SiniSSter 1966 Chevelle ProTouring Build

[SiniSSter]

First post, but I've been lurking for a while. Been busy finishing my 1966 Chevelle build dubbed SiniSSter, while planning and running the Buffalo Motorama indoor car show. SiniSSter made it's debut on March 27-29, 2015.

SiniSSter started out as a clean 3 owner 136 Malibu that lived it's entire life in the Northest. Surprisingly it was a rust free, original sheet metal car.

What started out as a "let's upgrade a few components and make it a nice driver" snowballed into a frame off resto, with a multi-page list of performance upgrades.

This car will be shown AND driven. Planning on some autocross runs this July at Syracuse and Columbus.

The Chevelle was built by myself, and some great friends. In a 1-2 car garage for the past 1.5 years. It started with a rendering and then progressed from there. More progress and detailed pics coming.

SiniSSter also had it's own Facebook build progress page: www.facebook.com/buffalomotoramaprojectchevelle

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I was hoping you would show up here. Nice work.

When you get a chance I bet I won't be the only one that would love to see a build page.


" What started out as a "let's upgrade a few components and make it a nice driver" snowballed into a frame off resto"

hummm, I wonder what thats like?

[pimlico]

Where did you get the custom Sinister badge made?

[tubbed69]

Awesome Chevelle:trophy-1302: :trophy-1302:

[SiniSSter]

I have a ton of progress pics that I will share. It was honestly insane building the Chevelle and running the show at the same time. Both were ready and well received this year. Now it's time to share more of the Chevelle. We did follow the entire build with it's own Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/buffalomotoramaprojectchevelle

I was hoping you would show up here. Nice work.

When you get a chance I bet I won't be the only one that would love to see a build page.


" What started out as a "let's upgrade a few components and make it a nice driver" snowballed into a frame off resto"

hummm, I wonder what thats like?

The SiniSSter logo was designed by a friend that does graphic design. We worked with Myles Tool and Die (www.mylestool.com) in Niagara Falls, NY with Mark Farina to CNC the emblems and then as all the chrome and stainless on the car, were ceramic coated by Spikeclaw (www.spikeclaw.us) in Tonawanda, NY.

Where did you get the custom Sinister badge made?

[SiniSSter]

I neglected to show the powerplant. I was going to go LS swap with this build, but decided to go after the heritage of the car, yet modernizing it. So a big block it is.

Mike Janis Racing (www.mikejanisracing.com) built 396 with Msd Atomic EFI and ignition, and Edelbrock and Comp Cams components. Also a custom configuration built for the serpentine pulley setup since many companies don't make a kit for big block Chevy, short water pump, and AC.

The valve covers were CNC engraved by Hot Rod Swap Shop in Ohio.
http://www.hotrodswapshop.com/

The theme of the entire build was 3 colors, the primary color GM Red Jewel Tintcoat, black, and titanium.

[DavidBoren]

Beautiful car. You guys did very well on the car, and to run an event auch as that takes a lot of planning and patience. I do like to see the old school big block versus just another LS swap.

What is all included in the handling package? What rear gear are you running with the auto? Does the TH350 have a manual shift kit? I have never AutoX'ed an auto before, but it seems that manuals are the preferred transmission for hooning.

[waynieZ]

" When you get a chance I bet I won't be the only one that would love to see a build page. "

I'm definitely in for this! Count me in!!

" What started out as a "let's upgrade a few components and make it a nice driver" snowballed into a frame off resto"

"hummm, I wonder what thats like?"

Been there, Living it !
Awesome build, I love the color choices.

[SiniSSter]

Thanks. I'm planning on a twin turbo LS swap into my 69 Camaro that I've owned sine 1991. That has had a big block since 2007, so it's time for a change. As for the show, I have ran it for the past 5 years. So building a car parallel to running the show was an insane attempt, but it happened, and was a great year.

SiniSSter has a complete UMI Performance suspension (www.umiperformance.com) and Viking coil-overs (www.vi-king.com). The frame has ABC Performance mini-tub and boxed frame from (www.abcperformance.net)

The rear end is a Ford 9" with 3:55 gears. Transmission is a fully built Turbo 350 with a GearVendors Overdrive. I'm not going to make a profession out of autocross, but want to have some fun with it. I've rode in auto and standard and both are enjoyable.

Beautiful car. You guys did very well on the car, and to run an event auch as that takes a lot of planning and patience. I do like to see the old school big block versus just another LS swap.

What is all included in the handling package? What rear gear are you running with the auto? Does the TH350 have a manual shift kit? I have never AutoX'ed an auto before, but it seems that manuals are the preferred transmission for hooning.

[Che70velle]

Beautiful car! Very impressed with the timeframe of the build, and the quality of the finished product. I'd like to build a 66' someday.
Welcome to :lateral:

[Z06Joe]

ABSOLUTELY love this year Chevelle!!! Love this car!!!!!!!!! You built it PERFECT!!!

Keep'n an eye out for if this bad boy goes up for sale!!!

[1transam]

Very nice!!! Ive been following your build on facebook!

