I've done about 65-70% of mine and climbing. (Time) Wouldn't have it any other way. Nobody has your taste. You need the skills and tools to build a really well put together car however. It does save a boat load of cash. I've probably saved $30,000-$40,000 in labor.


http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ck1969/1-2.jpg

Geeezus Todd, every time I see your car I start drooling.:hail:

Did you take that pic? It is a killer shot of an outstanding car to say the least. You absolutley nailed it. I think that is how a '69 should look.

If you parked in front of Disney Land you would get all your investment back selling tickets to ride in it. I'd be first in line.

Thanks buddy....I did take that picture.:thumbsup:

Hey Todd, even though I have a '70, I just put yours up as my wallpaper. When mine is done I'll put it up then.
What are you using for a camera there? I have a couple of digital ones but nothing too exotic. I have been wanting to upgrade to something nicer, then I can use my other ones for "garage duty" during the build.

It's a Nikon D80. I noticed they just came out with a D90 that has HD video as well. They also have a new lower priced camera than the D90 that has video. I'm happy with my camera. It does a really nice job of making me look good when I'm not the best photographer. I took about 300 shots that afternoon into night and got probably 20 I really liked.:D

I'll have to look into the D90 or the other new one with video.
How's the suspension/ rear end issues going? Is it all back together and on the road? I was following along on the rear axle/brake posts, I can't understand why two major companies like that can't get things dialed in. Either way, I'm glad you posted the problem and the fix because I am going to use pretty much the same set up and I would have gone nuts trying to figure it out. Thanks.
I got my block finally and the guy I bought it from is doing the prep on it. I should be ordering the rotating assembly in the next week or two. I am really stoked! How's yours running?

I stubbornly did the frame-off restoration in my garage with the exception of the final layers of blue and clear. I delivered the car in pieces to the painter and he was quite surprised(and disappointed $$$) that he didn't have much work to do. I also paid an upholstery shop to install the rear cover on the rear seat just because I knew they'd get it right. If I was to do it all over again, I would probably pay to have a bit more media blasting done instead of stripping nearly everything myself(just kill me please) and also the headliner.

Bravo to all the guys in this thread who have posted and done a lot of the work themselves. We should all meet up and find a place to get drunk and fall down. :cheers:

bump ttt.. Is this the end??

Here is a pic of my bird, more or less done. Everything was done by me in my 2 car garage seen in the background with the exception of the paint, which was done by my Dad's neighbor in a 1 car garage, LOL!

When I get around to wet-sanding and buffing it, I hope it looks like Todd's!:cheers:

Did mine in the "Garage"...


http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3238/1000407y.jpg

Heres what I really want to know in my opinion anyone can turn nuts and bolts but how many people actually did all the body work example new sheet metal quarters etc. Without having any prior experience because I'm getting dangerously close to this process and I'm debating whether to spend my years savings and have a professional do it or spend money on tools and products needed to do it myself.I mean is there ever a point where you just think to yourself man i wish i would have paid someone to do this? The one thing i dont want to do is try to tackle a job like this and end up with a car that is misaligned and be out thousands of dallars!

I think that leads to questions of the level of perfection you desire. A person who has experience in a trade like bodywork and has the eye and talent is going to be able to do a better job than you can and in less time. The question becomes how "perfect" do you expect the car to be?

Well I would want it to be damn near flawless I'm the kind of person that wants it to be right the first time because now that i start to think about it if you weld a panel just a hair off you can only grind so much to get it even or worse you think it's even then it gets painted and it sticks out like a sore thumb.but i do realize me being an amateur with body work it would not be perfect.i guess my question would be is it really worth it to buy the tools and learn to do it yourself? or is there to much risk involved? and is it really as hard as it looks to be?

I think it'd be worth it to buy the tools and do it yourself. Especially if you plan on doing more than one project in the future. There is a wealth of information at your fingertips and plenty of people on these forums that are more than willing to lend a hand or offer solid advice. I say buy the tools and go for it. Planning is everything.

