New Project - 69 Vette for my wife

[69MyWay]

So, it didn't take much on her behalf to talk me into it - but my wife is graduating her Masters program December 2015 and wanted some incentive as a gift to herself upon completion. She contemplated all sorts of things and settled on having me build another 69 Vette Convertible for her - we found one on Ebay (and I paid wayyyyyy too much) and brought it home.

The car will need some serious bird cage repair. I'm contemplating buying another car (newer model firewall back) to extract the cage - convert to the convertible...and then swap it.

This is a four speed car with NO options. Right now it has a six link Drag Vette rear suspension...and that's about it. Bought it without a motor. Seller claimed it was a 427 car - but he was basing that on things that you can bolt in and swap (core support, loops on the drive shaft/halfshafts) - but there is no way to know for sure unless the tank sticker is still there - which I doubt. Ebayer knew nothing about the car - just a flipper - so I have to guess. I assume the last person was trying to drag it based on the drag vette parts and screw holes on the wiper door where a tach would have gone and huge on large fuel lines run from the rear.

My wife wants it to have a big block. I did a magazine article a while back on another 69 where we put a Vortec 8.1 and Richond six speed on a LS computer. Also, had the original "Killer" with a .060 over 454 and Edelbrock Fuel Injection.

But - I'm totally on the fence here. She will drive it to work and around town. She does not want a race car. In fact, she would like me to put catalytic converters on it to keep the fuel stink to a minimum as it isn't cool smelling like unburned 93 octane at work.

So - for now we can dream up the future build. I won't be able to get started on it for a bit, but will be collecting parts and ideas.

[69MyWay]

I meant to add that I have this car back in my shop right now:

http://www.lateral-g.net/mcdonald/

I sold it a number of years ago - the new owner put in a bowtie LSx 427, Auto trans..and different wheels. They had added an ISIS system that took a total dump and was driving him crazy, so I have it with me to put an American Auto Wire in and some other things.

I suspect this had "some" influence on my wife's thought process.

http://www.lateral-g.net/mcdonald/69a.jpg

[sokoloka]

Looks like a solid start! Been there, done that with birdcage issues - good luck and hopefully not as bad as you think.

Loving the increase in vettes being built :popcorn2:

[jydracing]

Nice build!!!!

[Rick D]

I really love the 69 vetts!! Can't wait to see what you do to it.

[Spiffav8]

That's awesome! Your wife has good taste....in cars. :poke:

This will be a good one to watch.

[HBRod]

Interesting project. My suggestion would be the E-Rod package from GM. Relatively affordable from a purchase pricing and not too expensive in operating cost. Comes with catalytic converters and harness.

That black vette is wicked looking. One of the sharpest '69's I've seen in a convertible.

Good luck,
Rod

[muscle69]

Looks like this is going to be a nice build!

[69MyWay]

So...LONG time...no update.

I've actually been keeping this somewhat updated at:

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222042

As of today (like at this very moment) the car is over at the local Chevy Dealer's body shop waiting to go through the paint booth to get a nice long BAKE.

I've learned from experience the plastic fantastic can "shrink" due to the heavy amount of adhesives and fillers...after it has been exposed to some nice long hot summer days. I've been doing the bulk of the body work over the winter where I've waited to hit 60 degree F surface temp to apply filler.

My hope is this bake will reduce the problems down the road. Next comes the joy of wetsanding and blocking...and repeat as often as needed.

The body will be coming back off the frame very soon and I'll prioritize that. I'd LOVE to put the full Ridetech stuff on...trying to juggle the bank account right now for that stuff.

I am running an LT1 T56 mated to a 454. I'm looking at several different ways of applying a cam/crank sensor for an LS1 so that I can run the 454 off the full coil packs and LS1 stock GM components.

Had some fun fitting 2012 Camaro side markers into the body...and some other very small tweaks like mating the bumpers up for near perfect body lines and gaps...etc. Many of the things that I've obsessed about for hours and hours will ONLY be appreciated by hardcore Vette people that know the difference. I'm hoping everybody else just assumes that is how the factory intended it.

