68 Chevelle SS: Project Lost Hope by Rides by Design

[Windy City Chevelle]

Soon I will be starting the full build thread of my 68 Chevelle SS: Project Lost Hope by Rides by Design, give me your input of the rendering and your thoughts and suggestions, at the moment its about 1/4 complete

When I originally purchased teh the Chevelle I truly had no idea what direction to go because at the time I was working on my convertible, so it sat in my garage for about a year in a half and was using it as storage for my other project. I finally finished my other project last October and drove it for about the last few weeks before the winter started here in Chicago. I got rid of the Convertble and sat forth on the Chevelle on November and first thing was to get it blasted as I thought there was no major issues going on but sure enough. It needed full quarters, fenders, floors front and trunk, tail pane, upper cowl and side cowl panels, deck filler panel, and so oh and front header panel. I got all together but first thing was to get the floors done with my buddy and his father we started but with their busy schedule and the bad winter here in Chicago we sat the floor but truly never finished it. Then as the winter was going along and me planning things I found a guy whose price to start on the build was reasonable so I thought I gave it to the guy in March within days I saw how much full of **** he was and within days I took it right back. I was bumbed and stressed but with all the sheet metal I had purchased there was no turning back. I found within a a day or two Rides By Design in Richmond, Illinois. I called up Richard Trip owner and builder of Rides by Design and prity much the deal was struck for him to take it off my hands and within a few days he picked it up. I went by the shop and felt comfy and confident that he could get the job done. Everyone should check out his facebook page with great work http://www.facebook.com/ridesbydesignrichard. He has helped me a great deal and is on point with build. The goal is to get it done by next May and going all out not holding back. I will be posting pics to get everyone caught up and go from there

[77thor]

I would put wider stripes on the rear deck, otherwise it looks good.

[Windy City Chevelle]

If you notice it's from a farther distance but I will be doing that for sure and even the rendering will change as I will be adding to the project, my builder won't be so happy so many changed

[Windy City Chevelle]

So here is were the chevelle started and how bad it was that everyone I showed the car thought I was crazy for even going on with the build. But I invisioned something they could not see and I guess they lacked imagination

[SickSpeedMonte]

Paying someone else to do the work, are you sure it wouldn't have been cheaper to find a solid one?



I like the rendering with the blacked out trim!

[csouth]

Paying someone else to do the work, are you sure it wouldn't have been cheaper to find a solid one?

I like the rendering with the blacked out trim!

x2... good luck with the project though. I would love to see this after surgery..

[Windy City Chevelle]

Paying someone else to do the work, are you sure it wouldn't have been cheaper to find a solid one?

I like the rendering with the blacked out trim!

No I did my research and the clean body"s were all up in the west coast but with shipping and plus I couldn't fine none im happy. Plus I have been getting good deals overall that it's worth having someone do it body and paint I don't have time and no to offend anyone but I don't want a 2-3 year build either. My builder Richard at Rides by Design has been doing great.

[Windy City Chevelle]

x2... good luck with the project though. I would love to see this after surgery..

Tomorrow I'll post current updates you'll be shocked come check it out

[Windy City Chevelle]

here are more pics these pics are when the floor was installed in my garage but never fully finished and some pics of when the car was ready to head out to Rides by Design. Once it got there Richard owner/builder of rides by desing waisted no time and started the major surgery this car has been going through these few months. The day me and my girlfriend saw the entire rear end totally gone it felt great and I could already picture the car forming shape in my head. My gf actually was also happy to see the car the way it was, could not be any happier with the work so far

[Windy City Chevelle]

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[Windy City Chevelle]

The progress on the build has been going great and Richard has been working his tail off for me and I could not be happier. I am happy to see the car forming shape and soon it will be a full car once again. Everyone asked me why I just didn't start with a car that was in better shape. But what's the whole point or the fun of it. I could truly say I saved one from being thrown in the gutters. More pics coming later tonight

[Ls1velle]

I blacked out the trim on my 68 and I get more comments on it than ever. Not sure if you plan on shaving the bumper bolts and welding on the brackets. I did mine and it looks so much better. Great build if you have any questions, shoot me a pm and I'll get you some pics.

[Windy City Chevelle]

Some more pics

[Windy City Chevelle]

Greatly appreciate any help and ideas I can get and just pm you

[xander]

Loving the progress. Makes me wonder why I haven't touched mine in months

[Windy City Chevelle]

Thanks a lot at 1st me and my buddy started on the floor and I started taking a part but soon realized I needed help. But I researched and got all my sheet metal on my own and chassis was picked up yesterday with the rear end from the powder coater. Here is a pix of the Chevelle I used it as storage while I was doing my convertible project

[Windy City Chevelle]

here are a few more updates, these are of the firewall being smoothen out not fully complete and went a little further and also has the top of the cowl panel smoothen out and had the edges on top shaved to give it an overall clean look. My buildrer convinced me of shaving the edges and smoothing the top of the cowl at 1st I wast sure of the look but I love it. more updates coming later today

[Windy City Chevelle]

I have included pics of the drip rails being shaved off, trunk gutters which were all gone, and most importantly how my car is sitting at the moment. it finally got its first primer and per my builder around 3-4 more to go. it should be going on the famous rotisserie to start work on the undercarriage. As it was pulled out of the frame I was picking up the frame to be sent out to the chassis shop and then off to the powder coater. I was not planning on doing coilovers but decided it gave the rear end a much cleaner look. I just added a few add ons to the project there for my budget has been long gone lol. I am adding mini tubs and a rear valance which may delay my build but I am happy with it. My goal is to have the entire car done by next May 4 which is my bday. soon Ill be adding on pics of the frame which is already done and soon will start assembly on with my buddy and I. The interior is pretty much done as well and they are working on a custom dash can't wait to put my autometer phantom II gauges, my billet steering wheel with IDIDIT steering column. hope you guys like the progress so far

[CruizinKev]

looking good so far! nice project!

[Wheel Werkes]

That is an awesome rendering. I love the direction you are going in. The red and black theme is always great.