[Something69]

For a couple years now I've been thinking of starting over again with my 69. I Built this car when I was 16-17 years old, that was almost 20 years ago now. Here is what it looked like last spring...[/SIZE]

My plans now include major suspension and engine modifications. I am currently thinking about a Procharger and the new Total Cost Involved suspension kit.

But before I can do any of that I need to fix my past sins...

I bought this 74 for $700, I am going to install the drive train for the 69 into it and that should get me through the next few years while the 69 is under the knife. The 74 is ugly but I will run nice... Here's a picture of it...

I started the tear down today and began to remember the wrong I've done. Oh she's pretty on the outside but what lies beneath, between, behind???

Oops, some rust I never fixed...

Fender brace never fixed properly...

Oh man what the hell was I thinking, Filling the trim holes with bondo...

The point of no return...

Well that's as far as I got today. What other suprises will I find? Truthfully I am not at all suprised, I know exactly all the mistakes I've made.

Keep checking back for updates as I move forward.

And let's here your stories about what lies beneath, between, behind...

 

[OldGuy 71Acadian]

Looking good. You should post your build in the car profile section under the sub form Nova Projects.

 

[taz3]

I'd rather see some of those fixes then the car sitting in a field going to waste waiting to be restored, glad you were enjoying it! Keep us posted on the rebuild.:yes:

 

[crazy88]

looking good! im doing the same thing to my 69. except all the stuff really came to a surpise to me! lol they used dumbbell ends as body mounts. horrible i tells ya.

 

[bigdaddykane]

how much did you buy the 69 for back then?

 

[Something69]

I got the motor into the 74 today, I will post pictures soon. Had a problem with the 74 mounts and oil pan and fuel pump were touching the frame. Had to pull the whole thing out again and swap the mounts out. Everything is fine now and moving forward.

Once the 74 is running I will start the Pro-touring project on the 69. I am looking into the frame kit from Total Cost Involved. What do you guys think about it?

Putting Electricity in the garage soon, so everything will be easier.

 

[Something69]

Ok so here are some more progress pictures...

Here is the freshened up engine installed in the 74. I painted it again and cleaned it up a bit. The 74 is just going to be a beater/driver so I am not putting a lot of effort or money into it.

I had trouble with these mounts that came with the 74, the oil pan and the fuel pump were touching the frame.

I had to use these mounts from the 69 instead...

That's it for now, check back soon for more...

 

[venturesomerite]

Looks like a pretty nice car, but yeah, it's better to see some crappy fixes on the car, then see it crushed to make a fridge. Everyone gets a second chance, and maybe you just didn't have the time, skills or the resources back then. I say take all the time you need and do it right, and exactly how you want this time.

 

[Something69]

I have had about six of seven 3rd generation Novas over the years only to have to get rid of them because they were too rotted or no place to store them. Good cars are getting harder to find, 15 years ago I was throwing away cars that are considered good today.

I can't help myself when I see a Nova for sale I have to buy it. I am a sucker for beat up Novas.

 

[74 hatchback]

Nice project, i have a 74 and your right that one is ugly. The 69 looks killer and could use a nice BBC this time around!

 

[Something69]

My plans include a SBC with F.I. and a Procharger and a 6-speed to keep the fuel miliage respectable when I don't have my foot into it too deep.

 

[oros35]

This sounds like what I'll be doing in 10 years or so!!!


I got mine when I was 16, Had it roadworthy by the time I was 18, looked pretty good by the time I was 20. I'm now 29 and looking at everything I did...ouch! But that's how you learn.

I figure I have a few more years before the time is right to make everything right. But for now I'll keep patching it up and enjoy it. Save the resto for my mid life crisis!!

 

[Something69]

No progress on the cars this weekend. Putting Electricity in the garage. Had to dig a trench 150 feet long by hand. Yes it sucked... When I'm done I'll have 100 amps and my welder and air compressor will come out of storage.

 

[jackb]

looks like lots of work diggin that ditch. how many blisters
did that cost you.

 

[Something69]

Well it's been a few weeks and my electricity project is done, now I can get down to business on the cars...

100 amps and ready for some welding...

Now I am going to do the quick and dirty repair on the 74. I bought the car to have something to drive while the 69 is under the knife. It will also help me get my welding skills back on track, it's been about 10 years and I'm a little rusty (pardon the pun). Speaking of rust here are the problem areas on the 74.

Over all it isn't too bad for only $700. More to come later.

 

[Something69]

As a comparison this was the 69 back in 1990 shortly after I bought it. It was actually worse than the 74 but nearly 15 years earlier.

 

[68chevyll]

I love your 69. I never would have guessed it had rust. What color blue is it??

 

[Something69]

I love your 69. I never would have guessed it had rust. What color blue is it??

The color is a 1996/97 Toyota/Lexus blue... "Royal Saphire Pearl" is the name I think... It has a black base instead of the silver to darken it a bit. I hated it at first but everyone seems to like it so it grew on me. Thanks

 

[Something69]

Well it turns out the 74 is a little more rotted than I thought. I am going to use the 74 as a learning tool and teach myself how to stitch weld. I will cover this in another post and have pictures in a couple days. I have a new computer on the way and I should be able to post easier.