X2, it all depends on how perfect you want it and how much time you can dedicate to a project. You also have to know a little bit about yourself? Have you done anything in the past which would help you get a car together? I've painted a few cars, done some bodywork, and mechanical work. I'm not an expert, but I just don't have the cash to throw down on a custom build. My only choices are to do pretty much everything on my own (with the help of some good friends from time to time) or not have a classic car in my garage. I have found that some of the stuff I was nervous about like replacing quarter panels was not as technical as I thought. Lots of time and work, but it's getting there. I can accept that my car will never be as nice as some of the custom builders on here, but they do it for a living. When it's done, I can say, yes, I built that :thumbsup:

I did alot of the bodywork on mine, luckily I didn't need new quarters and stuff but I did all the rust repair and bondo work.

Ridiculous
 

It is ridiculous how simple this photo appears and makes the car jump at you. As a photographer i can really appreciate this shot. Plus I love everything about this ride.

Very true. When I think of a black 69 this car always comes to mind.

Incredible picture! Amazing car!:thumbsup:

Now I love Todd's car but I'm a little confused he said he did 65-70% of the work himself but didn't he send this car originally a green 69 to frank at prodigy customs to have the body and paint and the engine put in? now i could be wrong? and this is by no means a stab at you Todd because either way the cars bad ass i would just like to know what you personally have done to the car because I'm about to jump into my car and try to tackle the car work myself.

I stand corrected on the engine i think he did put that in himself but after i read his project thread it looks like they just did the suspension and body

23 years old, first old car, i work in a bank... i am obsessed with a 69 camaro!
 

So far all of mine is done in my garage. Including all body work, my own custom design/built rear suspension, my own mini-tub, and firewall flush. Even made my own hood, and made my own C4/C5 Z06 brake conversion. Now doing a LSx conversion with my own engine mounts, and custom dash was going to go with a 4th gen dash but decided to do it my own way and I plan on doing the interior. This is the only way I can afford the car in my brain. If I had to shop any of it out. I couldn't afford it. Life happens, it has taken me 25 years to get to this point. A real family mans budget here. Yes, it isn't as pristine as some on these sites, but I can say it is all me.
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...h_DSC05439.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...h_DSC05412.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...h_DSC05425.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...h_DSC06136.jpg

You should be proud man. It looks like you are doing a great job.

X2^^^^^ Looking great, and ALL with your own two hands. :cheers:

Lookin nice.

DMC,,, welcome from Centre ,Al. glad to see you here!!!

here's mine after 3 years. the mustang is a car that my brother built a few years ago. the new owner added the wheels and air ride.

So far everything has had my two hands involved...although I'm pretty sure the local authorities weren't exactly happy with me painting the car in my garage... something about it not being a OSHA approved jobsite :rofl:

OSHA has a funny way of looking at box fans and furnace filters mounted in 2X4 frames for a filtration system. I know my garage door does not qualify as explosion proof either. :rofl: :rofl:

If you want it done right do it yourself!!!!!
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/SNC00002.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/SNC00089.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/Coupe005.jpg

GOOD JOB guys this is were it started.:lateral:

Lots of nice rides coming out of home garages. I plan on building one the same way someday

Lost thread?? No new rides from Home ??
 

Have we ended this thred,??? No new rides from our homes ??Have our wives run us out ?? keep -um coming !!!

Mines is being built in my 2 car garage. So far i have done all the body work and paint, suspension. I still need lots of work but ill get there with more time and money:rolleyes: Click on my link for more pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ars/car040.jpg

Thanks for keeping tread alive!!! visted your Photo bucket ! great job, Care to work on my junk ??

i'm building mine in the home garage also. i will bring it to work for paint though.:thumbsup:

https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=26421

Mine is garage built. I would never work on it outside.

:lol: :thumbsup:

100% garage built so far, well except for the powdercoat on the subframe. Sheetmetal, motor, rear-end, and paint, will all be done by......me :D

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...d/IMGP0477.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...tos00000-1.jpg