This is MY 67 Camaro
 

This is my 67 Camaro, she's not new but I am new to this site. I have been looking for some time now and decided to join this site and share my project and get inspired by other projects.
Let me say there are some awesome rides in here! I don't have that kind of money to throw at her and I pride myself by doing it myself!!
Let's see, original Gold/ Gold 327 210hp with PG all numbers matching, bought her off the original owner while stationed in San Diego in 1990. I have all the original reg slips since new and the protecto-plate, she is a black plate from CA.
While stationed in CT she didn't do so well with the weather and salt, so .... I'm going through and replacing all the sheet metal that warrants new. The floors and the roof are great, the quarters behind the rear wheel and associated outer wheel well need patching. I already patched the trunk weatherstrip under the rear cowl (rusted bad), and the right inner rocker panel under the side cowl rusted out. The biggest problem was the cowl and associated side panels, seems the windshield leaked and it took out the dash and the cowl. I already have a replacement mocked in, just awaiting some side cowls and some warm weather.
I have a ton of pictures since I got her shipped out here last fall, some not so pretty with the rust, but she's coming along. This isn't my first restoration, I've restored a 69 Porsche 912, 82 Ford Bronco, 69 VW bug, 74 VW bug and my 70 Chevy C20 truck. Mainly did all the body work and a couple I painted with the help of a body shop in CT (thanks Lane) I learned a lot at this shop.
My plans - hmmmmm..... going with AME 4 link for sure, Mini tubs, I have a 327 out of a 67 Chevelle that has been warmed up, AFR's, forged crank and rods, and awesome machining work. I used John Lingenfelter's book as my bible, so she oughta run nice. Contemplating a Pro Charger for her if the budget allows. DSE stage 3 upgrades for the front and give her a bath in her original GOLD (maybe a tint change a little), keep the interior simple - 4 pt DSE cage, harnesses, minimal add ons - sleeper kinda.
Thanks for reading this thread, I'm new to this so I don'
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/soslyJ.jpg
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Welcome aboard! :thumbsup:

Nice project, bringing back the memories for me...
 

Nice project, have fun bringing that beauty back to life. Looks like my 67 from way back when. Same color from the factory. Your car had more rust problems than mine did, but my car never went to the rust belt, it was a west coast cancer free car, although it did have some rust problems where the factory never sprayed the car. Keep posting those photos!!:thumbsup:

Thanks for the welcome, I will add some more photos today of the repairs I've completed.


Just downloaded most the pixs on my ImageShack account ... easier than picking and choosing pics to replace the OLD ImageShack. Just click on the link below and they are all there!


Thanks for looking .....

Welcome to the site bro. You are off to a good start and can save gobs of money by doing it yourself. Keep us updated.:lateral:

Got out to the garage today!
 

Got out to the garage today! I got most of the outer rocker panel patch welded back to original (I cut out the skin to get to the inner rocker panel). And I hung the drivers door with the new/ rebuilt hinges, it's pretty close.
The passenger door had been repaired before with slide hammer and bondo - so that door gets a new AMD skin here pretty soon.
Well here are some new pictures of my progress.

http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/1873/2011dec012.jpg
Inner rocker panel patched

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7893/2011dec015.jpg
Outer rocker skin re-welded, still need to fill a couple holes

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/848/2011dec020.jpg
Rebuild the hinges so I hung the door, excellent condition.

Welcome aboard, nice fabrication work:thumbsup: Keep up the posts coming

Me
 

About ME, I guess I introduced my car but not me. I am a retired Navy - Sonar Chief Submarines . Traveled a lot, (by traveled I mean deployed) mainly Europe and being stationed in CT took it's toll on my car (not to mention the guy at the dealer where my then wife worked who buffed all the paint off the edges of the car).:mad:
I live in Ft Collins,CO now, just recently bought a house and that's a dream come true - cuz I can work on my car when I want. I don't have a better half, as you might have guessed from my signature, oh well - I kept my car!!! :woot:
If there are members in NoCO drop me a line, I have been to Pinkees Rod shop pretty cool shop, I go to the Goodguys here in Loveland every year. I take a lot of pictures for ideas, there are some really cool cars that come up here.
Thanks for the welcome, I have some work to do in the garage now - reskin the passenger door!

