'66 Pontiac Resto-Mod Update

[gearbanger]

Thanks for taking those pictures! Dougs tuck up the nicest of all the pontiac headers from what I can gather. If I can get mine up there that good I'll be pretty happy.

[wmhjr]

Thanks for taking those pictures! Dougs tuck up the nicest of all the pontiac headers from what I can gather. If I can get mine up there that good I'll be pretty happy.

No problem. Here's another in better light with the car on the trailer today.

[wmhjr]

Well, made some good progress yesterday. Everything is ready, lubed, etc. Loaded up the rolling chassis and delivered it to the body shop a little while ago. The body continues to come along real nice. Underneath and firewall is clearcoated now, and the firewall is real clean and deep. Though I don't have pics of it, we rolled the rotisserie out in the sun and wow does it pop when the sun hits it! Here are a couple pics....

[68/CamaroFL]

Nice Project that is gonna be Sweet!!

[Motown 454]

The firewall looks real nice from just the lights. Its got to look great in the sun. Keep us posted.

[Cutls67]

Man I am so jealous, but at least reading your thread keeps me interested. Even though I am not getting any extra money to do any thing. I still find things that I can work on and keep a forward progress going.

Stephan

[wmhjr]

Progress continues. Yesterday we measured for wheels. The body is back on the frame and the finishing touches are being put on the external sheet metal. My paint guy is going out of the country on vacation until next Tuesday, so we're hoping paint will start getting laid the beginning of the week after next. Looks like I can get 10" wide rims w/5 1/2" backspace on the back. Talking to some folks about what to put on it. Since this is to be a conservative custom look on the outside, I'm thinking some sort of classic 5-spoke design with polished outer edges but a contrast on the inside - like texture, brushed or black. I need to decide and get wheels and tires ordered pretty quick.

[1971CHEVELLE]

Firewall looks real nice Awesome color

[wmhjr]

Yesterday AM - went to the shop and we placed the emblems, drilled mounting holes. They were nervous about placement and of course there are no available measurements posted anywhere about where they are. We used photos and did the best we can. New sheet metal does not come with any holes drilled, so....

Got all the convertible top parts that I'll need to finish that up. Hydro cylinders, rear tack strip, and hoses. This weekend I hope to get the assembly put together and ready to drop back in the car. We want it back in there after the interior metal is done and the car is ready to paint so we don't damage any of the ridiculously expensive PPG Tri-Coat.

Front and rear seats along with the rear side panes have been dropped off along with the Legendary parts to be recovered. Trying to get a head start so at least that stuff will be done in advance.

Got the new glass from Auto City Classic - side and rear quarter tinted glass. Vent glass was already very good.

Getting close to deciding on wheels. Looked at Boze, Coys, Rushfords, Wheel Vintique, etc getting help from Frank at GP and Jon at Driverz Inc. Having a tough time deciding, but to be honest I'm embarrased to admit that so far the Coy C5s are closest to the look I'm after.

[MarkM66]

Yesterday AM - went to the shop and we placed the emblems, drilled mounting holes. They were nervous about placement and of course there are no available measurements posted anywhere about where they are. We used photos and did the best we can. New sheet metal does not come with any holes drilled, so....

Got all the convertible top parts that I'll need to finish that up. Hydro cylinders, rear tack strip, and hoses. This weekend I hope to get the assembly put together and ready to drop back in the car. We want it back in there after the interior metal is done and the car is ready to paint so we don't damage any of the ridiculously expensive PPG Tri-Coat.

Front and rear seats along with the rear side panes have been dropped off along with the Legendary parts to be recovered. Trying to get a head start so at least that stuff will be done in advance.

Got the new glass from Auto City Classic - side and rear quarter tinted glass. Vent glass was already very good.

Getting close to deciding on wheels. Looked at Boze, Coys, Rushfords, Wheel Vintique, etc getting help from Frank at GP and Jon at Driverz Inc. Having a tough time deciding, but to be honest I'm embarrased to admit that so far the Coy C5s are closest to the look I'm after.

What size wheels are you wanting?

Look at this deal; http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=20252

No Coys.

[wmhjr]

What size wheels are you wanting?

Look at this deal; http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=20252

No Coys.

I've been working with Jon. Those wheels were sold, but they aren't quite the right size. Right now I'm thinking 18x9.5 or 10 in the back with 5.5 BS, and 18x8 in the front. 17's are possible, or a 17/18 combination. The color is right, but I'm looking for some real old school looking wheels to maintain the look of the outside. Trying to keep the exterior very much looking like a slightly updated '66 GTO Vert. I know some folks don't like Coys but this is really the closest I've found so far to what I've been looking for.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../photoId=77935

Like I said, I've talked with Jon at DriversInc and with Frank. Both great folks. Problem is getting closer to what I've been aiming at. This isn't a completely modernized Pro-Touring look on the outside.

[jy211]

what about going with billet specialties?
They make a great product!

[wmhjr]

what about going with billet specialties?
They make a great product!

I'm open to anything. The stuff that Frank and Jon talked to me about are great products also. There is no question that they sell really good stuff and provide great prices and service. The issue is trying to find the look I'm after. I haven't seen any Billet Specialties that do either as of yet. If Boze, Schott or Billet made a wheel that looked just like the Coy C5 it would probably be a done deal already. Just haven't seen it yet.

[perple76]

I'm not sure if I understand the bias that's out there on the Coys wheels. I've seen several posts on this forum where guys have really looked down their noses at the Coys, and I'm really perplexed about it.

