68 Chevelle SS: Project Lost Hope

[windycitychev]

Soon I will be starting the full build thread of my 68 Chevelle SS: Project Lost Hope by Rides by Design, give me your input of the rendering and your thoughts and suggestions, at the moment its about 1/4 complete

When I originally purchased teh the Chevelle I truly had no idea what direction to go because at the time I was working on my convertible, so it sat in my garage for about a year in a half and was using it as storage for my other project. I finally finished my other project last October and drove it for about the last few weeks before the winter started here in Chicago. I got rid of the Convertble and sat forth on the Chevelle on November and first thing was to get it blasted as I thought there was no major issues going on but sure enough. It needed full quarters, fenders, floors front and trunk, tail pane, upper cowl and side cowl panels, deck filler panel, and so oh and front header panel. I got all together but first thing was to get the floors done with my buddy and his father we started but with their busy schedule and the bad winter here in Chicago we sat the floor but truly never finished it. Then as the winter was going along and me planning things I found a guy whose price to start on the build was reasonable so I thought I gave it to the guy in March within days I saw how much full of **** he was and within days I took it right back. I was bumbed and stressed but with all the sheet metal I had purchased there was no turning back. I found within a a day or two Rides By Design in Richmond, Illinois. I called up Richard Trip owner and builder of Rides by Design and prity much the deal was struck for him to take it off my hands and within a few days he picked it up. I went by the shop and felt comfy and confident that he could get the job done. Everyone should check out his facebook page with great work http://www.facebook.com/ridesbydesignrichard. He has helped me a great deal and is on point with build. The goal is to get it done by next May and going all out not holding back. I will be posting pics to get everyone caught up and go from there, THIS IS NOT THE FINAL RENDERING

[windycitychev]

Here are a few pictures of when i first received the car looked solid from far away but then i got to stripping it and had it soda blasted in the back yard of my house. I had never strippe down a car before but someone had to do it. Once the car was blasted I knew I had nothing but scrap metal but me being the type that thinks outside the box decided to take on such a project even though at the time I was doing a 74 Caprice Convertible that is now gone. Once it was done I focus on the Chevelle. Me and a buddy of mine installed the floor but never fully finished it as he was working to many hours and so was I. I decided to take it to a local guy that had posted his work on craigslist and there I thought I would be safe but thank god it took me only 2 days to figure this guy was full of you know what once he told me how he would bondo the rear tray and leave the screws on. A few days later and $500 down the drain but looking back well worth the experience and I have read horror stories so I figured $500 was nothing. I then contacted the guy I originally wanted to go with but since it was a long drive I passed (check his work out and my progress on my build http://www.facebook.com/ridesbydesign) but as soon as I called him we had practically agreed on the project over the phone. He came by a few days later was straight honest with me and a few hours later as you can see the last pick it was on a trailer to his shop Rides by Design Speed & Custom to start his magic. Since then the car has been totally transformed and I will be posting more pics later on today

[Royalworks]

Red and black always look great together. I think its gonna be awesome.

[windycitychev]

at the moment I have suspention pretty much done, while I have currently going body which is almost done, interior and engine going on. But mean while I will keep you guys updated and continue to post until I get you all up to date with my build, please give me your input, I am sure why everyone will ask why not start with a clean body, my response to that is that not every shop would really take on such a huge project due to the intense sheet metal and cranfsmanship needed which I found in my builder. Also why not bring something from the dead back alive and I would not do it any other way

[coolwelder62]

:lateral: Welcome,Look forward to seeing more of the build.I am really starting to become a big A body fan.It's great that we are getting more & more of these awesome car's here on the site.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[windycitychev]

:lateral: Welcome,Look forward to seeing more of the build.I am really starting to become a big A body fan.It's great that we are getting more & more of these awesome car's here on the site.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I appreciate you coming by stay tune because I am way ahead on the build and yea I don't see many Chevelles here mainly Camaros and Mustangs which is one of my next to do list after this one lol and i have yet to finish but these guys here motivate me and have given me great ideas

[windycitychev]

well here are more pics of the build trying to get everyone up to date, new quarters, trunk floor, tail panel, deck filler and upper window channel. Here you will see pics of the entire rear end coming together as well as drip rails being done and some work to the side firewall panels

[ryeguy2006a]

Looks like the car is coming along. Keep up the good work!!