Update 12/28
 

Update, didn't get to my passenger side door yet, had to finish the passenger side cowl repair I started. Finished welding the patch and cleaned the rest of the outer rocker with 36grit. Thought I'd show the rest of the problem areas of the my car, really - it's worst than it looks!
The under coating actually saved the wheel wells, the only rust is where the spot welds attached to the trunk, to mini tub or not? :unibrow:
The trunk is pretty good with the rust limited to the corners where the water leaked past the weatherstrip and sat in the corners, simple patch.
The door is on my to do list this weekend, can't look at this anymore:(


http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/1...11dec00201.jpg
Rocker repair, much better.
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/261/2011nov015.jpg
Cleaned the undercoating off the wheelwells.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6771/2011nov017.jpg
Undercoating actually saved these wells - kinda- rust at spot welds!!
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/844/2011oct030.jpg
The lovely door repair :mad:
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/5632/dscn1929n.jpg
Left wheel well again, not bad
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9485/dscn1941l.jpg
Close up of the rust at the spot welds:mad:
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/3522/sep2010053.jpg
Left rear quarter rust cut out.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2066/sep2010043.jpg
This is my bondo door
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2717/sep2010073.jpg
Trunk rust is limited to the corners where the water sat.
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/6449/sep2010071.jpg
Rest of trunk is great!

WELCOME.... :bow:

Finally got the door skinned!
 

Got out to the garage and got the passenger door skinned, and did that ever make a mess, some rust in the corners of the frame should come out nice with some POR15. I cleaned and vacuumed the inside and thought I'd put some pixs of the floor that I DON"T HAVE TO FIX! :woot:

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8...11dec00901.jpg
Floor that doesn't need fixing!

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/4...11dec00801.jpg
Ditto
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9...11dec01201.jpg
Got the skin off the frame.
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/9...11dec00202.jpg
Rust in the corners of the frame, not bad

Welcome Buddy! Looks like a pretty solid foundation. Great job so far. Keep up the good work!:thumbsup:

Thanks
 

Thanks for the welcome. It's the shops and the magazine coverage that have kept me going with my Camaro, you guys do some fantastic work and inspire me to do my best with what I have to work with. Now ..... to narrow done some of these choices.:unibrow:

Thanks for the welcome.

Thanks, I thought I'd share my build, don't really have a deadline, guess.... when it's done it's done. :unibrow:

Update 12/31
 

Update 12/31 Garage time spent wisely with the passenger door, cleaned all the rusted areas and POR15 the frame. When the POR15 dries I'll put a coat of POR black on the frame and tackle the skin later this weekend. I haven't done a skin before so .... this is new to me.:D
I need to do the same with the back side of dash that has the same level of rust, that will be next on my to do list.

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/5...11dec00203.jpg
Rusted areas POR15'd

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/2913/2011dec00103.jpg
Better than new!

Happy New Year!
 

[B]Happy New Year I worked in the garage last night waiting for 2400, I thought I'd post these pictures of my rotor that was rusted from sitting around (bought the 12 bolt already set up and never run), I used a plastic flapper wheel and used Eastwood's Fast Etch, soaking for an hour (?). Following the directions these came out pretty nice. :thumbsup:
The dash in on my list, not enough bad rust to replace but definitely needs some POR15.
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/7536/2011dec00204.jpg
Wilwood rotors - not a pretty sight
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5...11dec00902.jpg
Fast Etch really worked well, left a zinc coating!
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/7347/dscn1628m.jpg
The not so good dash:(
Thanks
Michael

Dash POR'D
 

Update 1/2 Nice day to work in the garage, got the back side of the dash cleaned and used POR15 to preserve the metal, when it gets warmer outside I'll spray some POR black on the dash and the inside of the passenger door. Really wished the factory would have galvanized more than the trunk drop off and the rocker panels - sure would have saved me some time!
One thing at a time and something every day makes progress!