[DavidBoren]

Sweet car. The Stingray is probably my all time favorite car. I have loved those sweeping fenders since I was a kid. I really like that you stuck a 8.1 Vortec in one, that is cool.

It looks like you have done this a couple times, so I am sure you will make something truly cool and special for your wife's graduation. I believe that a master's degree deserves a Corvette... I wonder if I can convince my fiance that I deserve a 'vette when I get my master's...

[DKz Garage]

Keep the updates coming on this build!

[FLYNAVY53]

Very cool build! Ive been a fan of your builds for a looooong while. Finally picked up my own '69 last summer and plan on going the Ride Tech direction along with a built SBC and 5 speed....unfortunately I too have some rust to address in the windshield frame and around the #2 body mounts. I just started digging into it and Im hoping its light enough that it can be sanded down and just coated for now, the rest of the car is really too nice to want to take the body off the frame at this point.....

http://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-image5_bb1c582a6a22aafa0a2cf6f532b342f1bc14b0ad.jp g

[69MyWay]

Well...its all over but the color sanding and buffing. Took me four days of paint time starting with the jambs - then the main body (sans doors etc) then the doors, hood, deck..then finally the bumpers. I sprayed it using Valspar and their 4400 clear. I'm very pleased with it - all of this over valspar epoxy sealer.

There are a lot of things going on here - I fitted 2012 Camaro side markers and selected a smoked out version. The bumpers are fiberglass from Custom Image Corvette that I fitted to a 1/8" gap all the way around. It also has the CIC 4" rear and 2" front flares...

Anyway, she is happy with it. This color black is absolute total black. Not another tint added.

[69MyWay]

Very cool build! Ive been a fan of your builds for a looooong while. Finally picked up my own '69 last summer and plan on going the Ride Tech direction along with a built SBC and 5 speed....unfortunately I too have some rust to address in the windshield frame and around the #2 body mounts. I just started digging into it and Im hoping its light enough that it can be sanded down and just coated for now, the rest of the car is really too nice to want to take the body off the frame at this point.....



That's awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a 1975 firewall back parts shell that has a decent birdcage in it - I'm going to hack that out and dispose of the rest of it. If you want to go for the gusto and change the whole cage it is THE way to know that you know that you know it is nailed and clean.

I modified a 1978 birdcage for this 69. The spot welds drill out and the roof t top bar comes right off. Then it is a snap to weld in the convertible top hinge mounts.

[WSSix]

That looks good. So you'll have it running by the end of summer, right?

[69MyWay]

That looks good. So you'll have it running by the end of summer, right?

Doubt it...at least as of how things look at the moment. The plan is mostly set. I have a T56 from an LT1 car that will be mated to a 454 spinning the gasses out a set of 2 1/8" primary tube Hooker side pipes. How we feed the animal though is up for debate. This is HER car - she wants to have a rush of power when she presses the pedal but does not want a stinky nasty pig that shakes and rattles things apart. So - the motor will be mild. The upside is that saves a lot of money and time. The bad news is - products for this way of going mean other compromises. The motor I have is seized up tight and I'm not sure yet if it will work - will haul it to the machine shop soon.

Getting the body off the frame with my lift without damaging it will be my next challenge after sanding and buffing.

While I'm sold out on the Ridetech stuff...and I've also worked close with VB&P in the past on their stuff...and Vansteel AND more have great stuff - at the end of the day I believe we will do this suspension mostly stock. The issue is she doesn't want to be bothered with a harsh or noisy ride in anyway - while I think Ridetech has this covered better than anybody - I can't make the $$$ work. But the GOOD...or I mean GREAT news is the suspension can be swapped out virtually anytime in the future. So, any compromise there can always be upgraded. The stuff I'm focused on now is the hardcare inner built stuff that is what it is once it is done and you don't get the chance to easily revisit.

I think the frame will go fairly quick - just as soon as I figure out the best way to pop the body off. A little sandblast...paint - and parts.

