Getting started, finally. Wooo Hoooo

[bingham72]

It's finally time for me to get started on my 69 Camaro project. My father and I purchased a shell only about 6 years ago and it sat in my garage for a while. So 3 kids and 3 houses later, and I'm finally getting to start on it.
I've also spent plenty of time on my Corvette getting that thing straighten out, which it still isn't, but I digress.

We have no real specific plans for the car, but to really start with a basic restoration making improvements where time and money lend itself. I'm really just interested in getting a good solid shell together for a fun car to drive on the street and occasional track time.

So what we started with was a X-11 shell that has needed basically everything replaced. In between the first house move, we've had it a shop to replace the whole floor, trunk, quarter panel and roof.

Between the second and third house, we took it and had it blasted and dipped. The shell is completely blasted, and the subframe, hood and front fenders were dipped. The shell is at my dad's house and the subframe is at mine, which is where our fun little project will begin.

For our anniversary, my wife ordered my Eastwood's Chassi black and primer. The subframe is completely bare, so I'm hoping to mimic some tips from here on the forum starting with welding the seams and the old school Guildstrand mod.

I'll post some pictures as things progress. I'm hoping that by having this thread, it'll help me to make a little progress bit by bit.

[BossaNova]

Post up some pics, already. :^)

Hey, where did you get your subframe dipped?

[bingham72]

Post up some pics, already. :^)

Hey, where did you get your subframe dipped?

Working on the pictures...

The subframe was dipped in a place out in Douglasville, just off of I-20. I'll find the name.

I dissasembled one spindle last night and cleaned it up with a wire wheel and cast blast. Tonight, maybe I'll get to the second one!

Slowly, but surely....

[bingham72]

Eco Clean
770-948-2287

They do dipping and media blasting. It was a once stop shop, and I think the prices were very reasonable.

[TexasProjectTrader.com]

Are you going to try to make it a numbers matching car? X-11, isn't that a factory Z28 or SS? I don't know what your budget is, but If your going to do a lot of mods your probably better off selling your shell to some one who wants a factory restore. You could buy something a little more complete, & have extra cash to drop on it. Could get you a lot farther, a lot faster. But, if your like me you relish the work. Good luck with your project.

[bingham72]

Are you going to try to make it a numbers matching car? X-11, isn't that a factory Z28 or SS? I don't know what your budget is, but If your going to do a lot of mods your probably better off selling your shell to some one who wants a factory restore. You could buy something a little more complete, & have extra cash to drop on it. Could get you a lot farther, a lot faster. But, if your like me you relish the work. Good luck with your project.

No no! No numbers matching car. X-11 is a base model, not an SS or Z-28. It is just a pretty clean shell right now, that all I can really afford to do is to fix it up close to stock making little upgrades here and there.

So I'm cleaning up the stock spindles and subframe right now and making them look pretty. If I can, I'll get some upgraded brakes and rotors but really, I just want to get it rolling again.

[SamHatco]

Sam

[bingham72]

Sam

I know, I know!!!

[69LT1Nova]

Zzzzzzzzzz.....

Pics.

Don't go starting a thread without pics.

[BossaNova]

Good to know. Thank you!

Eco Clean
770-948-2287

They do dipping and media blasting. It was a once stop shop, and I think the prices were very reasonable.

[WS6]

Hell yeah good to know. Can these guys handle a full frame by chance? I may have to give them a call soon.

Congrats on starting on the project.

[bingham72]

Hell yeah good to know. Can these guys handle a full frame by chance? I may have to give them a call soon.

Congrats on starting on the project.

I would guess so. We considered dipping the entire body and opted to just blast it. They also do large industrial type jobs, so I'm sure they could help you out.

2 birthday parties this weekend so no pics, but I've got a line on a LS1 brake set that I think I'm going to go with. Should have some pics this weekend.

[bingham72]

Ok, I went and took some pictures tonight.
As you can see, this thing is in yard sale mode with parts scattered everywhere. The majority of the car, body and assorted parts are at my dad's house.

The subframe and most of the suspension is at my house. What was that Johnny Cash song about the Cadillac plant?

The last pictures are beginning cleaning up the stock spindles. They are a stock single piston disc setup, but I thought the rotors would separate from the hubs. So I was going to get an lS1 brake setup conversion brackets, but now I need drum hubs. I thought I had some, but after looking tonight, I must have sold them. I'll have to do a little more research on this one.

I did happen to photograph some extra parts I have including an extra core support, fenders, door, glass and a basket of t-3 headlights. I'll be posting these in the For Sale section soon.

[minendrews68]

I can't believe no one has pointed this out before now, but in your first picture you show placement of the rearend. I do believe you have it in backwards!, and I think it goes on the other end of the body......just messin' with ya.... Yeah listen to the guys and gals here they can help a lot. Good luck with your build.
Carl

[rrunner68]

You don't know how bad this makes me want to tear apart my Road Runner again.

[bingham72]

I can't believe no one has pointed this out before now, but in your first picture you show placement of the rearend. I do believe you have it in backwards!, and I think it goes on the other end of the body......just messin' with ya.... Yeah listen to the guys and gals here they can help a lot. Good luck with your build.
Carl

Crap! I knew something wasn't right!

hopefully the rearend will be at my house this weekend to get a coat of Chassis Black with the sub frame. Then I can put it in it's proper place!