How would *YOU* build a Resto-Mod??????
 

In my opinion, the resto-mod craze has produced some truly remarkable cars. From Corvette’s, Camaro’s, Mustang’s and Cuda’s, they have all been treated to modern chassis, engines and paint schemes. Even the big three have produced modern versions of their 60’s muscle cars. Soooo, what if you had a C2 sitting in your garage and GM came to you and said…… “let us know how you want that car re-done and we’ll do it for ya” Kinda like a “Over-haulin” episode, but only better….you get to design the car yourself!!
Here is your project “blank canvas car”, list your chassis, engine, trans, color scheme and interior along with a list of options you would want. Should be fun to see the various renditions you guys come up with!!!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...2/DSCF0203.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...2/DSCF0213.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...2/DSCF0207.jpg

Don't get me started, I've been thinking about this a lot lately...

:willy:

Fantasy aside, if it were to actually happen, I'd probably start with a '96 LT4 6-speed car, a non-matching '64 coupe, and a Newman or Street Shop frame. Keep what I need from both cars, part out the rest to offset costs, add blood, sweat, tears, money, and time...

I wonder what the C4 guys would think about parting out a '96?

:cheers:

1CoolC2

Guys like you and Rich Lagasse make me nuts. Your black car is MAGNIFICENT as are the ones Rich has built. I have been thinking a long time on this also but the issue of funds rears its ugly head time after time. I have a 66 Roadster but when I consider the cost of a frame and an engine....$15K for the top shelf motor and I would still need a donor car. Then we have getting the body into top notch shape............Ahhhhhhhh me.

If you twisted my arm for a parts list....I would build a clone of your Black car or a clone of Rich Lagasses current 63. Differences would be that my workmanship likely would not be up to snuff when compared to eather your car or Rich's car. Rather than clone I think a better term would be "reasonable facsimily".

Again ...beautiful job...congratlations. I could look your car over all day ...so much more exciting that 100 or even a 1000 original down to the nuts and biolts restos.

Start with Art Morrison chassis (he doesn't build them for mass consumption for the C2, but he will build you one) and put an independent Heidt rear end Ford 9 inch with the disc brakes close to the 3rd member.

Classic Chevy 5 Speed

LS7 OR build something that is different.....everyone that builds these cars seems to have LS1, LS6, LS2, LS7 or soon to be LS3 so when you look under the hood and see one now, it isn't any big deal. Recently saw LS2 in a 57 Chevy with an aftermarket chassis, so the motor has to look different.....so I would go for 427 with some kind of electronic fuel injection stack set up (webers or ?) but something that is different...
http://www.inglese.com/pix/cheyinduct1.jpg

http://www.inglese.com/pix/IDFSystem.jpg

http://www.hilborninjection.com/images/351F8EL.jpg

http://www.hilborninjection.com/images/BBChevyEFI.jpg

http://www.kinsler.com/images/melissagallery.jpg

http://www.kinsler.com/manifolds2/ma...ge002_0000.jpg

well.....you get the idea......

and of course it would be RED....C5 Torch RED......

Ray,
Thanks for the compliment. The 65 in the picture above is the my "next" project. I've been sitting on it quietly, not too sure what I will do with it. It's a really nice car and I have a 396 cid engine that would fill the rails nicely and make a nice big block clone. I thought it would be really interesting to see what other people would do with it given the opportunity. :cool:

IMHO: The LS motors look good and run good, but the "cool" guys are all standing around the big block car talking about it. Someone is telling a story how they had one or raced one or how the fastest car in town was a big block.

If asked about the "resto-mod", the reply is: He just wrote a check for it. And that is all that is said about it. :eek:

Whereas the big block car is talked about all night long. :yesnod:




P.S. It is just my observations and not meant to be mean, spiteful, or down play your car. I do think it is a really nice car.

:seeya

Jeff:

Since you asked for dreams; I would look at an SRIII design type chassis for strength, Dana 60 rear end on a four link (more strength), Fred Flintstone rear tires and an elephant motor up front complete with the dual AFB's. Old School street dragster for sure in that beautiful midyear vert body.

Let's roll those car dollys back to my place just like they are now. (with the car on them)

Rich

Resto Mod
 

This all all I have been doing for the past copuple of months.

