My new sleeper!
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My new sleeper! So I am out helping my father n law driving through the country and I stumble across this car. After about a 30 min conversation, my daughter says she wants it for her 7th birthday on the 27th of December. I laugh, but the next thing you know we are the proud owners or a 1962 Chevy II with an inline 6, and 3 speed on the column. Ready for this? I purchased it from this old man for $700 with a title.
I looked the car over, and the shock towers are shot, as well as the floors are pretty much gone. What is amazing is all the structual pieces looked fine. The sub frame, roof, trunk, hood. All the trim, bumpers, and glass looked damn near new. The windshield was busted out though. The interior looked salvagable by just some clean up and re doing the front and rear buckets.
Here is what I love. The car only weighs 2500lbs. Don't know if it has a 10bolt or 12 bolt yet.
Here is the plan until my daughter is old enough to drive it. This means Dad, ie, me gets to drive it for the next 9 years. lol I am not going to touch the outer body. I'm going to leave the rust look on it and the trim and everything. I will replace the floors, shock towers, weather stripping, New carpet, redo the seats, and.......put a 5.3 with a single ON3 76 mm in it. Probably make it an automatic for racing with a TH400. I was going to replace the 13" rims with some 15" rims but paint the rims black and keep the dog dish caps. What do you all think? Maybe have a shot at the stock bottom end LS record? It weighs a 1,000lbs less than my chevelle. Anyone see any issues?
Can you tell my daughter was happy?
I looked the car over, and the shock towers are shot, as well as the floors are pretty much gone. What is amazing is all the structual pieces looked fine. The sub frame, roof, trunk, hood. All the trim, bumpers, and glass looked damn near new. The windshield was busted out though. The interior looked salvagable by just some clean up and re doing the front and rear buckets.
Here is what I love. The car only weighs 2500lbs. Don't know if it has a 10bolt or 12 bolt yet.
Here is the plan until my daughter is old enough to drive it. This means Dad, ie, me gets to drive it for the next 9 years. lol I am not going to touch the outer body. I'm going to leave the rust look on it and the trim and everything. I will replace the floors, shock towers, weather stripping, New carpet, redo the seats, and.......put a 5.3 with a single ON3 76 mm in it. Probably make it an automatic for racing with a TH400. I was going to replace the 13" rims with some 15" rims but paint the rims black and keep the dog dish caps. What do you all think? Maybe have a shot at the stock bottom end LS record? It weighs a 1,000lbs less than my chevelle. Anyone see any issues?
Can you tell my daughter was happy?
Nice car and you have a great plan for it. I wonder what goes through the average persons mind when we the full potential of cars like this. Good luck with the build and congrats on the new ride.
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Thanks. Yes, it is very small. When I first saw the car I was immediately think 5.3 with twins. Same set up in my chevelle. However, there is very little room in the engine bay. I think it will be a tight squeeze for a 5.3 and single but can be done. I will move the battery to the trunk and probably put the turbo where the battery is. I may even make it a rear mount just to try something different and to the casual looker look like it just has a 5.3 in it. Keep the sleeper effect.
That's a steal for $700. I've always wanted a shoebox nova the 62-65 where little, light cars for sure. I think I 5.3 and a 76 will do that thing some justice. There's a place in WV called j&w novas that carrys every replacement panel and nut and bolt for that car. They have pretty fair prices as well. Anyway good luck with the build
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Eventually this is what it would look like for my daughter. We like the stance, shaved door handles, and the way the tires and wheels fit. However, the paint would be blue and the wheels and chrome would all be flat black like on my chevelle. Nothing shining.
that thing will blossom into a full blown frame off, nickel and dime everywhere you turn deal.
i would leave it alone. it would be more expensive than you ever imagined by the time it is all said and done.
also, im not a big fan of working on two cars at once. just my opinion. reminds me of the story of the world champion potato peeler. they asked him how are you so fast at peeling potatoes, his answer was "i peel them one at a time"
i would leave it alone. it would be more expensive than you ever imagined by the time it is all said and done.
also, im not a big fan of working on two cars at once. just my opinion. reminds me of the story of the world champion potato peeler. they asked him how are you so fast at peeling potatoes, his answer was "i peel them one at a time"
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that thing will blossom into a full blown frame off, nickel and dime everywhere you turn deal.
i would leave it alone. it would be more expensive than you ever imagined by the time it is all said and done.
also, im not a big fan of working on two cars at once. just my opinion. reminds me of the story of the world champion potato peeler. they asked him how are you so fast at peeling potatoes, his answer was "i peel them one at a time"
i would leave it alone. it would be more expensive than you ever imagined by the time it is all said and done.
also, im not a big fan of working on two cars at once. just my opinion. reminds me of the story of the world champion potato peeler. they asked him how are you so fast at peeling potatoes, his answer was "i peel them one at a time"
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I appreciate that, and I love what Denmah is doing with his builds - he doesnt subscribe to the spend spend spend philosophy.
but, do me a favor and price out what it will cost to get that thing going.
new windshield and installation
8.50 roll cage
built rear end
built transmission
drag wheels and tires
brakes and or brake lines
suspension work and pieces
racing seat.
