I have done a 67 Tempest, a 64 lemans convert., and a 1951 Chev Pick up in the past, but rust on this wagon will be a challenge. (link 51 Chev build thread - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=797726 ) I hope that link works?
My plans for the wagon is to have a safe, comfortable, reliable car that can be driven anywhere, anytime.
Specs
- 350 Pontiac motor - it is a 1970 motor that came out of my 1973 Formula Firebird in the 80's - it has been resealed and freshened up (Summit 2800 cam, lifters, push rods, timing chain, oil pump) and ready to go (I added 13 heads to up the compression a bit)
- TH350 transmission
- bucket seats with console
- Pontiac Rally 2 wheels
- power front disc brake kit
- tubular control arms
- power steering
I have already purchased the Disc Brake Kit and the Control Arms (good deal on ebay) and have the motor and trans ready.
The biggest task is the rust. The rear quarters are gone, the floors are in bad shape and the rockers are even worse.
I have a full time job and am working out of my garage with no special tools, but I do have a car hoist which keeps me off my back, I am guessing this will be about a 5 year project, but I have learned not to put any deadlines on your project as can turn the hobby into a chore.
I will post some pics now to get you all up to speed, and will add more as the work progresses.
You get lots of credit for bringing this one back, rust is a lot harder to deal with than a motor. Im looking forward to seeing more of the build as you go along.
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
I was able to get some work done on the inner and outer rockers (Pass. Side) Unfortunately the contour of the outer rocker did not match the rear wheel well profile very well, so I needed to cut the underside of the rocker to enable it to fit better. (will need some filler unfortunately) The outer rocker was also too narrow, so I added a 2 x 2 inch length of angle iron to bridge the gap between the 2 panels. (seam welded the inner and plug welded the outer) this will all be covered by sill plates and carpet, but I still wanted it to look respectable.
The bottoms of the A,B, and C pillars turned out OK, and the inner rocker that I made will work fine. (not that anyone will see it) Some welds need grinding, but that will be done with the doors off and once the floor pans are installed
I now have some solid edges to weld floor pans to, so next up will be the floors and braces on the Pass side.
Amazing work on your 51! I especially enjoyed the detailed journal and all the photos of your progress.
Looking forward to seeing your work on the Pathfinder. The floors and rockers on my 64 Safari need lots work, so I am eagerly anticipating your updates for inspiration!
Work continues on the floor braces. Thanks to 61ragtop, I was able to get a floor from a 58 Chev 2 door,(he did most of the work) and the pic shows the braces and the good sections of the floor. (pic is AFTER I removed the Pass. side braces)
After looking over the mess I had, I decided to remove the end of the 1st brace (12 inches or so) and remove what was left of the 2nd brace and the seat brace that attached them. (the 2nd brace ends at the Trans hump)
the front brace had a U shaped piece of steel in it for strength, so I went to the local MetalSupermarket, picked up a 1 x 2 tube and cut it, and drilled 2 holes for plug welds, and inserted it into the the cut end on the car.
The floor braces from the Chev came in handy, as I cut off the brace, and after removing some spot welds, was able to position the 'new' braces' in place with a scissors jack (see pic)
Here are some pics of the 'new' braces welded in and ready for some floor pans
I hope the pics help
ZigZag - these X Frame cars are new to me, but I am learning that the rocker panels are integral to the strength of these cars. The signature pic of your 64 looks cool (do I see Pontiac snowflake wheels? nice)
The braces seem OK, now it's time to start to put a floor in.
I started with replacing the rotted toe board on the Pass. side.
I folded the replacement metal to make it look factory, and so I will have an edge to work with to weld the floors pans to.
Looks like I will be trying to make my floors, as the replacement floors that are available look really cheap, and are too small to cover all the rust on this car.
I patched the toe board before I did the rockers, as I did not have the new rockers yet. It is now time to make the floor pan.
I purchased some sheet metal from the local Metal Supermarket, used a cheap Princess Auto bead roller to mimic the factory floors, Then I sliced and diced the floor under the seat to resemble the factory floor.
I am trying to make the the seams be located over the floor braces, so you wont see them from below, but the edges along the trans tunnel I have no choice.
Overall I am pleased, and now its time to start the rear footwell.
Work continues on the passenger side floor, but now working on the rear footwell and under the seat.
I made a floor pan, and the noticed that the metal under the seat welds to the crossmember, and the footwell piece welds on top of that, so I've been replacing metal on wheel well and moving forward.
The footwell for the rear was welded on TOP of the sheet metal that goes under the rear seat, so I decided to replace that before the footwell, then the wheel well was rusted, so I replaced that, then the piece under the seat.
what I started with (same pic as last post)
new support piece for the rear seat bolts. (made similar to original)
new metal piece installed, and note patch on wheel well
view from below (seat plate)
rear footwell piece positioned for install, but needs trimming
63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
