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Project Alchemy
alchemy: a medieval chemical philosophy having as its asserted aims the transmutation of base metals into gold
Pretty much sums up my '69 Camaro project. Turn a rust bucket into an awesome thing of beauty. Worth more than its weight in gold!! :dance: OK. OK. I'm not really that delusional, but you get the point. :) Actually, the color I'm considering at the moment is Botanical Green pearl that flops blackish. I've seen it on new Jags. The car will sport an SS hood and have black hockey stripes and 17inch Rally wheels. Alchemy will look like a generic 1969 RS Camaro. Nothing y'all haven't seen before. Nothing over-the-top fancy for looks. No bling. Very plain interior. Original seats. Original dash. No center console. No visible modern electronics. The goal is to have a simple '69 looking car that drives like a modern sports car. The typical sleeper. Like any sleeper, looks are deceiving. Here's are the goodies beginning to pile up at Best of Show: 402ci LS2 580H.P. Stroker from Turn Key Engine Tremec T56 Magnum DSE subframe DSE Quadralink DSE complete, ummm :_paranoid Ford 9" rear end DSE mini tubs DSE wiper motor DSE RS head lamp conversion kit Vintage Air Gen IV with electric controls Vintage Air front runner with A/C pump, alternator, PS pump & H2O pump Stainless steel gas tank for LS motor high output fuel pump American Auto wire harness Ron Davis radiator for LS motor Hooker header upgrade Wilwood 6 piston front and 4 piston rear brake kits Wilwood E brake cable Wilwood brake master cylinder Smoked side and rear glass Flaming River tilt steering column Here's Alchemy fresh out of the Mohave desert: https://photos.smugmug.com/Project-A...a8/XL/1-XL.jpg Here she is just before being sent out for media blasting: https://photos.smugmug.com/Project-A...a0d0/L/2-L.jpg and here's my son Trevor, master alchemist, working his magic on the rust bucket: https://photos.smugmug.com/Project-A...bd/X2/3-X2.jpg Thanks for checkin' out my build thread! |
Very cool. Should be a great project.
Great list of goodies too.:thumbsup: |
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http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...S/IMAG0093.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...S/IMAG0095.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...S/IMAG0096.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...S/IMAG0094.jpg Jesus and Chris kicked butt on the body. Here they are finishing off the acid treatment. They've already done the doors and fender, too. https://photos.smugmug.com/Project-A...edce/L/4-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Project-A...4e2e/L/5-L.jpg On to etch priming...... |
Very nice. Keep us posted.:thumbsup:
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I like the sleeper build style...(other than the Ford 9" :().
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Look's great.Please keep the photo's coming.:thumbsup: Scott
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another start to a nice project.
keep us posted |
gonna be a nice car. Very cool your son is helping :thumbsup:
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Sweet project your making nice progress.
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============================== Sheesh! Whoever said it never rains in Cal? The body, doors, fenders and panels have all been epoxy primered. Again, I forgot to take pics of the doors, hood and fenders. Crap! Here's the body, cowl grille vent, header and valence panels http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0151.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0131.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0132.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0133.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0152.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0154.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0155.jpg It's interesting to see the before and after of the right quarter. It's going have to be replaced. Really shoddy work done previously. Here it is as I got the car: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...n/SDC10060.jpg The damage really becomes noticeable here: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...p/IMAG0063.jpg And here's the full extent of what has to be dealt with. From back to front and a problem area at the bottom: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0143.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0144.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0145.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0146.jpg |
Also, the dash where it hides under the window has some issues:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0134.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0135.jpg Although I knew there was a rust problem with the left rear floor pan it turns out the left front has pinholes through it as well. Here's a pic of the rear: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0149.jpg Sans pics of the doors, fenders and hood that's where we stand. |
opinions wanted
Folks,
I thought I'd throw this out there for a little discussion and get some your opinions. I am quickly coming to a point where I'm gonna have to commit to the ultimate aesthetic design of Alchemy. Soon I’ll begin working with Casti for a rendering. I’m very lucky in that regard. :yes: I began this project with the goal of creating a so-called sleeper car. 1969 in appearance. 2010 in performance. Hears a picture of what I'd be perfectly happy having the car look like. I'd have slightly larger/wider wheels and tires, though. And, yes I do like vinyl tops. :unibrow: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...eyvinyltop.jpg However, I'm also really liking the idea of a modern dark green pearl paint that flops black. Black hockey stripes as well. To further complicate matters, I really like the Billet Specialties Legacy 2G wheels. Here's a pic of a Jag with the Botanical Green pearl paint showing its lighter shade: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...GreenJag-1.jpg And here's a pic showing its darker flop: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...icalGreen4.jpg Here's a link to a pic of the Billet Specialties Legacy 2G as well as a couple of pictures. Its powder coated Gray. http://www.billetspecialties.com/ite...d=128&pid=1086 http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...egacy2-G-1.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Legacy2-G2.jpg So, if I go with the Botanical Green and Legacy 2-G wheels have I deviated too far from an orginal 69ish look? Opinions appreciated. Thanks! |
I dig the dark green color, but IMHO the wheels don't fit the theme. Look into some billet ralley style wheels. Those might complete the look....