[SiniSSter]

Thanks for the welcome. I figured since the car is about done and I am able to, share more of the build. As for the timeframe, that was hard to do, but I had the right people involved in the build. Some trial and error, but the partnerships with some great companies and the support they offered helped immensely.

Beautiful car! Very impressed with the timeframe of the build, and the quality of the finished product. I'd like to build a 66' someday.
Welcome to :lateral:

Thanks. As they say, everything has a price. I want to roast some tires on it first since I've been drooling over finishing it and enjoying it this summer.

ABSOLUTELY love this year Chevelle!!! Love this car!!!!!!!!! You built it PERFECT!!!

Keep'n an eye out for if this bad boy goes up for sale!!!

[SiniSSter]

Here's a few more pics from when I picked up the car in 2013 from Binghampton, NY. I'm the 3rd owner and the Chevelle spent its entire life in the Northeast. Rust free, solid car. All original panels, except for the rear quarters that they replaced pieces of, terribly, but hid very well.
It also came with a 1968 Chevy 396 that will end up being the engine that we built for SiniSSter.

And before the purists come in an say why did I modify such a clean car. It is a 136 code Malibu with a 283 and powerglide. Boring, and nothing desirable to collectors. Plus stock to me, in this form, was just boring.

[Intimidator3]

Outstanding find, and awesome build! :popcorn2:

[SiniSSter]

Where did you get the custom Sinister badge made?

Rendering was by Mike Lundeen. He designed the SiniSSter logo as well as did the rendering for the car and other graphics I have needed.
[email protected]

The artwork was turned into emblems by Mark Farina at Myles Tool
www.mylestool.com
6300 Inducon Corporate Dr, Sanborn, NY 14132
(716) 731-1300

[SiniSSter]

We brought the Chevelle in stock form to one last show Labor Day weekend 2013. My father runs the Olcott Beach Car Show and we had Dennis Gage from My Classic Car there recording an episode.
It was a rainy night, but I had to bring the Chevelle to dinner with Dennis.

Catch the pre-SiniSSter Chevelle in the opening with my dad and I in the episode of My Classic Car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTW0cmPLVUs

The next day, teardown started. And what was planned for some upgrades, turned into a completely frame off restoration.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Awesome build. :thumbsup:

I grew up in Buffalo. Where's your shop located?

[SiniSSter]

Awesome build. :thumbsup:

I grew up in Buffalo. Where's your shop located?

Nice... Buffalo is huge for cars, shows, and cruises.
SiniSSter was built in my 1.5 car garage and my painters 2.5 car garage. No shop on this build which made it more fun, yet tight.

[waynieZ]

I just watched the U Tube show video What a great show you guys put on.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

thats cool, pretty good little show you guys put on.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Nice... Buffalo is huge for cars, shows, and cruises.
SiniSSter was built in my 1.5 car garage and my painters 2.5 car garage. No shop on this build which made it more fun, yet tight.

Wow...

Powered by Redlinski's by any chance?

:D

#needthatstuff

[SiniSSter]

Haha.... Powered by Mighty Taco and Andersons Roast Beef on Weck. And chicken wings of course.

Wow...

Powered by Redlinski's by any chance?

:D

#needthatstuff

[SiniSSter]

Started disassembly on September 2, 2013.
Working in a tight 1 car garage. We were inventorying parts and getting the car ready to ship off to the media blaster

[fleetus macmullitz]

Joe,

To find a survivor like that from central NY...wow.

[1965_SS]

Nice car!
I was wondering if you kept the stock 64'-67' rearend width or if you narrowed it at all?
Thanks

[SiniSSter]

I was surprised to get one from the Northeast also. Was a pleasant surprise when we rolled up with the trailer to pick it up the first time I was able to see it

Joe,

To find a survivor like that from central NY...wow.

The rear end is a Ford 9" sized to the stock width of a 66 Chevelle. Then we worked with the backspacing.
It has an ABC Performance 2" Mini tub and we also did the frame boxing. Then we also replaced the inner wheel wells to the ABC Performance wider pieces.

Nice car!
I was wondering if you kept the stock 64'-67' rearend width or if you narrowed it at all?
Thanks

[LanceL]

Love love the car. Great job on the trim work COLOR AND NO CHROME!! Its awesome. I am doing the same type of thing with a 69 nova but blue. No chrome, just awesome!!! Killer paint choice on the body too. Wow

[SiniSSter]

Love love the car. Great job on the trim work COLOR AND NO CHROME!! Its awesome. I am doing the same type of thing with a 69 nova but blue. No chrome, just awesome!!! Killer paint choice on the body too. Wow

Thank you. I kind of got sick of chrome, so went in the direction we did with the titanium color ceramic coat. We've had a lot of comments and interest from people wanting to do similar to their own cars.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Through and through!

[Boss 5.0]

I saw the car in Syracuse, stunning build!

[SiniSSter]

I saw the car in Syracuse, stunning build!

Thank you. We won Designers Dozen Pick which totally surprised us with the field that we were selected from.