65 LeMans

[Thumpin455]

Only thing left to pull is the tail lights and the steering box. Once the GTO is running and moving under its own power, this thing will get plenty of attention. I stuck the Tempest grill in it so it doesnt look so derelict in the yard.

[milner351]

please keep the slots on it - I love those wheels!

[Thumpin455]

please keep the slots on it - I love those wheels!

I plan to do exactly that. I think it looks right. Not sure if I will get a new set that match, polish these, or leave them lookin all street rat oxidized.

[Thumpin455]

Thought of a name for this one. "Spanish Inquisition" because it has three weapons, Surprise, Fear and Ruthless efficiency.

[Mater]

that name is win

[Beagle]

Not "Comfy Pillow" ?

[Thumpin455]

A while back I worked over the dash for the GTO. This one is getting something a bit different. I turned the odo back and painted the housing red so the dash lights will be red. That is how it was done for my 10th Anniversary TA. It wont get factory gauges, other than the gas gauge and speedo, so I am not too worried about that part of it. A tach will go in the dash along with some other stuff I have laying around, should be pretty cool.

[Beagle]

(taps foot impatiently.. update... )

[Thumpin455]

(taps foot impatiently.. update... )

Its waiting until there is some shop space, then its getting a 455/Th400 upgrade. Also seriously thinking on the glass parts for it... Right now its resting comfortably in front of the shop, so I can look at it and see how things go on the GTO. Being sick since April has been slowing me down something terrible.

I have also been seriously considering doing something that I could run down in the F.A.S.T. drags downstate. Stock manifolds, manual everything, just a few small barely noticeable upgrades, and a 496 based on a 400 block under the hood. **Gigglles**

[Thumpin455]

Here is where it is relaxing at the moment, keeping Ugly company while I get Ugly mobile again. Need to have as many capable of driving as possible, just in case I have to move stuff fast.

[Thumpin455]

Its been a while since I posted in here. Winter is coming so now the shop is all set, somewhat clean and things arranged for working out there. The LeMans is on dollies, and that is its new engine sitting by the drivers door. Working on a winter home for the GTO so it doesnt get screwed up by the work on the Mustang and LeMans, but both the winter projects can be pushed around easily now. Dave is ok with the idea of a lean to behind the shop, might be able to get 5 cars out of the snow in it, that would sure be nice. We talked about it today, and it sounds like he is going to have his guys help me with building it.



The rain keeps coming this year, I have had three good days this month where it didnt rain, and the last one before this I was doing VA stuff all day. Still no idea why I cant breathe, more tests next week. I hope I can get stuff done this winter, this summer was almost completely wasted with this health issue.

[milner351]

I hear ya on the rain - i'm a long way south of you - but the storm systems have been huge hear lately covering the whole state. Last night we raked all the leaves from the cotton wood out front, over night, more wind and rain, more leaves down this morning than we started with last night. If it wasn't a cotton wood I'd take it down, but it's worthless for heating so we'll just take the limbs down that keep sapping our cars.

Getting stuff mobile in the shop is huge. Lean to sounds great too - please post pics - I don't like how we ended up doing mine, I still have water coming in the sliding door - under the lean to roof - somewhere the flashing is goofed up.

[Thumpin455]

We got the roof up, but I need to finish the sides and get a heavy tarp or two. There are a couple here in the shed, so they might get used if I can find them. The wind just blew the snow around and drifted it in on the three I have outside. Figured I would get the GTO running before I put it out there, lots easier than trying to push it. At least it will keep the really deep stuff off them until I get the sides done. The 65 will end up between the 70 and the Cougar when its running.




Finally have been feeling better, still not great but I can get up and do things. Hopefully in the next week or so I will be able to get the firewood stacked and get back to work in the shop. Been taking it easy trying to get better, but I cant wait forever, at some point I just have to start back on the stuff and get something done.

In the downtime I have been formulating a plan for the LeMans. Its build should go pretty quick since it isnt as rusty as the GTO, and I have done one already. Still want to pull the body off the frame and blast/paint the frame. Im spoiled at working on clean cars now. I have the engine and transmission all figured out, 455/Th400 with a 3000 stall, all of it is just sitting on the floor or shelf. Might as well convert the 850 Holley to ethanol and put it on one of the Torker II intakes, had those forever and havent had a use for them in quite a while.

Target weight is 2900lbs, with me in it would be nice, but Im not sure if I can make enough body panels from scratch. A 540hp engine in a 2900lb car should move pretty good. Next time I go home I need to pick up the 9" rear I have for A bodies, and put it under this thing with a 3.50 gear that has been on the shelf for almost ten years. Until then it gets the 2.93 geared Olds posi rear that I ran under the 70 for years. Actually the engine just might like that gear in a light car, it didnt mind it in a 4200lb GTO.... but it only ran mid 13s on pump gas.

[98ciHemi]

Thump, I'll be coming up Sunday. If you need some push power/tow strap to get anything moved, I should have enough time to give you a hand on my way through.

[Thumpin455]

Thump, I'll be coming up Sunday. If you need some push power/tow strap to get anything moved, I should have enough time to give you a hand on my way through.

Everything is about where I want it for the winter, its nice having most of them run now. If you really want to get a workout in, you could help stack some firewood.. lol