My 58 Belvedere...

[Mikes2nd]

So I bought Christine... ohhhh scary...

[green-lantern]

ha ha looking forward to this build. That poor front finder looks bad but the rest doesn't seem to bad. How's the bottom look?

[Mikes2nd]

floorpans are cut out, trunk is in tact, I have new fenders incoming. The tires throw water and dirt up in that area... an they rot quickly. Just bad engineering and wheel housings that aren't tight.

Drivers quarter needs replacing, new bumpers... new windshield... a boat load of work but these are getting rarer and rarer... Australia and EU are grabbing them like crazy... projects are pretty much gone....

[HilbillyHomeboy]

You're going to have a fortune in chrome/stainless/potmetal refinishing, alone.

Jeremy

[Mikes2nd]

eh I have all the chrome and its pretty good, just the bumpers(have both of those for 600$)

and only thing left to chrome is lettering on side and back and the fender mirrors) 90% of the trim is perfect and a lot is stainless.

[green-lantern]

Are you doing a stock restore or will it have modern wheels, brakes, stereo etc.?

[Mikes2nd]

eh... I actually am thinking, custom everything... pro tour, big brakes, big rims, full cage and other safety(these cars are death on wheels in accidents) I will have to see what mopar fits best. 300C or Challenger or Charger. I am looking at the SRT 6.4 engine.

One guy swapped a gen 2 or 3 Viper engine but its STOCK pretty much! but thats insane... you have to have the rest of the car support or its a waste.

I am trying to finish my 70 GTO first(LS3, Z06 front suspension and brakes, Ford Mustang Gt500 rear axle(z06 brakes on a Ford), TR6060 transmission, 2004 GTO interior/Body electronics)...

The Belvedere is next but I am just getting it "solidified" where I can feel safe sending the body off to the sandblaster and then put it away in storage for a year "or two"... :(

The 67 GTO will prob be a simpler swap... stock interior mostly with a ls3..

[green-lantern]

It's hard to believe that big ass thing is bad in a wreck.

I'd love to have one.

[j2k4]

I believe my Uncle had one of those - old 383 cross-ram?

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I believe my Uncle had one of those - old 383 cross-ram?

351 golden commando was the largest big block in the 58's.

Jeremy

[Mikes2nd]

Fenders are in from greyhound... hurt the bank account but well worth it...

here is why you cage these cars...

most of the times these do "25" mph going to a car show... but I would like to drive it a fair amount.

I will be going with a custom frame(much stronger) and full nasty cage, stronger firewall etc, 5 point harness...

this giant Plymouth only weighs 3600 lbs... the damn door are two pieces of sheet metal, bumpers are very thin also.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joMK1WZjP7g

[Mikes2nd]

got one fender on for storage... going to a huge swap meet to hunt for misc pieces...

[DocWalt]

Baller status, to the max.

[Mikes2nd]

got the other fender on, already looks tons better. NOS door handle. I am hunting for the drivers side now.

Floor pan is paid for... Bought a left grill. I need the original from gold grill emblem though... found one for 170.

I think I have bumpers lined up but have to see...

Look at the "wheel well"... there isn't one... so there was asphalt up on top of the headlight... no wonder it rotted instantly.

[DocWalt]

You going to fab up fender liners or just limit where and when you drive it to prevent damage?

[Mikes2nd]

Yeah I will cut and bend real fender liners for it. I am really looking at this for almost a daily driver in good weather...

This one will be a keeper I think. They are getting near impossible to find and I wouldn't have the heart to modernize a restored car... a "reasonable" 57-59 goes for 25k minimum.

Most cars have been gobbled up for future projects and overseas sales... I can't find 1 two door hard top project. Only 4 doors and 1 post car...

[Mikes2nd]

scored a NOS original quarter panel... schweeet...

6841

[green-lantern]

Fenders are in from greyhound... hurt the bank account but well worth it...

here is why you cage these cars...

most of the times these do "25" mph going to a car show... but I would like to drive it a fair amount.

I will be going with a custom frame(much stronger) and full nasty cage, stronger firewall etc, 5 point harness...

this giant Plymouth only weighs 3600 lbs... the damn door are two pieces of sheet metal, bumpers are very thin also.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joMK1WZjP7g

That's insane! Like the guy says in the video you always think classic cars are rock solid but this car is obviously not.

[Mikes2nd]

685568566857my quarter is farked... floorpan isn't bad but going to need replaced.

[mcshooter]

685568566857my quarter is farked... floorpan isn't bad but going to need replaced.

Mikes latest is to use the body on a new hemi challenger, after the gto is finished

[mcshooter]

Mike just picked up a 1957 dodge royal lancer hardtop and a 1957 Chrysler 300 c , and am putting a 392 hemi of his now.

[futurevr4man]

Not sure how I missed this thread. Awesome!

[mcshooter]

Too bad the 392 hemi at 740 lbs is so heavy, would love to see him put it in his vr4

[Mikes2nd]

9317yanking this thing apart...

[Mikes2nd]

going back together with a 392 inch hemi...9623962496259626

[j2k4]

The wallet is strong with this one...

[Mikes2nd]

the hemi rebuild kinda hurt, stupid rust bullet paint aint cheap... lots of work... welding wire and gas... i welded in new rockers and floors... i think I spent 400$ in welding gas alone, maybe 150 in wire...

[BaadVR4]

I'm available for adoption. I was 13 when this car came out. Imagine.....................

[j2k4]

the hemi rebuild kinda hurt, stupid rust bullet paint aint cheap... lots of work... welding wire and gas... i welded in new rockers and floors... i think I spent 400$ in welding gas alone, maybe 150 in wire...

I am just a large fan of the old hemis.

I had a neighbor who went through several old New Yorkers; I think he had about 5 331s and 354s under his bench before he finally picked up a 392 and called it good.

His baby was a really clean '53 with a 331, and he just would NOT swap one of the bigger ones in, cuz he wanted it to be 'original'. :rolleyes:

[DocWalt]

Wow, looking great.