Mr. Brownstone - 69 PT Camaro

[Richio1]

Well its time for an update... and again there isnt much to update. Its been 3 more months with little progress much to my frustration. We are still creeping along with the grille which is the "reason" for the delayed progress... more on that below.

I have wired my dash though. Thanks to these forums I found several examples of how others have organized their dashes. In the picture below you can see the printouts I used. This is my first attempt at wiring anything so I am hoping for the best. The AAW kit is great.



I think it turned out ok



Props to Jay, aka - Jamess113, for the lead on where to get the 3 prong connectors for the Autometer guages. Way cheaper than from AAW. For anyone else looking for them here you go. http://www.delcity.net/store/Wire-Co...Quick-Splices


Now for an update on what has come to be the "Grille from hell" to me. My builder kept telling me he always wanted to do a recessed grille on a 69 (as I mentioned earlier in the thread). I was reluctant not being able to see or understand what he was describing until we had a rendering done. Once I could see it I wanted it so I gave him the green light. Knowing it would take some custom fab work I was prepared for a little delay. Maybe a month or two max... well that was more than 7 months ago now.

With what I see the other shops around here doing in 7 months it is killing me and has me second guessing if I should have even done it.

Whats worse is nothing else is being done while waiting for the grille to get done. Its not that it is that hard it is just him spending the necessary time on it to get it done. Once the grille is done he will finish the paint prep, blow it apart, then shoot it.

I know it is a little hard to tell by this piece of the redering but it will give an idea of what we are after. Oh, and the reason I havent posted the rendering (that I have had for over a year and half now) is because you know how it goes, once its out there, there will be others just like it. So for now it is staying under wraps and thankfully so. If I would of posted it when I got it who knows how many others would of been completed by now... while I am waiting on this damn grille...




We are using perforated metal for the back and the cross bars. We had expanded metal but it didnt look as good.



He used his Pullmax to form the cross bars. The first bit he made didnt cut it so he had to have a longer/larger one made so it would keep its form and alignment. They look really cool in person.







To his credit, I am really digging it and cant wait to see it in the car. I also know it has been very time consumming welding the cross bars to the back support with all those little holes. As of today (he is out of town again for a few days... major part of the reason it is taking so long) but he claims he has one more day on the grille then a day of firberglass work on the surround and it is ready to mount.

So if history repeats it self I should have another update by the end of summer... LOL...

[Bryan O]

Jeff,

Make sure you have real intense bright LEDs for those gauges. They won't light up the gauges sufficiently if they are not real bright. I've got to replace mine so that's how I know.

Bryan

[Richio1]

Originally Posted by The Patch

Jeff,

Make sure you have real intense bright LEDs for those gauges. They won't light up the gauges sufficiently if they are not real bright. I've got to replace mine so that's how I know.

Bryan

Thanks Bryan - let me know what you come up with so I can upgrade before I install the dash. Does Autometer offer a replacement or are you looking elsewhere?

[IMPALA MAN]

Any chance you still have your old rear quarters laying around? I need the artificial vent sections right in front of the rear wheels. I am grafting them into my project car. How much? If you woudl cut the section out we wouldn't have to ship the entire quarters, just two maybe 2' x2' sections.
PM me if you are interested.
Thanks!!

[Richio1]

Sorry those are long gone. Good luck with your search.

[DFRESH]

Dude, the gap spray paid off big time. Where did you buy your "Grill" spray from?

Sweet execution all the way around--love all the mods. Can't imagine waiting like you are---the progress must make you feel great when it happens.

I like the change you made on the seats---white looked great, but you are right--it would not work with your new color combo---black with the inserts on those seats will look killer in the car. Did you mention what you will be using for a trans?

Renner (spelled backwards and forwards--it's the same)

[Richio1]

Originally Posted by DFRESH

Dude, the gap spray paid off big time. Where did you buy your "Grill" spray from?

Sweet execution all the way around--love all the mods. Can't imagine waiting like you are---the progress must make you feel great when it happens.

I like the change you made on the seats---white looked great, but you are right--it would not work with your new color combo---black with the inserts on those seats will look killer in the car. Did you mention what you will be using for a trans?

Renner (spelled backwards and forwards--it's the same)

Dougy Fresh - I found a secret stash of that special gap spray just out side Humoldt. You know, that sticky NorCal kind that really tightens things up.

Who knows maybe my builder isn't wearing a mask when spraying that stuff and is getting too sleepy ( and hungry ) which is causing some of the build delays.

As for the seats, got the rear welded up and is sitting at the upholstery shop. He is in no rush since the builder isnt. I think I have smelled some of the gap spray at the upholstery shop too. Maybe it's Super Tight Stitch Spray???

As for the tranny. I am dumping the TH350 and planned on a TKO600 but being in cash preservation mode in case my builder doesn't perform and I need to go elsewhere to get it done I have pulled the trigger on a rebuilt M20. Got the whole setup minus flywheel for $800.

It'll do until I blow it up then have to upgrade the tranny the 2 pedal is just not fun enough so a Muncie is better than nothin for now.

I can't wait to get it done and be able to get out and play with you guys.

[Richio1]

Its be 2 more months... time for an update.

Well he finally got the grille finished. Dont have any good pics to share but am going to the shop tomorrow so I will hopefully be able to shoot a few.

My car is now over in the body shop for final paint prep. They pulled the front clip and are finishing up the firewall.

"Should be" in the paint booth early next week. (fingers crossed)

I was really pushing to get to GG West Coast Nats. in 5 weeks. We will see if he can pul it off and get the car in and out of paint so we can get it assembled.

Praying for a Miracle

[DOOM]

Jeff its looking BADAZZ!!

[John510]

Jeff, how was the WCAC visit?