George's 1969 Chevelle at Roadster Shop

[RS-Chris]

Thought I would post this '69 Chevelle we are currently working on as a similar guide we did a few months back with a black '69 Camaro. The basic premise being that wheels and stance truly make the car.

Not every build has to be a complete tear down and start from scratch. More often than not, good vehicles with a decent paint and a classic look can get a completely new lease on life without committing to the full cost and timeframe of a ground up restoration. With a solid body, modernized driveline chassis and suspension plus the safety of new wheel/tire and braking packages, this type of build can be enjoyed after a shorter build timeframe with updates and aesthetic changes able to be added as needed.

George's '69 fits this model perfectly. In this case we would be adding a FAST TRACK chassis with 4 link rear, LS motor, Wilwood brakes and Forgeline Wheels.

The beginning: With a ride height most crossovers and SUV's would be proud of, this is our starting point.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/15972599214_9302fc114a_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/15974981983_e45975c3f0_b.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8663/15972600234_b9cc2c6ab0_b.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/16568777476_c016c3ddaf_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/16407559518_5945d4788e_b.jpg

Blasting the underside

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/16594141642_0d99df9711_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/16594775005_f787a9871e_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/16407761120_a3ae6ae947_b.jpg

[LS7 Z/28]

I would love to see this thing painted like the Smokey Yunick tribute car that was in Talladega Nights

[RS-Chris]

Time for more pics! (Somehow February turned into June...)

With the underside clean and protected, we turn to the fit up and the couple of small mods required to the factory floor to make the most of a true performance chassis.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7454/16594783295_392ebdbc45_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rhqAVn)IMG_1586 (https://flic.kr/p/rhqAVn) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

Tub cuts and the pocket areas required to clear the 4-bar perch.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7388/16407573258_1f466f639f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qZT6U7)IMG_1930 (https://flic.kr/p/qZT6U7) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7433/16407577198_44f1507894_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qZT853)IMG_1931 (https://flic.kr/p/qZT853) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

Firewall smoothing

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7417/16593619761_a0b464839d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rhjD3r)IMG_2408 (https://flic.kr/p/rhjD3r) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

Final fitup with motor and trans and fabrication of stainless exhasut.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7413/16594173642_5c50408293_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rhntG7)IMG_2511 (https://flic.kr/p/rhntG7) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7392/16594809865_0109eb8ff5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rhqJPt)IMG_2514 (https://flic.kr/p/rhqJPt) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

Trans tunnel fab

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8561/16407791570_302377e776_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qZUdN7)IMG_2578 (https://flic.kr/p/qZUdN7) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

[RS-Chris]

More pics - final underside before it heads for it's protective coating.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7416/16408971559_2bf219d36a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/r11gyK)IMG_2686 (https://flic.kr/p/r11gyK) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7405/15975037133_35b7df6573_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qkEeYH)IMG_2688 (https://flic.kr/p/qkEeYH) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7410/15972659144_62a094da00_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qks45U)IMG_2710 (https://flic.kr/p/qks45U) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8630/16407612618_e45d4c52df_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qZTiAJ)IMG_2870 (https://flic.kr/p/qZTiAJ) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

Assembly

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7363/16594197242_ae79d50d6a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rhnAH1)IMG_5197 (https://flic.kr/p/rhnAH1) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8584/15972667694_a8c4e48dec_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qks6Cj)IMG_5199 (https://flic.kr/p/qks6Cj) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

Don Hardy build motor!

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7368/16407626068_66b76f2c44_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qZTnAC)IMG_5437 (https://flic.kr/p/qZTnAC) by Roadster Shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadstershop/), on Flickr

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Cool running gear!

[waynieZ]

Nice!

[RS-Chris]

Some more assembly shots: Wilwood 6 piston fronts -

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7448/16594210582_7b9c911044_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7336/16409001399_84236fd337_b.jpg

Rollers on and heading to the upholstery shop. Plan for the interior is much like the rest of the car, simple, traditional and clean.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8657/16593663291_671bf1eedd_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7435/16594885655_8053512587_b.jpg

Forgeline 'heritage series CR3' wheels arrive and are a perfect look for the car. Modern but still have a vintage look.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7366/16594275972_2d3b148d9e_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7434/15972763104_eb0e887d7f_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8670/16407902310_e6722d1b9c_b.jpg

[Wissing72]

Love the build!! Do you have any other pic's of the tail pipes? Do you do other work to the chassis to fit them, or can they be built tight enough to fit? My RS chassis doesn't look like it would clear them. I would like to put some on mine, the turn downs resonate a bunch.

