My long long long Chevelle project

Congrats, Saf. I know exacty what it's like to buy a car in boxes. I also know about the missing and "new" parts that aren't. You and your friends have done an excellent job bringing that car up. Your wife will be proud of that car and proud of you.

 

So Barry, your wife is a hotrod momma? Slamming gears?

 

Yep, it's why I married her. Her brothers were building hot rods and the only way I could get into that inner circle was to date her. She's tempered her lead foot substantially over the years but she still has no hesitation to drive the cars.

 

So you can't fool her with getting a new laughing shaft for the old giggling pin, huh?

 

Unfortunately she knows pretty much what is what. Fortunately too I guess because when I tell her I need something she doesn't quibble. Now, if I tell her I WANT something that's a whole different kettle of fish.

But her one surviving brother is still heavy in to cars (still has his AAR Cuda, a '71 Challenger Convert, a '69 Z-28, a '64 Plymouth 2dr with a 426 wedge to go in it, and a bunch of hemi stuff) so they talk cars when she calls him. I have been coaching the younger generation of car guys to marry a woman who is "into" cars if you want a long and happy partnership. They don't seem to listen thinking they will "get it" after they are married and I'll tell you, one of them "get's it" alright and it isn't she and the cars.........

 

This reminds me, Saf. My friend, Vern that gave me the LT1 with 9 miles on it.....he has a 396 date stamped out of a 66 Impala SS. IF you should know of anyone that is trying to build a numbers matching 66 Imp let me know and I will find out the exact date and the price.

 

Thanks Fox. I'll mention it to the folks I know whe may be interested. Funny thing - they refer to the Chevelle as the "new" car because the next closest to it in the club is a '64, then '59 and all the way back to '29.

 

Great Lookin Chevelle! My favorite color combinations, there is nothing prettier than a red Chevelle with white stripes. I've been considering this combination for my wagon. But I'm leaning toward a more burgandy/red with gold metallic, black stripes. Oh, and it's gotta have a cowl hood. What is the interior color? Black? Glad to hear your doing better. And the wife should get to drive it ALL the time. Is she on here? I'd like to talk to another gearhead wife.

 

Sorry for the late response. Not on the computer too much this past while. A buddy is getting married so folks from the old home town will be coming out to visit and my house and shop and yard all need shall we say some touch up to meet the DW's expectations. She doesn't play at all on the computer other than her work related stuff. By the time she gets home from work she's not even remotely interested in going near a keyboard. There are advantages to that for me mind you......

Thanks for the kind comments on the Chevelle. Our first one we bought almost new was also cranberry red but it was darker than how the new paints come out. It was a more redder red? And it had black stripes where this one is white. Funny how the first one had a white interior and this one has black. I think to contrast with the stripes almost. It has been a fun, and long, project, and I'm glad it is finished. As for who gets to drive it, we will be putting plates on it this week and then we'll see who gets out to the shop first each morning.

I saw a '69 Chevelle wagon done in a deep maroon color, no stripes, white interior, many years ago and it was beautiful. The color combo just worked so nicely with the long roof and the white interior was a nice offset to the darker body color.

Good luck with yours, and I'm not telling the DW that someone thinks she should be the primary driver of the Chevelle. She may get ideas

 

Well, it is done. Done, done, done. Done, finally, done. I just need to put plates and insurance on it. And then several of these for the buddies who helped, and drive the beejabbers out of it.

Some pics, of when picking it up, the parts strewn across the shop as we realized we got snookered on a bunch of stuff, and the car finished.

This is one of those things where it is 50 months longer than anticipated and when I go out to the shop I dance a bit of a jig and think "there but for the grace of good friends would be the unending project". Next week we will get it out and stretch it's legs and properly break the power train in. Everything is new so I'll have to treat it like it just came off the show room floor . I remember doing a smokey burn out as I left Beny's Chevrolet/Oldsmobile in 1970 with the first one and I don't see any reason to change my driving habitsat this late stage of the game......

 

Thats GREAT Saf! I'm happy for you and your honey.....as for the burn out, don't let her see this thread UNTILL you do it!

Great job and good for you, you must be real happy:2_thumbs_up_-_anima



...HHhmmmmm, I should get to working on my car in barn of 22 years

 

Boys and our toys!

Outstanding floorpan! Mint machine, Barry. Enjoy!

 

Nice job, Saf. It looks better than new; now go out and have some fun with it!! Congratulations.