5 years of work almost complete on restoration!

[Dargo]

Thanks for the great comments. They are really appreciated after so much time and money. Several of my friends wondered if this car was ever going to see the light of day after being disassembled for so many years. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Nasty, you won't believe how many times I've played that Beach Boys song that was inspired by the 409 version of this car. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif My wife still says "I don't get it". She still wonders why anyone would write a song with the lyrics about the size of a car engine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Mine started out as a 502 hp version of the 502ci engine. It's up a bit from there. GM Performance Parts now has a 572 engine with 720 hp without any mods. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

JimR, I have a friend who put the same engine, stall, transmission, gear, and rear end in the same car. With no mods at all to his 502 (still at the rated 502 hp - actually dyno around 550) he consistantly runs in the 11.6's. He didn't have his frame welded together and braced, and the first time he really got his hooked up he shattered his windshield. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

bgott, the car actually did stay cool with the previous radiator in it on some "shakedown" test drives before the A/C was added. I wasn't smart enough to know that adding the A/C was going to cause some issues. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Oh well, live and learn...

AMP, yes, it will absolutely roast the rears even when running 55 mph and then standing on it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Sometimes that is less than convenient, but I did want a car that would do a great burn out without power braking. You'll never see tail lights when I roast 'em. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

jlbota, you are right on to a place I was told about yesterday. I'll probably call them with the size wheel I need and have them make a set for me. Other places I contacted wanted more than the Torq Thrust D chrome mags cost.

DannyD, although I'm not completely finished with my restoration, I've been talked into taking my car to the big cruise in this Friday on Main St. in Evansville, IN. I'm sort of reaching "burn out" on the restoration, as is my father. He has done a huge amount of the work. We also restored a '71 Ghia for my wife. It is just as nice (but not nearly as fast /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif)

I just had to show a pic of the engine too...

 

[Dargo]

When it was easier to work on the engine... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Dargo]

When the car was just painted...

 

[Dargo]

Here is my wife's little car. It was another time eater. The same process was used doing her car. She just has a smaller engine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

P.S. Thanks for my indulgence here. I know it's not tractors, but it sure put aside tractoring for a while.

 

[Dargo]

Oh, wait! There was a tractor involved...

 

[alan40]

I believe good work on any type project is greatly appreciated on this site. Both cars look great. My 3 year old likes the yellow one. Must be something to do with Big Bird. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The Bascayne looks like a speeding ticket waiting to happen. That's what would happen to me. Of course I'd have a big smile too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
There's just something about power!
Take care

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Dargo, nice work on the wife's car! The lovely Mrs_Bob had a VW Squareback just before we got married, she blew 2 engines in that little thing but it was a fun little car. I presume that is your wife's summer car? What did you do to the engine?

 

[Dargo]

The wife's car is a bone stock (but completely rebuilt) dual port 1600. It runs great, but how exciting is that when it probably has something like 70 hp? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif She wants a convertible now. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I'm not taking a can opener to her car. I'm trying to explain to her how the IRS has her convertible. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif (Bob will understand this one /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif)

My car, the red one, in case you were wondering, seems be a cop magnet. I actually had a state trooper ask me to do a burn out. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Not trusting his motives, I passed and claimed that it wouldn't. I couldn't tell by his grin if he was thinking "BS!" or that he was just surprised I didn't "fall" for it. Either way, I didn't. I don't think I'll participate in the "burn out" after the show this Friday either. It is very time consuming to get the melted rubber out from under the wheel wells and from behind the rear wheels. I'm told that spraying Pledge furniture polish under there helps. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Besides, I'd like to get more than 100 miles on a set of rear tires. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[bczoom]

Dargo,

Both are very sweet!!! Nice job. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You still owe us the RTV vs. Rhino tug-of-war.
For the interest payment, please strap your new ride to your truck and do the same. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
We need videos of both! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Brian

 

[GeneD14]

Dargo,
Beautiful job on both restorations. The Chevy looks much better than new.