Project: Lost Control 68 Chevelle Malibu

[csouth]

This is a 68 Chevelle Malibu a friend of mine purchased almost 2 yrs ago to turn into a Resto-Mod. I'm posting it here because we are all car guys and I know people love A bodies. He's not very "car literate", but he knows what he likes and asked me to help execute. I'm by no means an expert, but I know enough not to let someone take advantage of him. He found a shop locally that does a lot of restoration work and some resto-mod stuff. He liked the way the works in progress looked and decided to have them begin in November 2012. I shared the wealth with as many vendors here as I could along the way: Matts Bowties, Twist Machine, UMI, SC&C and The Shop LLC. Sorry I didn't bring the story as it unfolded, but here is summary post.... Please forgive the pic quality as most are from various camera phones

The initial plan was:
upgrade to a 454 with overdrive and FAST EFI
4 Wheel disc conversion
12 Bolt Rear
Convert to factory style buckets, column and console
Ugraded Wheels and tires
Paint and refinish all trim and emblems

Well notice I said "was" the plan, hence the name "Lost Control"



The body was rough and I wish he would have passed, but it was too late buy the time I saw it.

These are a few pics after the car went to the shop for disassembly.

[csouth]

The car was sent off to media blasting and the results were what I expected.... terrible.

quarters were as was the winshield cowel area.









We found the floors had been patched with something that was not from an A body as the lines and brackets were not correct. Since the car had a bench in it this was not apparent. Wish he had taken me with him when he looked at it.

[csouth]

So my friend realized he had gotten in depper than he planned. New quarter, floor and fenders would be required along with wheel housings and some windshield cowl repair. While that was being done work started on the chassis and drivetrain. This is where the fun began. Since this was to be a cruiser, I called up Ramey at UMI for a Stage 2 kit just to improve the stance and handling over stock. We used a Grand National steering box to save some money, while also providing better performance.
The shop sends up red flag with me because he's suggesting Control Freak(he's a dealer) for some parts and they make nothng for GM A body's. I tell him "They make nothing for GM A bodies.." His response "Oh they can make whatever you need.." I tell him "no we already have a vendor.." and we move on.

So my friend decides this is going to be his last car(he owns a 65 Impala SS and 65 Lincoln) so now he jumps in with 2 feet. We call Mark at SC&C to order a Currie Sportsman rear and BAER Pro Plus fr/rr brake system. He liked the look of the classic torque thrust, so he ordered Foose with a 2" stagger front to rear. These were not my suggestion, but he's paying the bills...





When the time came to find a good rebuildable core, he decides he wants to step up to something bigger than 454.... GMPP 572!

This is another occasion where builder wants to use one of his people "engine guy", but his guy is 3k higher than Jegs or the local GM Performance dealer. WTH? We ordered the 572 and 4l85e from Jegs. We also got a Pro-Touring converter from Steve at Twist Machine.

[csouth]

As the project goes on the builder and I start to bump heads, I see where he is trying to milk my friend for unnecessary work or he complains when we order custom parts that are late because we didn't use his vendors.
He said he normally doesn't have customers that know what they want and order their own parts, but has no problem with it. So at this point there were a couple things that made me raise an eye brow:

1. Suggesting Control Freak make a suspension for us, when I can buy off the shelf from numerous vendors

2. Suggesting we buy headers from a company that specializes in Corvette BB headers, his response "Well they don't normally do Chevelles, but they can.." After I researched, we ordered Lemons. He complained about the wait, but then said "Wow, these fit great.."

3. Removing the X pipe from the exhaust and replacing it with 2 straight pipes.. WTH?!!!

Saying he will have to fabricate(pay attention to that word) bracing for the dash from The Shop, even though Clint at The Shop LLC sent pictures on how to install. He was trying to add Labor hours to the build. With the cost of this interior, I tell my friend I'm not comfortable letting him do the work. I find a guy that is an interior specialist and not a shop that claims they can do interiors too. We tell him he's not doing the interior install. He's disappointed, but we move on....

We finally get the car mated back to the chassis for a trial before paint. This is where things come to a head....

[csouth]

So because the car is sitting higher than expected, he says "You ordered the wrong springs. Those must be 1000lb springs in the rear, its sitting to high" I say "no, they are probably 175max. You do know the car is not completely assembled right?" Since these are Hotchkis springs that come from UMI, I proceed to call Hotchkis and spoke with John. I put him on speaker so he can explain to the builder that the car should be assembled and driven 5miles before he would consider the suspension settled.

He returns the car to the painter who calls me a few days later asking if I could come by the shop he has a couple issues. When I get there he tells me the wheels will hardly turn and he noticed some welds the looked bad.
Remember that word fabricate? Well I get under the car to see this:



Should anyone that welds like this and charges people be able to use the word fabricate?

I notice that the tie rods are hitting the sway bar which is preventing the wheels from turning, so I call the builder. He says "well you know that aftermarket bar is much thicker than stock. We'll fab some spacers when it gets back to the shop..." I tell him "I'm not trying to be funny, but my sway bar is just as big and my wheels have no trouble turning and I'm building my car in my garage!".... Now he hates me...lol

[Nicks67GTO]

Very appropriate build title....lol

There are some pretty big "ahhh why nots" in there from the plan. 454 to a GM572, 12 bolt to a Currie 9", "some 4 wheel discs" to Baer pro plus 6 piston stuff! WOW!

