My New Project

[Smoke]

No engines in this woods, but I did pull this one out. A very rusted 1965 Chevelle SS Convertible. 327 Engine, Powerglide Trans with a nice 12 bolt rear. No frame rot but the hole back end including the trunk and floor pans will need replaced. I figured that I would show it to you folks since I know that a few of you on this site, including you Harry, like these old jewels. It sat out in the woods with no cover, the top rotted off and the years of weather took its toll. I think I will give it a try and bring her back to life. Hopefully in a few years I can post a finished photo.

[Jordan]

Hey Smoke,

Great find. Good luck on replacing them floor pans. She'll Look real pretty when shes finished. It'll turn heads where ever she goes.

Jordan

[Kevin O. Pulver]

Hey Smoke Congratulation! You don't find many hot rods in the trees anymore, let alone convertibles. Now if that was a road runner or 'Cuda you'd really have something! (I'm partial to MoPar) I'm sure you'll enjoy the restoration process and it will be very rewarding. BUT your bank account is going to realize how comparatively cheap a hit-n-miss restoration is.
Things like, glass, upholestry, wiring, sheet metal, suspension, weather stripping, tires, chrome plating, exhaust etc... really add up. Things we don't have to deal with on a 5HP Economy. But it's a lot easier to load, and you could even DRIVE it to the show. Enjoy! Kevin

[Paul Spence]

Smoke: Nice project car. I found a 1968 Bonneville convertable a couple of months ago. It hadn't been on the road since 1972. I'm partial to the big Pontiacs and since I didn't get that other Mogul, I went this way. They take less space per HP than my favorite engines. It has a 400CID/340HP engine and now runs real good after getting a few valves loose and replacing all the lifters and push rods the cylinders read 165/185 PSIG. A couple had 0 when I started and didn't even have to take off the heads. With a 10.5/1 compression ratio, OH BOY here comes the premium gas .The chrome valve covers I had in the shed from "PAST" times having fun in NJ sure look nice. So far I've invested an additional few $'s in making it roadworthy. I just got my QQ plates and insurance and can drive it. Just having fun "wrenching" in NJ. Now to find a set of the 8 lug wheels, and ''''.... ??? Thanks for sharing.

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/attach...achmentid=2749

[Benny Mckheean]

Congrats Smoke you have a nice car.I also am looking for a 57 Chevy convertable to go with my 55 hard top.The Good Guys car show is this month at Lowes Motor Speeedway in Concord NC and maybe I can find one there, if you need any parts for your 65 shoot me a email and I will keep my eyes open.

[Andrew Mackey]

Hi Smoke,
Looks like a nice project. Be very careful about the frame under the drivers seat, and the same spot on the passenger side . GM did not drill reliefe holes in this location (like the did in the 1966 frame), and water tended to build up inside the frame at this point. I had one of the 1965s and the frame looke to be in perfect condition. I worked at a gas station at the time, I even had the car on a lift to service it, and saw nothing wrong. About 3 months later, I was driving the car home on interstate 80, I heard a loud bang, and the car started bouncing like a shock had broken. I slowed down, and continued home. When I tried to pull into the driveway, I was nearly pitched thru the windsheild. The car stopped instantly at the threshold of the driveway, where there was a 1 1/2 inch lip on the curb. I got out of the car, after nursing a bloody lip and nose, to find that the frame had rusted thru fron the inside, due to the standing water, and the rear section was hanging a half inch off the road surface! The outside of the frame still looked perfect, but the good metal was only on the surface - paper thin! I have since learned this trick from other '65 owners: Try tapping the frame with a small ballm peen hammer. If you hear any dull contact points near the door sites, be suspicious of the frame condition, and have it checked out. Thank God that the frame on mine did not hit an expansion joint on the hiway at 70 MPH!
Andrew

[BobRR]

Smoke nice find but it may cut into engine funds and time a bit Before spending alot of time&money on it make sure and check the frame and cowl area below windsheild and where the floor meets it(inside where floor vents are)!Paul sounds like you got a nice one too but those 8 hole wheels probably could buy another ihc. BobRR

[Tony Leonard]

I still have a 1965 SS Chevelle Coupe that my mom bought new. It has a 327 CI engine with a Muncie M-21 close ratio 4-speed and a 12 Bolt rear end. It originally came geared 3.08 with a open differential and now it has a 4.11 posi-traction set-up. I drag raced the car some back in my high school days and even had a 427 CI big block stuffed down in her at one time. The car needs some real attention these days but I just can't get myself "in gear" to spend any time or money on it. Maybe one day I will feel like messing with her again.

