70 Chevelle

[70 chevelle]

After sitting for 15 years I pulled her out of prison. I was almost finished her years ago but after getting out of paint project went on the backburner. which I'm glad for cause the direction I was heading in was completely impractictal. LS mock block and 4l80 core are on the way for mock up. sorry about the pics its hard to get good pics in the shop with the light . I'll try to take better pics as things progress.

[70 chevelle]

I've got the engine laid in looks like there are some clearence issues with the centerlink and the pan. I think I'll just fab some slightly higher frame brackets to clear. The 4l80 looks like it will fit with just some slight clearencing above the tailhousing where it bolts to the case

[Bandit Ls-1]

lookin good man, lets see some more pics :thumbsup:

[Mikael A]

whats up Tony, she is looking really good and keep us updated.

mike a

[70 chevelle]

Made some dash progress. Moulded my own dash insert, just need to mould some pods so I can flush mount the gauges. I also made a two piece panel for the VA controller so the controller can sit flush. Waiting on some mig parts to hang the VA unit .

[70 chevelle]

Controller panel

[70 chevelle]

Bringing this back from the dead.
A little progress. I'm taking a shot at my own door panels.
Foam model
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01089.jpg
Im going to use mdf to make the panel so I can make a mold. the finished piece will be fiberglass.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01088.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01087.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01090.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01092.jpg

[70 chevelle]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01093.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01094.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01095.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01096.jpg

[conekiller13]

I'm liking the direction of the interior. That's cool your doin' it yourself!

[waynieZ]

Nice it looks very interesting

[70 chevelle]

Thanks guys hopefully they will be in glass next week

[Aschle]

Looks very nice !! Makes me really miss my 68' Chevelle.... Keep the progress pics coming !

Jason

[98ssnova]

Very cool door panels. Keep up the good work.

[ProTouring442]

Nice! I'm also making my own door panels, but to forgo the mold process I am laying the glass over the foam using epoxy resin.

Keep the pics coming!


Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[Mikael A]

Looking good tony I really like the door panels.

[Mover]

Great project! keep the pictures coming. :thumbsup:

[70 chevelle]

Thanks guys. Hey mover have a link to your car? I'd like to see some pics.
Had some time this week so I blocked and smoothed and rolled all the edges. I put them in primer tonight and have them at the point where I can pull a mold from it. This is taking a ton of time I thought the dash insert was bad but these are much worse.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01105.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01106.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01108.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01109.jpg

[joe440]

looks great! interior is sweet. if i ever do a chevy its deffanitly going to be a chevelle, love the look:thumbsup:

[ElkyZO6]

Love the door panel's. What seat's are those?

[city_ofthe_south]

wow! is about all I can come up with. I have similar plans in my head and have rolls of material sitting in my living room waiting to become seats and dash panels. The doors are nice. Not to knock anyone but it seems a lot of interiors that belong in street rods are ending up in muscle cars and I'm really digging how you're going custom but still keeping it .... appropriate, for lack of a better term. Nice work IMO.

[dodge]

Your door panels are cool:thumbsup: Keep teh updates coming;)

[70 chevelle]

looks great! interior is sweet. if i ever do a chevy its deffanitly going to be a chevelle, love the look:thumbsup:
Thank you
Love the door panel's. What seat's are those?
They are arizen. I'm not sure if their a sponsor I'll pm you a link.
wow! is about all I can come up with. I have similar plans in my head and have rolls of material sitting in my living room waiting to become seats and dash panels. The doors are nice. Not to knock anyone but it seems a lot of interiors that belong in street rods are ending up in muscle cars and I'm really digging how you're going custom but still keeping it .... appropriate, for lack of a better term. Nice work IMO.
Thank you . I have a sketch book half filled with ideas and a few foam models. It took a while to get a shape that I could work an 8" sealed midbass into. I took a look at your site, you do some very nice work yourself.

[70 chevelle]

After a ton of work I finally have one mold done.
master sprayed in pva
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/ebay026.jpg
Gelcoat
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/ebay027.jpg
fiberglassed and braced
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/ebay035.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/ebay036.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/ebay037.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/ebay038.jpg

Hopefully next week I'll pop a panel out

[tones2SS]

Looking good Tony.
Keep us posted.:thumbsup:

[1badchevelle]

Will you be making extra sets?:unibrow: I have a 71 in need of panels!