I think, and this is just my 2c, that you'll have 6-7 grand if not more in the roller by the time its all said and done.
or, just buy one already done and save yourself time and money.
http://www.racingjunk.com/Complete-R...-chevy-II.html
there are a lot of LIGHT WEIGHT roller deals out there right now under 10gs on racingjunk that would be under 2500 with driver.
but, do me a favor and price out what it will cost to get that thing going.
new windshield and installation
8.50 roll cage
built rear end
built transmission
drag wheels and tires
brakes and or brake lines
suspension work and pieces
racing seat.
I think, and this is just my 2c, that you'll have 6-7 grand if not more in the roller by the time its all said and done.
or, just buy one already done and save yourself time and money.
http://www.racingjunk.com/Complete-R...-chevy-II.html
there are a lot of LIGHT WEIGHT roller deals out there right now under 10gs on racingjunk that would be under 2500 with driver.
From a person that restores cars for a living I don't see it being a bad project at all. I mean I haven't laid underneath the car, but from the pictures it's a jem compared to some of the old mopars I've done. with the rust converting technology we have now a days you'd be suprised what you can save compared to having to replace. Now I don't know much about peeling potatoes, but if you take your time and be patient you will have a nice car there
From a person that restores cars for a living I don't see it being a bad project at all. I mean I haven't laid underneath the car, but from the pictures it's a jem compared to some of the old mopars I've done. with the rust converting technology we have now a days you'd be suprised what you can save compared to having to replace. Now I don't know much about peeling potatoes, but if you take your time and be patient you will have a nice car there
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Woah! It might be expensive in your area but not where I am from.
In my chevelle I spent $400 to build the 12 bolt, $400 to build the trans, $400, to build a drive shaft, $500 for the engine, $300 for the turbo's, $300 for the seats to be re done and new carpet.
I am just goint to re do the bucket seats, put in new floor pans, no cage, 15" rally rims I already have, ET street radial, dog dish hubcaps. It might already have a 12 bolt. Th400-$400, 4.8 or 5.3 complete $400, Already have tons of left over piping, fittings, fuel lines, brakes lines, etc..
I'll have it on the street running 9's for less than 2k. I'll keep an honest price list. Remember, I am spending nothing on cosmetics until my daughter actually gets old enough to drive it. She turns 7 on December 27th. I have some time. As far as suspension, not sure but definitely plan to put some caltracs on it. This will be just a fun "Street Sleeper"
In my chevelle I spent $400 to build the 12 bolt, $400 to build the trans, $400, to build a drive shaft, $500 for the engine, $300 for the turbo's, $300 for the seats to be re done and new carpet.
I am just goint to re do the bucket seats, put in new floor pans, no cage, 15" rally rims I already have, ET street radial, dog dish hubcaps. It might already have a 12 bolt. Th400-$400, 4.8 or 5.3 complete $400, Already have tons of left over piping, fittings, fuel lines, brakes lines, etc..
I'll have it on the street running 9's for less than 2k. I'll keep an honest price list. Remember, I am spending nothing on cosmetics until my daughter actually gets old enough to drive it. She turns 7 on December 27th. I have some time. As far as suspension, not sure but definitely plan to put some caltracs on it. This will be just a fun "Street Sleeper"
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Yes, I plan on keeping 4 doors, and you know I didn't even check the mileage. What would be cool would be to turbo that inline 6. But I would spend more money on a blow thru carb.
I do need to check though. Here is the deal. The car was actually in a barn. Has been for over 30 years. It was outside after we decided I would buy it. When he said $700, I really thought he meant $7k but he said $700 for the little girl. What a time to have my little girl with me.
71 Chevy is my friend. He helped me a ton with my chevelle conversion. He is just trying to keep me in check. This car won't turn into a race car though.
I do need to check though. Here is the deal. The car was actually in a barn. Has been for over 30 years. It was outside after we decided I would buy it. When he said $700, I really thought he meant $7k but he said $700 for the little girl. What a time to have my little girl with me.
71 Chevy is my friend. He helped me a ton with my chevelle conversion. He is just trying to keep me in check. This car won't turn into a race car though.
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