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Pops Ride.
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.. Hey everyone just wanted to introduce myself, name's Art.
I have a 1967 Camaro RS/SS #'s matching Camaro. Red on Red, 350 with a Muncie 4 spd. - bone stock. Have owned it for over 10 years. I bought it pretty much completed, as it had all the stock, showroom amenities, ie - stock lined trunk,matching spare tire, with jack all neat and presentable. Engine compartment stock and clean. I purchased the car for my dad to enjoy, as he had bought one, right off the showroom floor, when he came back from Viet Nam. ,and had to sell it once I came along, and the family got larger. He got to enjoy this car for a few years, until Lymphoma Cancer took him from us. I always drooled in H.S. every time I saw one, was infatuated. So figured I could enjoy it along with my Pops. Found the car on line, bought it out of Spokane Washington. Had an insurance adjuster do an inspection on it, and had it shipped to me, Here in Hollister, CA. So I started tearing into it a little over 3-4 years ago. When I was driving down the road with my 3 kids in car seats in the back, and noticed that when I would change gears, my kid in the right rear car seat would move up and down. After investigating the matter, noticed that i could see the road below, right thru the floor board. From there, the saga begins..... to be continued.. |
Great story. Welcome to the site.
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Great story, hope you keep your father in your thoughts as you rebuild. What are your plans?
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shipwrecked!
Plans on the car..
well, they have changed drastically in the last two years. This car is pretty much complete. Engine, tranny, numbers matching. The under floor was pretty rotted and replacement of floor pans ensued. After getting it back from the body shop that did the work, the headaches began. They not only incorrectly installed them, they managed to leave one of the frame rails forward about 1" more than the other. Which noticeably makes my axle out of whack. I took that body shop to court, judge ordered it corrected, they attempted to correct it, did not, judge ordered them to pay back all monies. They obviously had other issues as well and claimed bankruptcy and sold the business off to someone else. SO, I decided to mini-tub it, and while in process, have the issue with the axle repaired and or put in correct alignment. I purchased a DSE mini-tub kit with 3" drop springs. I and had a Mini-tub installed. I tossed and turned on it for a while, cutting into this RS/SS. But it had to be done. However, when I recently got it back, low an behold, the new 9" rear end, that I purchased was still sitting in the same spot as the 12 bolt rear end that was pulled out. This "fabricator/machinist/engine builder" I went with, didn't bother to check the alignment of the axle. We had discussed the issue with the axle not being aligned, and he actually initially told me that i didn't tell him about it. only later to recant that and agree that we had talked about it. So now I have this newly installed axle, mini-tub kit, DSE shocks, narrowed gas tank, somewhat undercoated, and it needs to be disassembled and corrected. My friends, its not always wise to go with the cheapest price. Not to mention the hack job that was done installing the tub kit, and over-cutting the trunk pan, and having to add metal to fill the 3/4" - 1" gaps that were created. I was pretty disgusted with the work. I asked him not to under coat it until i got a chance to take pictures of the welding, but he said, too late, I already coated it. "gobbed" it on more like. There's definitely a problem with my car. While having the car tubbed, I came across Mr. Rich Bermea. Road Touring Customs. I walked in his shop, and my jaw dropped... I was In heaven. There he had 3 68 camaros in the shop, and a Chevelle. I looked around, had Flash's 68 Camaro outside front, and two more camaros in the outside rear of the shop. They had just got back from Run to the Coast that past weekend. And so begins the path to getting things done right. Art |
man that suck! 2 hack shops in a row... but thats excellent news that rich will be taking care of you, your in good hands now! just call ahead to avoid flash dancing dave! that guys trouble:D to say the least
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Art, welcome to Lat G and to the Road Touring Customs gang. :thumbsup: I haven't been to the shop recently but I will be down soon. I'm looking forward to checking out your car. Rich will get you straightened out. He's good people. :cheers:
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The only trouble I am responsible for is encouraging more Nascar parts on other RTC cars. :woot: |
I think you said it best, cheapest is not always best. Also remember most expensive is not always best either. Just find a shop you can trust that does the work you expect, the way you expect and keeps you in the loop.
You're in good hands w Rich...:thumbsup: |
Welcome ART!
Sorry to hear of the issues.... I'm living proof that you can have just as many issues with cars done in TOP NOTCH EXPENSIVE shops - so it's not just your choice of low price. Although - there's generally a reason for that low price... Rich can get you all fixed up! |
Question.