[70 chevelle]

Fresh out of the mold
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011592.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011571.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011561.jpg

[Kendall Burleson]

I like the door panels are you going to sell copy give me a PM?:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[SixtyAte]

If there's a possibility of making extras shoot me an email too! davidbunger at yahoo dot com.:unibrow:

[70 chevelle]

rough trimmed and mocked up
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011611.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011601.jpg

[70 chevelle]

I like the door panels are you going to sell copy give me a PM?:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

If there's a possibility of making extras shoot me an email too! davidbunger at yahoo dot com.:unibrow:

I appreciate the interest guys. If I find a way to make panels without taking a ridiculous amount of time I'll let you know.

[70 chevelle]

A little progress
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011651.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011641.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011711.jpg

[70 chevelle]

Finally got back to the door panels. I originally wanted to use BMW handles but the handle body had curves that would not allow it to sit flat. The hunt was on. After looking through fleabay for a few days I decided to hit the local pick n pull hoping to find something I liked that was flat. I finally spotted these in a Mitsubishi Diamante. Since deciding on the handles I also decided to repop this panel so that the recess for the handle and the recess for the speaker would all be moulded as one piece versus bonding them to a finished panel. The end result would be no chance of the recess delaminating from the panel itself. Tomorrow I'll start on the recess for the speaker and grille. In the mean time this panel will serve as a mock up panel.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011761.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011771.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011781.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011801.jpg
The white insert will get glued into the mold so the recess will be one piece with the new panel.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011791.jpg
glassed in
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011811.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011841.jpg

[70 chevelle]

The speaker grille and mounting have been figured out. The grille cloth is not stretched in the pic and the aluminum bezel has not been trimmed yet.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011851.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011911.jpg

And then there were two. I'll be making a new mold for the passenger side with a much smoother finish that incorporates the door panel recess and the door handle recess so they dont have to be bonded in later. I should have molds for both front panels in the next week. Then I'll get started on the rear.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011901.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011891.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011881.jpg

Permenant backing panels bonded and trimmed.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC011871.jpg

[KPC67]

This is incredible..thanks for the pics...What kind of foam did you use in the begging to make the shape you wanted?

[groovyjay]

We want more! :thumbsup:

[70 chevelle]

This is incredible..thanks for the pics...What kind of foam did you use in the begging to make the shape you wanted?
It's regular sheet insulation foam you can find at any home improvement store.I got mine at Home depot. Thanks
We want more! :thumbsup:
Thank you.

[9deuce9rr]

lookin great man! love the door panels :thumbsup:

what drop spindles are you running? i'm about to get some for my '66 but can't decide who to go with

[tones2SS]

Looking good.
Keep up posted.:thumbsup:

[70 chevelle]

lookin great man! love the door panels :thumbsup:

what drop spindles are you running? i'm about to get some for my '66 but can't decide who to go with

They are ATS spindles but most of the drop you see is from the bags being aired out. I believe the spindles by themselves give about 3/4 of an inch drop but I'm not 100% sure. I would look into that number. Thanks by the way.

[70 chevelle]

Finally got aroud to mold 2.0
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01246.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01247.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01250.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01249.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01252.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01258.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01259.jpg

[waynieZ]

Very nice job on the mold.

[70 chevelle]

Pics from yesterday
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/chevelle/DSC012601.jpg

PVA sprayed
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/chevelle/DSC012631.jpg

Ready to roll
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/chevelle/DSC012641.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/chevelle/DSC012651.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/chevelle/DSC012661.jpg

[70 chevelle]

I pulled it from the mold today. I'm really happy I remade the mold. At the last minute I made the decision to add some Nomex honeycomb and I'm really happy I did.The panel is extremely rigid.

Release film.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01271.jpg

After the bagging materials were removed I cooked for a day and a half with some flood lamps
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01274.jpg

Out of the mold
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01277.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01278.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01272.jpg

Trimmed up
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC01279.jpg

[T-Type]

those look great! what are you using to vacuum the air out of the bag?

[waynieZ]

Very nice your very talented.

[Force Fed Mopar]

Nice work, can't wait to see the finished product.

[70 chevelle]

those look great! what are you using to vacuum the air out of the bag?

A robinair 15600. You can use any vacuum source as long as you use clear lines to visually make sure you do not get any resin into the pump. You should install some type of resin trap just to make sure there is no chance of resin ever making it's way into the pump. I've had luck with just placing my vacuum source within the bag so that it does not sit directly over resin but over a completely dry area and about 6 inches from the wet resin.

[70 chevelle]

Thanks for the comps guys.

