Ok, A couple people on here wanted to see the build of my 69 convertible so I thought I would attempt to do a build thread. So let me start with a little story of why. I bought this car in 1990 to restore, but after finding a hardtop that was in a lot better shape I put this car in my old dirt floor barn where it sat until the spring of 2007 when I decided to tear the barn down, so the car sat outside until the fall of 2008. By that time I was getting the hankering to restore another bird so there it began.
Ok I can't find some of my pictures, So skip ahead a couple months. Built a rotisserie and removed the floor pan and toe boards. Once I got the toe boards welded in and was happy with the fit of the floor pan I built a rack to set the body on.
thats very good...I`d never attempt something like that!
Thanks Bjorn, Its funny how some things come natural and others things dont. I can do this but as far as carpentry I cant do to save my life. I cant even build a dog house I know I tried!
thats very good...I`d never attempt something like that!
Thanks Bjorn, Its funny how some things come natural and others things dont. I can do this but as far as carpentry I cant do to save my life. I cant even build a dog house I know I tried!
Funny , carpentry comes easily to me.....but I guess thats good, we all can complement each other!
I would guess a minimum of 20 to 30 hours per week for about 2 1/2 or 3 years.
You are very brave, I started to try removing the rear seat back support area, but then was told it was not available. I was afraid I would trash it so I worked around it. Think mine was in slightly better shape. Can't wait to see her all done. Very nice work!
Once everything except the wheel house were removed I repaired the rusted subframe mounts and then it was time to test fit everything before the floor,frame rails and trunk floor were welded in. By that time I didnt want to see another tape measure.
I would guess a minimum of 20 to 30 hours per week for about 2 1/2 or 3 years.
You are very brave, I started to try removing the rear seat back support area, but then was told it was not available. I was afraid I would trash it so I worked around it. Think mine was in slightly better shape. Can't wait to see her all done. Very nice work!
Thanks Your probably about right on the hours per week,but I have only worked on it during the winter months
Wow. I give you credit. I started with a car that needed absolutely ZERO body work and it still took me 10 years and 20k to bring the car back. I can't imagine but it is impressive!
When I see pics of this kind of restoration work, all I can say is - wow. Sheet metal work is a mysterious art form to me, so I am amazed seeing pics like this. Please keep posting, love it every time somebody can bring one back to life!
Very nice work. All that new sheet metal looks sweet. Keep posting. Great project.
Thanks Larry, Hopefully mine will turn out as nice as yours.
It looks like you have it well in hand. I was not intending to do anywhere near the work I ended up doing. In my opion, and if I ever do another, your method is a much better. I tried to avoid cutting the car all up and it took a LOT longer to fit some of the sheet metal parts. My back and neck are also envious of the rotisery. I spent most of last winter laying on cold concrete.
Once everything was welded enough to hold the car was put back on the rotisserie to finish welding,installing floor braces, seat braces,grind welds, prime,seam seal and paint.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Great work. Looks like the pieces are all mating up nicely. And your plug welds look fantastic. Keep the pictures coming. Maybe it will get me off my lazy butt to finish up mine.
Thanks Larry, You know I am really happy with the way everything fit,sure there were a few little tweaks that had to be made but overall they fit great. You will get back in the mood to get yours finished. I know his weather doesn't help any but just think "spring".
Ok I am back to work on the project. I had to take a break on it after my puppy was hit by a car, but she is healing well so its time to get back on it! Here are a few of pics of what I have done recently. New gas tank,brake line and fuel line installed, Rearend primed and painted and installed along with new leaf springs and hardware.
Primed, resealed and painted firewall. Now in the process of rebuilding frontend. Of course when i went to install new steering components I found out they gave me the wrong idler arm so I guess I will be reordering that tomorrow.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Thanks guys, I will keep updating as I go. My goal is to drive it early this summer,don't get me wrong here it will be nowhere near done but I just want to drive up and down the road a few times to get everything "settle in" before I start the finish work. Ok,Ok I really just want to make sure it doesn't fall apart! lol