So I have had this candy apple red 1968 convertible 350 4 speed since 1989. She was modified (L88 hood, flares, mirrors, side pipes, top, 4 wheel disk brakes, wheels/tires) and repowered with the incorrect motor at some point in the 70’s or early 80’s. 22 years ago, she was parked, running (poorly), in the garage. My interest shifted to other projects and the car was moved to the bottom of the list and has remained there until now. She was on jack stands with the wheels removed for the first 15 years. Then, 5 years ago the wheels were put back on, she got a bath and she was pushed to her current position. The tires still amazingly hold air.

So now my goal is to bring her back from hibernation. I have a budget of $5-10K, possibly a little more. Because of my limited budget, I already gave up on repainting her, so this is purely a mechanically focused project.

The first thing I did was remove the fuel tank hoping to get a look at the tank sticker. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough left of the tank sticker to get any info from it. However I did get a pretty good look at the frame and it looks incredibly new and rust-free. This is great because I am hoping to avoid taking the body off the frame and I’m pretty sure I can get away with it.

At this point, because the car is already modified, I’m not worried about originality. What I’m looking for is any suggestions/advice/warnings that you guys can give me. Forums have been very helpful to me in the past with my boat/jeep etc. so I hope to get the same results here. I have a general direction but there are so many different choices I want to make sure I don’t miss something that would work nicely. I also want to get as much wisdom from those who have already been here.
Thanks for looking.

Here are a few pictures I took this morning

 

If your looking for a nice driver, you may want to look at Borgeson power steering. Also, you have many other options like fiberglass rear springs and better shocks, and maybe a 5 speed, etc.

I guess it depends on what you're looking to do with the car.

BTW, nice looking car to start with.

BILL

PS: Is the 72 sitting outside a GS??

 

A) Are the brakes leaking? If they have not been upgraded you will probably need to do calipers and a new master cylinder.
B) Get it running and see what it needs besides a tuneup/oil change, radiator flush... etc.
C) New Tires.
D) Have fun. Get it safe for the road and enjoy it.

 

You have a stunning car with the flares and hood you are right in line with the hugely popular trend of restro rods,

While some like to boast how much they have invested , many many times the resale value, I get way impressed with the people who do a build with skills and thinking over tossing $$$ at it,

Go find doorgunners 68 cheap build, I am doing a 69 the same way, no reason in the world you can have a super sound driver for the toad pelts you have to invest,

Do some in depth inspection for rust and worn out parts tackle that first then move on to cosmetic stuff but from the looks in the pictures you can have a show stopper in no time,

 

BATS! It's not a cheap build.....It's a creatively inexpensive re-creation!

(Sorry about the interruption)

Great looking convertible ROFLMAO!!!!

 

WOW! I see a LOT of potential here! I can also see an LS2 sitting neatly under the hood... Since were not talking originality...

 

Make sure she is safe to drive brakes, suspension then get her running.

Pat

 

As others have mentioned, replace all the rubber in the suspension (use poly if you are looking for a firmer ride), new shocks, rebuild all the calipers, check the master cylinder and buy pads to taste. Then put a good tune on the motor. Now you're ready for mods. The couple that make the biggest difference are steering (new box or a rack and pinion set up) and a 5 speed. A fiberglass rear leaf spring can make a difference as well. You might want to replace the drivers seat foam as well. Finally, there are a bunch of products that can put new life in old paint. From the pix, yours doesn't look too bad. All that should keep you within your budget and have you enjoying your "new" car this spring. /:\

Replacing all the vac lines and detailing the engine compartment you can do as you go while you're driving.

 

#1, check that air filter foam. Its a black foam that deteriorates with heat and small particles fall off into the manifold. Mine even caught fire after a good backfire.
Just saying.


Get to run and stop safely, after that wing it, let your son decide whats next.

 

Thanks for the response/compliment.

Power steering is an upgrade I was considering. The fact that I've grown a bit since the early 90's, a smaller steering wheel would actually go a long way in terms of being able to drive comfortably. I actually got in and out of the car yesterday for the first time in over 20 years and the fit was tight to say the least, but that's enough about my beer gut.

As far as a 5 speed, I haven't really given upgrading the tranny much thought, except when looking at late model engines that come with a tranny right out of a totaled car. I just worry about the cost of doing a complete drivetrain swap. But to be honest, I like the 4 speed and don't plan on dong much highway driving.

Good call on the Buick. She's 72 and a GS455, but started life as a Skylark coupe. Most Buick guys can't believe she's a clone, especially when the see her go, but that's a story for another forum.

Cheers.

 

Thanks for the response/compliments.

I like what you're saying about the growing popularity of modified corvettes. The corvette community has really come around since I first owned this car. Luckily the flares were tastefully done. I am however quite limited to choices of tire size. The n50-15 protrac tires look like they were made for the wheel wells or vice-versa.

I have already spent a little while looking at doorgunner's build and I hope that I won't be digging in that deep, but certainly got a few ideas of where to look in terms of getting her in good running order. Thanks for pointing me that way.

 

Thanks for the tip. That's not the first foam insert I have put in that filter. I also learned about the backfire safety issue with those suckers. Luckily she was in the driveway with the hood up for that lesson. But the filter looks so cool so I just kept using it.

 

Whatever you decide to do with her, you are starting out with bewutiful car. Looking forward to watching you progress.

 

I got to spend some more time in there. Did a little more garage cleaning and organizing, topped off the tires, pushed the car away from the wall and cleaned her up a little more. I also took more pictures.

 

That beer gut wouldn't have anything to do with that 'Personal Home Brewing Kit' I see in the background now, would it?

Nice looking 'vert. Yes, there's paint defects, stress cracks, etc. But overall, it still looks, really, really good. We now call that "Patina". For the amount of money you want to spend, I think you could easily do it for half of that, to get it on the road and enjoying it this Spring.

As others have said, the basics and then maybe a new carpet, shine it up, clean it out and when it's all ready, turn the key, push in the clutch and crank it!

PS: I am a total IPA hophead, addicted to the strongest of those wicked ales. Forgive me Lord, for I am a weak geek!

 

Looks great,a little patina makes it more drivable,wouldn't dare to drive mine if the paint was flawless