Seems there needs to be a thread just to talk about our custom builds so we can stop high jacking other semi related threads, :o

Since this thread IS about custom builds lets try to be cool and respectful of others and if customs aren't your thing please keep snide remarks to yourself,

My project, a dream of at least 25 years is a Mako Convertible,
I want to use the louvered part of the Mako roof on the removable hardtop of the best of both worlds,
Here are a couple pictures of the Motion Mako kit I was lucky enough to score.





Next is a couple pictures of finished Makos, both are built on Convertibles but the top is fixed on the one,



I am very excited to be able to tackle this build and have been doing lots of homework and buying parts so I can yield the most from the time I can spin wrenches,

I still am in the market for the donor, a 68-72 convertible, Of course I don't want to hack up a nice stock purists dream car but I need a running driver, no basket cases, Rust is my main issue, I know any 40 yo car will have rust I just don't want any messes.
So if you see anything please hit me up,

Thanks and Cheers,
P.

Now lets hear about your custom build, even if it is still like mine in the early dreaming stages.

 

Just curious, is your custom theme going to be limited to body modifications or do you take it to the extreme and customize your interior, chassis and running gear as well?

Is the intent to create a car the GM could have made, or are you going for the Ed Roth type look?

I'd be interested in what your plans are and what subtle touches will you add for the WOW factor.

 

I suppose that anything that isn't a NCRS restoration falls into the category of a custom build. Maybe the C3 NCRS restos should have their own thread if they aren't already covered elsewhere.



Rick B.

 

Hi Bats,
I'll be interested in your work and progress too.
Isn't there a thread about someone building a MAKO type car with a great tube chassis? I think I remember it as pretty incredible piece of work.
Regards,
Alan

 

Bats,
Very cool car.
Heres mine. New pictures coming soon(with paint).

 

I have enjoyed the other threads and the exchanges that have taken place. It's a shame all of us glass butchers can't get together someplace with our cars.

Dave


Here's the lastest installment on my Rolling Thunder project. The dream isn't over but the alarm is getting ready ring.

 

That car is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!Very nice work Rolling Thunder!
Also,looking forward to seeing Swoord getting paint on his!I like that car,and faithfully followed the thread on the build!
Very nice guys!
13BATS.......I am VERY proud of my roadster,but you could probably own it.It would work w/your theme,and there is alot of stuff on the car that there isn't another vette in the world has.
There's a place on the west coast of FLA called C&S Corvettes,or something like that.They bought all of Michigan Corvette Recycling a few years ago,and he is a decent guy.I have bought parts from him over the years.
It's hard to believe that in this amount of time that you haven't been able to find a donor car.What are you wanting to pay for a solid running convertible?You should buy the 68 that the guy in Oak Park has,or the old 68 convertible w/the 73 frame,and BB that I had.
What is your budget?
Anyways....like the thread for customs,but also,like them original looking w/performance upgrades.

 

That is a very good idea ..................

 

It's it ironic that if we change anything that isn't pertaining to custom body work it is called a "mod" as in modification and that is A okay with all but the most **** ( said as a complement ) of the purists,

Many builds are done with just throwing $$$ at the project or throwing even bigger stacks of toad pelts at a shop to build the dream car, I don't have the budget to do either and as far as having a shop do the work, where is the fun in that?
My build will be different, I will do it with mind, skills and lots of homework over throwing frog skins at it,
I want to run my car in flat black primer for a spell, yes, it's a trend but I simply have no idea what color or colors I want my car,

One off or replica?
The Silva Mako kit is about as close to the real GM Mako 2 as say a Laser 917 is to a real Porsche,
I won't be trying to replicate the show car but hopefully won't "Ed Roth" it either,
No big blowers sticking thru the hood, but who knows I might just run a Skull gear shift ****.

For an engine I want old school inches, I am guessing a 454, built mild,
When I find a good deal I will add fuel injection because it works better for a street driver than a carb ( Okay carb fans don't flame me )
I would rather have auto tranny, you know a good 4 speed auto but in the event the donor has a gear box I will leave that there for the fun factor,
I have a friend who offered me an old Hone-o-drive, it's an odd over drive that Motion and motor homes used that I want to play with.

As money and luck in finding bargains allows I would like to run all that "stuff" vette brakes offers as an upgrade, something in the mid ground of good ride and good handling,

While I do admit a taste for the tacky cheesy and would love to have an old school diamond tuffed velvet job on the interior I also love form and function more so I just plan to run a mildly customized 80's style interior, perhaps even later C5 seats,
I have a full set of ice blue digital gauges to run in the stock dash, recess mounted not flush,

72LS1Vette,
While you are right on the nail, I am hoping to draw out some closet custom fans, with people feeling comfortable to talk about body mods...

Alan 71,
I don't know about a Mako build here ( If so I would love to see it ) but there is one or two top shelf builds over on the Mako forum, updated every so oftend,
The Mako forum is pretty much a clique of 4 or 5 friends with a fairly cut in stone way a Mako kit should be built,
Even with my being something of a black sheep in the flock here I like the fact so many people gravitate to this forum, good or bad I am exposed to many very different views and opinions here, I like that, it keeps me awake and motivated.


swoodard23,
Stunning!
Besides savvy vette people do many others realize how radical your car has been modded?


Rolling Thunder,
The side pipe covers are too sweet, I didn't realize how perfect your wheels tires and flares flow, what's the size on those?
Is the scoop on top of your L-88 a 67 427 scoop or smaller?


vettesbydesign,
Why I haven't found a donor and my donor budget is all very convoluted,
I don't want to pay for a purist car and then mod it, and the truth is I haven't gone and looked at a single car, a couple in Florida died for me when the rust and other problems didn't to me equal the firm prices, then out of state cars the sellers don't want to fool with my questions, or perhaps I am asking the questions they don't want to face and answer,
When I have bought other cars out of state sight unseen, several kit cars and a couple vettes it went smooth as silk now the internet seems to muck it all up,

I am in love with your Roadster, but it would be a sin to touch it, well, okay you know I would touch it, do the Mako front clip , a few other touches leave a lot of it alone,
I never could track down the 68/73 you have mentioned, How about hitting me to private emails and clue me in, and tell me some details and prices,

For example,
A fair amount of 68's pop up but like I said they don't want to answer questions,
I understand this car pops up a lot, looks like the world sees it as a 6K car.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TQ:MOTORS:1123

It might be perfect for my project but the seller for one thinks a restored 68 like it is worth 30K so he believes this one is worth 15K
The pictures are 3-5 years old, and after asking many times I gave up on a straight answer about the rust or "actual" condition.


Thanks
Cheers,
P.
The13bats@aol.com

 

Thanks Bats. The fronts are AR Torq Thrust D 8.5" x 15" with BFG Radial TA's 245/60/15 and the rears are AR Torq Thrust D 10" x 15" with BFG Drag Radials 325/50/15. I have 1" adapters all around. The front flares worked out perfect, but I had to widen the rear flares about 1" at the 12 o'clock position. I have the VBP performance suspension and still need to raise the back about half an inch to achieve the clearance I want over the rear tires.

The scoop is "similar to" the '67 but required heavy modification to fit the hood and produce the lines I wanted.

Dave