1970 GTO - 1st Time Pro Tour Build

[cwmiller]

Hey everyone, I'm Cameron Miller from Fort Worth, TX. I'm 24 and have been a muscle car enthusiast since I was a kid. I really enjoy all makes and models, but I really dig the Ponchos.

I've been lurking around the site for a while now and have been really interested in the pro touring scene for quite some time. I recently decided it was time to join and share my build. I appreciate any advice from anyone and really.. I'm going to need it since this is my first build by myself. I built a 69 GTO as a father son project through my jr high and high school years but this is the first build that I will be doing on my own. Anyway time for some pics!

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First fix was the driver's side cowl. The car took a hit on the nose, the nose and fender were replaced and I didn't find this little surprise until the tear down.
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I really wish I would have drilled some holes and plug welded the patch on, but it's on.
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[cwmiller]

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[cwmiller]

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[cwmiller]

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[cwmiller]

I got the driver's side inner wheel tub out tonight, tomorrow I should have it back plus two inches!! I'll post up some more pics of the mini tub soon!

[Roadbuster]

Looking good! Fixing a lot of rust when you are done you have a perfect car!

[NOT A TA]

Looks good Cameron! Have fun with the build.

[zipsimons]

So tell us the plans! Everyone loves to get an idea of the direction you're going.. Looking good though!

Zip

[cwmiller]

Thanks guys,


So tell us the plans! Everyone loves to get an idea of the direction you're going.. Looking good though!

Zip

Hey Zip, I'm planning to build an 6.0 lq9/T56 powered goat, narrowed frame, 345/30/19's on the rear, and four linked. I haven't gave the front suspension of the car much thought yet, I plan to get the rear sheetmetal work tied up then shave the firewall. Also, I haven't decided on the rear-end, but I'm thinking I might stick with GM instead of the popular Ford 9". I'm open to any suggestions/advice on the rear end!

As for wheels, I'm really digging the Rushforth Night Trains.

And for paint and interior I'm really liking the combonation of a dark champagne color(dark bronze/brownish color) with tan (camel/sandlewood) interior.

I was thinking about getting a rendering done... anyone have any advice on this? ballpark cost of a rendering?

[RicerwannaB]

It looks good, ill be following this as im still planning my GTO and always looking for new ideas.

[csouth]

Nice start. That drivetrain combo will be pretty stout. You may want to give Mark at SC&C a call regarding suspension advice. Great guy, but be prepared to listen and learn:seizure:

[Later-A-body]

Looks like you've got the welding and fabrication skills down to a science. I like the color combination you posted. Maybe you could make it a Judge themed GTO? Suspension choices are endless for your car.I use all Global West components on my Grand Am. Andrew B on the site has a very cool '70 GTO build that you can get some ideas from.

[cwmiller]

Thanks for feedback guys. I didn't get a chance to head up to the shop today.. worked a little late. But I will be there tomorrow evening and hope to have some updates pics soon.

Later-A-body, Thanks man.. I checked out Andrew B's GTO a little while back and that thing is solid! Love the shaker hood, flawless way to change up the looks a little.

[andrewb70]

Thank you...Subscribing...Well done so far!

Andrew

[cwmiller]

Well I got into the driver's side wheel tub a few days ago and tonight I had a chance to get up to the shop and do a little work. I patched a rusted area where the trunk hinge support was spot welded to the inner tub. Then, I trimmed the lower portion of the inner tub to match the floor and the rear seat support to match the tub.

Here's a few pics... The tub isn't setting exactly how I imagined, so if any has had experience with tubbing an A body, please chime in.

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I used masking tape as a guide to to the cut with a die grinder. I decided to make a straight cut instead of trying to follow along the seam where the inner and outer wheelhouses meet.

[SRD art]

Looks like a great start!! You mentioned in your first post that this is your first p-t build and you were open to advice- Design it well, fab it right, and drive it like you stole it.

I'm doing my first p-t as well, a station wagon of all things, coming from a long background of drag racing Novas. I was pretty intimidated by a lot of the builds going on here and only observed and didn't post anything for a couple years. Only a few months ago when I really started working on the car I decided I didn't care if people thought my build was dumb or didn't stack up to the level of the other builds here and started a thread. I'm glad to see that this isn't a bunch of rich guys that put high dollar cars together to show off how fat their wallets are but rather a huge community of down to earth folks just like you and I, no matter how fat the wallet is, all of which are behind each other 100%. Now I'm stoked to try to hook up with a bunch of these guys at events when my car is done.

