Project Alchemy

[Bryan O]

Also, the dash where it hides under the window has some issues:




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:



Sans pics of the doors, fenders and hood that's where we stand.

[Bryan O]

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.

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.



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:



And here's a pic showing its darker flop:



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




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!

[Ron in SoCal]

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....

[Matt@BOS]

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:

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

[Bryan O]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

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....

Originally Posted by 69MSA

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.

Thanks for the comments guys! I hope others will chime in here as well.

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. 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.






SS hood is in pretty good shape except for one ding:

[Bryan O]

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.

[waynieZ]

The parts look great.

[Matt@BOS]

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

[Ron in SoCal]

x2 on the wheels Matt/Patch. That's exactly the look I was suggesting. And they do look killer on camaros....

[Bryan O]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

x2 on the wheels Matt/Patch. That's exactly the look I was suggesting. And they do look killer on camaros....

Thanks guys! No doubt they do look killer. The trouble I may run into is the billets of those wheels may start at 18". I'm an old guy and need lots of tire. 17" is all I'm willing to go. Have to have Derby caps, too. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Justin is lookin into the feasibility of 17 billets.