[csouth]

Very appropriate build title....lol

There are some pretty big "ahhh why nots" in there from the plan. 454 to a GM572, 12 bolt to a Currie 9", "some 4 wheel discs" to Baer pro plus 6 piston stuff! WOW!

I think he felt he missed the mark on both of his other cars, so during the process he decided to "go hard or stay home". His Impala had a blown motor and 2spd when he bought it, I suggested something EFI. He was impatient and just bought a Chevy crate motor and TH350 to put in there. The guy that installed the new 350/350 took out his original shifter and replaced it with a B&M T handle. WTH??? Haven't you ever heard of Shiftworks, do some research! Now his SS has a stupid looking shifter that he wants to swap back to original costing more money because he doesn't have the original. I told him "That guy just wanted your money. Please don't do anything like that again with out at least asking my opinion.."
His Lincoln would have been done by Mob Steel had he been more patient. Now he wants to sit back and let it all unfold.

[csouth]

So while looking at the car, the painter says to me "Why don't you guys check out my friend? He has a shop not far from here and he does good work." I call my friend and say "we need to move your car. I'm going to check out this other shop and I'll let you know what I think.."

Fast forward a 15 min ride and I'm at Sled Alley... Yep the same one that Mark Stielow works with.... Matt's a really nice guy. I tell him about our situation and the crap we just found out. He says he's be glad to help up finish the project. I call my friend to tell him "it's time to move the car..."

Matt said he will look over the suspension the see whats wrong and also inspect for any other issues. Well we hadn't seen the frame after the previous builder said he was boxing it, this is what we found:





Mind you this was welded by someone that used the word "fabricate"

Matt made quick work of the problem. He burned in some new TIG welds and repainted the chassis. He also boxed the portion of the frame around the rear LCA mount just for a cleaner look. Upon further review and a call to UMI, Matt discovered the problem with the old shop(besides the welds) was they put the upper control arms on the wrong side! WTH!!!! Switching shops quickly paid dividends.

[csouth]

Well the car has been painted and will be polished and dropped off at Sled Alley on Monday.

[csouth]

Here are some pics as the car sits now at Sled Alley. Matt is working on the wiring now. Car will have power windows, locks and push button start.

Black dynamat throughout




Ride height has since been adjusted, rear wheels now slightly tucked.





Autorad radiator support and radiator painted satin black... Nice detail. Matt will measure for the new wheels once the wheel wells are bolted in.

[pist0lpete]

Thanks for sharing the build with us. It certainly seems your friend was sold some sub-par work. Its scary to think the kind of work that goes on out there and the people who don't know better really can be taken. The good news is there are some great shops out there still just gotta do your homework to find them.

[csouth]

Thanks for sharing the build with us. It certainly seems your friend was sold some sub-par work. Its scary to think the kind of work that goes on out there and the people who don't know better really can be taken. The good news is there are some great shops out there still just gotta do your homework to find them.

Yeah, the guy at the other shop hates me because he was trying to take my friend for a ride and I knew it. When I called him on the shotty work he started to dislike me. When my friend went to pick up the rest of his parts the guy told my friend that I knew nothing about cars and that the painter he chose wasn't very good. He was just bitter... I think he thought it might effect our friendship, but not at all.
The best part about the new builder is he's a great guy who puts his customer first. The fact the he built Mayhem and is working with Mark Stielow on his latest project Hell Fire is a bonus!

[csouth]

A little progress has been made this week. Matt is spending plenty of time wiring the car and hiding some of the controllers for the EZ-efi, TCU and the push button start. The biggest obatacle will be the control box for the push button shifter.



After some minor trim work, the Autorad closeout panel looks great painted satin black






Wires seperated for optimal routing. DSE wiper motor

[csouth]

The Chevelle is starting to make a little more progress now. Matt is finished Stielows car which was a priority since it had to be ready for SEMA and OUSCI. He's made more progress in the wiring area, battery installed in the trunk and front end completed. The engine compartment is also starting to come together.





Front end will still get some more detailed touches.



Painted the bezels black to tone down to the brightwork

[csouth]

Well, the build is still going... Matt is off to SEMA, but he did get some things done prior to leaving. He did a test fit of the dash. He'll get it installed so he can finish the Vintage Air setup and get the gauges installed.





He also measured for the new wheels which will be ordered shortly

[spec134]

That should be a really nice car when done. Definitely a great build. What harness is he using?

[csouth]

One that should be a really nice car when done. Definitely a great build. What harness is he using?

AAW Classic update series. With all of the updates the car has Matt said he would have been better off with a universal harness, but the car evolved during the build.

[csouth]

The car is finally on the ground for a minute. Here it is on the way to Diamond Fabrication to have the exhaust done. New wheels have been ordered so she should have a different attitude in a few weeks...

[csouth]

Here are a couple pics of the cleaned up engine compartment and the finished exhaust.

Hoses will be finished with shrink tubing.








Diamond did a great job on the exhaust. We opted for v-bands at the muffler and the tip in case there is ever service needed that requires removal.

Polished the stainless out for a more finished look

[csouth]

Here's the startup from today. It still needs to run for a while to let the FAST EZ-EFI perform its self learn.