Quote:
Originally Posted by L78M22Rag
A lot of the damage occurred because someone pulled the windshield out of the car a long time ago. The floors are badly rusted, but so far I can't see that it affected the frame.
My plan is to replace the floor and trunk with new panels, repair the rust on the dash (below the windshield), repair the rust around the windshield and below the rear window, and install a new vinyl top which will hopefully cover much of those repairs. If the frame is solid, I plan to install a correct drivetrain and freshen up the brakes, steering and suspension so that I can drive the car. I also plan on putting a clean original black bench seat interior back in the car and go through the dash wiring, etc. Once all that is done, I plan to enjoy the car for a while! I'll eventually give some more thought to whether I just want to do isolated repairs to the bottoms of the fenders and quarters or do a more thorough restoration.
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Now that I've had more time and a better understanding of what the car needs, I have a big decision to make.
Thanks to Dan Vasic for giving my Chevelle a detailed initial examination when the car arrived. There is more examination work to do....
* The Chevelle still wears its original factory Daytona Yellow paint everywhere except on both quarters which have been repaired and painted (a long time ago judging by the patina).
* Fortunately, the frame appears to be in great shape. The bottom of the Chevelle is full of dried red clay, which apparently saved the frame from rusting away.
* In addition to the metal work I planned (the floor, trunk-floor, dash, front and rear windows), both quarters ought to be replaced in order to properly repair the rear window. Likewise, the trunk lip and filler panel below the rear window need to be replaced.
After those repairs, I would have an unrestored Chevelle with noticeable paint work on some parts of the car.... which begs the question, should the car receive a total restoration? The car certainly deserves a proper restoration (being an original L78 4-speed), but I hadn't planned on taking on that major of a project with everything else I have on my plate.
With Dan's help, I have purchased a running and ready-to-drop-in original L78 motor with a D 8 9 casting date, which is perfect for the Chevelle's 04D build date.
So..... now what? Is anyone else looking for a Daytona Yellow Chevelle SS L78 with a bench seat, 4-speed, tilt steering, vinyl top, etc.?