Fiberglassing and sanding.
This is what I started out with. One old 64 tub.
bought a jamison Frame,
bought the C4 suspension
bought coil overs. bought a totalled out 99 TA
took the LS1 4L60E out

Now I still need all the body parts??????? This may sound crazy, but we are making molds of the one we pulled out of the weeds a couple of months ago. So far we have the 67 BB stingert hood made. We are still in the process of making the body molds. Here are some pics of before and after. Hope to but the interior in Serverville, Tn, in a couple of weeks.

64 tub B4
http://i24.tinypic.com/2l8zz1u.jpg

64 64 Tub during restoration

http://i22.tinypic.com/x2pava.jpg

Jamison Frame

http://i21.tinypic.com/121pssl.jpg

Tub being fitted on Jamison frame with LS1, 4L60E C4 suspension, c4 rear end and coil overs.
http://i24.tinypic.com/s6ip91.jpg

We have the rolling chassie just about ready, need to install fuel tank, brake lines and fuel lines and 67 parking brake


Now the body parts.
Here is what we started with making the parts. I know it looks terrible now, But You will be suprised when complete. The bono you see is just used to hold the broken fiberglass pieces in place while we fiberglass the back for support. All the bono in the pic's is coming off. Bond will be used to shape the front and rear as is used in many case of new clips.


http://i20.tinypic.com/15oikh1.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...rflaresoff.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...berglassed.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...m/DSC00045.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...m/DSC00047.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...DSC00039-1.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...m/DSC00036.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...m/DSC00037.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...m/DSC00039.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...m/DSC00060.jpg

No offense taken. In some cases your comment hits the mark. For the guys who do pick up the phone and "buy" a resto mod car, pay huge bucks and know nothing about "how" it was built, then your comment is true.
I guess I am fortunate, since I had the ability to build the car in my garage with some good friends. I actually feel I have more to talk about than anyone who owns a "production" car big or small block. There is a distinct difference between building a car that you can "bolt together" with production parts and one you have to design and fabricate the parts yourself.

I hear what your saying and we have all met people at shows with cars that know nothing about them and the voice in your head says "bought it".

In all honesty, with today's C2 big block prices, there are probably more big block owners that just "wrote the check" :lol:

I am humbled by your ambition!:thumbs:

to me, RestoRod = stock look, modern running gear...

but I love the look of larger 18" rims low low profile tires on the C2... like they were made for it

Cj

:iagree:

So true...................

But you can pick them out of a line up. :D

I got carried away with my resto mod and forgot to completely answer you question

Color.
Metalic blue with 67 hood singer painted metalic silver
dark blue carpet, medium blue dash pads, metalic silver tear drop (where the radio and clock goes),
RED steering wheel, white seat covers and blue or white door panels. Black and chrome steering column.

Overhauling just did a 57 vette the same color. It was Beatutiful :thumbs:

Jeff, You get all of the fun toys... Can I sign up too??

Street Shop Frame, Tremec 5-speed, '96 seats, Old School Bigblock, shark Tripower, 17 " Billet Ralleys. 2006 Chrysler Bright silver Metallic paint, Red interior.

Tom M

After I finish the CAD 8.2 L / 700R4 install in my '64, plus a bubble top (It already has a Grand Sport front end and '59 Sting Ray rear) etc.,

I want a '63 swc (or maybe a back windows swap into a '64), Saddle Tan, stock chassis w/Guldstrand and polygraphite, front discs, air, Muncie wide-ratio, whitewall radials on steel rims w/stock hubcaps, a late model FI engine and black boxes to make the electronics work.

Stock looking from the outside, except my signature six tail lights.

