New Project

[Bill Howell]

Well guys, here is the car I have just purchased from a member here. I have not seen the car yet as it is still in Austin, Texas. John has looked it over good though and tells me it looks every bit as good in person as the pictures show. The very first ground up restoration I did back in 1984 was a 65 GTO ragtop, so this really brings back some good memories for me. I like the lines of a 65 and think this will be something a little different from the norm as a protouring ride.
It is a Lemans with a GTO hood so for the purist out there, I will not be ruining a real goat.
I found a LS1 the other day dirt cheap, so I think I will go that route with this car. I will either turbo or procharge it also. I am not sure if I want a 6 speed or auto at this point. I am leaning toward the 6 speed but then Melinda could not drive it and I really need to keep mama happy. She has been great about my toys, but I am starting to get a yard full. Anyone need a nice 71 vette?
I would love some suggestions on the suspension since I really don't know where to start. I am not sure what is out there for this body style and frame. It will not see much track time but I do want it to handle well and would like to maybe even graph in a vette suspension. For sure I want it to handle like a new ride. Any imput?
Of course, it will be getting a new 4 wheel disk brake set-up.
The car has been in storage for several years. It was painted just prior to that, so I will more than likely live with what is there for the time being.
Kris, how about a rendering? I bet you have not done one of these yet! I have been in line a while now anyway-lol.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Here ya go Bill. Your wife is going to hate me, and we have not even met yet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...967791291&rd=1

[Bill Howell]

You going to do the install?
Don't feel too sorry for her, she is driving a hummer you know.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Well, if she drives a Hummer, then you can afford me.

[digitalman2112]

Hmmm... I take my firebird to Frank - and my wife starts talking about H2s and Escalades - coincidence? I can only wonder

[Bill Howell]

Hmmm... I take my firebird to Frank - and my wife starts talking about H2s and Escalades - coincidence? I can only wonder

Now that you mention it, he talked to Steve (streetfytr68) about using an Escalade in a project too! Ian I think you are on to something! He is the voodoo man!

[Steve1968LS2]

Hey Bill.. sure you want to wait two weeks to get the car???? What if gypsies move into it or something..

I think you need to go get it ASAP.. and no, I don't have an ulterior motive.. ok, maybe I do.. sorta ;)

Cool car and it is something different.. sounds like a cool project!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Sweet car, Bill. I think you should build a 455CI LS1 instead of a procharged / turbo LS1. Plus you could get an easy 525-550rwhp all motor . MTI does the 455 LS1 GTO conversions. www.motorsporttech.com

Sounds like you need a paddle shifted 4L60/80E to solve the problem of 6 speed or auto. It's the best of both worlds.

So lets see, 455CI LS1, Paddle shifted 4L80E, '04 GTO suspension / brakes, 18" wheels, '04 GTO interior, sounds like a plan

[Steve Chryssos]

Congratulations Bill,
That Ralph fella makes a lot of sense. He is wise beyond his years.

[trapin]

Bill, that is friggin awesome. Congrats on the new car, I too love them ole goats...they've got some damn sexy lines. Since you asked...I'll throw my $.02 in.

First off....this car reminds me of the '66 Toronado that Jay Leno did for SEMA last year and also how he missed the boat on a great feature due to a tight deadline that had to be met.....

All Wheel Drive. Yes....you heard me right. All Wheel Drive.

Have a seat....let's talk.

Picture this....'65 GTO replica, Pro Built LS1 by Wheel To Wheel with Twin-Turbo set-up (roughly 800 to 1000 horsepower). Full tube chassis with C4 or C5 mated suspension in the rear with converted front drive suspension from an old Typhoon or Syclone (beefed up of course to handle the additional weight and torque). Full custom interior, 2 or 3 tone paint job. 19" HRE's with 335's in the rear and 18's up front with 275's. Slammed, bent, mean, hunched over in a menacing posture that'll have the preacher at the local church hollering to the heavens that end is near...REPENT....REPENT YOUR SINS AND YOU SHALL HAVE SALVATION!!!!!

3400 lbs of romp-stompin, Hell-stormin' fury! A car, the likes of which has never been seen nor attempted. Good Lord....I'm gettin' scared just thinking about it.



.......or we could just hang some fuzzy dice in the rear view mirror and call it a day. It's your choice.

