Project "ETHEL" 75 chevelle

[Bicknellwelding]

This is my 1975 chevelle. It is a one owner and has only 75k miles on it. Obviously not rare or collectable, but ive had it since 1995 and just cant seem to get rid of it. Long story short: I would see this car every sunday morning when my parents took me to church. We would stop at the elderly housing to pick up my great aunt, and this was out front. The chevelle never moved as far as i knew. Several years later my great aunt told the 95 year old lady who owned it ,that her nephew had an interest. She bought the car for me right there for a dollar. The old ladys name? Ethel.

At the time I had way to many other projects and immediately handed it to my brother, as his 73 laguna was rotting to death. Just starting a family he didnt have much time for it either. But it did get indoor storage for the next 11 years. Sometime in late 2006, he decided to get rid of it and i took the her back. As you can see 11 years turned her into a shelf in the garage.

Over the past several years ive done a few things. Up until recently I really didnt know what the end result should be. While searching for any related info on 73-77 chevelles, i came across this site. Or more specifically Project Bad Buzz. I am now addicted to this pro touring style. And while this will be a slow going process due to my own starting of a family, i cant wait to get some feedback and ideas on the direction i should go with it.

Longterm plans as of late include. Brakes, wheels, suspension, and would like to convert it over to a modern drivetrain i.e.(Lt1 6speed or LS? depending on budget) Was originally thinking of a late 70's nascar style paint job. I found a 74 laguna nose and a pair of swivel seats all for $100. and recently picked up a muncie m-20 for now.

[Dolmaner]

Cool car, i love seeing mid to late 70s cars here

[Bicknellwelding]

mild tear down. found rot at the bottom of rear window channel and lower cowl.

[MonzaRacer]

OK so its easy, 18 in steelies that LOOK NASCAR, ridetech air ride or coil overs all around, 454 LSx, maybe couple of turbos down the road and say a decent satin paint scheme, with phantom SS stripes and a cowl hood.
Figure a sweet dash with gauges from Speedhut, throw ina Pistolgrip Quarter stick to handle the prnd stuff and a paddle shifter for rest on a 6 speed auto OR one of Keislers road and track 6 speeds that you only need clutch to stop or start.
Oh and when you do exhaust use a set of the boom tips from a nascar exhaust.

[Dolmaner]

OK so its easy, 18 in steelies that LOOK NASCAR, ridetech air ride or coil overs all around, 454 LSx, maybe couple of turbos down the road and say a decent satin paint scheme, with phantom SS stripes and a cowl hood.
Figure a sweet dash with gauges from Speedhut, throw ina Pistolgrip Quarter stick to handle the prnd stuff and a paddle shifter for rest on a 6 speed auto OR one of Keislers road and track 6 speeds that you only need clutch to stop or start.
Oh and when you do exhaust use a set of the boom tips from a nascar exhaust.

Thats so cliche, he should do something unique, then again its his car

[SRD art]

Great start! I feel for ya, I have a family too, 4 kids, and have a total budget between $7000-8000 for the whole project. Doing it on a budget just makes you more creative and a better barterer on used parts. Unfortunately doing this hobby with a family makes a tough haul sometimes but the good news is it can be done!

I agree, it would be cool to live up to the 454 badges that are on the new front clip. Not sure about where you are but there are plenty of trucks in the local wrecking yards here that you can pull a 454 big block out of for $250. They're certainly not set up for performance but add on some decent heads, (even old school budget GM heads would be an improvement), and a decent cam, exhaust and intake system would make plenty of power for now. Looks like you have a shop to work in and welding skills, if you ran a big block you could always work it out to set it back a couple inches for better weight distribution. On a mild big block a 10 bolt rear (assuming that's what you've got to work with) will probably stay together for a while unless you're drag racing a lot. If you can find a bolt-in 12 bolt you'll probably golden. My 11 sec 74 Nova runs just fine with a 12 bolt with a factory GM posi and axles and pulls 1.63 60' times. A 9" is cool but only if there's a budget for it.

There are lots of budget minded factory suspension parts out there now to swap around, that might be a good place to start. Buy $2000 braking systems when you need them, for now you can make F-body 12" or C5 Vette 13" brakes work. Other suspension parts are relatively inexpensive for decent upgrades, when you NEED a 4000lb boat to handle like a race car you can drop the big money for exotic parts then.

I'm not a big fan of the Nascar thing, but I'm one of those morons that only watches Nascar for the crashes. My opinion, (and take it as such) would be do something unique with pro touring styling. There's always good deals on rims out there, my 17x9.5s were only $150 each, only about $40-50 more than the 17x8 steelies I believe, and they probably weigh less too. I like the satin paint idea, but do something different than overdone black. Maybe a two tone silver and blue or silver and green or...? and cover it all with a satin clear. Just throwing ideas out there to get the creative juices flowing...