[windycitychev]

well here are some more updates on the rest of the drip rails, smoothed firewall

[windycitychev]

well here as you will all see please give me your inputs are pics of it getting its first coat of primer, while all this was going on interior, chassis was completed and engine is getting worked on as well, got a lot going on at the same time, please give me your input, thank you

[windycitychev]

It has been months but I have some cool updates of the Chevelle, at this point the frame was ready and had been sent out to be mated back with the Chevelle for the first time in months after some work was done to it, Wilwood rotors and calipers all around, UMI performance front/rear Tubular control arms, front/rear sway bar, rebuild rear end set up for the QA1 Coil over front/rear,

[dug]

Everything is looking really good. Do you have any more pictures of how you took the front cowl apart from the firewall? I'm re-doing my firewall on my chevelle and it looks like you had it at a point where you could have gotten a flat sheet and replaced the entire firewall if you had wanted too.

[tubbed69]

looking good,you sure are moving fast

[Che70velle]

Coming along nicely!!!

[windycitychev]

its already in the painting stage but I havent updated since last year

[windycitychev]

Coming along nicely!!!

Thanks, its way way far along, its actually in the painting stage almost done, I will be adding more updates until I am caught up thanks a lot, good to see a fellow Chevelle guy

[214Chevy]

Even though you said that's not the final rendering, it's sweet. Gonna be a nice looking A-body. Keep the pics coming.

[windycitychev]

Well here I had finally taken the Chassis back to the body shop and at the same time I was getting the chassis ready, the underside was getting a nice threatment

[windycitychev]

While all the craziness of the car being worked on and chassis. I also was building a 468 BBC which was dyno tested at 586HP. I was hoping for a little over 600HP but do to the fact that I wanted to use pump gas and we were close to having to use race fuel which I did not want. We had to go with a smaller intake but at the end I was happy. I am not a fast driving guy so all this HP will probably never really be put to the test but it never hurts to have a little extra. Give me you imputs on it and my theme was to go all black since the entire engine bay will be red with a few satin black part such as master cylinder and so forth.

[NOPANTS68]

Looks awesome man. A BBC is a sight for sore eyes these days. I like your theme and attention to detail.

[windycitychev]

Looks awesome man. A BBC is a sight for sore eyes these days. I like your theme and attention to detail.

thanks a lot just trying my best with what I have. The Chevelle is actually already painted and next week heading to wiring and nearing completion.My summer will start once its finished

[windycitychev]

Well my project is nearing its end but I really have not been updating my thread, here is my 468 BBC already dyno tested at 586 a few more tweaks and it would have jumped up to over 600 HP, but since I didnt want nothing wild kept it simple. Eagle forged crank, Com cams custom hydraulic roller camshaft, JE/Srp forged pistons/rings, quick fuel carb, Edolbrock performer heads, Billet Specialties goodies such as valve covers, breathers, thermostat, MSD, March Pulley Serpentine, to go with it some custom Lemons Headers and hi-performance street transmission powder coated in red. Let me know what you guys think. Let me know what you guys think

[Rick D]

Nice BB, yeah with all the LS motors on here it's nice to see a BB going in a Chevelle!

[windycitychev]

Nice BB, yeah with all the LS motors on here it's nice to see a BB going in a Chevelle!


Thanks Rick, I was leaning towards it but with so many people following the trend and just ordering them off the shelf not knowing what really is in them as far as components. With mine I know exactly what went in this bad boy from every ARP bolt to the gaskets. But next build I may be joining the LS family but over all happy and what you think of the over all BB

[waynieZ]

Its looking great. That frame came out nice. Its going to be a fun ride with that big block in there!

[windycitychev]

Its looking great. That frame came out nice. Its going to be a fun ride with that big block in there!