[Bill Howell]

Bill, that is friggin awesome. Congrats on the new car, I too love them ole goats...they've got some damn sexy lines. Since you asked...I'll throw my $.02 in.

First off....this car reminds me of the '66 Toronado that Jay Leno did for SEMA last year and also how he missed the boat on a great feature due to a tight deadline that had to be met.....

All Wheel Drive. Yes....you heard me right. All Wheel Drive.

Have a seat....let's talk.

Picture this....'65 GTO replica, Pro Built LS1 by Wheel To Wheel with Twin-Turbo set-up (roughly 800 to 1000 horsepower). Full tube chassis with C4 or C5 mated suspension in the rear with converted front drive suspension from an old Typhoon or Syclone (beefed up of course to handle the additional weight and torque). Full custom interior, 2 or 3 tone paint job. 19" HRE's with 335's in the rear and 18's up front with 275's. Slammed, bent, mean, hunched over in a menacing posture that'll have the preacher at the local church hollering to the heavens that end is near...REPENT....REPENT YOUR SINS AND YOU SHALL HAVE SALVATION!!!!!

3400 lbs of romp-stompin, Hell-stormin' fury! A car, the likes of which has never been seen nor attempted. Good Lord....I'm gettin' scared just thinking about it.



.......or we could just hang some fuzzy dice in the rear view mirror and call it a day. It's your choice.

Frank are you seeing this???????
Tony,
He told me the same thing yesterday. I think you two are smoking the same stuff-lol
Frank was thinking escalade since the wheelbase is only one inch different. I owned a eldorado once and loved doing fwd burnouts. I would love even more to do awd burnouts. I may get old but I refuse to grow up!!
While I like your idea, I am not sure my budget will stand it

[parsonsj]

Bill,

Excellent choice! I love GTOs. You can't go wrong ... unless you do the "fuzzy dice" plan.

jp

[vanzuuk1]

Someone please buy that motor for me , my birthday is the 18th. I'll pay shipping.
Seriously, that goat is crying for a high tech drivetrain, it's a nice break from the camaro parade.

[Bill Howell]

Well, The Lemans is loaded back up and will be at Prodigy Customs Friday morning for a little rearend surgery. With a little luck, she should have fresh paint, interior and top by the end of June. Now if I can just get in enough overtime to get some wheels.....
When we get her back to Tennessee, we should have the LSx and magnacharger ready to slip in.
Then

[MrQuick]

Nice Bill, I love it. Frank will do his magic...I love the 65 GTO look, espesh the tail lights...wait are you going full GTO look or Lemans? anyways should be a fun project. Are you going to have him mock up an LSx or do that later?

[ViperBlue68]

grab this and drop it off along with the Goat Bill!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33615

[Bill Howell]

Nice Bill, I love it. Frank will do his magic...I love the 65 GTO look, espesh the tail lights...wait are you going full GTO look or Lemans? anyways should be a fun project. Are you going to have him mock up an LSx or do that later?

Frank said he had a couple laying around so yes, he is going to go ahead and set it up for me. I am stopped in Valdosta with a flat tire,so thought I would check the board. See you in the morning Frank

[ProdigyCustoms]

Well, we got the GTO2B yesterday, and what a piece of............, LOL!
Just kidding, actually is the best damn body I have seen on anything but Pam Anderson in quite a while. 100% solid, looks like no rust ever. Needs repainted though, needs backhalfed and mini Tubbed. Were going to look real hard at sectioning the factory rear frame section and squeezing it a bit to accommodate a few more inches of tire. We feel the factory 4 bar stuff works pretty well, and with some aftermarket bars, variable rate springs and good shocks, the boat should do pretty well.
Up front we will do some tubular arms, coil over conversion and some big fugin brakes. Out back we are still deciding on a 12 bolt or 9".
Were going to hook the interior up with some 2001 Olds Aurora Seats with integrated seat belts. We are also doing a Mercedes type cloth top for it.
Colors will be silver and flame red 2 tone, with a silver gray and flame red leather combination on the interior.
Were pretty damn excited about working on something but a Camaro. not that we don't love our Camaro's.

[trapin]

Frank...as long as we can follow the progress on your site, I'm sure we'll all be happy campers. That color combo sounds sick on an old GTO. I can't wait to see how it plays out. You're right...it will be a lot of fun following this project. It's different.

[Bill Howell]

Here is a little teaster from Kris. What do ya"ll think? Allen, notice the wheel choice!