[70 chevelle]

Slow but steady progress. I did not like the look of the door pull just sitting in a surface hole so I made a pocket for it.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC012921.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC012941.jpg

1/2 inch aluminum speaker baffles for 8 inch midbass taking shape
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC012901.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC012911.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013141.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013151.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013001.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013011.jpg

Made trims for the inner door handle to match the speaker baffle
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013131.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013121.jpg

Door pull boxes. I wanted to keep door modifications to a minimum because the original doors are rust free. I also wanted the door pulls to mount directly to the door so there was no stress on the panel itself when using the door pull.I also had to come up with a way to connect the new inner door handles to the latch. I accomplished this only having to cut a one inch square out of the door with this box.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013031.jpg

I then started with a one inch piece of bar stock that I threw in the lathe and took 1/2 inch out of the center and machined the ends to accept a 9/16 od roller bearing. The ends of the stock were machined to accept a nylon washer so the arms would not rattle against the body.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013051.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013081.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013101.jpg

I then burned in some arms to connect the original door rods to . I left them a little long to make adjustments later if need be. Also drilled for zerk fittings.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013111.jpg

[70 chevelle]

Burned them in and made some inner door handle mounts.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/DSC013041.jpg

[tones2SS]

You do good work Tony. Keep us posted please.:thumbsup:

[70 chevelle]

Some progress. I had to change things around a little because the speakers I was going to use are being discontinued. I could not sit around and hop that something would fit by the time the car was finished so I just added as much depth as the door would allow. The downside being having to cut the door a little. I made molds for internal bracing and speaker depth. After popping the parts out of the molds I got the bracing bonded in. I then machined the base for the base for the lock knob trim. Hopefully by this time next week I will have mounted the base and finally bonded the panel together.


http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/9e040922.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/3673ffb1.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/b2dc09ee.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/75e65b8d.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/86edce58.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/6cba2d02.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/7244ff99.jpg

[70 chevelle]

Finally. One panel done.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/74ab4e02.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/a54c1c8f.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/cd87e32b.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/e451b081.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/7cd6fc1d.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/966b5cda.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/683250e9.jpg

[JND]

looks like a ton of work, very nice work

[70 chevelle]

Drivers side
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/46ee4056.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/25f34d67.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/3037d169.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/93ed7163.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/5d28319b.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/aa31f1af.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/b351df8e.jpg

[lil427z]

cool.
rick k

[tones2SS]

Looks good Tony!:thumbsup:

[70 chevelle]

Thanks guys. Panel spent the day in the sun today curing. I'll set it out tomorrow too. Depending on how hot it is tomorrow I might pop it out Saturday.

[70 chevelle]

Out of the mold.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/316f6a4d.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/d27107d8.jpg

[70 chevelle]

Slowly but surely.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0132.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0131.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0134.jpg

[70 chevelle]

2 down
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0135.jpg

Started on the layout for the rear.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0139.jpg

[ProTouring442]

Simply fantastic!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[70 chevelle]

I cut the rear panel pattern and started the rear deck.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0143.jpg

Base for the rear deck.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0140.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0141.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0146.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0147.jpg

[tones2SS]

Looks good Tony. Nice work man!:thumbsup:

[70 chevelle]

Smooth progress lately. Made the last backer panel. Made the armrests. And the sub came in.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0151.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0152.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0153.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0154.jpg

[70 chevelle]

Spent some time figuring out how to shape the lower half of the rear panels.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0159.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0157.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0158.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0162.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0163.jpg

[tones2SS]

Great work.:thumbsup:

[birdman89]

This really is amazing work. I like your attention to details and doing everything right the first time!

[Danp454]

X2. That is one clean and classic interior!!!:wow: You know how to lay some glass!

[70 chevelle]

I should never have said things were going smooth. The Holidays came and crushed my progress. I need to get the sub box sorted out so I can make the rear deck. Once the deck is finished I can finish off the tops of the rear panels. That required getting my air tank . Everything is currently laid in there with a cardboard box to check for clearences.

Almost all the mud work is done.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0190.jpg

Cardboard mock up sub box
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s37/tonylav/IMAG0189.jpg

[Moabdude]

Tony, my oh my, how many hours did you put in these door panels?

They look sublime!!!

Can you make me a pair? :D

[70 chevelle]

Tony, my oh my, how many hours did you put in these door panels?

They look sublime!!!

Can you make me a pair? :D

Thak you. If they didn't take soo long to make I would gladly do it. I lost track of hours invested. Mabye thats a good thing......

[64pontiac]

Wow. You are gifted with the "glass". Thats something I wish I had the patience to do. Looks amazing. Keep it up.