Either way, build the car to suit your fancy, being happy with the end result is what matters most.

[Zanie]

Very Cool! I love a car with a story behind it.
It looks like you are attacking with gusto!
IMHO: Skip the actual big block 454.. ask Tom Farrington (Tommycomfort).
I would only mess with one of those mid 90s LT1 motors if it is free. Silly water pump/ distributor set up!!
You will miles and smiles ahead if you pick up an LS with a trans and computer set up. In the meantime maybe toss that 4 speed behind that small block to increase the fun factor temporarily.



What ? no mention of the cool Corvair in the background?

[srh3trinity]

I will be watching this one. I think these cars have great lines and will swallow up a ton of tire. Check out Bad Buzz build as his came out very nice.

[sr73bu]

I will be watching this one. I think these cars have great lines and will swallow up a ton of tire. Check out Bad Buzz build as his came out very nice.

Thanks Stephen!

Great Build! If you ever have any questions shoot me a PM... Also, check out the 73 Grand Am build on here... it going to be pretty amazing.

Good Luck and stick with it... these cars have lots of potential

-Sean

[Bicknellwelding]

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Surprisingly this was the only floor rot.
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test fitting the seats.
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[Bicknellwelding]

Very Cool! I love a car with a story behind it.
It looks like you are attacking with gusto!
IMHO: Skip the actual big block 454.. ask Tom Farrington (Tommycomfort).
I would only mess with one of those mid 90s LT1 motors if it is free. Silly water pump/ distributor set up!!
You will miles and smiles ahead if you pick up an LS with a trans and computer set up. In the meantime maybe toss that 4 speed behind that small block to increase the fun factor temporarily.



What ? no mention of the cool Corvair in the background?

I think the back story is what keeps it with me. and the 'vair belongs to a friend of mine. think its a 66? cool little ride but he just sold it. the LT1 idea was based on the amount of dirt cheap mid 90s fbodies on craigslist in my area. especially if i could get one with a stick and have everything.

[Bicknellwelding]

Thanks Stephen!

Great Build! If you ever have any questions shoot me a PM... Also, check out the 73 Grand Am build on here... it going to be pretty amazing.

Good Luck and stick with it... these cars have lots of potential

-Sean

Thanks Sean, your 73 is actually how i found this site and kinda light a fire for me.

[dusterbd13]

you didnt ask me, but ill throw my vote in.

TBI 350 small block, with a paddle shifted 4l80E. grab the whole drivetrain from a 94/95 chevy haf ton 2wd truck. use that in addition to a true cowl induction aircleaner from a cup car (www.musclemotors.com). 17 inch aero wheels knockoffs, or leave the slot mags. full exhaust, out to the back bumper. lowered about 2-3 inches all the way around. chin and deklid spoilers. leave the baby blue, only with white stripes and a white interior. lots of sound deadening, lots of insulation, lots of AC and stereo. 4 wheel disc brakes using the wilwood d52 calipers on all 4 corners, and skip the parking brake with an auto. tint the windows a bit, polish the chrome, and cruise it. add stiff sway bars and good shocks, poly or steel bushings, solid body mounts, and drivce it some more. clean, tasteful, not dated in any way to a particular era, and fairly inexpensive to pull off.
michael

[bigpat1802]

Throw in a 5.3 out of a chevy pickup. I'm throwing one in my 77 El Camino as we speak!

[Bicknellwelding]

you didnt ask me, but ill throw my vote in.

TBI 350 small block, with a paddle shifted 4l80E. grab the whole drivetrain from a 94/95 chevy haf ton 2wd truck. use that in addition to a true cowl induction aircleaner from a cup car (www.musclemotors.com). 17 inch aero wheels knockoffs, or leave the slot mags. full exhaust, out to the back bumper. lowered about 2-3 inches all the way around. chin and deklid spoilers. leave the baby blue, only with white stripes and a white interior. lots of sound deadening, lots of insulation, lots of AC and stereo. 4 wheel disc brakes using the wilwood d52 calipers on all 4 corners, and skip the parking brake with an auto. tint the windows a bit, polish the chrome, and cruise it. add stiff sway bars and good shocks, poly or steel bushings, solid body mounts, and drivce it some more. clean, tasteful, not dated in any way to a particular era, and fairly inexpensive to pull off.
michael

I welcome all advice and input. I had been thinking about fabbing a chin spoiler. although i did see someone around here that made them? And the late 70s trans ams rear spoiler fits the contour of my trunk lid, I'd just have to make the end pieces myself. Solid body mounts?

[Bicknellwelding]

Throw in a 5.3 out of a chevy pickup. I'm throwing one in my 77 El Camino as we speak!