Tom,
Sounds like a kick butt car, got to love the combonation of new chassis and classic thumper under the hood :thumbs:

Heck ya Dave!! I KNOW you could build one Billy bad Azz ride given a clean sheet of paper. Sooo what would it be??? :bigears

SRIII Chassis, C4 front and rear, Coilovers, Blown LS6 with Cam and Heads, T56 6-speed, Narrowed Dana 44 with 3.90's, some bling and comfort.

http://www.vettetech.com/projects/c3...3gs113006a.jpg

http://www.vettetech.com/projects/c3...3gs113006f.jpg

I'm on the retro-mod boat as well with my 1960 and using this as a starting point. Someone mentioned parting out a '96 - the stares I get for parting out a '04 Z06 :ack: For clarity - I'm not using the C5 transaxle - just assembled it for fun as this is the closest I'll get to having a new Z06 in my garage this decade. :D How do I get those tires to fit?? :toetap: ;)

HOWEVER - I am definitely on board with a something unique. One of the concessions to my father (father/son project) was that the LS6 would get her on the road while we build something a little more fun along the lines of Rich's suggestions above. A second hood may be necessary for clearance :rofl: :thumbs:

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/6...tz06003fc1.jpg

Jeff,

It's great to read the responses with peoples ideas of what they would build. I think the greatest thing about these projects is that you get to express your own ideas, experience the hands-on fun of seeing your project come to life as well as having something unique when completed.

Good to see that you are thinking about the next project - there always seems to be one around the corner....... :yesnod:

Rich

New perimeter welded frame with gussets added and motor mounts boxed. VanSteel tubular control arms and semi-coilover with QA-1 double adjustables. Power rack and pinion steering. Guldstrand offset trailing arms with front spherical bearing bushings. Tom's differential (3.73) / half shafts / axles - flange to flange with half shaft safety loops. Tom's upper rear control arms. VBP racing lower rear control arms. Composite rear spring. QA-1 double adjustable rear shocks. GMPP 620 HP 572 ci engine. Vintage Air front runner serpentine accessory drive. Hooker SuperComp side exit headers. Gear Star level IV 200R4 transmission. SSBC calipers. VBP cryo treated sport rotors. Hydroboost power brakes.

One POS 66 body with a marginal birdcage, but that project is next.

Dang man did I miss something. Your next one! I have not even riden in the current one, well I sat in the frame while it moved 2 inches. How are you going to top the current one. I know you are just itching for a set of 345s in the rear of something. :cool:

Rich,
I can't imagine your thinking about your next one!! My god man, after the awesome rides you have put together in the past and the blood sweat and tears you have put into your amazing 63 project...what's left??

I bow to the king of resto-mod :cool:

Jeff,

Did you ever get to finish your car's website? Can't wait to see pictures of the build.

Islander

My web site builder (wife) took a break to complete some other higher priority projects......decorating part of the house :toetap: I hope to get her priorities straitened out soon :rofl: and get her to finish it up! I will post a link when it's up and running.

OOOOH ! ! ! :lol: I'm TELLIN ! ! ! !:rofl:

Rich:cheers:

A loooooong rest........ :lol:

Rich

How would I do a resto-rod ?
 

Well, I started with a c6 that was an exec. ride and drive car. # 114. The car had 600 miles on it. We pulled the body off which also takes the two main side rails. I fabricated up a frame to match the 58 frame. Of course the frame is aluminium to match the rest of the c6 undercarrage. The frame with drive train complete wght. is 1820 lbs. That includes exhast, tires, wiring,computer, rad. ect. I'm working on the body now. It all takes a lot of time.

What? No pics? http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...picssmiley.gif http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ithoutpics.gif

Well, you know my opinion. I'm into bolt-on mods. Streetshop frame, LS2 motor and Tremec 5-speed tranny and Dana 44 rear.
Keep interior and exterior as original as possible save for the rims/tires and I did and am doing with the C1 I"m currently on:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1781661

Colt

OK,OK I'll get some pics. The frame, complete with x member, does look kinda sweet. The body and inter. will be all stock. It was originally a blue/ blue fuelie.

I don't have the complete part list but it would look pretty much like this when I was done:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b9...62Corvette.jpg

Pictures are coming....I got tied up in a project. My car is just SOOOOO bland. Darn you you got me all fired up again about doing a resto-mod

Now if I could just find a project car not priced like a driver I would be all set.

Tom M

Sounds like you're very talented.

I once built Sportsman Red 54 with Newman C4 Chassis, LS1/4L60E, 58 hardtop and ROLL UP windoows!

