New Guy - First Project....Nova + ZR1

[Bud311]

Hello All!

I have decided that I would like to fill one of my goals/dreams and build a resto-mod. I currently live in Atlanta, GA

Any input, suggestions, and of course - ANY REFERRALS to any shop(s) would be much appreciated!

The project I want to build is a 1966/1967 Nova with a ZR1 chassis/suspension, LS9 Supercharged Engine, same electronics as a ZR1 (like Launch Control, Navigation, etc), custom interior. In summary, a ZR1 with a 66 or 67 Nova body.

My first step to this project is to interview shops to see who I want to build this for me. For me to understand what goes into this project, like time, money, design, and the steps needing to be taken. I am also not looking for the "cheapest shop" or "lowest price". I want a shop that I feel confident can do this AND that is competitively priced. (I believe you get what you pay for; but I also believe that overpaying does not ensure that much more quality). I also need to get a ball park figure as I have been told from as little as $100K up to $300K for what I am wanting to build.

I located a good project car ('66 Nova) today and am ready to jump in, but really need to talk to a shop that can help me build this.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?




A little background on me on how I got into cars for those that care or bored :)

-----

I love cars.

My dad got me into muscle cars when I was a kid going to shows and hearing him talk about his 1967 GTX he had as a teenager, how it was stolen, and later found wrapped around a telephone pole. He never got another one, rather, he met my mom, got married, had three kids, and raised a family. He always kept a photograph of his car on his desk. I always told myself if the day came I could afford to get him one, I would.

In 2007, when I was 23 years old, I started my own business with 2 of my friends. By 2009, I was financially able to surprise my dad on his 59th birthday with a cherry red, fully restored, showroom condition 1967 Plymouth GTX 440. I had to keep the car at my house in Atlanta for 6 months until his birthday came, meaning I got to drive it a lot. This was my first time actually driving a muscle car. I fell in love.

Soon after I surprised my dad with his 67 GTX, which he still has today, I quickly developed an itch to get one for myself. 8 months ago, I found a 1968 Chevelle SS here in GA that needed a little bit of TLC. Needless to say, my Chevelle is done and I have another itch.

This next itch is slightly larger then my last one. This has also been an itch I have dreamed about itching since I seen the "Sick Fish" be built by Rad Rides years ago. I always told myself, if I am able to build my own car, I was going to do it. I would love to build it physically myself, but I have no time or know nearly enough about the mechanics or electrical engineering to build my own. I am not going to even attempt to pretend I do. Plus, in order for me to afford this hobby, I need to continue to bust my ass and focus on work :)

[GoolsbyCustoms]

Would love to have the opportunity to talk with you further, sounds like it would be a fun and ambitious build ( wich we like)

[srh3trinity]

Sounds like you live in the southeast. Goolsby customs would be a great choice for something like this. Flip through this build thread. http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=27830&highlight=pegasus

Clarify your location, a build that ambitious can only be done by the right shop and I would imagine you would want one close enough to follow the progress from time to time. That will help others give you some guidance on a shop choice. There are at least five or six shops that post builds on here that turn out amazing work.

[Bud311]

You are correct. I currently live in Atlanta, GA

[Ron in SoCal]

Hiya Bud. Welcome to :lateral:

First off congrats on your business success and also doing right by your Dad. So very cool! Now onto your project. There are lots of issues in putting ZR1 under your ride. First of which is even finding a rolling chassis. They're new so probably limited inventory out there, but you might get lucky. FYI, there is a pretty new Grand Sport Chasis for sale here and the seller's a good friend so no transaction worries. Next there are lots of packaging issues in using C6 anything under your car starting with physical dimensions such as wheelbase, track width, ride heigth, rack placement, engine location and so on. It can and has been done! There's a guy in Georgia on this site 'Real Bob Johnson' that did it himself w a Z06 under a 69 Camaro. Also, Roger @ Ironworks is pretty well versed in dimensional pacement w two in his shop right now.

Other options include a company - the name escapes me but I saw them at SEMA last year - that has a C4 rolling chasis set up (they use a 66 Chevelle as their shop car I believe) and also Newman's in Central Cali that specializes in C4 chassis under almost anything as well. Lastly, the Roadster shop has a c6 based IFS and their own design IRS that works very well. You could take any of these options and drop a LS9/LSA into your ride.

Good luck Bro! PM me if you want to chat about it and make sure you start a build thread. :cheers:

[camcojb]

You'll have well north of $100K in just parts to pull all that off, without any labor. The project sounds super cool, but you need a much larger budget than $100K for all that in my opinion. Maybe closer to $200K, but I even doubt that, as the amount of custom fabrication to incorporate all that stuff in a car like the Nova will be huge.

You can have a great car built for your budget, but probably not with that list of parts.

[camcojb]

by the way, I am not trying to discourage you from building your dream. Just making sure you know ahead of time what it'll cost. The biggest reason many projects are never finished is because people dramatically underestimate the costs involved. If you are paying someone to do all the work, it gets pricey in a big hurry. :yes:

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Those Novas are very cool cars. :thumbsup:

[Bud311]

Hey Ron!

This was definitely brought to my attention today as I talked to my first shop --> The LS9 opens up a lot of issues to other parts / fabrication = much higher cost.

I thought it be cool to merge a ZR1 with a Nova; but that would seem to be much more expensive then going a different route to get to a similar result.
I am learning quick on the what my goals should be and stick to it once I narrow it down.


I got my four shops to talk to this week . Step 1 - in progress!


Thanks!

[Bud311]

by the way, I am not trying to discourage you from building your dream. Just making sure you know ahead of time what it'll cost. The biggest reason many projects are never finished is because people dramatically underestimate the costs involved. If you are paying someone to do all the work, it gets pricey in a big hurry. :yes:

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Those Novas are very cool cars. :thumbsup:

Hey Jody -

I am not discouraged at all. It is guys like you that are definitely helping me wrap my head around what I am jumping into. I could not be more thankful for everyone's advice / years of wisdom and knowledge.

You are correct on the budget too. I had my first talk with a shop today; it went awesome! It is looking much closer in the $170K - $200K range if we go the route without using the LS9 / ZR1 setup, which I am cool with.


Thanks again!!!