[stinger12]

I really haven't posted pictures of my restoration project because it always took so long. I have finally been able to sit down and have the time to post pics of my rookie attempt. I think it is coming along great...much better than expected. Here's how this whole restoration project came about...

I looked everywhere for a 1969 camaro...absolutely everywhere. People wanted $7000 for just the body...no engine or anything. Then, after a fellow friend guided me towards a website with cheap project cars, I found a 1976 vette for $5500; I was sold. At first I was going to do a body on restoration. It turned out to be a total body off resto, the biggest project I have ever undertaken before. I can now say that I actually envy the corvette more than the 1969 camaro I wanted...I am happy that I didn't find that 69 camaro. This 76 vette is better!

I personally sandblasted everything before taking parts to the powdercoater. I like to know what is under all that rust before sending it out to be coated. I've began welding every seam on the frame. One of the trailing arm bolt holes was ruined when my uncle what using the oxy/acetylene torch on the rusted shims. No worries though - I fixed it and it looked like it was brand new! I rebuilt the brake calipers with o-rings from vette brakes and products. I cut out all the dents in the frame rails and welded in new metal, then ground everything down nice and smooth. I am also rebuilding my trailing arms by myself. I bought the spindle tool set used to setup the rear bearing but still need to assemble them.

I cannot beleive the amount of work I have done, and I am very proud of myself . I would also like to mention that I am only 18 years old and have personally done everything by myself, and when I mean everything, I mean everything.

[stinger12]

[Goobzilla]

You are doing some great work, keep it up!

[I'm Batman]

Looks great.

There's one job that it doesn't look like you've tackled that I'd recommend farming out to a professional - the rear bearing setup.

[R Baker]

And they say the youth of today has no idea of whats happening. My congratulations. Youre doing a great job.

[Aggitated Monkey]

Very nice!! You have good reason to be proud of your work

[Bruthish]

Love seeing the pics!

I may be doing this soon too.....I love to see others doing it for some motivation!

[cduemig]

Thats mighty impressive. You know, I really wanted a 69 camaro as well and while tooling around on ebay and searching corvettes for fun, I found a 74 vette just 15 miles away about to end at $3600 running and in good shape and bought it on a whim for $4100. I drove by this project car lot the other day and saw a 69 camaro and I couldn't help but think how it didn't even compare to my vette. You're doing a great job, keep it up!

[stinger12]

I'm Batman, I will be rebuilding the trailing arms myself. I have a friend who owns a machineshop he is going to parallel grind my shims and spacers for me so I get .001-.002 bearing endplay. I have been contacting Dan at Vansteel, who rebuilds them for almost every company. I have the procedure down pat...I bought all the setup tools and have my own hydraulic press. I've read numerous papers on the rebuild procedure and bought myself the tools needed to do the job right. A dial indicator/mag base, all spoindle tools, bearing setup tool and so on. It cost me a total of around 450, but if i ever need to rebuild them again it will cost me nothing. I am very confident in my abilities, and I have learned alot from others on the forum.

[I'm Batman]

Originally Posted by stinger12

I'm Batman, I will be rebuilding the trailing arms myself. I have a friend who owns a machineshop he is going to parallel grind my shims and spacers for me so I get .001-.002 bearing endplay. I have been contacting Dan at Vansteel, who rebuilds them for almost every company. I have the procedure down pat...I bought all the setup tools and have my own hydraulic press. I've read numerous papers on the rebuild procedure and bought myself the tools needed to do the job right. A dial indicator/mag base, all spoindle tools, bearing setup tool and so on. It cost me a total of around 450, but if i ever need to rebuild them again it will cost me nothing. I am very confident in my abilities, and I have learned alot from others on the forum.

Sounds great. You might also want to send a PM to GTR1999, or at least look through his old threads. He really knows his way around those rear bearing assemblies.

[HamadUP]

thats amazing!

congratulations my friend! I can brightly see that you got talent

[jontis]

Great work! This gives me good hope about the generation that will still be working when I'm retired

I also guess that you might be single cuz my woman would have me on the grill if I brought all those parts into the living room.

[Jims79]

Nice work your a talented young man. what's you plans for the motor?

[rudolph schenker]

Nice work! You should be proud!

[Alan 71]

It looks like you've done an incredible amount of work. You really can learn a lot when you take the time to do things yourself. I'm sure its given you a lot of satisfaction, too. WELL DONE!!!
Regards,
Alan

[929nitro]

Great work so far, keep it up. Hope I can do half as well. Just starting on a 75 project. Have never done a body off resto myself but seeing yours gives me inspiration to think about trying it, I know it's the right way to go. It' good to see young people with this kind of talent and drive. Keep the pictures coming.

[7t2vette]

Originally Posted by R Baker

And they say the youth of today has no idea of whats happening. My congratulations. Youre doing a great job.

Originally Posted by FatCat Blue 80

Very nice!! You have good reason to be proud of your work

Originally Posted by Goobzilla

You are doing some great work, keep it up!

It's nice to see a young lad such as yourself into the classic cars! Keep up the great work, I look forward to seeing the finished product!

[ksbunting]

Truly outstanding and well done. Your workmanship is great and your attention to detail is commendable.
This project is something you have a right to be proud of. You have a good deal of knowledge for somone so young and you have a lot of guts to tackle a project of this scope, having never done it before.
That speaks highly of you.
I look forward to pictures of your finished project.
Keep up the great work, you should be proud.
Kurt

[shaggyvette]

You are doing a super job. Please keep us up to date with this re-build. You should be proud, it look like you really know what you're doing.

Dave

[dbeall1968]

Nice work, stinger. Now you are one of the few, the proud, the club. Hey- I did the EXACT same thing to my calipers! I had no pics of previous jobs doing the yellow powdercoat, so I did what I liked. Now you have done the same! Keep up the good work, and keep posting your progress!