Traded it for one of my 53's even up. I'd like to build another one someday!
Great thread starter! Keep up the good work!!!!
Brett

Ray,
Ha ha! It's infectious isn’t it!!! I know what you mean. I have not even finished mine and I already know what I would like to build next. Definitely a sickness :crazy:

Jeff, You know me I always have an Ace in the hole. I would do a stock frame with the new VB&P coil overs on all four corners. The rolling stock would have to be 17"s on all four corners with the offset trailing arms so I could put more meat on the rear to hold some of the power. Needless to say the power plant would be more than enough to smoke the tires.

The drive train is where this car would stand apart. Using a SB as a platform I would turbo charge the system. Yep turbos plural. The idea that has come to light in the last year or so is rear mounted turbos to get away from the underhood space issues. With the spare tire tube removed and running undercar exhaust I believe that this would be doable.

The one problem that I can see first would be the exhaust however I think that can be worked out too. I would make the crossmember removable and mimic the two factory clearance exhaust holes. Thus you would have four holes now in the crossmember. Really after that it should just be plumbing the system. There is no need for an intercooler as the pipes running aft to forward will allow the intake charge to cool prior to entering the intake.

The color combo would have to be a stock setup but something you don't see that much. Nassau Blue with Tan interior and Tan Hartz top.

The wheels would have to be something beside the Polished TTII's though. Maybe the grey centered TTII's or the SaltFlats kidney bean wheels.

Okay I shot my load on what's been rattling around in my head for a while. I'm sure there are a bunch of little details that I would work out but for the most part the car would look stock until you open the hood or start the car. Your car is great but even at first look you see that it's a built car. You know me I like the stock appearance but with all the goodies. :cheers: You and Rich should make the ride out to Roanoke Rapids tomorrow for the car show..

Dave

'62 vette picture.
 

65Corvette,

That picture of the '62 Vette is incredible!! Just when I think I get my '62 lookin good...along comes something like this.

Is that your '62 as well? WOW! What a car!

See Ya, Pat

OK, so I got to thinking again. I know, it's dangerous. But after seeing that post about the frame-rot on the '64, and the brake upgrade post on the '64...

So, again, if it were to acutally happen, with a numbers matching '64 coupe as a starting point. I was thinking along the lines of the keep-it-looking-stock-crowd...

Get a Street Shop frame with C4 chassis and brakes, a 5-speed gearbox, and put the original 300 HP engine and accessories back in it, with the addition of a era-correct PS pump and vintage a/c. Perhaps a guy could fuse an era-correct(ish) brake booster and mc with the modern brakes enough that it looked stock under the hood as well as outside the car. Speaking of outside the car, perhaps a set of vintage style centerlines to add a bit of spice. That way, you could put on some decent rubber and wouldn't reveal the disks to the casual observer.

I'm just sayin'...

:cheers:

Dave,
great concept. I too have been impressed with the sts style turbo system. They sound wicked under a full load and make stupid power :eek:

What about this one? http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2659577

Sweeet
 

Well I just found my insprition to turn my Roman Red 62 into a resto rod.
That is my car of my dreams, I need some more info on this Beautiful C-1

I guess you could say I'm a guy that going to be writing a check for a Resto-mod. But then again I've never tried to be a "cool guy". Kind of hard for a red neck country boy to pull that off....:D

I'm trying to build a Pro-Touring Resto-mod Street Rod out of my 66 convertible. I'm not doing any of the work just making the decisions as to what I want it to be and writing the check. Past the having to do it myself. Also don't want to dwell in the past or keep it totally original looking, hence the Street Rod.

So my idea as stated above is what's called a Pro - Touring car. Car has to be able to do 11.5 seconds or less in a quarter mile yet be able to tour at 80+ mph all day long on pump gas. Pro Touring cars can be old or new. Now the new ones have the better handling and braking so you have to Resto-mod the old ones to get that.

The easy part is writing the check. The hard part is getting the car into the mid 11s or faster in the quarter mile on pump gas even with street slicks. The cool part is you're not sitting around living in the past.

If you want a LS engine to have and old feel, bolt on a single plane manifold with a big throttle body on top it, add air cleaner and it looks like a carbed engine.