[RS-Chris]

Love the build!! Do you have any other pic's of the tail pipes? Do you do other work to the chassis to fit them, or can they be built tight enough to fit? My RS chassis doesn't look like it would clear them. I would like to put some on mine, the turn downs resonate a bunch.

No extra work needed - the chassis is designed to accommodate a 3" exhaust with either the 4-link or the IRS. At the rear, the tips/exit should have adequate room between the outer rear rail and the body.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/369/18087895323_dacee6b59d_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/460/18520783418_3504f497c7_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/409/18682309396_ac101b9d79_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/500/18708590485_f237d6ac6d_b.jpg

Hope this helps - any questions on your chassis, give us a call also.

[RS-Chris]

Some more underside views:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7367/15975129823_f1dba31d37_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8592/16593726131_d8776c1d9e_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8632/15975131783_fb21bc8ddd_b.jpg

And the finished look:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/463/18682550126_f01421f690_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/388/18088195943_d67964d559_b.jpg

And in true Illinois fashion, it started raining as I took this shot.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/516/18682727016_7321ce2314_b.jpg

Photoshoot cut short, the car headed back to be loaded for transport. Overall, this is truly enjoyable car that is a blast to drive and really takes advantage of a fresh setup that the owner can get the most from at this point in the build.

As mentioned at the start, getting a phenomenal new lease of life on a car like this doesn't have to be a 'start from scratch' approach when it comes to a full chassis. It can be foundation for the beginning of a long term build up over many years as time and budget allow, or it can be the start and end point of what would be a really solid, safe and performance-based project for many people out there.

[Z06Joe]

Absolutely love this build and every build you guys do!!!!

For those of us that don't have the big budget to do a full off custom job, would this type of build be considered more economical for the average Joe?

If possible would you be able to send me a PM on what something like this could potentially run?

Again, great build guys. You and your shop really turn out some amazing pieces of work!!!

[Justin@EntropyRad]

turned out really slick!

[Sieg]

Well done transformation! :thumbsup:

[WSSix]

Nicely done. Great look to the car.

[garyb]

I noticed that when the transmission/driveshaft tunnel was replaced, the center part of the floor braces were cut out, obviously. But new ones were not fabricated to tie both sides of each brace back together. Is that not something to be concerned about? I ask because just cut mine to make room for a 3.5" driveshaft with my new T-56 Magnum in my 71 Cutlass.

[tones2SS]

Gorgeous!
Another killer build. Sits so nice and those wheels really compliment the stance and body style.

[Zoomin]

In the first post, you showed the original ride height. How much drop was dialed in?

Looking forward to hearing more about SPEC.

[SBDave]

Gary, I'm gonna guess those cross braces are not a concern for them as they put it on a full frame chassis.

[Roadster Shop]

The strength of the new chassis and trans tunnel do not require the floor braces to carry all the way through.

The ride height came down just a little... Original ride heights at the rocker were 11" at the front and 13.75" at the rear. The car now sits at 6.5" at the front and 7.5" at the rear.

So, it came down roughly 4.5" in the front and 6.25" in the rear.

[Roadster Shop]

Looking forward to hearing more about SPEC.

It will be coming very soon!

[HEEP]

RS, can you tell me what process you use to make the fuel tank black? Is it paint, powder coat?

Also, the trans tunnel in this car, do you sell those or is each one custom made?

Thanks,

[nicks67ca]

Looks great! What did you use for final underside protection? is it paint or undercoating?

[Roadster Shop]

RS, can you tell me what process you use to make the fuel tank black? Is it paint, powder coat?

Also, the trans tunnel in this car, do you sell those or is each one custom made?

Thanks,

The tank is painted a matte black. We do not sell the trans tunnels, we build them for each car.

Looks great! What did you use for final underside protection? is it paint or undercoating?

Thanks, the underside is finished in a spray on bed liner material

[OLDFLM]

Part number for the resonators and pics of the tailpipe turndowns please?