1966 Chateau Slate L78 Chevelle

[OneStopRestoration]

Had some restoration progress. Car has been gapped, taken apart, and in the following shots the right rear quarter was removed and an original taken apart and fitted. When I took the quarter off the car I did indeed find that the car had been tagged as the original owner had stated. The body shop never did a great job and to save the vinyl top cut the quarter in just above the vinyl top trim. Even the out wheels house(which was original had crinkles in it from the accident). I was lucky and found a full original quarter plus inner and outer wheel house to fix all the damage and rust.

[OneStopRestoration]

I also found an original trunk floor from a 66, cut it in two and re assembled it into the trunk. There are not enough words to describe the beauty of using original GM metal, it just FITS! Funny thing I still had some rust to contend with in this beautifully preserved trunk, and even replaced one of the floor braces underneath because it filled with dirt and just destroyed it.

[OneStopRestoration]

Once the major rust repair was contended with I was able to separate body from frame. One interesting thing to note, frame on this car was made by Pontiac. Stamped on the left rear rail is PON followed by 5 4 66 2.

[cook_dw]

Nice progress.. Keep the photos coming.

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

There's nothing like original Rust!! it's just different than today's rust LOL

Get ER done Rick!!

[OneStopRestoration]

My favorite step, getting rid of all the old crud and things down to clean metal

[Xplantdad]

Looking good!

[big gear head]

Nice! Be sure to check that frame for cracks around the right front lower control arm mount.

Can anyone tell me why these cars had that large squared off corner in the left rear wheel well? I've never been able to figure out why that is there.

[OneStopRestoration]

Big Gear Head,

I have wondered the same about the squared off wheel well. Maybe someone with a deeper understanding can chime in? In reply to frame cracks, appears the car was used as intended. I found cracks in the front cross member engine mount holes, 2 bolt hole locations, one for each left and right motor mounts. Also found cracks in the SS frame supports in the rear. I wanted to show everyone the unique A arm pockets in the front cross member. Like I stated before car has a PON frame under it.

[OneStopRestoration]

This was really hard to capture, but after lightly blasting the firewall I found the following "13817 / 78 / M20" It is very hard to capture with the camera but its there. Made me smile. Im curious on input. It appears this was chalked under the black paint..........that what other experts have found?