My Supercar [Archive] - The Supercar Registry

Dicky

10-20-2011, 08:15 AM

I'm going to attempt posting a mostly pictorial build of one of my projects. Bear with me as I try and tell the story as it goes along. I've been working on it for about 3yrs. & it is getting closer to being finished.

It started out life as a '74 Vega GT. When I purchased the car it had seen a life of drag racing for many years and several owners.
My idea was to bring it back to the mid-70's as a full on Pro-Stock race car reminicent of something you might see at a local track in the day.
The only additions would be modernizing some of the drive train and updating the safety systems. But for the most part I want it to look somewhat period correct even though there are things about it that are very current.
So please keep that in mind as you view/read and critique.
It has been fun and helps me to understand the trials, all of you Supercar owners go through in completing and restoring your vehicles.

Dicky <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-20-2011, 08:17 AM

This is the trailer ride home and to be de-constructed.

More pics tomorrow.
Dicky <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

mockingbird812

10-20-2011, 01:04 PM

Cool - can't wait!

Xplantdad

10-20-2011, 03:40 PM

Me too! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

92646

10-20-2011, 04:00 PM

Oh I enjoy these things, please keep the pictures coming.

CC Rider

10-20-2011, 05:01 PM

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dicky

10-20-2011, 06:44 PM

Since this has been such a long endeavor my pictures are not always in the order that meets the chronologic timing of progress.

Dicky

10-20-2011, 06:51 PM

More prior to disassembly. You can see the "quality" of the work, and it had a current Chassis Certificate with this "quality" <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/mad.gif

Dicky

10-20-2011, 07:16 PM

CUT THE CRAP

Dicky

10-20-2011, 07:26 PM

Wait until you see this ! ! !

Dicky

10-20-2011, 07:31 PM

GET READY HERE IT COMES

Dicky

10-20-2011, 07:34 PM

After removing most of the mild steel & bubble gum; Fab Man has had enough!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif

More later.

Dicky <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

mockingbird812

10-20-2011, 07:41 PM

So you are saying that you would have preferred the beads to be complete AND even? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

Good stuff Dicky - keep it coming!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

Dicky

10-20-2011, 08:00 PM

Sam, the story behind that is...

The NHRA chassis inspector was in town doing some inspects.
Even though I had 1yr. left on this certification I paid him to come over to my shop and give me a recurrent insp.
Well the main hoop did not pass the ultra sound by .001"
in one short section.
So he says that he won't recertify it but will leave the current Chassis cert. go for the remaining 12mo. "Because it looks to be a pretty STOUT cage". <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

Yes I did talk to the folks in Glendora,CA about his action, their reply was "the division Chassis guys make their own calls" <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/mad.gif

So.. out comes the sawzall. My opinion -"if its not good for a new 3yr. term it sure as Hell won't do for another season"
Thank God we gutted it.

Dicky <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

kwhizz

10-20-2011, 08:05 PM

Welcome to the "Club".............And so it begins......We've all been there.....But, you are doing the "Right" thing, Enjoy!!!

mockingbird812

10-20-2011, 08:09 PM

Let's see, Dicky is a retired aircraft mechanic. Don't we have another one of those dudes around here only alot more grumpy<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif? This should be a good lesson for all of us on attention-to-detail. Bring it Dicky!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

markinnaples

10-20-2011, 09:23 PM

Looks like they made up for the lack of quality with quantity, lol.

m22mike

10-20-2011, 11:03 PM

I got some grumpy for you boy.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif
Nice work Dicky, some of those welds look like mine.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/sick.gif

Xplantdad

10-20-2011, 11:16 PM

Enjoying it so far Dicky! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

Dicky

10-21-2011, 12:08 AM

Lets lay some new PIPE
Every time I used that term, my Fab guy would come unglued "it's TUBING, and don't forget it" <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/mad.gif

Dicky <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif

markjohnson

10-21-2011, 12:19 AM

Some very nice fish-mouthing there with the close fitting tubing and welds.

