67 GTO - New Member!

[GTOConno]

Hey,
My name is Conno and I live in Northern VA, I just found this site thru Performance Years forum. I gotta say most of these cars in this site are SICK! I am amazed at the wealth of info that is available today thru sites like this and the internet.
I have been screwing around with Muscle Cars of one kind or another since the 80's with only Hot Rod mag, etc. as a reference.

I am currently in the tear down mode of my 67 GTO conv project. I bought it about 3 years ago. It was stored in a barn in Seymour Indiana since 1980. It came w/o an engine or trans, had a 400 4spd. Check out the hood graphic (pre Spinal Tap). I towed it back to Virginia and have been taking it apart since, as time would allow.
It's just about ready for the trip to the media blasters.

The car shall have a tri power 455 w/ 4speed, 336 ltd slip, 4-wheel disc, hotchkis suspension, 2nd gen f-body spindles, fast ratio steering from a 84 Grand National, and other upgrades I may find. I'm still uncertain about the color or wheels, but there's time for that.

I'll post pic's as progress occurs.

Thanks,
Conno O'Neill

[OldSchoolFormula]

Cool project! I miss the families 67 ragtop GTO like you wouldn't believe. Glad to hear its not getting a bellybutton drivetrain, either.

[69rs]

Welcome. If you would like to see what can be done with these cars, check out Billygoat. It belongs to our resident P/T ambassador and excellent tipper, Bill Howell. I'm sure he'll stop by.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Welcome to the site, Conno. Looks like a nice project!

[Bill Howell]

Very Nice Conno,
As Jim said, I kinda like them Ponchos myself. My very first car was a 67 Lemans, and they will always have a special place in my automotive heart.
I have just finished the above pictured car with the help of this board. If you need anything specific, just ask. I will be more than happy to share whatever info I can. I look forward to seeing your progress reports.

[dropit69]

welcome..gotta love a convertible right bill?..lol..you said car was from indiana..is that where you are from..im in illinois..just curiuos..good luck with the build..

[derekf]

Welcome aboard, Conno.

[GTOConno]

Thanks guys for welcoming me to this site.

dropit69, I live in Northern Virginia.

OldSchoolFormula, I cant quite figure out "bellybutton drivetrain"???

Bill, thanks, I'm sure I will have a question or two or 30, buy the way, beautiful car!
I have had a few Poncho's before this, a 68 GTO conv (I totaled, oops), a 65 lemans conv (basket case, had to part out) and 67 lemans conv I drove for 5 years, I loved that car but it had TOO much rust, it was almost to the point of folding in half when the doors were open, so instead of spending $$$$ for a resto, I parted it out. I'll be using a lot of the parts from that car on this build, like the interior, conv top and frame, & misc restored pieces that didn't come with the car.

Thanks again !
Conno

[OldSchoolFormula]

A Chevy drivetrain of sort. Glad to see it still has a Poncho in it, though I do like the LSX series of engines, very much.

[ertoys]

Welcome, you came to the right place. There are people here that can answer just about any tech question.

[mikey]

Nice ride

[GTOConno]

OK, I've been reading a lot of different recommendations between media blasting and dipping. I have a convert with a boxed frame and moderate rust. ?? What to do? I really want to nip this rust, but all the "dippers" are a good road trip away (I live in No. Virginia). I read that the dipping / e-coating is a great way to go, but is it that better than blasting?
I want to send the car out soon so please let me know what you guys have done. I want this to be the first and last time I deal w/ the rusted areas of this car.
Thanks,
I'll post this thread on the Paint section of this site too.

Thanks,
Conno

[Bill Howell]

You do have a boxed frame, so harder to treat once it has been dipped I would think. Frank (username ProdigyCustoms here) sandblasted my 65 convert when they did the work on it. Of course, they narrowed the frame too, so more that just a restore, but still, sandblasting seems to me to way to go. You make want to repost the same question in the restoration section. It will be seen by the right folks there, not everyone reads this thread.