Thanks a lot, I honestly cant wait to see your beast on the road and keep your head up bud I know the feeling. Keep your pics coming and what you think so far of my build even though I have not fully updated mine is actually in its final stages getting wired up,

[Tuske427]

Well my project is nearing its end but I really have not been updating my thread, here is my 468 BBC already dyno tested at 586 a few more tweaks and it would have jumped up to over 600 HP, but since I didnt want nothing wild kept it simple. Eagle forged crank, Com cams custom hydraulic roller camshaft, JE/Srp forged pistons/rings, quick fuel carb, Edolbrock performer heads, Billet Specialties goodies such as valve covers, breathers, thermostat, MSD, March Pulley Serpentine, to go with it some custom Lemons Headers and hi-performance street transmission powder coated in red. Let me know what you guys think. Let me know what you guys think


Since you asked for opinions- I think that black BB engine looks awesome! I'd dump the auto and go with a manual trans.

[tubbed69]

you sure have came a long way in a short time,the bodywork, frame and motor all look like you have done very nice work,cant wait to see the car painted,keep pics coming

[windycitychev]

Since you asked for opinions- I think that black BB engine looks awesome! I'd dump the auto and go with a manual trans.

Thanks a lot and That's what my Fiance has been telling me since she can drive stick shift real good and probably a better driver then me. But I live in the Chicago the stop and go stop and go is a pain. Plus this is going to be a cruiser my buddy convinced me to go with the power and I just went a long with it. It will probably never see the track or be ran to its fullest potential

[windycitychev]

well over the past 8 months a lot has happened with my project, here are a few updates as currently its being assembled but here are some work that was done some mods, front bumper was narrowed to give it that front end that clean look, a custom grill was made but as you guys will see later it was converted into a one piece grill, entire front bumper was smoothen, Oh did I mention my bad ass AutoRad core support which will be all red with the all red radiator now I know why high end shops use them craftmenship it just bitching, oh side lights were smoothen out as well delted pretty much, more to come please give me your feedback, any of the vendors I USED IF YOU WANT TO SPONSOR ME TO TAKE THIS BABY TO SEMA MESSAGE ME LOL

[windycitychev]

at this point the front end had come together as I planned now it ws time to get some paint inside the car which I choose black even though I Dynamated the entire inside later you guys will see, I also at this point had received my FORGELINE 18X8 (245X18) UP FRONT AND 18X10 (285X18) OUT BACK LOVE THEM, INTERIOR IS PRETTY MUCH SET

[windycitychev]

at this point the car was its in last stages of primer and ready for some Dupont Red Hot Meltdown and man was this an expensive color but loved the outcome best money spent, it took some headaches but boy was it worth it

[windycitychev]

well after finally getting around some things I am putting up pics of the car being painted with DuPont Red Hot Meltdown, car had been painted a few months but is getting currently assembled, give me your input guys, as you can see even the AutoRad radiator coar support got a coat of red hot meltdown

[tubbed69]

paint looks real slick,thats making some progress

[windycitychev]

well here are some more pics of the Chevelle painted

[windycitychev]

paint looks real slick,thats making some progress

Thanks a lot this was actually a few months ago, almost there on final assembly feels great to say that and awesome ideas from everyone here as well

[214Chevy]

Paint looks good. Very nice progress shots. What's next on the list?

[windycitychev]

Paint looks good. Very nice progress shots. What's next on the list?

hey thanks a lot and actually its in its final stages of assembly should be completed in a few weeks, i have complete interior done, just waiting on my assembly guy but here are some other shots,

[windycitychev]

Well guys these are pics of the Chevelle prior to heading to wired up, satin black bumper have been installed, AutoRad radiator core support painted same color as car, look at the Ringbrothers black anodized door handles took almost 2 months but well worth pics don't do them justice

[gnx7]

Paint looks stunning. What size front rotors are those?

[windycitychev]

Paint looks stunning. What size front rotors are those?


Thank you for the compliment and I believe they are 13' and if i could go back i would go bigger and go with 6 piston calipers but over i like it all

[waynieZ]

It looks great ! I can't wait to see it all together.