What's the deal? Is it because they're an inexpensive wheel? I know several guys that have them on their cars (including myself) that have never had any structural problems with them. I can't speak to the polished finish because mine are the grey painted centers, but the finish on my wheels is first-rate.

So, if it looks good and does the job its intended for, what's the hate all about? I'm not picking on you at all, but several guys have made negative comments about Coys on this forum and I'm just wondering where it comes from.

I don't mean to steer you one way or another, because picking your wheels is a VERY personal choice, but I'm just curious why so many guys on this forum hate on the Coys wheels. A wheel doesn't have to cost $850 a piece to look good and function well.

I've been told that they're made in China (though I don't know that for sure). Is that what this is all about?

Sorry man, don't mean to highjack your post. I've just been curious about that question for a while. You car looks freak'n awesome, by the way.

J

[wmhjr]

My thought is that the Coys are low end, one piece, not real light and not all that strong. Not to say they aren't strong enough, but they're honestly just not in the same class as a nice Boze or Schott wheel. I'm not sure I'd consider them if I were going to really thrash the car on a course. That being said, I don't think they're a bad wheel, and they do have the specific look I'm trying to find. I dunno.

[wmhjr]

OK, back to the old channel....

Stopped at the shop today for two reasons. A friend has a Bridgeport machine and I want to fabricate an aluminum plate to fill the space shown (circled in yellow)


I'm hoping to mount the plate from inside the car, with a machined edge allowing the "inside" to protrude into through the firewall - secured by polished stainless bolts. In that plate I want to mount a steering column mount such as


I'll also have to mount the hydraulic clutch master cylinder and bracket, which looks like:

and


I think this will work out well.

For the bad news - though not entirely unexpected, the small double diaphram chrome brake booster will not fit. There are clearance issues with the tall valve covers. I'm going to need to go to a hydrotech unit.

[wmhjr]

Quick update on the project.....

Going to go with the Hydratech booster in the car, eliminating the new 7" dual diaphram chrome booster (more on that later).

Also got started on the machined aluminum plate for the firewall. Needs a little work yet before we're ready to mock it up and determine placement of the holes for the steering column and the clutch master cylinder. But, it's getting there.

Decided on the steering wheel. In keeping with the general look, went with a Billet Specialties GTO wheel (name had nothing to do with it) in a black half-wrap rim. It looks like:

Also ordered the reservoir I'm going to use for the clutch master cylinder. It looks like:


Got the first draft of the first rendering back on the project - going to use the renderings to make final wheel/tire choices among other things. The good news is that I like how the renderings are coming together. The bad news is that after looking at things, I've also come to another conclusion.

I'm probably going with 18x9.5 or 18x10 wheels on the back w/5.5 bs. Along with somewhere between a 17x6 and 18x8 in the front, there's going to be a lot more of the hub/brake assembly showing than I originally anticipated. When I bought this car to begin with, I was actually at that time going to stay real close to stock, including using Rally wheels. Now I don't like the idea of seeing small hats in front and drums in the back.

So, I'm going to go with Wilwood 12.2" discs all around. It means I'm going to very soon have a bunch of brand new stuff for sale, including 11" Ford Drums ready for Ford Torino style housing flanges, 1 set of OEM sized drilled/slotted front rotors, 1 set of OEM non-drilled rotors, 1 set of black powdercoated OEM style front calipers, and a chrome 7" dual diaphram booster (everything brand new). I'll probably get rid of my Percy's wheelrite at the same time. So keep watching...

Here's a shot of the draft rendering. This one shows Boze Tach wheels that are larger than what I'll be using. Obviously it's not complete.

[Code Red]

Quick update on the project.....

Going to go with the Hydratech booster in the car, eliminating the new 7" dual diaphram chrome booster (more on that later).

Also got started on the machined aluminum plate for the firewall. Needs a little work yet before we're ready to mock it up and determine placement of the holes for the steering column and the clutch master cylinder. But, it's getting there.

Decided on the steering wheel. In keeping with the general look, went with a Billet Specialties GTO wheel (name had nothing to do with it) in a black half-wrap rim. It looks like:

Also ordered the reservoir I'm going to use for the clutch master cylinder. It looks like:


Got the first draft of the first rendering back on the project - going to use the renderings to make final wheel/tire choices among other things. The good news is that I like how the renderings are coming together. The bad news is that after looking at things, I've also come to another conclusion.

I'm probably going with 18x9.5 or 18x10 wheels on the back w/5.5 bs. Along with somewhere between a 17x6 and 18x8 in the front, there's going to be a lot more of the hub/brake assembly showing than I originally anticipated. When I bought this car to begin with, I was actually at that time going to stay real close to stock, including using Rally wheels. Now I don't like the idea of seeing small hats in front and drums in the back.

So, I'm going to go with Wilwood 12.2" discs all around. It means I'm going to very soon have a bunch of brand new stuff for sale, including 11" Ford Drums ready for Ford Torino style housing flanges, 1 set of OEM sized drilled/slotted front rotors, 1 set of OEM non-drilled rotors, 1 set of black powdercoated OEM style front calipers, and a chrome 7" dual diaphram booster (everything brand new). I'll probably get rid of my Percy's wheelrite at the same time. So keep watching...

Here's a shot of the draft rendering. This one shows Boze Tach wheels that are larger than what I'll be using. Obviously it's not complete.

giggty giggty hot damn ;-)

[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

This is turning out to be a really nice build. Love the color.

[jackfrost]

Obviously it's not complete.

it's not?? it looks perfect to me.