A narrowed rear tube chassis with a 62 body covering it, and a 700 HP Hemi under the hood. We are doing exactly that but with a 33 Willis glass body over it. :thumbs:

You don't have to be a "check writer" to build a LS engined car. Nobody but me did a moments work on my car, and I think it compares favorably with most high-end Resto-mods. :cheers:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...3/P0000974.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...K-P0001394.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...H-P0001386.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...Y-P0001385.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...E-P0001363.jpg


Regards, John McGraw

John,

You are a talented man!

About all I can do with my hands these days is scribble my name on a check. You have my respect!! Nice car and I'm sure the car that gets that frame in the background will be too.

Thanks for the complement, but I am just an old mechanic. I have been doing this stuff for over 35 years, and just learned a few tricks over the years.:lol: The frame in the background is for a midyear, and it is about ready to drive. I have to finish up the interior and put the convertible top on, and it will be ready to go.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...K-P0001485.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...O-P0001523.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...O-P0001566.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...P-P0001756.jpg

Regards, John McGraw

Solidaxel,

This car and Rich's C1 both convinced me that a '62 would be in my resto-mod future. The pictured car was done by Paul Newman's shop for a gentleman named Charlie Johnson but has since been sold. Note the subtle flared rear fenders. If you are interested in getting the particulars on the car I would suggest giving Paul a call. I am sure he'd be willing to share what went into this project.

John,

Beautiful work. Keep us posted on that '67. Best Regards, Jim

Why not a resto-mod with a BBC? How about a resto-mod with a 532" blown injected 1000 HP at 2800lb? Knight you are right, when I take my car any where there is always a crowd around it. But I am old school. As I built my car in the 1990s. No frames, no brake kits, no steering columns or racks, no any thing to update or resto any thing. I had to engineer and make every thing myself. I do not begrudge how easy it is now to do now, but rather welcome others who see my vision of how to take a really great car and make it 21 century ready. The end result of my work is a car that is dangerously fast and corners and stops like a C-4 vette.
Sorry about the limited pictures, but I never used a computer, much less had a digital camera before last year so I do not have many pictures.

http://i14.tinypic.com/6oy8ith.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/6p6w3uu.jpg

http://i4.tinypic.com/6x795q8.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/6ue1dva.jpg

http://i5.tinypic.com/8a0mszn.jpg

Hi vetrod62

Thanks for sharing your pictures

Very impressive :thumbs:

Doug

:iagree: You don't have to be a "check writer" to build a LS engined car. Nobody but me did a moments work on my car, and I think it compares favorably with most high-end Resto-mods.
Like John, nobody did one second of work on my 60 or any of my cars for that matter. You still need the funds to build it though. I have much more respect for the guy that dose his own work instead of a check writing resto.[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...9/0f5bf6c4.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...60vette037.jpg[/IMG]

I am with Vetrod62 and Aworks, I was "Restorodding when restorodding wasn't cool". When I installed my TPI 15 years ago it sure wasn't plug and play and cutting up a stock steering box and combining it with a 605 power box was to say the least very interesting, and pulling the input shaft out of a ford Tremec OD and making it bolt up to a chevy was a exercise in futility, all in the quest to build a true comfortable cruising midyear.

But now, with some of the info and new products gleaned from this forum, my wife and I truly can jump in our midyear and cruise cross country, run competively at the autocross, and drive home in comfort.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...orvette024.jpg

My ideal restorod is going to be a Grand Sport, very much like John Mecoms ,all the cool new stuff late model suspension, frame, etc with the exception it will have a old school big inch small block. Have not figured out the helment holder yet?

Has anyone ever looked into installing a Heidts, Dutchman or Kugel IRS (with the inboard brakes) on a C1 with the stock frame? What would be the pros and cons? This way, you could keep the stock frame (with its VIN stamping), add a Meyer or other IFS, and run a trick IRS with the inboard brakes and the strength of a 9" diff:

http://www.dutchmanms.com/media/IRS/irs_rear_web.jpg

http://www.heidts.com/images/SUPERIDE%20IRS%201.jpg

http://www.kugelkomponents.com/produ...s/QuickIRS.jpg

http://www.dutchmanms.com/1_indep9rears.html

http://www.heidts.com/heiirs.htm

http://www.kugelkomponents.com/produ...uspension.html