The Supercar Registry - Some people ask..........what ya up to these days?

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- - Some people ask..........what ya up to these days? (https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=146833)

Some people ask..........what ya up to these days?

I had a perfectly good driver hot rod..................right? What does one do? Take it apart!

Here is my latest endeavor, revisiting my 59 Bel Air.

I will keep the original paint, and the overall look of the car won't change much. I'll even see how much of the original interior I elect to maintain. That's where it stops. My goal is to improve the car in these areas.

-Handling. A nice stiff chassis to take the squeaks and rattles out of the car and maintain a great ride quality. Not that I plan to autocross this, there is definitely room for improvement. I am thinking a 12" wide rear tire which may require mini tubs. 10" wide rubber in the front.

-Braking. It stops well now, it can be better. An engineered chassis and brake system will improve overall braking and thus predictability. I'll be limited in brakes as I am going to maintain a 15" wheel so I have no issue with the hardcore 1964 and earlier events. (I'll just keep the hood closed)

-Comfort. Vintage Air HVAC as well as revisiting the seats. I am wanting to keep the bench seats and the overall feel of the interior. Modern foam in the seat so as I feel a bit more "planted" while in it. I suppose there may be some mods to the seat frame so I can get some lumbar support and perhaps a bit better ergonomics. We will see there. LOTS of sound deadener!

-Power. LS3 / 480hp with 4L70E Connect and Cruise

-Theme. The theme wont necessarily change much. I want a car that looks like it got parked in the mid 60's, and then recommissioned recently. My original vision was a car that could have been parked around Gasoline Alley in mid May of 63-65.

On the docket........................

1. Roadster Shop chassis
2. GM Connect & Cruise power
3. Refinish the underside and engine compartment to the standards of a modern build. I am drawn to an OE feel and sensibility.

Before disassembly...........

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psq2o16s32.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psifttp9a7.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psffmmyp3s.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psz0wur5na.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...pspc3daiww.jpg

Looks great work! Very nice to see rust free metal for a change...

Look forward to see it every step of the way.

Dave
67 Nova Boy

Love it! Great craftsmanship.

That is one rust free 59..............love those bat wing 59.Trunk lid are very tough to find.Bob

Sounds like a case of Kwhizz-itus to me. Very nice.

Cool stuff Tim!:cool2:

Niiiice...:biggthumpup:

Mike

Nice build! The fab on that chassis is awesome. You may autocross it once to shock some people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKZ27 (Post 1386089)

Nice build! The fab on that chassis is awesome. You may autocross it once to shock some people.

Like taking a hippo barrel racing!

The second floor pan fabbed up...........

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psfr7awft8.jpg

Mocked up the engine and trans..............

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...pseufaiato.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psepwxjtcp.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psuwazhjfi.jpg

first cut on the trans tunnel................

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0ivv5nkr.jpg

These headers are just to die for IMO! The steering shaft will take a bit of creativity!

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psbq7pvbwg.jpg

Man, that car brings back memories! My folks had a ‘59 Belair 4-door that same color when I was growing up. I remember hanging out the windows from the back seat.

Great project. Thanks for posting!

I see you found Tracy's purse.............Congrats !!!!!!!!!!

Looks like a really cool project Tim! I admire your ambition. Subscribing.

Cool car, Tim. It was sold right down the road from me and lived in Austin. I spoke with a good friend in Milwaukee today and it sounds like you've had plenty of time this winter to work on a project if your garage is heated.

You are correct.................9 days of snow.

The shop is heated, the fridge is cold!

That is bad ass!!!!! And I can't finish a stock 70 Z28 resto!
Buddy

Quote:

Originally Posted by x77-69z28 (Post 1391455)

That is bad ass!!!!! And I can't finish a stock 70 Z28 resto!
Buddy

It helps when you have a buddy......................who has a fabrication business......................who likes you.........................and is fair with you........................that is very efficient.

Wow, some beautiful work there, and a really cool car. Can't wait to see more.

Why is the exhaust rigid welded to the frame? Me thinks that is going to crack the hanger welds after some driving

----Look up front just after the headers and you will see why he can do this.......Bill S

Got my Wegner Motorsports accessory drive installed. All I can say is WOW!

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psbymeszh9.jpg

Steering is mocked up..........

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psinwueeiu.jpg

I'll take the opportunity to give a shout out to Ididit. I purchased one of their columns about 7 years ago. The top of the column had become sloppy. When calling them for parts, they asked for the serial number and told me where to find it.
Without asking for dates, proof of purchase.....................asked nothing...........They offered to repair the column, free of charge. All I had to do was ship it to them. What a pleasant surprise.

Tore apart the headlight buckets for blasting and power coat
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psibatxvzo.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psoc4fyktl.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by olredalert (Post 1392265)

----Look up front just after the headers and you will see why he can do this.......Bill S

All newer cars have that isolator joint on them and they still hang/dampen the rest of the exhaust.
I'd think you'd hear the exhaust vibrations resonating in the pipes and through the frame. Dunno.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt S (Post 1393104)

All newer cars have that isolator joint on them and they still hang/dampen the rest of the exhaust.
I'd think you'd hear the exhaust vibrations resonating in the pipes and through the frame. Dunno.

True ...

If the only flex point is at that front section and everything else is rigid mounted to the frame I think its still going to break/shear one of the mounts off near the tailpipe. These are long cars and since he's running the pipes all the way out the back, you'd want to dampen the pipes along the way with rubber or even better, urethane. Will create less vibration throughout the cabin as well as allow the tail sections the ability to move around a little as the car is running. Just my 2 cents ...

I'll add that I worked enough with vehicle NVH issues that I am sensitive to noise transmission paths. Putting rubber dampeners in the joints (sandwich style) so it's not steel-on-steel would help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow wagon (Post 1393719)

The rest of the mounts have urethane mounts at each point.