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/painted-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/paint016-1.jpg

69cortezsilver

06-03-2012, 09:09 PM

wow! came along way..very cool

zipsimons

06-04-2012, 02:29 AM

Thank you

LSxChevelle

06-04-2012, 09:55 AM

Love the body color! And the graphics look great!

CruizinKev

06-05-2012, 07:27 AM

oh sweet!!! paint looks great! :cheers:

spoilersbyrandy

06-06-2012, 10:36 AM

Tim, your car is looking great! Can't wait to see it all put together.

zipsimons

06-06-2012, 01:25 PM

Tim, your car is looking great! Can't wait to see it all put together.

Me too! Lol... Thanks. How do you like what I did with your spoiler? What a quality part you make!

spoilersbyrandy

06-07-2012, 06:29 PM

Tim, I like the way you painted it. It is going to look great! Randy

zipsimons

07-12-2012, 09:00 PM

progress!

all buffed out
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/paint018-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/paint017-1.jpg

beginning to look like an engine bay
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/paint021-1.jpg

sneak peeks
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/paint023-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/paint025-1.jpg

72elco

07-13-2012, 04:07 PM

Great looking ride man! Those Bumpers are sweet looking. How was the process of Shaving those bumper bolts/ adding fog lights? Wanting to do the same to my Elco.

zipsimons

07-14-2012, 07:04 AM

Great looking ride man! Those Bumpers are sweet looking. How was the process of Shaving those bumper bolts/ adding fog lights? Wanting to do the same to my Elco.

Thanks. The bumper bolts were tacked into place while everything was fitted. Then fully disassembled and welded front and back. Weld the inside, grind off the protruding head on the outside, and weld that. Sand blast, clean, and epoxy, the bumpers. Now they will be reasy for finish work. The driving light set up is a grafted in 69 camaro valance.

72elco

07-15-2012, 10:20 PM

Sounds like a lot of work and they turned out awesome. Ive got to find someone out here that can tackle it. Great work!

zipsimons

07-16-2012, 06:27 PM

Sounds like a lot of work and they turned out awesome. Ive got to find someone out here that can tackle it. Great work!

It was! Luckily Shawn did it! lol... thanks though

KnightMare

07-16-2012, 07:21 PM

The color scheme for the color is awesome, great project

zipsimons

07-16-2012, 07:58 PM

The color scheme for the color is awesome, great project
thanks alot! i love that you own a cluster of prime muscle cars and a crown jewel tri5! dreamy!:twothumbs

zipsimons

07-31-2012, 08:39 PM

Well, I am picking up the car this weekend! It is officially running, driving, braking, and steering. Now it is my turn to try to wrap this thing up. In other news... Rockstars and Custom Cars has offered me partnership to come on board and try to make some exciting things happen! I'll be putting my house on the market after the chevelle is done and moving my family to Orlando. Needless to say my excitement level is on 11!!! Here are a few pics of where it is now.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/paint037-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/closer-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/paint042-1.jpg

zipsimons

10-22-2012, 08:13 AM

Haven't had time to go on here since I got the car back... here's why...

http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/zipsimons/VIDEO0058.mp4

Zanie

10-22-2012, 10:01 AM

Looks great. I'm diggin so much about your Chevelle!!
The front turned out cool, plus in the rear I like the 4 tail lights and reverse lights in the valance. The red interior looks awesome, those bucket seats look great without the headrests. Dash came out very cool.
I can't see anything I don't like. Everything flows together so well. Nicely Executed!!

zipsimons

10-22-2012, 07:39 PM

zipsimons

10-22-2012, 07:54 PM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/IMAG0648-1.jpg

LUV2XLR8

10-23-2012, 03:34 AM

Great looking ride!!!

zipsimons

11-27-2012, 10:20 PM

Well it's official... got together with my friends as a member of Rockstars and Custom Cars over the weekend at the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona Beach. It was our first official shop promotion with the Chevelle. I had already taken it to two shows which got me a runner up best in show out of 1000 cars and a best street machine! The response this car has received has been incredible. I think good things may be in store for us. We have decided we are going to offer the car as a production model as well with an endless list of options to choose from. The RS1 will be the ls1 powered base model all the way up to an RS9R. This includes guaranteed build times of 8 to 12 months respectively. I don't mean to come off as "sales pitchy", I'm just so damn excited how things are unfolding! I may finally be able to leave the collision industry and return to my roots where I feel I belong. Wish me luck!