[R.A.D]

That was alot of work. It consumed all my time

[windycitychev]

well the build has had it delays over its course and number one lesson learned is make sure everthing is mocked up more then once to assure once the car is painted the assembly goes smoothly but in my case nothing was mocked up lessson learned. So assembly guy has been doing mock up/install/making sure he dong scratch the paint. I have learned the sheet metal work and paint is part of the entire build I say 25% the rest is on engine, drive train adn assembly because they are the ones that will either make the car look smooth or just start putting things together like nothing. But overall it has been a good experience

[windycitychev]

here are some more engine is actually ready to go in, A/C lines are pretty much complete, brake lines, having issues with gas tank which wouldnt fit but that should be going any day, 3" Magnaflow exhaust should be going in once the engine is in but loving the AutoRad radiator and core support set up 1st to none in craftsmanship and quality, I figure I throw in a pic of some of the vendors ive used awesome products wish oe of them would sponsor me ill take 30-40% off on my next build lol, a couple of shots of the interior and loving the center console, give me your feedback guys and ill add on some other vendors i used cant forget about the ringbrothers sick black anodized door handles and hood hinges just sweet not pictured yet the hood hinges at least but trunk hinges are EMS nobody else made them well except Fesler but the wait was way too long for me,

[Rick D]

Looking good! Who's wheels are those? They look nice.

[windycitychev]

Looking good! Who's wheels are those? They look nice.

they are Forgeline awesome wheels

[DOOM]

WOW, just went through the whole thread OUTSTANDING!!! Love bring them back from the dead!!!!!!!:cheers:

[windycitychev]

WOW, just went threw the whole thread OUTSTANDING!!! Love bring them back from the dead!!!!!!!:cheers:

I appreciate that Doom everyone was telling me I was crazy but I visioned what they could not but almost there

[DOOM]

Yea I heard the same thing!:lostmarbles:

[windycitychev]

Yea I heard the same thing!:lostmarbles:

damn you are not playing about bringing it back from the dead but you have some mad skills as do the guys out at BBT are killing it and loved that 69 Firebird my gf actually had that one winning the street machine but what you think of the Chevelle and wondering how expensive you guys are

[windycitychev]

Hey guys I am trying to push my FB built page of my Chevelle and was wondering if you guys can support me by going into my page and liking it. That is if you guys approve of the page that would be awesome, some more pics updated

https://www.facebook.com/pages/68-Chevelle-SS-Project-Lost-Hope/153831408114614

[windycitychev]

well the Chevelle is getting closer and closer to getting finished, had tank installed had a custom one made but some issues with it so had to go stock but loving the braided wholes used any SEMA sponsors jk maybe one day

[GMTILT]

my favorite year chevelle, and you painted it red,,,,,,,your killin me :king:

[windycitychev]

Well I have some good updates and it seems getting closer and closer to getting finished. interior and engine should be going in this week but these are last week updates, let me know what you guys think

[windycitychev]

I had to finally put its SS custom badge on

[windycitychev]

well the engine is in finally not yet fired up but where are in the last 2-3 weels before we are finished. Also a glimpse of how the interior will look like and loving the black anodized Billet Specialties steering wheel wrapped in leather with a double red stitiching came out, give me your feedback please

[windycitychev]

Hey guys well its been a while since I have posted but here are some pics of my build finally seeing the end of the tunel, there have been awesome moments and there have been stresfull ones but well worth it. Here is pretty much how 68 Chevelle SS, 468 600HP sits. I will still be adjusting ride height and some minor sweaking but should be up and ready for this spring very excited

[Evan Iroc-Z]

Really nice looking car you have there! Enjoy it!

[waynieZ]

I agree very nice.

[Ron in SoCal]

You have done a great job on this car! Looking forward to your driving impressions.

P.S. Put your name in your signature line?

[windycitychev]

You have done a great job on this car! Looking forward to your driving impressions.

P.S. Put your name in your signature line?

thanks a lot its been a hell of an experience getting it done. I am looking forward to driving it myself but will have to split my time as I picked up a 67 Fastback (pic of it) this past October near the end of the build and I guess once you love cars one wont just cut it

[windycitychev]

I agree very nice.

thanks a lot and you have a sweet build yourself and have 2 of my 3 all time favorite muscle car my 68 Chevelle SS, 67 Fastback I just picked up this past October and just missing the 69 Camaro RS Convertible and that would complete my collection

[windycitychev]