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Brian, nice to see you on here!
Here's my two cents... There is really no way of making a '69 Camaro with all DSE components, etc. look like a total sleeper. I mean, it is going to sit 3-4 inches lower than stock to begin with, and in my opinion, a car with that kind of stance looks way too intimidating to be stock. Down the street, Hot Rods built a '69 for a customer who wanted the exact same theme as you. Inside it had a vinyl interior with original seats, and under the hood it had a supercharged LSX making 700+ horsepower. It also had 19" HRE wheels, which became a dead giveaway that it wasn't an ordinary Camaro. It looks exactly exactly the way the description reads, which is a hot rod with a stock interior a clean body. When I saw it the word sleeper did not come to mind. At the end of the day, people who are interested in cars will know that you've got something really special, and people who aren't interested in cars often won't know or care. So, If it were me, I'd take the retro, understated theme, and apply it to everything. I'd get some wheels like this: http://driverzinc.com/static/images/...00x400_q85.jpg a pair of real comfortable seats that are simple and not race-car looking, and paint the car that Jaguar green because its an awesome color that you like. When you guys are all done with your car it is going to look so shiny that even a stock '69 color would look different on it. Besides, that green is an understated color which doesn't scream custom from 30 feet away like the 2010 Camaro Synergy Green does when painted on an old Camaro. Matt |
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Matt, contrary to my natural inclination :) I'm old enough to know life often involves compromises. However, if the BOS Men can swing it I'm going total 69 look on Alchemy. I'm also old enough to have watched Armstrong walk on the moon. :faint: Some said that couldn't be done, too. Anyhow, I want to push the envelope between 69 look and 2010 performance. Let's see what Chris, Jesus, Jon and D!ck can do in that regard. Of course, nothing's ever gonna happen 'cause of this freakin' rain! Couldn't get anything else done today so I took some pics of some goodies and my doors. BTW, I think Trevor's drool is about two inches thick on your car by now. He's sure not going retro with his 67. He thinks I'm an old fuddy dud and you're hip, slick and cool. :D http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/IMAG0187.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/IMAG0190.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0185.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0186.jpg SS hood is in pretty good shape except for one ding: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0191.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...d/IMAG0192.jpg |
update...
Grinding all done on inner fenders and bottom of hood. Bottom of hood to be acid treated and etch primed tomorrow.
Santa got caught up in the storms but, yesterday he finally managed to deliver the DSE suframe, Quadralink, rear end, tubs and wiper motor. Pics coming soon. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...AG0215-1-1.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...IMAG0217-1.jpg |
The parts look great.
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Found the very "sleeperish"wheels I was telling you about.
http://wheelvintiques.myshopify.com/...llye-90-series When I said you'd never have a total sleeper, I merely meant to say that there will always be crazy car people who will be able to tell you're not rockin' a Camaro that is entirely 1969. Everyone else on the other hand won't have the slightest clue it isn't original. I bet there will be more people than you'd imagine who would think you had a 1967 Camaro at a car show. Anyway, the point I was trying to get across earlier is that you can paint your car almost any color you want (so long as it doesn't resemble a bass boat) and most people will never think of it as being a pro-touring beast of a car. They'll likely realize the paint is way too nice to be the original coat, but they won't know it wasn't a factory color. I should have said earlier that do have every bit of confidence that you and the guys at the shop will be able to make a car that will be a real sleeper to most people on the street. Matt Matt |
x2 on the wheels Matt/Patch. That's exactly the look I was suggesting. And they do look killer on camaros....:thumbsup:
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Justin is lookin into the feasibility of 17 billets. |
Turn Key Engine delivered the LS2! :woot:
Me and Trev will be assembling the Vintage Air Front Runner soon. Here's the engine: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...2/SDC10068.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...2/SDC10077.jpg Here's the Front Runner: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...2/SDC10069.jpg And here's our work area: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/IMAG0227.jpg |
Very nice Bryan.:thumbsup:
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Casti did an AWESOME job rendering Alchemy. Particularly the Botanical Green color! No doubt it was challenging (pun intended :) )
Thanks Michael! :thumbsup: Here's the target: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2.../69Brian51.jpg Jon has me considering different wheel caps: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2.../69Brian61.jpg I like 'em both but do have a preference. I'm curious what Lat-g members think. Chime in if you feel like it. |
NIce looking rendering. I prefer the smaller disc brake caps.