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/9479/2012jan002.jpg
Dash POR'd and better than new
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/8778/2012jan003.jpg
Ditto

Update 1/4
 

Logged some time in the garage Did some work on the firewall, used a circular disc and cleaned off the paint and surface rust in preparation for new cowl. Not sure if I'll delete any factory mods yet. Just getting ready for some epoxy primer when the weather gets a little warmer, don't have to worry much about rust issues here in CO!

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/7...12jan00201.jpg
Cleaning firewall

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9877/2012jan006.jpg
Getting there, looking much better!

A little time in the garage everyday helps!

Great project, your car looks to be in very nice shape.
:cheers:

Thanks, if it wasn't for the CT weather rusting out the upper dash and cowl areas she'd be a pretty easy fix. But if it were easy everyone would do it!

I was looking at your 67 today, nice build, I like your outer wheel well stretch. My quarters are original and don't need replacement, so .... DSE mini tubs will have to get the room I need. :cheers:

Michael

DSE mini tubs will have to get the room I need.

The mini tubs alone should be enough room. I now have over 15" (maybe unnecessary in your case). Research the tub install before you do it; I ended up doing mine twice because I was not happy with the room I had the first time around.

I was looking into using AME and their 4 link under my 67, that way I will have a stronger foundation (factory rails gone) and should not have to cut into their rails. I emailed them about the mini-tub and clearance - no answer yet!

Michael

Thats a good idea.
I ended up with only 1/4" of frame rail left.:_paranoid
I don't have a good picture of it, I will take one tonight and post it up for you.

AME 4 Link Update
 

Yeah, that would be great to see. I just don't like the idea of cutting the frame rail and leaving a 1/4 inch? That can't be as strong as OEM!

Just got off the phone with AME and the 4 link frame is made to fit 335mm inside the wells (no cutting their frame), the drawback for me at least, I can't use my 12 bolt. :( The upper link mounts can't be welded on a 12 bolt, so .... guess I'll sell this one and save for a nine inch housing.

Michael

Hey Michael/Kev - I was also concerned about how little frame rail was left after the mini tub - even though we boxed the frame rail - so we ended up putting in 1/4" steel plate on the inside of the raii. There's a pic in this post:

https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...62&postcount=3

Of course, the AME rails avoid all this...:thumbsup:

Ron ... you bent up the 1/4" steel plate or you welded a plate on the inboard side of what was left of the rail? Can't tell from those pictures.
Thanks for chiming in.
Michael

Welcome Michael! We welded to the inboard side. I guess you could bend 1/4" steel plate, but I didn't see the need...

Michael, I couldn't get any decent pictures tonight, my camera died.
I actually cut all of the frame out just leaving the sheetmetal on the inboard side of it, and bent up a 1/4" steel plate for the close out. I still think it will be plenty strong, and I plan on boxing it in once i get the car on a rotisserie.

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/3b26a966.jpg

the drawback for me at least, I can't use my 12 bolt. :( The upper link mounts can't be welded on a 12 bolt, so .... guess I'll sell this one and save for a nine inch housing.

Michael[/QUOTE]

It depends on what you want to do. I just bought a nine inch from DSE and the housings start around $900; or you can source one from a junk yard, the mid seventies trucks are a good place to start.

Frame Cut for Tubs
 

Ron ... looks like Kevin bent the 1/4" plate version. WOW, I guess there isn't much frame left. Thanks for the Pictures Kevin.

9 Inch
 

It depends on what you want to do. I just bought a nine inch from DSE and the housings start around $900; or you can source one from a junk yard, the mid seventies trucks are a good place to start.[/QUOTE]

Kevin ... AME has a pretty good price on their 9 inch with the brackets welded in place, of course they want you to buy the WHOLE kit at once 3700 bucks - saves money and you only have to pay for shipping once. :wow:
So.... thinking.