Well I just realized I never updated the build thread and its been over a year since I have posted. I know a lot of builds start of strong but many never make it to the end of the tunnel. I know they happen because of financial situations that come up or just life in general. There were times I felt like quitting but kept at it and seeing sites such as LG and PT motivated me to finish. I am blessed to have finished my project month ago but it was tooth and nails finishing it. With some changes such as going from manual windows having all the panels and window cranks and door handles all set then last minute decided to go with Power windows which required new custom panels (had a bad experience with the cheap Fesler stuff which I will never buy ever again) made by Stitch by Stitch. Had to buy a new power window set up which was fun that alone with waiting for the panels to get done took a few weeks. Then went with push start well that didnt work out so well fuse in it burned out sometime while in my garage and it destroyed my battery ended up going back to regular key. Oh as I was driving it back from my assembly guy once I got home rear rotor went out and lost my brake and hit a pole in front of my garage. I had to get the bumper redone, brand new bumper filler and money of course. While I was added I decided to go with a brand new hood because my old one I thought was good was in reality starting to pit. So decided not to go with the traditional Chevelle stripes again more money and time. At the end i was happy with the results

[tubbed69]

Glad to see you have it finished up,paint ,interior and everything else turned out great,sorry to hear about all the bad experiences but these projects are always a major challenge:trophy-1302:

[windycitychev]

Glad to see you have it finished up,paint ,interior and everything else turned out great,sorry to hear about all the bad experiences but these projects are always a major challenge:trophy-1302:

Hey

yea it was a pain finishing up and it was as though the car didnt want to come home. Even after I got it had some bugs to fix but glad with the help of some awesome friends once I got it back, we were able to fix up the little adjustments. It does feel good but like they say projects are never done. I might add some side panels in the engine bay and maybe go 19's in the rear still thinking and change up the trunk dislike it. But thank you ill be posting more pics up

[WSSix]

Perseverance pays off yet again. The car looks great. I'm glad you didn't give it. Congrats. Now go have fun and enjoy driving the car.

[windycitychev]

Perseverance pays off yet again. The car looks great. I'm glad you didn't give it. Congrats. Now go have fun and enjoy driving the car.

I appreciate you looking and comments, I did almost give up but my fiancé and good buddy kept me going especially since I was so close. There have been some hick ups but never gave. Heck I picked up a 67 Fastback in the mitts of it all and now looking to purchase a 69 Camaro RS rolling shell. Il be posting up some more pics

[grendel]

What was wrong with the Fesler panels? I am adding some to my truck. Already fitted and upholstered and certainly have had my own issues.

[windycitychev]

What was wrong with the Fesler panels? I am adding some to my truck. Already fitted and upholstered and certainly have had my own issues.

I got rid of them within days of getting them, 1) fit men was horrible, 2) unless you bought their extension which cost $200 which they never mentioned until after I got them and without them it's impossible for them to fit. It was a hassle returning them they wouldn't refund straight to my card and it took over a month to get a check over to me after me calling a million times and once I finally get it the check bounced on me and had to do a claim ended up getting my full refund. But yet Fesler swore that had funds and even though we have the same bank. I have no clue how their stuff is GM licensed but I would never buy a single product from them. Again I would stay away and them taking months to get a simple hood latch says it all

[forcepower]

awesome build!!! How did you go about removing the body line behind the drip rails? I love the way the drip rails look.

[windycitychev]

awesome build!!! How did you go about removing the body line behind the drip rails? I love the way the drip rails look.

Thanks and to be honest my body/paint guy took care of that but he did do an awesome job hadn't been that I needed the car back on a certain date I'm sure it would of come out better. Il be uploading more pics tomorrow

[windycitychev]

Well guys I know on the previous post I stated about my miss haves and so on with what happen when I got the 68 back. But This was the offical arrival of the 68 Chevelle SS. I have been reading a lot of post lately and realized how blessed I am to have only taken 1 yr and half on my build never giving up hope of one day finishing. Well these are pics of the Chevelle getting ready to come home and its arrival home. It felt good having it at home for once. There are some changes I made from the pictures I posted a few days ago, let me know if you noice. I actually have only taken it to two shows and no cruise nights. I have just been diling it in and next summer I will be hitting those cruise nights but for now ill just enjoy it for the next couple of weeks before we get hit with the beautiful Chicago weather.

[payne]

Beautiful! Where'd you get the matte stripes? Are they decals or paint? I'm looking for a set of z/28 stripes.

[windycitychev]

Beautiful! Where'd you get the matte stripes? Are they decals or paint? I'm looking for a set of z/28 stripes.

