shamusj

I've been meaning to start this thread for a long time.

Found this thing in a field several years ago and have had fits and starts with progress. This year is the year for major progress.

I'll upload more story and pics soon.

Thanks for all the help so far - I'll need a ton more.

RocketRonnie

thats a nice one man. Do you have any idea what your going to do on the paint/top. Good to see your interior intact and in black.

shamusj

I'll do a little fast forward to catch up to today.

I found this never ending money pit sitting in a field in N. California. I was looking at a piece of land for a client and saw a very recognizable shape sitting under a cover. Old man bought it in late 80's with a blown head gasket and let it sit in his garage for a long time then out in the open w semi cover over it for too many years.
He let it go for a very fair price.
Motor looked ok when I gave it a quick visual- saw rust in one of the cylinders so Figured it was a blown head gasket. Turns out it was much worse- block had spider cracks all over it due to freeze damage.


1) Spent days cleaning out dead rats, rat crap and dead insects of all varieties. Steam cleaner guy did a nice job yet I expected better results on the floor pans. It cleared the heavy goo and made it easier to work on.
2) Towed the body to the paint shop and let them play with it for 4 months. Tiny quarter sized rust spots in rear quarter (1 each side), lower fronts rusted yet fixable, drivers floor pan toast and trunk needed a few small splices. Body was over all in very good condition and had never been wrecked or restored.
3) Did things a little backwards- paint first - then tear down. The body guy offered me a great price in his off season so I couldn't pass up.
4) Transmission is original and will go to shop soon.
5) I had an old e block from my '67 sitting in storage- it's a mild - pretty much stock build
6) Steering box and pump sent out the king - power steering services. Both look great
7) Car came with AC- I'm transitioning it to non AC with a conversion cover. Not perfect looking yet good enough
8) All new bushings in front, all new moog parts, hotchkis 1" drop in front, 2" drop in rear
9) New windshield
10) Brakes- had 4 piston disc originally yet everything was rusted and destroyed. I did conversion to modern 1970 set up. Still need to finger out the brake lines, prop valve, etc.
11) Recently opened up the rear end- drained it, replaced wheel bearings, seals and did full brake job.
12) Coming soon- crank it up an see if it breathes.

shamusj

This pretty much catches me up to current day. Pics are a little out of order yet easy to figure out.

Nose off restoration is in full swing. Rear end is freshened up and ready to go.

Lots more work to go.

rcorrigan5

Great find and, yes, they are money pits! But you will be so happy (and so proud) when it's done. Are you going to stripe it as original? I saw the horizontal stripe along each side - something you hardly see nowadays. Many go to the vertical W36 stripe (but they put it in the wrong place on each fender). You have one super-nice car!

Randy C.

'68 4-4-2 convertible
'69 4-4-2 convertible

shamusj

I do love the vertical stripe yet as I've aged my preference has tilted towards the sleeper look. The chrome trim along upper body line is just about perfect. I'll keep my mind open to the horizontal- tough finding an old timer with steady hand and skills to pull it off.

BackInTheGame

Schweet! It looks like you've got a project with an excellent starting point. Too bad about the original block I always keep my eyes open, but so far I've not found any barn finds...

Good luck with it!

shamusj

i worked at Chevron pumping gas in high school (85/86) - these things used to roll in every month or so. I purchased a harvest gold '68 cutlass convertible from a 50 something year old lady in the middle of a divorce. It needed a tune up and it was a sweet ride. Amazingly she had a champagne '67 442 Convertible under cover in her garage- all original, near perfect. Was saving it for her son yet he had legal trouble. In a matter of 6 months I had her '68 and '67. A few months later I picked up a 1969 Tr6 sitting in a guys driveway- totally original just needed gunk removed and ran like a champ. Ended up selling all of them to exporters (paid for college).
Before I was done at Chevron- I had picked up a dark green '65 mustang 4 speed (orig owner), another '68 cutlass beater, passed on a 70 442 convertible, passed on a red '69 442 convertible..pretty sure it was a W (no money that month), a load of vw bugs yet they kept rolling over on me. A buddy snagged a light blue '65 gto convertible 4 speed tri power....I passed up on it and immediately regretted it. Last car I picked up through Chevron was a '69 Porsche 911 - had six one barrel carbs (if memory serves correct) Original owner was a dentist and let it sit in his office parking lot (across from Chevron). Quickly sold that to an exporter. I don't think I spent more than 5k for any of these cars, much less for most of them.
These things used to be everywhere and now..... it's impossible to find a presentable car for a decent price.

allyolds68

I can't tell from the pics but if you didn't move numerals don't put the stripe on

I can relate the journey. I started with a total basketcase too. Yours is coming along great

72cutlass408

Who did your paint I need a painter for my car thanks!

72cutlass408

Looks great by the way, love the color.

Frisbee_k9

I agree Shamus. I have '68 442 and it didn't come with the stripe. I like the sleeper look too.

rcorrigan5

I'd go with the Y70 G.T. Paint Stripe that already shows on the car. First, you won't have to move the numbers. Second, you just don't see many 4-4-2 convertibles (or hardtops, for that matter) with the G.T. Paint Stripe as so many opted to change their cars (without moving the numbers to the correct position) to the W36 Rallye Paint Stripe. You can have a car that is "correct" that just doesn't show up that often.

Randy C.

shamusj

Yes - it will stay stock and boring (no vertical stripe or extra horizontal pin stripe). This poor car has been sitting patiently in the garage forever - a few false starts yet work, two young kids and a house tend to push to the front of the line (rightfully so).
I need to dedicate some time to this thing or there wont be any gasoline left when I'm done!!!!