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Haven't posted in a while, but made some big progress recently so thought I would share. Couldn't have done all this work without the knowledge I gained from the forum.
I'm a 22 year old from Toronto. I helped my dad do a frame off on a 65' Vert when about 8 years ago, and always been into the old Vettes. Now it was time to buy my own... A year ago I bought a '71 BB Coupe, 4speed, Red on red, numbers matching, PS, PB, PW, Rear Defrost, Tilt/Tele, sold locally at the dealership I work at in the summer. Bought it from the second owner who had it since '76. I have most of the tank sticker confirming all of this. Been a great father-son project, couldn't have done it without all my dad's help and support every step of the way. (I do most of the man-labour myself, and with my girlfriend's help.. Lol she's a keeper!)
Definitely did not buy it with the intention of a body off... But experienced some project creep and well, here we are. Trying to do it on a reasonable budget so I do most of the work myself on weekends when I have time.
Engine- Numbers matching bottom end. I put LS6 Square port heads and intake on it. Dyno tested at over 400hp and 500ft-lb of torque. Kept all the original parts of course.
Body was in great shape!
Bare frame was sent to a friend to be blasted. Was in great shape especially for a Canadian car. Primed and painted with Rustoleum/Tremclad Semi-Gloss Professional Series Paint.
Here is how it sits today, just finished late last night!
Haven't posted in a while, but made some big progress recently so thought I would share. Couldn't have done all this work without the knowledge I gained from the forum.
I'm a 22 year old from Toronto. I helped my dad do a frame off on a 65' Vert when about 8 years ago, and always been into the old Vettes. Now it was time to buy my own... A year ago I bought a '71 BB Coupe, 4speed, Red on red, numbers matching, PS, PB, PW, Rear Defrost, Tilt/Tele, sold locally at the dealership I work at in the summer. Bought it from the second owner who had it since '76. I have most of the tank sticker confirming all of this. Been a great father-son project, couldn't have done it without all my dad's help and support every step of the way. (I do most of the man-labour myself, and with my girlfriend's help.. Lol she's a keeper!)
Definitely did not buy it with the intention of a body off... But experienced some project creep and well, here we are. Trying to do it on a reasonable budget so I do most of the work myself on weekends when I have time.
Engine- Numbers matching bottom end. I put LS6 Square port heads and intake on it. Dyno tested at over 400hp and 500ft-lb of torque. Kept all the original parts of course.
Body was in great shape!
Bare frame was sent to a friend to be blasted. Was in great shape especially for a Canadian car. Primed and painted with Rustoleum/Tremclad Semi-Gloss Professional Series Paint.
Here is how it sits today, just finished late last night!
Hi Zellerz93, you have made some very nice progress in your project. I know that you must feel pretty good. Looks pretty original also. Not sure if that's what you are going for but keep up the good work.
ZIO
You should post this in the Canadian section. There are a bunch of us there who would love to see this project, and there is a ton a local expertise should you have any questions.
Amazing work and great to see a young guy bring back an old Vette
Hi Z,
It looks like you're making some nice progress on your car.
That article about the car just before you bought it is pretty interesting and adds to the 'story' of this car.
I'm curious about the paint on the car…. especially on the front clip and particularly about the paint in and around the side vent. Do you think the clip had original paint on it? Did it appear if the area of the clip INSIDE the vent had original paint on it?
I ask because there is a bit of discussion as to whether the side vent may have been in place when the cars were painted…. that would of course affect the amount of paint in that area.
Keep up the good work… you're fortunate to have such a good car to be working on and the ability to do the quality of work shown in your pictures!
Regards,
Alan
Thank you everyone for the nice comments and feedback! It is nice when hard work pays off in the end.
Not going for NCRS level, since that would cost even more, but doing the best I can to keep it as close to original as possible.
Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi Z,
It looks like you're making some nice progress on your car.
That article about the car just before you bought it is pretty interesting and adds to the 'story' of this car.
I'm curious about the paint on the car…. especially on the front clip and particularly about the paint in and around the side vent. Do you think the clip had original paint on it? Did it appear if the area of the clip INSIDE the vent had original paint on it?
I ask because there is a bit of discussion as to whether the side vent may have been in place when the cars were painted…. that would of course affect the amount of paint in that area.
Keep up the good work… you're fortunate to have such a good car to be working on and the ability to do the quality of work shown in your pictures!
Regards,
Alan
Hi Alan,
First of all, your pictures and help on the forum are amazing. Constantly referring back to pictures you've posted to try and get mine as close as I can, so thank you for your contribution to my project!
With regards to the paint. The car was repainted in the late 70s. It was a real budget job- Emblems, Bumpers, etc were all left on the car and it was a quick spray. The side vents were just taped up and had original paint on them, as is the paint behind the vents from what I can tell. The colour they used was a bit off, and from what I can see the side vents were painted off the car. Door Jams all still have original paint right now. Being stripped off currently now that it is at a different body shop. (Long story there).
Here are some pics that might help you see it.
Car was repainted- tough to tell but the vents are a bit different colour. This was on the way to the first body shop back in April.
Hi Z,
Thanks very much for the close ups.
I have a few pictures of the return line with the body off and I'll take a couple more and send them to you….I haven't forgotten.
Keep up the good work!
Regards,
Alan
Thanks for all the nice replies!
Time for an update!
I have been busy with exams but luckily the car is still coming along nicely.
The finished chassis was taken to Klear Kustoms Classic Car Restoration in Dunnville, Ontario.
They did the paint and body on my dad's 65 Frame off... John Paul does incredible work, and they have a great mechanic there as well who is familiar with these old cars. You can check out their Facebook page to see a bunch of the projects they are working on if interested.
They finished stripping the body, and test fit it on the frame before primer to check all the gaps.
I gave him the engine and transmission to drop on the chassis, to get some weight on it to ensure everything is sitting right when the final body work was finished up
The body was taken back off for primer, and as of today it got 3 coats of primer!
1971 454 Frame Off Restoration Progress
