70 Chevelle Convertible Resto

[BlueSS454]

I finally drug the convertible into the shop tonight. The first thing I did was pull the front clip and the deck lid and throw them in the scrap pile. Next thing to do is run over to the steel yard to pick up some 1" square tube stock so I can cage up the cab section so it doesn't move when I cut it apart. Updates are going to be slim for the next month or so. I have to get a couple more pieces (deck lid, cowl shoulders, fenders, & hood). I plan on doing a marathon week or 2 to hammer out the metal work on the cab section. I have to replace just about everything except the firewall.
Here are some pics in the shop.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5073.jpg
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[BlueSS454]

Baltimore car with some of the firewall markings visible. I can read the 13667, but there is something else above it that was behind the firewall wiring gutter, but I can only make out a 2

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5087.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5091.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5092.jpg

[CC Rider]

This is gonna be fun!

[SS427]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlueSS454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Baltimore car with some of the firewall markings visible. I can read the 13667, but there is something else above it that was behind the firewall wiring gutter, but I can only make out a 2

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5087.jpg
</div></div>

Looks like maybe &quot;802&quot;. If you have the build sheet, check in box 1 for the job sequence number. Usually hand written or stamped and sometimes written on the firewall. When it comes time to stripping, use plastic media at a very low pressure. The grease pencil markings will leave a stain in the bare metal and are much easier to read.

[BlueSS454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlueSS454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Baltimore car with some of the firewall markings visible. I can read the 13667, but there is something else above it that was behind the firewall wiring gutter, but I can only make out a 2

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5087.jpg
</div></div>

Looks like maybe &quot;802&quot;. If you have the build sheet, check in box 1 for the job sequence number. Usually hand written or stamped and sometimes written on the firewall. When it comes time to stripping, use plastic media at a very low pressure. The grease pencil markings will leave a stain in the bare metal and are much easier to read.
</div></div>

That might make some sense Rick. There is an 0802 on the cowl tag, no build sheet though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5092.jpg

[SS427]

Yep. that is what that is. It is also found on the build sheet (if you had one) in the bottom right corner of box 24.

[Postsedan]

Tom,

What a fun project. What color are you going with? I`m sure it may and will change up until the day you actually spray it on.
Keep us posted.

Dan

[BlueSS454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tom,

What a fun project. What color are you going with? I`m sure it may and will change up until the day you actually spray it on.
Keep us posted.

Dan </div></div>

Dan,

That was the one thing I had my mind made up on this car....going with the original Autumn Gold, black stripes, black top, black interior. The only thing I'm undecided on is bench of bucket seats. The cowl tag calls for a white top, but I don't think I can do white top &amp; stripes on a gold car with a black gut. I think that would look kind of akward.

[BlueSS454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yep. that is what that is. It is also found on the build sheet (if you had one) in the bottom right corner of box 24. </div></div>

Rick, out of curiosity, does it have any significance or just one of those random plant/assembly line things?

[CC Rider]

Tom, how about painting it red with '69 D96 stripes, then park it next to Don Gray's '69 with the '70-'72 hood and deck stripes. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[Postsedan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69SUPERSPORT396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tom, how about painting it red with '69 D96 stripes, then park it next to Don Gray's '69 with the '70-'72 hood and deck stripes. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif </div></div>

I do believe I know what Tom`s answer is going to be <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

Dan

[BlueSS454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69SUPERSPORT396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tom, how about painting it red with '69 D96 stripes, then park it next to Don Gray's '69 with the '70-'72 hood and deck stripes. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif </div></div>

How hysterical would that be.

[BlueSS454]

I spent the weekend bracing and cutting apart the convertible. Yesterday I built a cage in the cab to keep it from twisting and chopped most of the floor out. Today I removed the rear seat divider, B pillar braces (what a major pain that was), chopped out the rest of the floor, and cut the rockers out. I have some rust repair to do on the A pillars and the quarter window support panel in the back then I can fit the floor in. I might have that done next weekend. Once the floor is in, I can start cutting out the trunk, wheel houses, quarters, and deck filler panel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5468.jpg
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[markinnaples]

Wow

[kwhizz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow </div></div>


Wow!! Wow!!

[JoeG]

Excedrin Wow!!!!!!!!..........but looks like you're in control........

[MrsBillyBobcat]

WOW!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

[Mr. Chevy]

I think the autumn gold with white top and stripes would be KILLER &amp; very unique!! I LIKE!!!

Just my .02

Rich

[SS427]

Wow is right and looks pretty familiar. Seems like most 70 Chevelles we do especially the convertibles are in similar shape. Not for the faint of heart that is for sure. It is certainly better than junking the car.

[ohhawk]

A color combo rarely seen on a '70 vert.....I like it. Good luck to you.

http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/32184/2642856670048869335S500x500Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2642856670048869335GVBKke)

[Schonyenko2]

Seems that if they set out for a while, the top rots away. Then they fill up the floor with water until it rots away. Then you have what this gentlman is fixing. I have a 66 not quite that bad, but pushin it.
Nice brace work.

[x Baldwin Motion]

Wow is right. A ton of work there. Are the quarters salvageable?
It looks a cowl and firewall that needs a car, good luck !!

[BlueSS454]

I've been debating on how I'm going to do the car color combo wise. It is an original Autumn Gold with black interior and white top. If I do the white top I have to put white stripes on it to be correct. I don't really know if I like that personally. It will definitely be Autumn Gold with black interior, but I am leaning towards black top and black stripes especially now that I have seen a picture of one <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif. The other debate is bucket or bench seat interior. It's suppose to be a bench and you don't see a whole lot of bench seat 4 speed Chevelles around.

The quarters are not salvageable pretty much like the rest of the car. Here is a list of what is getting replaced...

Quarters
Fenders
Complete floor with rocker panels and braces
Complete trunk floor with braces
Trunk floor drop offs/extensions
Deck Filler panel
Complete rear wheel houses
Tail panel
Hood
Deck Lid
Windshield Bridge
Rear Seat divider
Top Frame Header Bow

I'm not touching the cowl panel since there is the VIN tag issue with the cowl. It's not that bad of a job, I've done one already but I don;t want to deal with the stuff over removing the VIN tag should I ever sell the car. As for the firewall, the reproduction pieces don't have the detail of the original. The A pillars need some attention, but that's no big deal. I have another set of original doors to use. The B pillar braces are kinda shot so I'm either going to have to find another pair of good ones from a parts car or see if they are available new.

[BlueSS454]

Few more pics. Dealing with some rot at the bottom of the door hinge posts. I'm working on fabricating pieces to weld in. This is a very difficult area to reach with cutting tools so it's taking me a little longer than I figured. I'd really rather have a clean parts car to chop this stuff out of but I'll make due with what I have. I also ordered what I hope is the rest of the metal pieces I need which include Inner &amp; Outer cowl boxes for both sides, rear seat divider, windshield frame bridge, front floor sections, and a CI hood from AMD. I really should put a cowl and firewall in this thing too but I don't want to mess with the VIN tag or have the partial VIN stampings missing off the firewall.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5505.jpg
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[CC Rider]

Wow! Major rot!

[BlueSS454]

Fixed it today <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif I still have some grinding of welds and trimming to do and 1 small piece to weld in, then the floor can go in.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible/IMG_5537.jpg
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[CC Rider]

I was wondering when you would start attaching metal to the car!