Update 1/6
 

Some Garage Time Didn't feel too motivated to think tonight, so I did the mundane job of cleaning up the front floor pans, and did that ever make a mess. :D Got all the glue off and the surface rust in the toe board, seems there was water sitting under the carpet/ underlayment, go figure!
Had to be done.:)

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/756/2012jan00102.jpg
Using a circular disc to clean the floor, not bad!
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7346/2012jan00302.jpg
Passenger toeboard. Little bit of surface rust, that **** will buff out!

Michael
Something everyday is better than nothing.

Update 1/7
 

UPDATE 1/7 Did some clean work on the Camaro today. Used POR Chassis Black over the POR15 silver, first I had to break the skin of the silver with a gray scotch brite pad and then used my work garage and heat to give the dash and the door frame a couple thin coats. I think the sheen will fad a little. :cool:
Now the back to the dirty work, finish the floor!:rolleyes:
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2599/2012jan00103.jpg
Good for another 45 years.
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/3...12jan00901.jpg
Dash POR Chassis Black
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2...12jan00503.jpg
Ditto

Michael
Something everyday!

1/8/12 Floor pans
 

Got Dirty again! Got out in the garage with the heat on and finished cleaning the rear floor pans. Some surface rust to deal with :( , but nothing the POR15 can't handle, it's just too cold to use right now!
Why is it every time I pull a body plug there is NO undercoating under the plug? I guess that was an option in 67, not with me - my cars future will have everything coated! Here is pictures of the mess I made :thumbsup:

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/4...12jan00603.jpg
Rear floor pans done

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3750/2012jan00104.jpg
Surface rust - POR15 when it warms up!
Michael
Got out there today!

1/9 Photos
 

Left my door frame and dash at work over the weekend to dry and what a sight when I went in this am, the black is just what I was going for - just a hint of sheen! :thumbsup: I think it looks better than the shiny POR15. If any one is wondering - POR Chassis Coat!
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/9...12jan00105.jpg
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/2...12jan00305.jpg
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/9...12jan00902.jpg

Michael

Next on list!
 

1/10 Next project Nothing too exciting, just thought while I was cleaning up the dash frame I should do the glove box. Thought I had a picture of the mouse house that caused this to rust, could not find one. Should have this cleaned and POR'd soon. Hopefully this is reusable.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1...12jan00306.jpg
Michael

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Update 1/14
 

Update 1/14 Not too exciting, but I did get out to the garage with the nice weather we have and did some cleaning on the driver's door and both door jambs, will be ready for epoxy primer when the weather gets nice:) And I thought I'd show the rust damage in the weatherstrip channel around the trunk :mad: I have to make this with my stretcher/ shrinker, that should be fun! I have the weatherstrip channel new, that will help. Yeah, both sides are the same. :( DID get the glove compartment door POR'd, waiting for the second coat and then topcoat like the door.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7788/2012jan011.jpg
glove compartment door POR'd
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7...12jan00803.jpg
Driver's door ready for epoxy
http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/5...12jan00207.jpg
Rusted channel :(
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/8...12jan00704.jpg
Got the door jambs almost cleaned up!

I can't even imagine how many hours you have using a circular disc to clean up everything. Why not just have it media blasted and epoxy coated? It will save you a TON of hours.

Nice work by the way

John ... thanks for noticing. I asked around here for soda blasting and it's roughly 900 - 1000 USD. I went to a body shop here and they were using this company that I was interested in soda blasting my car and they had some miscommunication with the company and after they painted this guy's Mustang the paint started to lift! So they got a hold of the company and they said you have to WASH IT WITH WATER/ soap before you paint! Well the body shop had to start all over with the Mustang :wow: (at least it was a FORD! Kidding!)
Anyhow, I would rather save that kinda money on suspension stuff, wheels and tires, etc... (money is tight, paying off doctor bills). Yes I have a lot of hours cleaning up everything but I know it's done right and I didn't introduce any chemicals and I didn't put water in any seams that would rust out later.
Besides .... it's winter and I can't do any real body work cuz of the temp. so might as well keep busy - it's only a dirty job once :thumbsup: