Any full size PT projects out there

[ponjohn]

with modern drivetrain and options?

[Rubes]

I'm doing a '61 Impala bubbletop with LS1/4L60E and air ride. you can see what I started with in my PT garage. Not doing any body or paint on this one, just late model drivetrain and maybe big brakes in the near future.

[TheMonkey]

another '61 bubbletop... Bonneville with 455 MPFI Pontiac & 4L80E

[muthstryker]

do you guys with the bubbletops happen to know what it would cost to get a nice solid car? ive been wanting one for a long time.

[ponjohn]

Monkey- I am a Pontiac guy as well. Would like to get a full size vert and lsx with a 6 speed and modern suspension, options, a/c and heat etc etc.

John

[TheMonkey]

do you guys with the bubbletops happen to know what it would cost to get a nice solid car? ive been wanting one for a long time.

i think they are still priced fairly reasonable, but just tough to find. i wanted '61 Pontiac, didn't need any drivetrain, and i wanted to do ground up, so i just needed a solid shell with trim. i got really lucky and found a Bonneville for $3,300 locally. needed a trunk pan, rockers, and some dent work out of a quarter, but frame was already done. i would like to have found a Ventura, but that prob would have been closer to $9-$10k in same condition, and tougher to find.

a solid '61 Bonneville recently traded for $15k that was listed on PY for awhile. it was custom drivetrain with a 2004R OD tranny and a built Pontiac motor. really clean and ready to cruise. i think that was a great deal, but i wanted to spend too much money and have the extra headaches of doing it myself.

the numbers matching frame-off stuff with tri-power has been trading at some huge dollars. lots of people seem to be looking for these, so they don't sit around for sale very long. frank's '61 that i mentioned above was for sale for awhile because he only wanted to list it on PY classifieds.

the impalas i've seen seem to be even more expensive than the pontiacs.

here's a pic of my project when i got it (it's at the body shop now):


and this one belongs to a local friend, and is one of the reasons i wanted to do a bubbletop. i have a convertible, but just look at this....

[TheMonkey]

Monkey- I am a Pontiac guy as well. Would like to get a full size vert and lsx with a 6 speed and modern suspension, options, a/c and heat etc etc.

John

ah yes... the dream.

modern suspension has been a challenge. i'm considering just cutting out my front clip, but i'm going to give it a try with some mods.

gotta love the full size cars ripping into the 11's. welcome to the darkside.

[Radlark]

Well after looking at Rupps "steal" on the Fairlane I had to go out looking for a "dare to be different" car (damn you Steve!) lol. It's a 70 Catalina that will receive a few tasteful mods here and there that will make it a great driver with some ummph! It has a rebuilt 400 in it already with about 15K miles factory A/C car and disc brakes, I will be adding pw and buckets, and also a tilt column and rear disc brakes to make it a little more stoppable in the LA traffic! I got a GREAT deal on it and I mean I stole the car! Any ideas of what I should do suggestions welcomed and PS as well I am thinking an air ride suspension maybe and a 19/20" wheel combo? Here is what I am starting with:

Also I received a stack of meticulous records from the previous owner:

[TheMonkey]

Radlark-

amazing to me how many cars like that are still around California. original plates, so clean & straight...

my only thoughts.... keep the skirts. nice find.

another one to the darkside.

[jy211]

I had a 71' impala...did 20's on all 4. Keep the skirts for sure! Damn double post...

[jy211]

I did a 71' impala...20's all around...keep the skirts!

[Radlark]

I did a 71' impala...20's all around...keep the skirts!

I love that color on the Impy! The 20' look good on there!

[jy211]

I love that color on the Impy! The 20' look good on there!

Thanks...the color was off the Navigator...and then we put on the gold colored top as well...

The 20's looked good at the time...but those wheel wheels are so huge that 22's would have been awesome...

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

yes

1966 Pontiac Bonneville Vert..

[Radlark]

yes

1966 Pontiac Bonneville Vert..

After I saw your "Bonnie" VT I said that is a cool looking car I wish I could have found a vert but couldn't. I love the bonnie any plans for wheel and tire combo?

[oorange67]

I don't know if you'd call it a big car but I have a 71 cougar convert with a 91 FI 5.0 and aod trans out of a mustang 18's all around and lowered. A/C works and power windows, rear discs coming soon.....

[shortrack]

I did a 71' impala...20's all around...keep the skirts!

my first car was my family's ex daily driver......72 Impala Custom.....same colour!......cool!

although I dont see 13 teenagers hanging out of it......!!

[jy211]

I've done a 71' Impala, 72' Impala and a 73'.....wanted to do a 75' vert but they are hard to find in decent shape...and afforadable..

[jeff s]

here's a full size ford, just got the turbos and boss 302 block the other day.

also www.schwartzperformance.com/cadillac.htm

[matdean]

I dont know how far into PT I will get with my build. I recently picked up this 1963 Chevy Biscayne wagon. It is taking the place of my '63 Bel Air 4dr sedan (Which will be FOR SALE soon.)

Future plans include a LT1 or LSx engine swap. air ride if I can fit it in the budget. I will aslo be adding a rear 3rd row factory 9 passenger seat and a mild stereo upgrade. This will eventually be our family cruiser so I want it to be confortable and simple for the wife to be able to get in and drive it anytime of day or year.

Any advice would be great.



http://www.cardomain.com/id/deanmatt