'66 Pontiac Resto-Mod Update

[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.

[wmhjr]

Thanks for the compliments, guys.

jackfrost, if you look carefully at the rendering, you'll see it's missing a few things. I ought to make a "where's waldo" out of it!

No interior door panels, no front seats, no steering wheel, no badging at all, no rocker trim on the front fender or quarter panel... Though it's already on the body itself (in the center). The wheel sizing needs to change a little, and decisions still to be made about which wheels. And, there will be a similar rear/quarter view similar to this one but from the opposite angle.

[wmhjr]

Another short update....

First basecoat for the Tri-Coat cabernet is being laid down on the inner fenders, core support, and inside of doors. The pics aren't that accurate. It really looks kind of "rose" colored. It's amazing how much it changes with the tint coat (2nd color) and then again when you lay clear on it.