Thank's for the support.! :D
I have one major pressing dilemma. Do I take this double badge car and remove all the good condition stock parts and turn it into a pro-touring car? I went and Mini-tubbed it, and was thinking of putting in another motor. Setting the stock #'s matching aside, and taking off most of the stock parts. What am I going to do with all these stock parts, I can't sell them, as they go with the original car. What would you do? Art |
Art, you already got the mini tub goin... I would just keep cuttin and goin. :unibrow:
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That's where I get hung up again.
I was all gung ho, to re-fresh this relic with new front suspension, 410 motor with all the fixn's. Rich tells me different. Gets me unsure of what I am doing. He says, put the stock motor back in, freshen it up, give it a little more life, and set it up back stock. To keep the integrity of the double badge car. Don't know if I'm going to be happy with the car in that state. We have both scratched our heads on it, and I think I want to keep the path I made up my mind on, back two years ago, and set it up pro-touring. It is unfortunate, that it is such a complete original car. Its a tough decision. Art:willy: |
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Art, you're the only one who can decide this one. It's a toughie but it's obvious you wont be satisfied with a stockish upgrade with bolt-ons. We can tell already. :) And again, if it's cut into already, what's the hold up now? |
Listen here Mick cut me......:D
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It's YOUR CAR --- do EXACTLY what you want to. :cheers: |
The Next Stage
Well exciting things are developing. Upgraded parts-- "Thanks Flash68".. Details to follow!!:D
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Cut it up and build it the way you want. My car was an original 396 SS Tux black/deluxe interior that I was originally going back to stock but once I found this site I was hooked with the pro touring bug!
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On the right track
5 Attachment(s)
Well, She's off and running!.... currently named "Joan" by Rich Bermea... As in "Joan Rivers" due to all the cosmetic "surgery" she's been thru.
Complete Floor is out, dropping the rear end this weekend, pulling the front clip in the next few weeks. Currently working on my other 67 Camaro Project at home. Getting that front clip ready to transplant on to "Joan". With some new suspension upgrades, to allow for some back road carving. Looks like "Joan" will be getting put back together and kept somewhat original. Double hump heads are getting ported, and massaged a little. Headers, looking for a Z28 original intake - if anyone out there has one. TBC |
Pops Ride aka -"Joan" - update
Time to get some updates going on this build. Lets get you up to speed..
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4cf6a1f1.jpg This is when I first started exploring the possibilities of a Mini-tub. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps2acce29c.jpg - shock tower http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps898ecd2c.jpg a little rust. I first noticed this one day, that I was had my kids in the back seat, in car seats, while making a turn and shifting, I looked back to check on the kids, and noticed my daughter would go up and down with my acceleration. I stopped, looked around and noticed I could see the asphalt thru the inside of the car.... lol. I was a bit shocked.. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps65f06992.jpg The real reason I started to tear into the car. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbf637041.jpg - A special thanks to Hagerty Insurance who paid out promptly and a good lump amount. just over 7g's |
I get to drag out my FAVORITE HOT ROD SAYING..... CUT TO CURE!!
:lol: |
Alright Art, that is a mess! Yeah listen to Greg (for once) and rip the sh!t outta that thing. :unibrow:
Looking forward to our big "transfer" coming up shortly. :D |
Seriously -- Nobody wants to have to spend money on this kind of work.... but in the end -- you're going to be so much happier with the whole car. :thumbsup:
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Vinyl Top Damage.
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps603a2f06.jpg Getting rid of the Vinyl top.
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6eeadaa0.jpg Vinyl's notorious effects. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psa766e4ea.jpg ended up replacing the rear widnow - trunk panel. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps5bb69aee.jpg |
Seriously!
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps2ad11e4f.jpg
Do you have to throw all that stuff on my nice interior? http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps69b21eb3.jpg Who needs plastic, not like there's hot metal shavings going everywhere! http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps798032fe.jpg carpet, what carpet? " That oil from my shoes will come right off!" - WTF! :mad: http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psea0cb68f.jpg Is it so hard to take it out... I had to do it myself on the spot!. Is it asking too much to respect what's already nice? |
So here's what happens in ALL of these remodels.....
Everything LOOKS great - until you do one part of it over... so the trim looks great - until you put on fresh paint - then the perfectly good trim looks like crap -- Seat upholstery looks fresh - until the new dash goes in... The wiring that was fine - isn't any good.... Well -- you get the picture. Trust us ALL on this -- it IS what happens! :lol: Oh -- and then the "well as long as we're here we might as well do....." Kicks in too! |
As a home builder and remodeler, I don't think this is the norm. I know we go out of our way to cover peoples furniture, carpets, floors,ect... even if it looks like crap, and should be in the dumpster. Unless I've been directly told its going to be tossed..... cover it up!..