Dicky

10-21-2011, 12:23 AM

This is one of those deals where this conversation takes place:

"Well instead of fixing the one small tubing problem; while we are in there we might as well just start over" ok <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif

"Oh yea, we're going to have to replace all the Aluminum sheet metal, while we're in there" ok <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif

"and these rear quarters are crap with fiberglass & bondo flares, can you find some sheet metal?" ok <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif

"and as long as we're doing that you might as well get new paint" ok <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif

More later.

OK, Dicky <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Smokey

10-21-2011, 01:43 AM

You found a good one that makes pretty welds like my pops. I wish more guys would crank out nice work like that. Walking around the local drag strips here you see alot of what you had cut out of your car.

kwhizz

10-21-2011, 01:47 AM

Dicky...........That's "More Gooder"........LOL

mockingbird812

10-21-2011, 02:02 AM

Sharp Dicky!

jannes_z-28

10-21-2011, 08:55 AM

That must have been an old chassi with some "add-ons".

Your new stuff looks a lot more classy.

When I used to build racecars (30 years ago) we drilled a small hole in every joint of the tubes. In that way the whole structure were connected for air pressure testing. We welded on an airhose connection, filled her up and listened for leaks. Did that after every race to find any cracks.

Jan

Dog427435

10-21-2011, 11:41 PM

Looking GOOD!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif Love those Vega's!!

Keep it coming!

Dicky

10-23-2011, 02:32 PM

Remember those not so nice rear qtr's?
I finally found some new that were suppose to be American sheetmetal. However they were located in Canada...Who knows!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif at this point it really didn't matter, if you've ever tried to find replacement sheet metal for a Ralph Nader Reject <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/laugh.gif

BTW the marker light holes were filled also.

Dicky <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-23-2011, 02:36 PM

Same treatment on R/H side.

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-23-2011, 02:48 PM

Now it's time for new TUBS etc.

They were ultimately lined with 3/16' black lexan to prevent rock damage to the aluminum. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Alss

10-23-2011, 03:00 PM

Holy crap!...very nice work!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

kwhizz

10-23-2011, 03:05 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Holy crap!...very nice work!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif </div></div>

Fast Too!!............

Xplantdad

10-23-2011, 04:01 PM

Very nice!

Dicky

10-23-2011, 05:30 PM

Fast Too!!............

Yea Ken, this guy can do quite abit of work in one day with me standing over him with a BIG STICK.LOL <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

I'm guessing this is some where after about 3mo's, since he was working on 4 other projects at the same time..He is awsome!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-23-2011, 05:46 PM

Time for some various sheetmetal replacements.
If at anytime this gets to boring and repetative, someone let me know, and I might consider going direct to the finished product. (maybe)

Dicky

10-23-2011, 05:52 PM

This is FAB guy again after such grueling work
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif

Dicky

10-23-2011, 05:57 PM

If at any time this picture show gets to boring and repetative, just let me know and I will consider going right to the finished product (maybe)

Dicky

10-23-2011, 06:18 PM

CONTINUED...


Instrument panel

CC Rider

10-23-2011, 06:41 PM

I love these kinds of threads! Great work! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dicky

10-23-2011, 07:08 PM

I'll finish for now with LAYING some PIPE !!!
Fab Man let me get away with saying PIPE "just this once"

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

p.s. "while were in there lets enlarge those tubes and get them off the ground" ok <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

Dicky

10-24-2011, 01:47 AM

Sheetmetal continued... Doors

Dicky

10-24-2011, 01:58 AM

TEST FIT FOR THE OLD FAT GUY... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Smokey

10-24-2011, 01:59 AM

He can sure hump getting his work done quick and nice nice....Are you sure your not messing with us as he has been at it for 4 months?

By the looks of it, it should be painted by next weekend! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

Dicky

10-24-2011, 02:20 AM

After completing all sheetmetal; building all new ss brake lines; build new upper & lower control arms (header interference); build mounts for new heat exchangers (coolant & xmssn oil); and a variety of things I've forgotten, we totally disassemble everything and head to the painters shop.

A side note:

Guess who's in town from Canada doing chassis inspects??? YEP, Mr. Div.6 (Truly a very nice guy)
so lets drop by and see how his ultra-sound machine is working!!
Then the paint shop. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-24-2011, 02:36 AM

PAINT SHOP

Dicky

10-24-2011, 02:45 AM

Remember this non -'74 grille?

Dicky

10-24-2011, 02:49 AM

I gotta mow the hay for the last time this year tomorrow, then we'll throw some color on the VEGANATOR.

Good night, DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

mockingbird812

10-24-2011, 03:24 AM

Great stuff Dicky! Please do NOT skip ahead. Would love to see ALL progress.
Thanks and good luck with the hay! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

Xplantdad

10-24-2011, 03:30 AM

Very.....very cool!

Dicky

10-24-2011, 07:11 PM

Smokey

enthusiast

Registered: 09/07/08
Posts: 291
Loc: minnesota usa

He can sure hump getting his work done quick and nice nice....Are you sure your not messing with us as he has been at it for 4 months?

By the looks of it, it should be painted by next weekend!

See POST introduction.
Smokey, the car is nearly done; as this project started somewhere in the late summer or fall of 2007. So I've had some time to collect 300-400+ pictures of the project. I guess I should try and date the progress as I post.

The Fab Shop had the car for a dozen months or so and the paint shop for 8-9 months not real sure of exact times, then back to Fab for a couple of months for finishing, then took a year or more off and went back to Fab for a couple more months to finish up some loose ends....blah blah blah.. you understand how time and money just get away from you <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

Anyway if you want a time line, the chassis inspection that you see in the pictorial was just replaced 10-22-2011 for a new 3yr 25.4 cert. Sorry for the confusion.

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-24-2011, 07:25 PM

Since it's raining on my lawn mowing duties and I can't make hay...

I'll post some paint pics and will try to keep it brief...

Every color in the RAINBOW <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/laugh.gif

Dicky

10-24-2011, 07:32 PM

Rework after tubs were reinstalled. Seems as though they got bigger waiting on paint.. LOL <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Plowman

10-24-2011, 07:36 PM

That thing is looking good and cool. Nice work for raining day. Paul

Dicky

10-24-2011, 08:01 PM

Now for some graphics and artwork.
 <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dicky

10-24-2011, 08:07 PM

CONTINUED....

Some initial ideas


DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-24-2011, 08:19 PM

Modified to my own conception...

Dicky

10-24-2011, 08:24 PM

Rear qtrs. complete with side marker lights.

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

ps. yes I know you're all wondering about the girl... it's my wife's High School graduation picture. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif LOL

Dicky

10-24-2011, 09:08 PM

MORE ARTWORK...

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-24-2011, 09:32 PM

THREE THINGS ABOUT THIS PICTURE...

1] for all you Chevy guys that know more about them than God; I know GT's came with clear park/turn signal lenses. However amber looked better on this car color.

2] the painter originally painted the headlamps as Sylvania's. I told him "to my knowledge GM never sent a car out their door with anything other than AC T-3's." So I got to pay for the correction. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/mad.gif

3] you can see my sport stipe layout. LOL

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-24-2011, 09:57 PM

ADDING SOME CHROME TRIM

THEN 3 DIFFERENT House of Kolors golds & oranges

AND THE D88 sport stripe

BTW I had trouble deciding on Gold Leaf vs.Paint for period correctness...

Dicky

10-24-2011, 09:59 PM

More later...

Dicky <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-29-2011, 05:37 AM

Finally back @ the Fab Shop

Get rolling gear off; and clean up paint shop debris.

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Plowman

10-29-2011, 10:34 AM

That is so cool loking. Paul

mockingbird812

10-29-2011, 04:22 PM

Awesome Dicky. You've got to be stoked!!

