The Current Classic Project

[Retired BLM Rig]

Here’s another Corvette. This one is a 1961 4 speed. The cockpit ingress egress is a little more difficult due to dashboard and door shape. This is also the first time I’ve seen a tachometer drive cable coming off the back of the generator.
This one just received some basic fluid service and inspection, nothing major.

To be continued...

[RustyPW]

Nice. The couple of early Vette's that I worked on. Had the tach drive off of the distributor housing. The generator drive is a new one on me.

[Retired BLM Rig]

This has been a busy week for classics. Next up is a 1957 Ford Thunderbird. This still belongs to the original owner, she says she bought it for $3800 61 years ago. I think it might be worth a little bit more than that today. It's not show quality but it is rust free and very clean and straight.

One of the problems is that the trunk wouldn't open.

After the better part of an hour playing with the key and lubricant, I got it open. Now for the challenge of finding a replacement lock cylinder.

All the necessary gauges and warning lights.

The person that dropped the car off said that the radio didn't work, but they just weren't giving it enough time to warm up all those old tubes, after a minute, it works fine : )

Compact little floor shifter.

HV no A/C.

Original 312 Y block with matching numbers

Coker Classic bias ply whitewalls with art deco hubcaps.

To be continued...

[Retired BLM Rig]

Shortly after the T-Bird was dropped off, this fire-breathing black beast darkened the doorway.

1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport.

Very nicely put together, clean and straight.

Under the hood is a 454 LSX crate motor.

627 HP @ 6300 RPM, 586 Lb. Ft. @ 5100 RPM.

At 256 miles it has oil leaks from the pan because whoever assembled it didn't put a dab of sealant at each corner : ( Now it's my job to fix it if the customer approves. Other items of note, ride adjustable coil-over shocks, tubular control arms.

The exhaust is carried thru mandrel bent stainless tubing and Magnaflow mufflers. A 12 bolt posi with 4.10 gears concludes the drivetrain. Honorable mention goes to the rear disc brakes and ride adjustable shocks.

Mated to the engine is a Tremec 6 speed, driven by a Wilwood operated Center Force clutch.

Updated, modern digital instrument cluster and billet steering wheel.

Modern retro sound system and climate control.

The millennial anti-theft devise : )

Cruise control.

It doesn't plug into the OBD2 connector, but it covers it up nicely.

To be continued...

[RustyPW]

That T'bird is nice! Owning a car for 61 years is something. Wonder how much it's worth now?

I had a cousin that had a 67 Chevelle with a 427, and a bunch of friends that had them with the 396's.

[Numbnuts]

The Chevelle does it for me

[Retired BLM Rig]

Got to do some steering work and a wheel alignment on this 1951 Ford Country Squire.

Complete with ornamental surfboard.

And a Continental spare tire to boot.

Running a SB Chevy with a six pack

To be continued...

[Retired BLM Rig]

Finished up a 66 Chevy C-10.
Upgraded the brakes to dual reservoir master cylinder with power booster. Replaced and hand bent all new steel brake line to replace the rusty/marginal, old stuff. Every length of tubing is one piece, no couplings or unions to splice it together. I don't like the quality of the off the shelf restoration tubing, they just don't fit right. Really happy with how it came out.

New master cylinder and booster and lines that tuck behind, out of sight.

Most guys mount the proportioning valve right next to the master cylinder, but I mounted it down on the frame to keep it out of sight. Coiled the tubing to accommodate flex between the body and frame. All the tubing on the body and frame are held in place with proper insulated clamps.

Someone else had cobbled together the rear axle brake lines and it was a mess, so I didn't have a pattern to follow. I think what I made fits the shape and factory clamps pretty well.

Right rear wheel brake line.

Also made new trans oil cooler lines to replace the leaky patched together ones that were half steel, half rubber hose.

To be continued...

[olyelr]

Oooooo me likey!!!!!!!

[RustyPW]

Nice work.

[Retired BLM Rig]

I've got classic cars coming out my ears! Three came in last week and two more yesterday

Waiting in the wings for a carburetor is this 69 FJ40.

The next vehicle isn't vintage yet, but it looks vintage.

This is a 2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler.

Powered by a 1979cc V-twin engine

It has a rattle underneath that needs to be diagnosed.

The Cockpit. I assume that a helmet is required, because there's one on the passenger side floor.

Next up is another Chevelle. This one is a 1970 454 SS.

Halo headlights.

Classic lines.

A few hundred horses under the hood

Following a silver paint, chrome and brushed stainless appearance under the hood.

Fabricated valve covers.

The customer is complaining that the brakes are having a hard time slowing the horses down, so it's getting a complete brake system upgrade with larger rotors and caliper that will easily fit inside the 20" wheels.

Auto Meter gauges.