Thankfully, that is done and over-with.. the project is past that point, and its looking good!. |
Hey, what happened to my photos..? I didn't move them from photobucket.
What'd in do? ? :( What's the best method? |
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Tubs
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps471161a4.jpg
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps02321773.jpg Custom....!:sieg: http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps28c24c76.jpg nice and tight.. not.. This is why they invented the thick rubber coating.. to cover all this up... and no, I didn't do it myself. I actually paid someone to butcher my car. |
Sadly there are more HACK shops than there are good ones....
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That bar is set really high there for Rich! :D
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Somewhere there must be a country western song describing all of this... :popcorn2:
:D |
Engine.
Stock.. numbers matching 350.. time for overhaul.
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps56c9f94b.jpg http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps5d386a2f.jpg That there in the background is "Sparkplug".. (the car) which I will share with you guys later. ("Jessie" is the dog). http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps81ded3c1.jpg this is what happens when you get an unexpected rain, and your motor is sitting outside, not properly covered. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psc1a4dfcb.jpg http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psd851264b.jpg Showing my son the ropes.. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4956721d.jpg He'll appreciate the car when he's older! |
Sorry -- it has to be said..... NEVER paint over someone else's paint. You have no idea what's under there and there are sometimes - compatibility issues that don't show up til that bad boy sits in the sun all day somewhere. Just :G-Dub: at it.... :lol:
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Floor Removal
In order to correct the leaf spring mount location, that was installed forward approximately 3/4", I decided to re-do the entire floor.
I had had another shop "fix sections". Now she's getting done right!. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ganJoan043.jpg got a newerr front clip too. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...oan/floor1.jpg The axle wheel sat about 1" from the front of the fenderwell+ http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...oan/floor2.jpg http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ganJoan048.jpg The floor piece, from where "Joan" got her name. all butchered up.. time to rename? http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ganJoan039.jpg |
Engine
So Joan has a numbers Matching 350, of which I now intend to keep in the car. Opting to keep the Camel Hump Heads that it came with. I know, loss of horsepower, that aluminum heads can give, but its the last thing this car has to keep its originality. After opening her up, there were a few issues, which made me glad I decided to completely re-build.
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-05142501.jpg http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-05143011.jpg the crank was not in too good of shape. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...205_143024.jpg deep grove marks from wear. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-05143115.jpg pistons were a bit shabby. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-05143109.jpg This engine was repaired at some point, as the pistons did not match. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-14133459.jpg Rods showed wear too. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-14133504.jpg rod shafts had dings. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-14134102.jpg small journal http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-14134143.jpg wore out, as expected. |
If the car is worth ANY money with a matching numbers BLOCK -- now is the time to park the block = protecting your investment....
Doesn't look to me like it's worth saving any of those parts except the block and if the heads are matching. For less than the cost of a rebuild you can buy an entire crate motor with a warranty from GM. Compare before you buy is my advice. |
Engine Progress - new parts.
So I'm freshening up the motor, having the camel hump heads ported, polished and worked on a bit to get some umph out of them. Waste of money vs aluminum, perhaps, but If machined properly should prove to be just enough for a daily driver.
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-14133553.jpg Bored out .30 http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...121_141758.jpg A shout out to Dave Gordon for the nice Christmas Present!.. 6" H Beam Rods http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...121_141832.jpg Thank's Dave!. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...205_172555.jpg Its like Christmas time all over again!. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...205_173028.jpg Hardcore Black.. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...205_173603.jpg 16cc inverted dome pistons, to coincide with the camel hump heads. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...206_100348.jpg Eagle 4140 Forged Steel Crank & ACL Main Bearings. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...0702aebada.jpg Came across these at a local thrift shop and picked them up for $100 out the door. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-05145627.jpg http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...2-05145635.jpg not sure if this particular engine needs these parts, but she's gettn' um! slowly but surely, its coming together. |
Front end dissasembly
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r.../random121.jpg
Before http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...209_121036.jpg After http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ontclipoff.jpg Deconstruct http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...tontrailer.jpg bringing front clip home from body shop. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...project190.jpg before http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...project191.jpg Stock brakes.. to be re-conditioned. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...216_123808.jpg just after cleaning up the frame, grinding off, re-welding, ready to go. This clip is from Warhawk, since Joan has a bit of rust. http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...126_085045.jpg Fresh from Powdercoating! http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...126_085027.jpg http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...n/TrueTurn.jpg Look what arrived!.. can you guess what's in the box? |
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