1970 GTO - 1st Time Pro Tour Build

[cwmiller]

Thanks Zip!
Just checked out your project, I posted a reply. Check it out and let me know what ya think. As for the rear end, I have a 10 bolt, 8.5 with 3.55's that I may use.

[coolwelder62]

Look's like you have a good start on a cool project.Keep up the great work.

[UMI Tech]

Looks like a great plan. We are getting into the Pro-Touring scene and would love to help with your front suspension. Looking forward to following your build.

Ramey
UMI Performance

[workbenchracer]

Man that is a lot of work going on. Good luck!

[cwmiller]

Thanks for all the comments and feedback guys. I got the left side trunk floor all fitted and tacked in yesterday... should get back to work on it shortly after Christmas. I took some pics of the progress and I will have the posted as soon as I upload them into the computer.

UMI- Still haven't made a final decision on the front suspension, but I will definitely keep y'all in mind!

But for now I'm off with my wife to the parents house for an entire day of eating way to much!

[bart0510]

Cool project! Looks like you have a good handle on the fab work and rust repair. Keep it up and you will have one nice ride! I am currently knee deep in curing the cancer on my 71 Chevelle, so I know what you are going through at this point in your build. Subscribing....

[cwmiller]

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would update the thread. Check out the pics and let me know what yall think.









I've repaired the right inner sail panel the best way possible. I cut the repair patch from a spare quarter I had here at the shop. After drilling all the spot welds to get the panel out of the spare quarter, I decided it would be best to cut a patch because of the work and damaged involved in removing the entire panel.

I've also decided to reconstruct the repair I started on the rear section of the roof so I order a shrinker/stretcher in order to make a more acceptable patch.

[ryeguy2006a]

Looks good man. What are you running for an engine?

[cwmiller]

I haven't picked up an engine yet but I plan to run a 6.0 LQ9 with a t-56.

I should have the body on the frame this weekend so that I can start rebuilding the structure under the rear filler panel between the rear glass and the trunk lid.

[cwmiller]

Lately I have been scouring old salvage yards looking for rust free parts to use in my car. I am a field engineer in the oil and gas industry, so I travel alot. This has allowed me to visit some salvage yards that I might not have gotten to other wise.

This has brought some changes in the path I am taking for the car:

-I have decided to do away with the repair I started on the rear section of the roof panel. I acquired a rust-free factory panel from West Texas that I will cut a patch out of and stitch in.
-I found rust-free package tray corners in North Texas that will be plug welded into the car after the rusted ones are cut out. The left side is done, I'll post a picture soon.
-Also new quarters, deck lid, and filler panel are in and will be on as soon as all the structural sections are fixed. Ill post a picture soon.

As for progress:
-The left side package tray has been fixed and looks great. Alot of of the car comes together in these areas, so I am doing all that I can to stengthen these areas. Starting on the right side tomorrow.
-Mini tubs are complete, left and right.
-The body is on the frame which is attached to jig I built. I had to do this so that the geometry of the wasn't effected while all the structural rust was cut out.
-A sandblaster has been contacted and a date has been set for late November. I can't wait to see what the car looks like in bare metal!

Thanks guys, Stay tuned for pictures!

[Glenn]

Glad you scored some nice sheet metal Cameron, keep the faith!

[craigs73]

looking good any updates

[cwmiller]

Not much progress on the car, but I did rebuild a 1942 Curtis 95A air compressor. The cylinder jug was sleeved, new rings, rebuilt head, re wired, etc. Just needs some more paint, but it works great.

[cwmiller]

Decided I should update the thread for anyone following.











All the inner structure was sandblasted and sealed with primer before intalling the panels. Also, I did have the car mini tubbed at one point, but decided that my work wasn't par. I ordered all new inner and outer fender wells and I will stretch the new inners.

The door gaps are OK, but this was as close as I could get them. The passenger side gap is a bit wider at the top. The frame and rockers show damage as if the car was high centered pretty hard at some point in it's life. I'm thinking that this probably has something to do with it.

Any input/comments is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[66larkgs]

are you making the adjustments with the strikers on the car. i find it easier to have them out. looks like the top hinge needs to go up and in alittle to close that gap and bottom up and out alittle. Just did my car and spent ALOT of time, good luck

[67speedfreak]

Nice looking build. Your doing a great job on the repairs ! I just bought a 69 GTO and my roof and package tray look pretty much like yours. I just scored some rust free doors on craigs list. You should check it out I have been seeing alot of GTO parts on there.

Brian

[andrewb70]

It's cool to see a couple of 1970 GTO builds going on at the same time!

Andrew

[SShep71]

Looks geat man, another GTO makes me happy. Someday I hope that GTOs can catch up to all the Chevelles out there.

[cwmiller]

66larkgs
are you making the adjustments with the strikers on the car. i find it easier to have them out. looks like the top hinge needs to go up and in alittle to close that gap and bottom up and out alittle. Just did my car and spent ALOT of time, good luck

66, The strikers were removed. It took days to get them to look this good. I still think that since I am having the issue on both sides; that it is related to the car being high centered or panel quality. I'm sure with some work, new door hinges, and door alignment I should be able to fine tune the gaps.

67speedfreak
Nice looking build. Your doing a great job on the repairs ! I just bought a 69 GTO and my roof and package tray look pretty much like yours. I just scored some rust free doors on craigs list. You should check it out I have been seeing alot of GTO parts on there.

67, Thanks man I appreciate it. I never posted the pictures of the package tray rebuild, but I removed both corners and replaced them with rust free corners out of a 71 Lemans. I found the Lemans in a salvage yard north of Denton, TX. That was the best way I figured to do the repair... Might be able to make your own tray and corners? Good luck on your build, my first car was a 69 GTO! Ill try to get the p. tray pictures up.

Yesterday, 09:36 PMandrewb70
It's cool to see a couple of 1970 GTO builds going on at the same time!

Today, 02:28 AMSShep71
Looks geat man, another GTO makes me happy. Someday I hope that GTOs can catch up to all the Chevelles out there.

Thanks guys, Ill post some more soon. I am hoping to get the outer fender wells in soon and get the car on the rotisserie.

[cwmiller]

Well since the last post I have bought a home, ended the lease on the shop, and moved the car into the garage. Space is limited.

The outer rear fender wells were installed and the car was blasted. Rework began on the inner rear wheel wells once I got the car back.

The Mini tubs are being redone, well, because I thought I could do better. Passenger side is near 90% complete. Here's some pictures (cell pics, sorry guys I'm not much on photography).



Trunk and floor braces were capped so I could plug weld the inner well.





They look much better than before, just need a few touch ups, then some mud and a coat of bed liner. I'll post pictures with a view from the trunk once both sides are complete.