Dicky

10-29-2011, 04:59 PM

Thanks guys, it is pretty. LOL <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif.
I changed so many things that I hope it's at least as quick as it was previously. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-29-2011, 06:36 PM

Brakes & Lines

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-29-2011, 06:43 PM

Windows, Seals & Hardware

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-29-2011, 07:35 PM

Sheetmetal, sans the clecos... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-29-2011, 08:33 PM

ODDS & ENDS

Cooling heat exchanger & pump;
Fuel pump & filter;
New stainless plumbing;
Eng. oil accumulator;
Build new upper & lower control arms (header contact issue);
Shocks & springs;
Steering rack;
Rocker covers;
Distributer;
Cage padding; Orange Aid (http://www.stbarinc.com/orange-aid/index.html)
AND ON AND ON.....

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

10-29-2011, 08:54 PM

Wiring to come...
DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Xplantdad

10-30-2011, 04:46 AM

Looks great!

mockingbird812

10-30-2011, 04:57 AM

That is a GO-FAST piece of Art Dicky. Terrific attention to detail! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

Dicky

10-30-2011, 09:30 PM

I've had a couple of people asking who did the work on my car. So I'll just give that info on this post for reference:

FabShop Industries
Billings, Mont.
owner: Andre' Truchot
406-671-4884

Trackside Auto Body
Billings Mont.
owner: Kevin VanLaarhoven
Click Here. (http://tracksideautobody.com/custom.html)

Dicky

11-03-2011, 12:24 AM

Back to the shop after 18 months on HOLIDAY from car.
I had taken the car back to my shop to complete the remaining items and got lazy and didn't get much done. (insert 18mo holiday) Since Fab man had to rebuild wheelie bars; I decided to take sometime & revisit Montana. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif With the idea that I would finish the wiring & plumbing & he could do his thing.
SEE HOW HAPPY HE IS TO SEE ME!!!
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

Here we are 2K miles later.

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

11-03-2011, 12:29 AM

Batts & Main Disconnect-I made up all the cables w/00 AWG & soldered & crimped all.

SS427

11-03-2011, 01:31 AM

Boy does this build bring back some memories!

Dicky

11-03-2011, 04:50 AM

NOW FOR SOME SMALL WIRE....

All terminals were crimped then heat shrink applied after removing all the cheezy plastic insulators on them. Then all the components were connected to the wiring with weather-tite connectors. And of course all the wire bundles were run in flexible conduit.

DH <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dicky

11-03-2011, 05:38 AM

WE'RE GETTING CLOSE....

Andre' built the new wheelie bars and dropped them at the powdercoater's in the afternoon; And I went back and picked them up at 12:30 AM so we could go to the track for some shakedown runs the next morning. We ran taps thru the threads while they were still almost to hot to hold onto...

And a couple pics at the track...

Dicky

11-03-2011, 05:43 AM

Now just some small appearance items, like all the decals/stickers, sponsors names(all period correct) and I will get them posted up soon...

Thanks for watching. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

Dicky <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Xplantdad

11-03-2011, 05:51 AM

AWESOME! Lets see some video sir! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

VintageMusclecar

11-03-2011, 02:46 PM

Great thread! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

What's the combo and what did it run?

Dicky

09-29-2013, 10:07 PM

I was just looking at this thread again and realized I had not answered a question. The combo is a 565 BBC tall deck, powerglide, Ford 9" w/4.56 and runs 9.12 avg. @ Denver Bandimere. Put in new 4.30 this spring when a licensing driver hit the trans brake button before it had shifted to 2nd. I put in a 5 sec. interrupt in the delay box, and had trans completely rebuilt, driveline straightened, the new 4.30 gears and FabShop built a new set of wheelie bars. The car locked completely up and went left across the center line on two wheels headed for the wall when the T brake released in time to let him steer clear of the wall, maybe by 10' The two wheel trick is what folded the wheelie bars.

Sorry for the delay in answering your question Vintage Musclecar.

Dicky