64 Chevelle Convertible at the Roadster Shop
 

Here is a 64 Chevelle Convertible that we have been working on for a few months. There were a few pics in our Projects thread, but it has been progressing and it is definitely deserving of its own build thread.

Details: A lot of the components are still to be figured out as the car takes shape, but here are the vitals as of now.
Roadster Shop FAST TRACK IRS chassis
LS3 with customized Eforce Super Charger
6L90 trans either paddle shifted or tiptronic
18x9 and 19x12 wheels. Exact style still TBD. Good chance they will be a 1-off design.
The goal of this car is to build a high end muscle car that Tim can jump in and cruise anywhere he wants to in style. Eric Brockmeyer helped out with the initial renderings. We started looking at darker colors; blacks, charcoals, with a bright accent color to add some excitement. Here are a view of Eric's concepts that have given Tim more than enough to think about and a tough decision to make!

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psaa4514f9.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3d5a15aa.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps251fc363.jpg

Here are a few pics of the car as it arrived. It was a nice cruiser, but the tired small block, weak powerglide, and original chassis left a lot to be desired.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps220a0fa0.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps11fc6188.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps92c09d1a.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psd2d791d9.jpg

That should be a great project.

The car was torn down and sent out to be stripped while the chassis construction got underway.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps4ad4af3f.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pscfbef8ee.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps133d62ed.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps26062d1d.jpg

Old vs. New

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf899cdfe.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psa6a57ae4.jpg

Very nice , don't see many 64 Chevelle builds

I second that. I will be watching this one:popcorn2:

I'm very excited about the build. Choosing the color is going to be the hardest part for me. Choosing The Roadster Shop to build it was easy!

This is going to be good.

I would try to keep the original color or something similar. It's a good looking color.

Still on the fence...

#1 and #3 are my favorites. The stock color was granny gold "saddle".

This is a totally random question that I could ask in one of a hundred threads on this site, and its not even that applicable to this particular car, but I see you and others putting these C5/C6 based setups on everything including giant cruisers that must weigh in the 5000+ range. YOur chassis normally includes fabricated steel arms but is there every any concern about putting luxo barges on the Corvette spindle and hub ? I know the vette guys have problems with flex in both parts under racing conditions. I hope to someday build an old Lincoln or Cadillac and I just can't seeing using those aluminum uprights and 1.75" bearing space hubs. Any thoughts ? What is the alternative besides fabricated steel uprights ?

My opinion would be custom billet parts or custom carbon fiber parts then for more strength. And RS are the one's to build it for your if you feel like springing the extra coins for the one-off parts. :G-Dub: Furthermore, Stielow, Finch and other hardcore racers on here use the stock C5/C6 stuff with no problems and Stielow is pushing in excess of 800 hp and 800 ft. lbs of torque. :morepower

As we started moving forward with the build, Tim started coming up with a few ideas to make his car more unique. Jeremy and Chris took those ideas and started running with them to further enhance the look. Here are a few concept sketches as we started refining the the ideas that will go into the car.Final versions will be coming in a few days. They are bad ass, I promise!

On the front, we planned to recess the grille & headlights back into the fenders, more like a Camaro or Challenger. These sketches show some scoop ideas in the stock bumper. This was a starting point for the front and rear end that have really taken shape. We are now in the process of fabbing a complete 1-off front bumper and grille.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps35ac0f90.jpg

The rear of the car was begging for a major overhaul as well. We played with different tail light ideas kind of going in the theme of the new Charger. Tim thought that was too much for the car and was overpowering the rear end. So we headed back down the road of doing a more refined, cleaner version of the stock lights that turned out to be a better fit. Another one of Tim's ideas was to make the "Chevrolet" script light up as the 3rd brake light. Chris came up with a pretty clean design below.

We had also planned on changing the way that the trunk opens. It will now be more like a later model Chevelle where the rear body panel is now part of the body instead of the trunk lid.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psd78a788a.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psbb217316.jpg

Tim then did a photoshop version of our idea and added in a trim piece across the center of the trunk with the "Chevrolet" script in it. That idea fills the relatively plain/open rear section and will make the tail light idea easier.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps93c57b46.png

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps2ed1734f.png

You guys are sick!! :wow: :wow:

Great idea,I love it all black but wouldn't be upset either way.

that is going to be a great project

a buddy had a '65 chevelle convt ss 4spd 283 in high school!

Yeah I just got some images recently of the build that have me very excited!!! there will be some good stuff coming.

My money's on Numero Uno Color scheme....but all three look good.

Those look like Schott F10's......I think they look good on the car. I have actually wanted to use that wheel on something too. They make some great wheels, done a few sets lately!

I can't wait to see what it looks like, I would give both nuts for anything Roadster Shop!

Thanks for the kind words, Yes, the initial design images are were done with Schott wheels. They wheels will probably be one off Forgelines when all said and done. The guys at the Roadster Shop know what thy are doing!!