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Looks awesome. I prefer the top rendering.:thumbsup:
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We've been busy with other stuff the last couple of weeks but Trevor and I did manage to get the Front Runner system installed:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...2/IMAG0234.jpg |
Awesome looking power plant.
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Nice looking setup! :thumbsup:
I also prefer the '67 style wheel caps with larger diameter Rallye Wheels because the later style caps always seem to stick out a little over the wheel trim ring. Unless you can get the wheel with a lip like the rear wheel has in the rendering? |
Great project.
I really want that vintage air front runner. The top rendering with the larger wheels caps has my vote:thumbsup: |
thought I'd post an update....
...and tell you about a positive experience I had with a vendor recently. We've been hearing lately about some negative experiences members have had with vendors and I think they should be outted.
Marquez Design was great to work with! You are outted Marquez! :) I recently ordered a lot of parts. There was a snafu with my email address. I called (after 5pm!) to get a copy of my receipt and Judas answered, corrected my email address and had a copy sent to me. All the things I ordered arrived after a couple weeks of placing my order! No months long wait! Here's some pics. My photography akills do not do these beauties justice. In a few days, I'll be putting up some pics of more bodywork done to my car. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/DSCN0215.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/DSCN0166.jpg |
Parts are so sweet Bryan! I got a pair of Marquesz driving lights too. They're almost too nice to install...:cool:
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Those are some sweet parts . I love thier stuff. More stuff to dream of.
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times for an update....
The BOS men are working at light speed.
A confession is in order. I probably should rename the project Never Say Never. :eek: For various reasons, too numerous to go into detail here, I decided to pitch the "sleeper/retro" look and go all in with an in-your-face PT car. :woot: Assuming we can get the paint code for Aston Martin's new Magagascar Orange it'll be the color of the car. Wheels are 18inch Fikse Classic Mags from Driver's Inc. Thanks Jon! :thumbsup: 9inch in front and 11inch in back. Nitto 555s with 265/35 in front and 305/40s out back. Still going to put on a lot of tire as the diameter are 25.3inch and 27.7inch. The interior is still going to be stock simple. But, not plain. The seats are most likely going to be two-toned probably with orange stiching. I'm thinking black and gunmetal might be a good combo. A DSE dash insert and AutoMeter carbon fiber guages are in transit and a black Budnik Sport steering wheels is on order. Here's another rendering. But, there will be original chrome door mirrors and a Marquez front bumper painted body color. The grill area will be body color and the tail panel black. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...69Brians71.jpg And here's an Aston Martin Virage with the Madagascar Orange. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...600x1200-2.jpg |
I've got about 150 pictures of the car in various stages of evolution. I'd like to show off some of the work all the guys at Best of Show have done so far; D!ck, Jon, Eric, Jesus and Chris. :thumbsup:
Here's a few shots of the car after Jesus and Chris treated it with phosporic acid: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop039.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop040.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop041.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop042.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop043.jpg |
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The rendering looks great! The guys at BOS are top notch.:thumbsup:
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Eric and D!ck had this to deal with as they crafted a new tranny tunnel and smooth firewall.
Before: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop060.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop050.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop056.jpg After: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop059.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop103.jpg |
The car needed a new right quarter panel:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop065.jpg And tail panel: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop116.jpg Installed :thumbsup: : http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop117.jpg |
Here's an impressive shot of work done on the left quarter:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop125.jpg And here's how she sits today after Jesus applied the primer. Notice the fine cars in the background. You all can see Matt and Steve's Camaros, but, that's a very nice 911S back there as well. Alchemy's got some fine company. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop128.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop129.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop130.jpg Minitubs and supports for the Quadralink were also installed as well as this nifty little alteration. Exhaust system installation should prove to be much easier. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop102.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...OS/shop101.jpg I've left out quite a lot of details the guys have done and I'll try and post more later. Right now it's time to get some shuteye. Trevor and I are going to install the Quadralink tomorrow. :woot: |
Very nice work and talk about a place where you dont have to call to ask if they have worked on the car!!!!
Bryan, if i may, i was wondering why you have planned ''Only'' 305's....At first i tought the car did not get mini'd, but since it is, why not get 12 or 13 inch wheels w/335-345's? Its such a biiiiig part of the cars personnality.... I just dont get it. Oh, and hey, remember before anwsering....never say never! :lol: I also love the colour choice, going to be eye popping to say the least! Lead. |
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