There are a lot of great artists out there to choose from. I have a bit of a biased opinion :razz:, but I think most if not all projects should have a rendering done. It costs a few bucks but in the long run it saves you money by avoiding costly visual mistakes. Plus it helps everyone else see your vision and it's a great "keep me motivated" piece. On occasion I've even had clients' wives say that the rendering is what helped get her support on board. You'd be surprised what a rendering can do when others are looking at "just an old junky car" in the garage. From what I've see, high quality renderings run in the neighborhood of $300-$700+ depending on the artist. Important thing to do is find someone that has a style and personality that jives with your tastes, are easy to work with and can understand or rather see your vision.

I do renderings and have several under the mouse for folks on the forum. I'd love the opportunity to give you a bid as well. Everything I do is digital from scratch, no photochopping to cut corners and because I'm digital I include revisions such as paint color or wheel changes in my pricing. PM me or email me at [email protected] if you'd like more info about my rendering packages.

Hope you have the same experience I have had here, and welcome aboard!

[cwmiller]

Hey guys,
Just wanted to post an update on the tubs and trunk floor. I've still got some more grinding and sanding to do, but the left tub is done. Also, I started working on the trunk floor... should get the left side and center section stitched up within the next few days. Let me know what ya think!

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A pic of some of the cancer that has been cut out... not even close to amount that has been removed in total.
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[65convertSSl79]

Great start! I am at the same point, with slower advancement

[cwmiller]

Thanks Mike,

Should finish up the trunk within the next few days... My Christmas presents are on order... under the rear seat pan and the floor patches I need. Those should ship in soon.

Ill post pics of the trunk when it's all buttoned up.

[zipsimons]

I really love your color plans! I was originally going to go with a saddle type color interior but my build has evolved so much from the initial plans now it's going to be red! lol... I guess that's how it goes. I think as far as your rear end goes, it really just depends on the use that you have planned for it. I really do not have much knowledge in that department but know enough that a 12 bolt with 3.73's will do just fine in mine

[cwmiller]

Thanks Zip!
Just checked out your project, I posted a reply. Check it out and let me know what ya think. As for the rear end, I have a 10 bolt, 8.5 with 3.55's that I may use.

[coolwelder62]

Look's like you have a good start on a cool project.Keep up the great work.

[UMI Tech]

Looks like a great plan. We are getting into the Pro-Touring scene and would love to help with your front suspension. Looking forward to following your build.

Ramey
UMI Performance

[workbenchracer]

Man that is a lot of work going on. Good luck!

[cwmiller]

Thanks for all the comments and feedback guys. I got the left side trunk floor all fitted and tacked in yesterday... should get back to work on it shortly after Christmas. I took some pics of the progress and I will have the posted as soon as I upload them into the computer.

UMI- Still haven't made a final decision on the front suspension, but I will definitely keep y'all in mind!

But for now I'm off with my wife to the parents house for an entire day of eating way to much!

[bart0510]

Cool project! Looks like you have a good handle on the fab work and rust repair. Keep it up and you will have one nice ride! I am currently knee deep in curing the cancer on my 71 Chevelle, so I know what you are going through at this point in your build. Subscribing....

[cwmiller]

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would update the thread. Check out the pics and let me know what yall think.

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I've repaired the right inner sail panel the best way possible. I cut the repair patch from a spare quarter I had here at the shop. After drilling all the spot welds to get the panel out of the spare quarter, I decided it would be best to cut a patch because of the work and damaged involved in removing the entire panel.

I've also decided to reconstruct the repair I started on the rear section of the roof so I order a shrinker/stretcher in order to make a more acceptable patch.

[ryeguy2006a]

Looks good man. What are you running for an engine?

[cwmiller]

I haven't picked up an engine yet but I plan to run a 6.0 LQ9 with a t-56.

I should have the body on the frame this weekend so that I can start rebuilding the structure under the rear filler panel between the rear glass and the trunk lid.

[cwmiller]

Lately I have been scouring old salvage yards looking for rust free parts to use in my car. I am a field engineer in the oil and gas industry, so I travel alot. This has allowed me to visit some salvage yards that I might not have gotten to other wise.

This has brought some changes in the path I am taking for the car:

-I have decided to do away with the repair I started on the rear section of the roof panel. I acquired a rust-free factory panel from West Texas that I will cut a patch out of and stitch in.
-I found rust-free package tray corners in North Texas that will be plug welded into the car after the rusted ones are cut out. The left side is done, I'll post a picture soon.
-Also new quarters, deck lid, and filler panel are in and will be on as soon as all the structural sections are fixed. Ill post a picture soon.