My old man had an 01 silverado 2wd with the 5.3 and it had plenty of go. Not sure where you're located but i have a set of door glass for a 73-77 elcamino

[Bicknellwelding]

OK. Question: A friend of mine offered me the wheels off of his 98 ws6 T/A. Not sure of the backspacing . I'm thinking they may look horrible on the chevelle, but i havent gotten them home for a test fit yet.

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[alowerlevel]

I welcome all advice and input. I had been thinking about fabbing a chin spoiler. although i did see someone around here that made them? And the late 70s trans ams rear spoiler fits the contour of my trunk lid, I'd just have to make the end pieces myself. Solid body mounts?

http://spoilersbyrandy.com/7377elcamino.aspx Want to get one for mine too.



OK. Question: A friend of mine offered me the wheels off of his 98 ws6 T/A. Not sure of the backspacing . I'm thinking they may look horrible on the chevelle, but i havent gotten them home for a test fit yet.

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Your gonna need a pretty large adaptor for those to work. IIRC those wheels have something like 6.75" of backspace

[dusterbd13]

youll require a minimum 2 inch hubcentric spacer at all 4 corners.

and you asked opinions on the wheels: no. please dont.

[Bicknellwelding]

youll require a minimum 2 inch hubcentric spacer at all 4 corners.

and you asked opinions on the wheels: no. please dont.

I think i needed to hear that. LOL If i have to buy spacers, than i might as well put it towards new rims.

[Bicknellwelding]

[QUOTE=alowerlevel;860856]http://spoilersbyrandy.com/7377elcamino.aspx Want to get one for mine too.]


thats the one i was thinking of.

[Bicknellwelding]

The new package tray that i made from 1/4" ply and carpet
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Rear seat, covered, and started blacking out the interior and windows
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I just couldn't resist
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The original 73 laguna grill that came off my brothers car some 15+ years ago
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Eventually going to tuck the bumper in. And add a decklid spoiler. really would like to find the clip off a 73 and swap it over. they look so much nicer. One of my brothers was kind enough to spend hours on end, hand polishing the rims. And , Yes his garage is carpeted
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[bigpat1802]

My old man had an 01 silverado 2wd with the 5.3 and it had plenty of go. Not sure where you're located but i have a set of door glass for a 73-77 elcamino

Yea, the 5.3s put out around 300hp! I'm located in Nebraska, a bit of a walk to your location.

[Later-A-body]

It's starting to take shape. Looks like your making great progress. It's good to see another '73-'77 project on the site.

[Bicknellwelding]

It's starting to take shape. Looks like your making great progress. It's good to see another '73-'77 project on the site.

Thanks. I appreciate all the positive feed back. I caught up with your build last night, great work! I'm hoping to get into mine like that someday. Your Grand Am makes my Chevelle look common. I cant remember the last time i saw a 73-77 a-body that wasn't a chevy.

[Later-A-body]

Thanks for the feedback. The BOP A-bodies are not as common, you're right. I'm sure you have seen the '75 Laguna that PHR magazine has? There are a lot of things that you can do to improve our cars. A lot of the suspension components on our cars share the same with the '70-'81 F-bodies, as well as the rear shares later '90-'96 B-body suspension parts. Global West has everything available for our chassis. One other thing you can do if your thinking about an LS or LT1 swap is to install a '90-'96 Impala gas tank for the EFI. I have one in my GA. Good luck with the project, I will be following it.

[tommycomfort]

I love it! If I was so deeply rooted in early Chevelles I would start looking for a "3rd gen." A-body! Keep up the good work!
Tom

[MonzaRacer]

IF you would need wheel spacers,, seen these, well made and cna hold up with moderate abuse as he drag races with his,,,street class but still does race and inspects them every month.
http://www.ezaccessory.com/Wheel_Adapter_5_Lug_4_75_To_5_Lug_4_75_p/5475-5475c.htm

I but Iagree those wheels dont fit body style as is.

[driveit]

What happened to this build? Would love to see more!!!

[Bicknellwelding]

What happened to this build? Would love to see more!!!

Ethel is still resting comfortably in my brothers garage. Between work, my side business, and our second child being born, I have not had the time for her, but it's being well kept until I do. I'm also a member at G3GM.com

[Dragonsnake]

Nice to see another build of these underrated models.You have cool wheels on it already..just a little wider,and they would look great.15 inch wheels are really makin a come back these days.i have 295x50 on mine on all 4 corners.

[driveit]

Still no updates? I hope things are going well for you and your family. My family always comes before my Chevelle too. I thought I would post a few pics that might motivate you to get back to it. Mine isn't as nice as yours, but if your like me you always enjoy seeing another G3.
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My new to me TriStar Performance 355.
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Hope to to see some updated pics from you soon.

[driveit]

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