Jamesbo

Well about a year ago, I decided to build a 69 H/O clone as a daily driver cause my real one was frame off restored. My good ole brother in law sold his body shop [note to self don't do business with family you can't murder them] and I ended up with a 69 442 in primer with a spoiler, hood scoop, a his and hers shifter and red 455 with all the H/O badges, jammed out in Cameo White with all good body pannels, floors etc. [the rest of the car is still in primer]

A buddy of mine wanted the trunk lid with spoiler. So he welded up the hole in the hood where the H/O scoops goes and put his 69 trunk lid on my car [sans holes for the spoler] and we started back to building a non correct engine 455 69 442, Hopefully, It will eventually be it's origional code 51 Trophy Blue with black [2] vinyl top with the 930 Black bucket interior.

So the thing is never going to be a matching # car anywho so what else wierd could we do. I'd already added 15 " SS II wheels which I think I'll keep on the car, I also added tilt steering wheel. and new Front end, suspension, brakes etc. and had the chrome and bumpers rechromed.

Next I decided to tackle the impossible, cause I don't have a great deal of sense anyway and like odd ball stuff. After posting several questions on how to install a Hurst dual gate into a 69 consol and receiving answers from many knowledgeable people on the subject, I [in n my infinite wisdom ] decided to try it anyway.

First you throw away the POS H/O shorty consol. Then next toss the dual gate brackets because they're too tall.

Then you begin the rather hit and miss job of fabricating brackets that will allow the shifter to function properly.

This process is much like trying to shoot a quarter out of the sky with a "Red Ryder"

Next, because the Hurst top plate is smaller than the 69 consol top plate you need to decide what your going to do with the larger hole cut into the 69 consol top. We, [my buddy and I ] after a few "Thrist Slackers" decided that what every 69 442 needs is a cup holder. [for obvious reasons overlooked by the learned 69 Olds design team]

My buddy Donny is a perfectionest who works at a local golf course and manntains about 300 different engines from small 2 cycle mowers, blowers, weed whackers to tractors, Gators etc and of couse his 69 442 and can fabricate anything.

So we're now off an running with "doing the impossible" project. And I'll have [as far as I know] a "one of one" 69 442 with dual gate

Pics to follow.

2blu442

So the adventure continues... we look forward to pictures!

Ranzan

sounds sweet can`t wait for pics

Jamesbo

Here are some pics of my buddy Donny doing the impossible. The hardest part is fabricating new brackets to fit the lower consol. Donny did so by attaching the shifter and top plate to the floor with a custom fabricated rear bracket and a modified front bracket. Before he fabricated the brackets for the shorter consol, he had to clamp, shift, adjust, clamp,shift, adjust, clamp,shift adjust [go get cold one] clamp, shift, adjust to get the shifter in precisely the corrrect possition to function properly. The last pic shows a cardboard template which soon will be made up. We're still debating on a single cup holder in front of the top plate.

Jamesbo

So we took off the H/O scoops and repaired the holes.

Donny wanted a spoiler on his 442 so he took my trunk deck and put it on his car and I got his [red] trunk deck with no spoiler holes. Only some clown had broken in and damaged the area around the lock. So now we can drive it to get it painted [right after the economy turns around]

Now I have two cars [or one car and one trunk deck ] from Mitchell Motors here in Atlanta

citcapp

You just love a challenge don't you. Another project on its way. Keep the pictures comming . I need a friend like yours. How many beers does he cost a week?

Oldsguy

Nice thread, I am enjoying reading it. Thanks.

Jamesbo

I'm telling ya Donny would give Richard a run for the money.

I mean it's like what else ya gonna do, in these days and times. I gotta finish this job, my garage is full with bumpers, seats, chrome,etc that came off this thing.

Nothing like cutting a bunch of holes in a car and then patching them up to make your life have real purpose. Oh Yeah, before the body work was done [when I was going to make a 69 H/O clone ] filled up all the 442 emblem holes and vinyl top fasteners] This ought be f-u-n figgering out

Anywho, Look what followed me home, But it's gonna be safe in my storage til this 442 gets some paint on it.

Cameo White

Is that a 68 steering wheel, or is it just a 68 cap?

Jamesbo

Unless I'm crazy [which is a possibility] it a 69 one year only deluxe.

Cameo White

Jamesbo, You are right about the wheel. My mistake.

I still think the center cap is for a 68, though. I have one just like it.

Here is a picture of the center cap from my 69 wheel. And a second next to the wheel.

Cameo White

Or I guess the other option is I have the wrong cap and didn't know about until now

If that is the case, I do have the correct one also, just not in very good shape and not in the same place as the car

Maybe someone else has pics of the horn button on their 69 deluxe wheel to help clear this up?

2blu442

I have one on my W30 project car, the horn button looks like the one in Cameo White's posting, except mine has cracks in the clear plastic center.

Jamesbo

So what do you do with the larger hole cut for the 69 shifter and plate when the Hurst Dual gate is installed? Why cover it up with a cup holder of course. Donny fabricated it by cutting out a cardboard template and measuring. Then using a compass cut the round hole in the metal with a die grinder.

It will soon be primes and painted black to blend in with the standard 69 consol.

So we headed for a "one of one" a 69 442 with Hurst dual gate AND cupholder.

Toyaholic

I went the easy route and installed the 70 console. No room for cupholders. Great idea!

Jamesbo

to the top

Donny,

Do you have anymore pics?

Here's how to post [if your computer is co-operating tonight]


When you reply make sure you are in “Advanced” If it says post a “Quick reply” hit “Advanced”

Scroll down below the box you type in and hit “ Manage Attachments” A new box will pop up.

Hit “Browse”

The hit “Upload” and wait a few secs for the pics to up load. Then close this box.
Next you can hit “Preview Post and your pictures should be there.

There is a size limit on pics

phukinartie

Soooo how did this console swap turn out??? I gots tuh know!!
Seriously I want to do the same thing

Jamesbo

I'll ax Donny, He's been pretty busy poking holes in the ground at the golf course.

Don L/442

Here are some shots with cup holder installed. It took a lot of patience and careful cutting to make dual gate fit and function. After that was done the cup holder was for fun(and function)

Jamesbo

Along with being a great mechanic, Donny also a great Magician. Note the disapearing Budweiser trick. First ya see it..............then ya don't.

joe_padavano

Oh, like THAT'S a difficult trick to learn...