Thank you very much and no they are not decals a lot of people ask me the same question wish they were lol would have been much cheaper and they did an awesome job on the paint and stripes

[windycitychev]

Well I posted a few shots of it coming home and very excited to say I am one lucky guy to have completed my project in under 2 yrs. I am 32 and with only 4 yrs under my belt in the Muscle car/ Pro-Touring scene. I would have to say I am not old nor young just in between to have completed a full blown bolt to nut restoration and still managed to purchased a 67 Fastback which is awesome running with a 302, AC, complete and mint interior and might need eventually an updated paint, ok it may seem cool to others but just to plane for my taste lol. As crazy as it may seem I just picked up a 69 Camaro RS, this one will be a complete project with no engine, trans. Well back to the 68 Chevelle and the awesome pics. I guess there's is no way I went wrong with this build ok maybe a complete chassis would have been cool lol. I can't complain all brand new AMD sheet metal, UMI Performance front/rear upper/lower tubular control arms, sway bars, QA1 single adjustable coilovers, 4 Piston Wilwood with slotted rotors all around, AutoRad Radiator, brand new American Wire, Phantom II automemter, Vintage air, Hose candy, Ringbrothers billet hood hinges and door handles, EMS trunk billet hinges, Forgeline wheels, Billet Specielties steering wheel, valve covers, air cleaner and many more of their awesome stuff, Clay Machine interior door handles, Lokar Midnight series pedals, Power windows, IDIDIT steering column, custom dash, ARP all aroud, Magnaflow 3' exhaust, Lemons headers, March Serpentine, Digitails. I know there is more but you guys get the picture

[spec134]

Great build glad everything came together.


I got rid of them within days of getting them, 1) fit men was horrible, 2) unless you bought their extension which cost $200 which they never mentioned until after I got them and without them it's impossible for them to fit. It was a hassle returning them they wouldn't refund straight to my card and it took over a month to get a check over to me after me calling a million times and once I finally get it the check bounced on me and had to do a claim ended up getting my full refund. But yet Fesler swore that had funds and even though we have the same bank. I have no clue how their stuff is GM licensed but I would never buy a single product from them. Again I would stay away and them taking months to get a simple hood latch says it all

This is the second thread where I've read someone had issues with Fesler regarding their finances. On the Chevelles forum someone was having issues with his project because of Fesler finances.

[windycitychev]

Great build glad everything came together.




This is the second thread where I've read someone had issues with Fesler regarding their finances. On the Chevelles forum someone was having issues with his project because of Fesler finances.

Hey, yea I noticed their producet and attitude was bs but they by no means held me back. I had Stitch by Stitch right away build me some custom door panels. Heck it took 4 months to get their hood latch imagine hood hinges. I was lucky because I saved every single email and also recoreded the sales rep about the whole thing once they started giving me the run arounds and even had them on a voicemail saying how they had funds on their bank account and if I decided to do a claim that I better not try cashing the check. I got my $1150 back without any dispute from them. Have you noticed how no one doing high end builds use their door handles or hinges or stuff that tells you something. Last year I called them out because instead of saying how they have great product they were just posting pictures up on the FB during SEMA bashing other hood hinges and so on. But enough with them and thank you very much on the compliment

[waynieZ]

Glad its home and it looks great! Time to enjoy it.

[spec134]

You said you went from manual to power windows. Which kit did you use? I'm looking to convert to power window setup. Also I like your door release handles, what brand are those?

[windycitychev]

My build was complete back in July and like they say you are never done because there was a lot of bugs that needed to be fixed. Just because a car is freshly complete doesnt mean its done. Everyone sees the fun end resutl but never truly see the headaches of the before and even the after. With the Chicago weahter looking somewhat promising this spring and summer, here are the last pics I took in late October. Im sure I mentioned this but I picked up a 67 Fastback that got put back together and completed this past October so with our lovely weather didnt get to drive it but once. Its all stock with a 302 and A/C. I am not a Ford guy at all but just always wanted one, so decided to pick one up. Oh, I also will soon be starting a 69 Camaro RS that will have way more goodies than the 68 Chevelle but that I am keeping under wraps for a while until things are moving along. But there is a complete rendering done by Ben Hermance and you guys know his work. I have some nice custom touches going on and have been planning the build these past few months. Lets just say I will be having some nice AME stuff on there to start the foundation. Oh did I mention I am getting married in August lol