Good luck on your restoration.

[Smoke]

Thanks for all of your comments guys, I am not afraid of your advise. I would rather here it from you guys that have "Been there done that". It will take me a long time to finish, but it will be fun. I am making an auto rotisseree at this time. Should make it easier to do the bottm of the body, after I weld in the new floor and trunk pans. I do need a rear clip (Full Quarters) both sides. The car is a conv. But Coupe quarters will do. Its all about cutting and welding anyway. Thanks guys.

[Peter Ruffle]

Smoke,
Great project car, just about anything needed metal wise should be available as a repro, just beware there are some pieces done well and some that are not. Find a supplier that will give you a straight answer as to quality of the piece and ask questions, nothing worse than finding an inner rear fenderwell from one place that won't mate to the outer from someone else. I know, I earn my living selling parts and providing tech help for your chevy's cousin the GTO, as well as other Pontiacs. The Chevelle should be a real crowd pleaser and a pretty good investment. Need any info, drop me a line.

And Paul, gotta love that Bonneville, Keep looking, that 8-lug set you want is just around the next row in the next old junk yard you poke thru. I know I just found a nice set for the price of the whole car, $450.00 and that included
a complete 389 4bbl and a manual trans pedal set up for a 65 full size in the back seat.
Peter

[Phillip Hutchinson]

G'DAY Smoke
they advertise this stuff out here on the idiot box in AUS that you just spray on and wipe off,brings up a new car shine in seconds.I recon you would need a 44 gal drum to clean up the bonnet. LOL But seriously it will be a good project.Regards Phillip.

[Paul Spence]

Peter: The 8 lugs are in the mail and all I have to worry about is the left/right handed lug's I've heard about . I've had the Bonneville out with the top down a few times. Sure is "sweet" . Duals with flowmasters are comming soon, and so is winter . Got the AM radio fixed, new speakers and the FM adaptor ready to hook up. Engines well, we all know what happens from time to time.

[Smoke]

Hey Paul, A nice set of Flowmasters are on my wish list too. There are a lot of nice full quarter panel sets for my car out in Arizona. I wish we had the same here in the Salty Snowy eastern rustbelt. I just picked up a 396 engine. Sorry Mr. 327, I will just sit you back in the shop and put a warm blanket over you. Looking for that 4 speed Muncie now.

[Paul Spence]

Smoke: I can't wait for the rain to stop so I can spend some time on the Pontiac, get the radio back in and go crusing off into the sunset with the top down. What a feeling that started a long time ago with a 49 Ford, 56 Starchief, 66 Bonneville and now the 68. All ragtops. There is just not enough time in a day or night to work and play . Sleep what's that Paul

[Paul Spence]

Peter & Smoke: Well I got the Flowmaster 40's & duals installed last week and "BOY" does it sound on the back end of a 400CID/340HP engine. Sure beats out the rusty, leaky single exhaust all wired up. A little tune up with some AC R43S plugs, 180-190psig in every cylinder and a little timing adjustment sure makes the blue Indian want to cruse . It's going out today again for sure with the top down. I just have to get home past all those "flea markets" after "BREAK", I mean "work" on 3rd shift . Just trying like heck to have some fun on the way through .

[Smoke]

Hey Paul Nothing beats a set of Floooow Masters. They have a nice Tinny-Sound. My buddy just put a set of those on his 69 Z-28. Planning on a set for my 65 Chevelle, in about 3 years.



PS Here is my Chevelle Page
http://65droptopss.blogspot.com/

[Paul Spence]

Smoke; I checked out your Chevelle site. I sure am glad I found my Pontiac pretty much intact and drivable. Even at that, I'm always finding sumething I need to update/change out. Just a lot of little things, but it sure keeps me busy. My Flowmasters have a nice deep throaty sound. Nothing tinney about them. Today I was checking out the wheel ballance with the help of my 6 year old grandaughter. She's a little light for the jack but those little fingers could help undo the wheel lugs once grandad got them suckers loose . As it turned out three were right on and of course the last one wasn't. Where did she go . Inside to clean up and then she came back out to help me drive it into the shed . Later Grandma said that's all she talked about when her mom came to pick her up. I guess I made her day by letting her safely help Grandad.