Black or silver.... hmmmm

Really I think I am going to build my next car in Photoshop only. No car just pictures of the car.

and yes this is going to be a really cool project.

To the disassembly!

When the car arrived we had a suspicion this one wasn't really hiding what might be lurking underneath (e.g. rear wheel openings were totally different left to right!), so with the car stripped, we saw it in all it's glory.
The repairs would necessitate new quarters, floor, trunk floor, rocker repairs, tailpanel apron etc.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8539/8...49f2c2e8_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8...02ae817a_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8...b06b0846_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8...91c75ccf_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8401/8...89b81736_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8...67d86f72_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8...5768b74d_b.jpg

Old quarter/floor/trunk removed and new panel install:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8...4c2cfbca_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/8...80918de3_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/8...3984e44a_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8...d1887cd2_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8403/8...1c271c16_b.jpg

The fitment between the repop quarters and original tailpanel was turning out to be a potential headache - thankfully Tim has excellent taste :D and allowed us to run with the design on this car. As a result we will be building the tail section (more info coming up!)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8533/8...828060f5_b.jpg

And for posterity's sake, a quick shot of the stock front end and the last time you will see it on this car!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8...ca671a4e_b.jpg

The design: The '64 Chevelle seems to carry most of it's 'character' in the nose and tail of the body, with some nice clean lines making up the overall silhouette which can definately accept some modern styling cues. Instead of trying to add detail and features to the body of the car, which would end up detracting from the overall style, we decided to focus on the 'character areas' that exist, aiming for a modern refresh of the front grille opening, headlights and lower bumper, and an evolution of the tailpanel which fits the style and lines of the car.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8...47a0a495_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8...e6b8592b_b.jpg

With the design direction laid out, we move onto the new fab. Firstly creating the new outlines and profiles of the new bumper. We are picking up on the body lines which sit behind the original bumper and carrying the shape around in the new profile for a clean, tucked look. Instead of tucking the original bumper, we will create a new sheetmetal bumper so we are not limited or fighting the original shape as we go.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8...2a5ea98c_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/8...ca8079c3_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8...fa04e871_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8...d150f591_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8...313da420_b.jpg

Now, if this front end isn't sick, I don't know what is. This is just too bad a$$. The a$$ end is gorgeous as well, but that front end is a game changer.

Amazing as always! I wish I had just a 10th of the skill the guys at roadster shop have!

i wish i worked there !!

Wow! I rarely post this rendering and fabbing deserves it!!! Now it needs a convertible hard top that will fold in the trunk like the bimmers and Mercedes do!! And Impalas got the needed room for it!

Suscribed!

I dont think the trunk is big enough now that it is full of wheel tubs!! haha

Wow I love it! That looks awesome.

Looks excellent!

Going to be another awesome build. I love the front and rear end renderings. Can't wait to see this bad boy go together.

:drool:

:bow:

Time for some updates!

Work continues on the front end:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8...9c3c5bc2_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8401/8...7be53729_b.jpg

Testing the corner pieces to get the right look:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8...fe4a5072_b.jpg

Laying out the inner duct shape:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8...c5383c06_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8...92d1d1d7_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8...e584c847_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8...ce25637d_b.jpg

And the rear tail section - with the new quarters fitting the way they did, some much needed microsurgery was required to get the rear tailpanel square and on the same plane:

Passenger side:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8...51d77f51_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8...b2335107_b.jpg

And drivers side:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8546/8...f424dbcc_b.jpg

Creating the openeing edges, depth and new trunk edge:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8...07ca0530_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8...8719d452_b.jpg

We then create the vertical surface in the opening and cut a perfectly symmetrical bezel to work towards. This way we know both the opening is correct and the machined pieces we make will fit perfectly.

[img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8682907707_d17c30c6d1_b.jpg[/img

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8542/8...7ddff00a_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8...e29c7c5b_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8...dd20787f_b.jpg

Another jaw dropping update! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

One bad a$$ first gen Chevelle.:RunninDog: :RunninDog:

Absolutely amazing:faint:
Love getting these updated pictures of projects.
Dumb question.......How do you keep the bare sheet metal from never rusting, always looking nice?

:confused59: I am loving this one! keep the updates coming.

Thanks!

Some more shots as the rear opening comes together and we start laying up the shapes for the new bumper:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8417/8...6f655dc8_b.jpg
IMG_0260 by Roadster Shop, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/8...8896aa64_b.jpg
IMG_0261 by Roadster Shop, on Flickr

Note the weight added to the underside to compensate for moving the opening up and subsequently lighter decklid!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8552/8...45084ee4_b.jpg
Picture 224752 by Roadster Shop, on Flickr

Roughing in the new bumper profiles:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8411/8...00d4385a_b.jpg
IMG_0278 by Roadster Shop, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8559/8...d656e448_b.jpg
IMG_0279 by Roadster Shop, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8127/8...1a65081b_b.jpg
Picture 224748 by Roadster Shop, on Flickr