I am getting a conversion kit for the flywheel and clutch - and I've already fitted the trans to the tunnel and X member along with the hydraulic clutch mount. AND we bought the car with a fully overhauled rear with a six link dragvette and a fiberglass spring.

I'm thinking of retrofitting the 454 with LS1 (8.1 vortec) sensors and getting an aftermarket fuel injection intake and running it all on LS1 computer.

[Jay Hilliard]

Nice job. Hard to beat a nice black corvette.

[69MyWay]

Thanks to you guys hooking me up with some sweet big block stuff...I'm humming along on the motor. Waiting on my American Powertrain conversion T56 clutch/flywheel kit, comp hydraulic roller cam...and a host of goodies to wrap up the bottom end. Will take the valve springs to the machine shop this week and see how that is going. He will be moving the big valves from the 3904390 casting heads to the 781 castings.

We are hoping to go with the EZ2 EFI and a Front Runner to wrap up the motor. ONce that is all tied up, I will drop the body back on...and get on with the wire harness - trim...and interior. The last big money will the the wheels.

[69MyWay]

A video is worth 2,000 words:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D7hCd93Evjk

[Neil B]

Nice work! This is motivating as I am about to start digging into my '69 Corvette.

[badbu68]

Sounds great! That should be a very fun ride.

[WSSix]

Sounds awesome! great job, Chris.

[69MyWay]

We wanted to test the waters and put our house up for sale. I was going to wait a bit, but the agent talked me into doing it sooner than later. Well...it sold in FOUR DAYS. We have to be out by Oct 31 and looks like we will be renting in a small place for a bit until we figure out what to do.

So...in trying to clear the shop I've listed stuff on the classifieds (more to come) and am going wide open to get this Corvette at least all in one piece so we can figure out what to do.

The front runner stuff goes on this weekend - and I'm down to putting lights and trim on the body. Will get the front glass installed soon...and seat bolted down so we can go for a spin.

Hate to do it - but may need to let it go as I really don't have anywhere to work on it/store it during this transition.

Last big items...wheels/tires - carpet/door panels - gauges - weatherstrip - wire harness. Then...it will be pounding the asphalt.

[Because Racecar]

Gorgeous car, awesome build. A C3 is on the very short list that I'm looking around for my next project. I've been project-less for about 5 years, so the itch is bad...

You modified a hard top birdcage into a convertible? Interesting...

[Jay Hilliard]

Nice job Chris. Sounds awesome..

[69MyWay]

Gorgeous car, awesome build. A C3 is on the very short list that I'm looking around for my next project. I've been project-less for about 5 years, so the itch is bad...

You modified a hard top birdcage into a convertible? Interesting...

Sort of...

The base bird cage - vert or t top is the same. GM spot welded on the T bar and roll hoop right into the upper b pillars.

All one has to do is use a nice sharp spot weld drill and pop those out, then the roll bar and t bar lift out. I had the convertible cage, so I drilled out the spot welds and slid the convertible top nut plate and transferred it over. I've done this a few times now - usually easier to find donor T top bird cages than verts. In fact, I have a 1975 cage stripped and sitting by my shop that I have to do something with ASAP.

Once the parts are moved over, reassembly isn't that bad. Just takes time to get everything prepared, clean...and ready to bond and rivet.

I used a Lord Fusor product and feel really good about added rigidity in this structure thanks to better adhesion technology. Now, one thing I did do a bit radical is I kept the 1978 STEEL floor and ditched the fiberglass floor. I feel way better about this for being more rigid and better support for seat mounts, seat belts...etc. It is clearly NOT a numbers matching machine!

[Because Racecar]

I think we can forgive the numbers not matching situation. :lol:

[69MyWay]

This thing is an animal...TURN UP YOUR SOUND...and if you have a subwoofer...crank it up

https://youtu.be/FE_1GqKUrlU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE1vTwD6U60

Needs wheels and tires...BADLY - but you get the idea.

[Neil B]

Looks and sounds great!