As for progress:
-The left side package tray has been fixed and looks great. Alot of of the car comes together in these areas, so I am doing all that I can to stengthen these areas. Starting on the right side tomorrow.
-Mini tubs are complete, left and right.
-The body is on the frame which is attached to jig I built. I had to do this so that the geometry of the wasn't effected while all the structural rust was cut out.
-A sandblaster has been contacted and a date has been set for late November. I can't wait to see what the car looks like in bare metal!

Thanks guys, Stay tuned for pictures!

[Glenn]

Glad you scored some nice sheet metal Cameron, keep the faith!

[craigs73]

looking good any updates :)

[cwmiller]

Not much progress on the car, but I did rebuild a 1942 Curtis 95A air compressor. The cylinder jug was sleeved, new rings, rebuilt head, re wired, etc. Just needs some more paint, but it works great.

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[cwmiller]

Decided I should update the thread for anyone following.

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All the inner structure was sandblasted and sealed with primer before intalling the panels. Also, I did have the car mini tubbed at one point, but decided that my work wasn't par. I ordered all new inner and outer fender wells and I will stretch the new inners.

The door gaps are OK, but this was as close as I could get them. The passenger side gap is a bit wider at the top. The frame and rockers show damage as if the car was high centered pretty hard at some point in it's life. I'm thinking that this probably has something to do with it.

Any input/comments is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[66larkgs]

are you making the adjustments with the strikers on the car. i find it easier to have them out. looks like the top hinge needs to go up and in alittle to close that gap and bottom up and out alittle. Just did my car and spent ALOT of time, good luck

[67speedfreak]

Nice looking build. Your doing a great job on the repairs ! I just bought a 69 GTO and my roof and package tray look pretty much like yours. I just scored some rust free doors on craigs list. You should check it out I have been seeing alot of GTO parts on there.

Brian

[andrewb70]

It's cool to see a couple of 1970 GTO builds going on at the same time!

Andrew

[SShep71]

Looks geat man, another GTO makes me happy. Someday I hope that GTOs can catch up to all the Chevelles out there.

[cwmiller]

66larkgs
are you making the adjustments with the strikers on the car. i find it easier to have them out. looks like the top hinge needs to go up and in alittle to close that gap and bottom up and out alittle. Just did my car and spent ALOT of time, good luck

66, The strikers were removed. It took days to get them to look this good. I still think that since I am having the issue on both sides; that it is related to the car being high centered or panel quality. I'm sure with some work, new door hinges, and door alignment I should be able to fine tune the gaps.


67speedfreak
Nice looking build. Your doing a great job on the repairs ! I just bought a 69 GTO and my roof and package tray look pretty much like yours. I just scored some rust free doors on craigs list. You should check it out I have been seeing alot of GTO parts on there.


67, Thanks man I appreciate it. I never posted the pictures of the package tray rebuild, but I removed both corners and replaced them with rust free corners out of a 71 Lemans. I found the Lemans in a salvage yard north of Denton, TX. That was the best way I figured to do the repair... Might be able to make your own tray and corners? Good luck on your build, my first car was a 69 GTO! Ill try to get the p. tray pictures up.


Yesterday, 09:36 PMandrewb70
It's cool to see a couple of 1970 GTO builds going on at the same time!



Today, 02:28 AMSShep71
Looks geat man, another GTO makes me happy. Someday I hope that GTOs can catch up to all the Chevelles out there.

Thanks guys, Ill post some more soon. I am hoping to get the outer fender wells in soon and get the car on the rotisserie.

[cwmiller]

Well since the last post I have bought a home, ended the lease on the shop, and moved the car into the garage. Space is limited.

The outer rear fender wells were installed and the car was blasted. Rework began on the inner rear wheel wells once I got the car back.

The Mini tubs are being redone, well, because I thought I could do better. Passenger side is near 90% complete. Here's some pictures (cell pics, sorry guys I'm not much on photography).

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Trunk and floor braces were capped so I could plug weld the inner well.

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They look much better than before, just need a few touch ups, then some mud and a coat of bed liner. I'll post pictures with a view from the trunk once both sides are complete.

[Todd in Vancouver]

Coming together very nicely and looking great. Keep up the good work

[67speedfreak]

Mini tub is looking good. How much did you narrow the frame?

[cwmiller]

Todd in Vancouver
Coming together very nicely and looking great. Keep up the good work

Thanks Todd!


67speedfreak
Mini tub is looking good. How much did you narrow the frame?

Haven't made any cuts yet, I've been procrastinating. It will have to come in 2.25" and each rail will be 2" wide.

[67speedfreak]

Thanks Todd!



Haven't made any cuts yet, I've been procrastinating. It will have to come in 2.25" and each rail will be 2" wide.

Cool, I was thinking 2in on mine but I haven't done any measuring yet.