Thread: Everybody that is currently building a car...

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Dave---you might wanta look at CoParts.com for salvage cars to get engine and computer wiring harness from--several Gts, Boss Mustangs and for anyone wanting or needing parts or cars--lots of cars from New York/ New Jersey area that have flood damage so were totaled out by insurance companies---also all over country some very nice 60s, 70s 80s stuff------

I've been watching there, great source for builders and donor cars!!!! Unfortunately, the only 2 Copart yards close to us out here in the boonies are about 250 miles away.... Transportation costs are terrible these days if it's not within range to go get it yourself! One guy I know here in town bought a donor car for his Cobra project off CoPart, hard to even say "buy", he dang near stole it considering the price he paid. There are a few rebuilder lots around here, I like to watch them, too---some really good deals show up in them from time to time!!!! One of our old sponsors who had to drop out a couple years back when the economy around here went in the toilet is quite interested in the prospect of a new car, hopefully things will improve enough that he'll come back with us again, too!

Got the last of the boo-boo's fixed on the pick-em-up and all the bare spots hit with epoxy primer. Think I'll hold off on the sealer and paint till it's a bit closer to spring. Mike will be bringing the Cutlass up on Sunday afternoon so I can get started on it! The Cutlass will be Mike's "other toy" for the summer, some sort of raspy, nasty big block going in it once the body work and paint is done!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Mike will be bringing the Cutlass up on Sunday afternoon so I can get started on it! The Cutlass will be Mike's "other toy" for the summer, some sort of raspy, nasty big block going in it once the body work and paint is done!

I thought the outside work was over? Or, just finishing up a previous job?

Originally Posted by 34_40

I thought the outside work was over? Or, just finishing up a previous job?

Mike's a buddy for the last 40 years, more like family then outside work!!!!!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Mike's a buddy for the last 40 years, more like family then outside work!!!!!

Hmmmm... You're a better man than me! My family always expects me to work for free! 8-)

Originally Posted by 34_40

Hmmmm... You're a better man than me! My family always expects me to work for free! 8-)

Yeah, know what you mean there!!! I should have been more specific, part of the RACING family for 40 years!!!! Mike's a retired machinist, did all our racing stuff for many, many years and dumped a lot of sponsorship money and parts into our cars over the years, too. Anyway, Mike bought this Cutlass for his son Chad when Chad was 15. Unfortunately, Chad died last June at the age of 41 so know we're putting the car back together for Mike....

I remember the loss of Chad. Sad day for sure! Good of you to help out a buddy.

Had a busy few days, helped my pal Craig do some work on the front sheet metal for his '49 Chevy pickup and shot primer on the parts so they don't gather a bunch of surface rust during the build. Did some rearranging in the garage to make room for the Cutlass, still more stuff to put away then it's time to line up the "posse" and get the car pushed inside! While looking the Cutlass over yesterday, I was reminded that Chad got this car when he was 15, and the car shows evidence of young kids doing things in a big hurry!!!!! I guess we were all that way once, just make it go fast and to heck with everything else!!!! Oh well, it's going to be a fun build, lots of good memories with this car and all the changes it went through over the 25+ years Chad and his buddies campaigned it!!!!

Probably buried in the thread somewhere, but what year's the Cutlass?

Originally Posted by rspears

Probably buried in the thread somewhere, but what year's the Cutlass?

It's a '69 Roger, actually it's a genuine 442! Got it in the garage now and starting it's final rebuild!!!!! Mike and the boys were up yesterday, decided to go back with a variation of the original gold color that the car was when Mike bought it.... We'll keep the cage and narrowed rear end, probably a few custom touches here and there.

Dave a friend of mine had a newer model of the 442 with swivel front seats, boy that was the coolest car back then!. Loved to feel my neck snap as he hit the gas.

Doing the sanding thing on the Cutlass, no big surprises on the body. At one time, the left quarter panel has been repaired---would seem the shop that did it didn't bother pounding out any dents, just used a lot of filler!!!! Ground all the filler off and doing the ding and ping on the dents, coming out ok. Also, the right side of the windshield channel is all rusted out, must have had a leak for a lot of years so I'll have to make some new panels for that area. All things considered the body is in decent shape considering it's age and the life it's lived!!!!! Knowing so much of the history on the car, lot of mixed emotions while I'm working on the car....

No major accomplishments, did manage to get the windshield out without breaking it! Drilled all the spot welds holding the rusted dash panel in place and got it out of the way, it could be repaired but Mike has decided he wants a custom dash in it so the old piece hit the junk metal pile! More fun building a new one then fixing up the stock dash anyway! Turning out to be a really fun build!

Dave we gotta get you a new camera so you can post some pics!