A mildly frustrating B&M shifter and one cup holder to share with the passenger.

Also rebuilding the LSD diff and adding 3.73 gears.

To be continued...

[olyelr]

Man I wouldnt mind that FJ slipping into my garage

[RustyPW]

I seen a Morgan when we was at 4 Corners this past June.

[Retired BLM Rig]

Working on this 1981 Corvette, replacing all the brake hydraulic components due to leakage that caused the warning light on the dash to get the drivers attention. Too many years since the last fluid flush. This one has 4 wheel disc with 4 piston calipers.

1981 doesn't seem that old, but I guess if it has a carburetor, it qualifies as a classic.

Also replacing the broken turn signal switch. This one has the tilt and telescoping steering column.

Tilt and telescoping steering column, full instrumentation.

Next is this 1970 El Camino SS 454. The customer complaint is overheating. Once again, too many years since the last coolant flush and it's turning into rusty mud. I'll be flushing the block, radiator and heater core and replacing all the hoses, thermostat and water pump.

I wonder if Chevy will ever do a retro El Camino?

Looks nice on the outside, but the cooling system is a rusty mess.

Original instrument panel and bail handle console shifter.

Ceramic coated headers, dual exhaust w/crossover and Flowmasters. Final drive is a 12 bolt posi.

The customer also wants to get the cowl induction system working again.

Word to the wise, keep up on your fluid service to avoid these kind of problems.

To be continued...

[RustyPW]

Had a buddy with a '80 Vette with the same colors in and out. But didn't have the strips. Teased him about the inside looking like a used tampon.

Had another buddy that had an El Cammy. The same as the one pictured. Boy....that thing hauled ass!

You posting this pictures is like I'm reliving my youth.

[olyelr]

1981 doesn't seem that old, but I guess if it has a carburetor, it qualifies as a classic.

Hey now, I was born in 1981 and I can confirm I too feel like a classic

[Retired BLM Rig]

I guess I'll title this entry, "The Raiders Rat Rod!"
This is a unique vehicle build. The body is a 51 GMC step side and the suspension and drivetrain are from a late 80's Corvette, complete with fuel injected engine, Alcoa front spindles and control arms, rack and pinion steering, four wheel disc brakes and IR suspension. It's not a show quality build, but everything is functional and I can tell that someone put a ton of hours into the fabrication required to make it all work.

The sticker in the back window gives away the paint scheme.

I'm not familiar with this particular PFI system.

Starts right up, idles smooth and sounds good.

Corvette IFS.

Lots of Alcoa aluminum components.

Not the prettiest welds but it works.

Corvette IRS.

Old school floor parking brake is functional.

Bonus points if you can tell me what this is.

It's mounted to the window frame above the gauges.

To be continued...

[RustyPW]

Can't see behind the cracked glass. But looks like it might be a compass.

[Retired BLM Rig]

Can't see behind the cracked glass. But looks like it might be a compass.

That's a good guess considering the crappy quality of my pictures.
It's actually a traffic light viewer. Here's some better pictures from the internet.

trafficlight-viewer-is-reflector-too-21589310.jpg (20.63 KiB) Viewed 11518 times

You can definitely see the need on this Chevy truck with an external windshield visor.

Apparently there were a few different ones to choose from, here's a couple others I found.

[RustyPW]

That's a new one on me.

[Retired BLM Rig]

This 1950 Dodge Wayfarer came in for a new fuel tank. Flathead straight six with three on the tree and a cable operated overdrive.

1950 Dodge Wayfarer business coupe for the salesman on the go.

No nannies on this engine.

The old school approach to high performance... cap off the single one barrel carburetor mount and then weld on dual carburetor stand pipes to the intake runners.

Full Instrumentation and Moon gauges.

To be continued...

[Retired BLM Rig]

Summer's coming, time to get the convertibles ready.

First up is a 1975 Buick Le Sabre: This one needed brake and suspension work primarily, with some electrical repair on the side. Now it's ready to drop the top and cruise PCH with the 8 track pumping out the tunes.

1975 is the last year model that California allows to be smog exempt.

Yards and yards of white vinyl.

Original AM/FM radio with 8 track tape player.

And there's even an 8 track tape to go with it.

GM's early attempt at a digital clock.

To be continued...

[RustyPW]

All of these oldies you post. I have some type of connection to them.

My buddy's mom had one of those Buick's. Ray used to get the car for Saturday night and we would head for the drive in. That car was a chick magnet with the top down.

[PWJouster]

I always tell myself...the Real estate career path is a means to an end. It has allowed me to have the awesome overland and sports car builds over the years and a great home.

but slaving away over a phone or computer sitting at a desk takes alot of the quality time away.

Thank you for providing this feed.

[olyelr]

I always enjoy your posts, David. Puts a smile on my face. Keep em coming!