Heavy patina 61 bubble top 2013 PT build.

[Blazerteam]

It all depends on what car we have in front of us.This 61 would probably have been parted out,or disassmbled and forgot,if you hadent taken this route..A one owner car without rust,seems to be the one people will have and want.Now you can build it over years,and have fun with it as you use it.And little worries about paint and rain and such.

And when you get it on the road,be prepared for the ones that didnt see it as a project from the start...when you have got it runnin,everyone has an opinion about how you use it.

[BBO Javelin]

It all depends on what car we have in front of us.This 61 would probably have been parted out,or disassmbled and forgot,if you hadent taken this route..A one owner car without rust,seems to be the one people will have and want.Now you can build it over years,and have fun with it as you use it.And little worries about paint and rain and such.

And when you get it on the road,be prepared for the ones that didnt see it as a project from the start...when you have got it runnin,everyone has an opinion about how you use it.

You are so right.I know when people come up and say when are you gonna fix it up it's just gonna burn me up because if they only new how much time,money and work went in the car they would say good job not put it down but oh well that's what the middle finger is reserved for.I got the new comp cam in the motor and the long block painted.I will update with pics soon.

[Dignlif]

Yep and I'm poor so no show car here.My goal is for the bottom of the car to look like new,interior be nice and the outside be old original paint.I just want it to be reliable not a throwed together car that has tons of gremlins.

I love seeing cars and trucks that are built on this strategy. Solid, safe, and comfortable on the inside/ underside and unrestored appearing outside without looking junky. Great start to becoming a very cool cruiser!

[BBO Javelin]

I thought I would work on the motor a little since I waiting on the frame and sheet metal.I installed a comp thumper series cam and double row timing set.I also painted the long block.

New cam,lifters and timing set.


Valve train cleaned up and ready to install.


Cam,lifters,valve train installed and adjusted.


Painted long block in classic chevy orange.



Going to get the balancer,oil pan,pulley's and timing cover blasted and painted in a couple days.I also have a new aluminum intake,headers,HEI,finned aluminum valve covers and street avenger carb for the 350.

[Huskinhano]

I've been creepin' on the post for the last few weeks. I totally agree on what you're doing, fixing some of the rust. It only adds character! It's refreshing to see cars that aren't being made into trailer queens but road kings.

[BBO Javelin]

I finally got my frame back from the coaters today and got the 350 almost done.I'm gonna start assembling the frame this weekend and will post more pics then.

Frame finnaly back at my shop.



Got the 350 almost ready to go.

[Thumpin455]

OOOOHHHH PURDY! Just make sure the frame and engine are the shiniest parts! =P I would be proud to have that engine in an old Chevy if I had one. The finned covers look perfect. Derelict looking old car with a pretty engine and rebuilt suspension under it is a great vibe. If I had one that wasnt so rusty I would probably do the same thing.

MOAR PICS PLEASE!

[1Y]

This sure is coming together, and looking good!

[milner351]

Looks great!

Love those valve covers!

Take a good look at the HEI before you move to final assembly - I was surprised to find the stock HEI in Matt's GTO we took on dragweek only had a total of 24 degrees advance. The only way to increase that being to lengthen the slots that the advance mechanism moves in.
Surely there is some info on the web about the "optimal" length of these slots for performance use. It's a whole lot easier to modify those slots with the distributor taken apart on the bench.

[1Y]

Looks great!

Love those valve covers!

Take a good look at the HEI before you move to final assembly - I was surprised to find the stock HEI in Matt's GTO we took on dragweek only had a total of 24 degrees advance. The only way to increase that being to lengthen the slots that the advance mechanism moves in.
Surely there is some info on the web about the "optimal" length of these slots for performance use. It's a whole lot easier to modify those slots with the distributor taken apart on the bench.

Good point! I think Scott had a write up on this too.

[BBO Javelin]

Thanks everyone.It's been a bit of a slow go as I race Polaris rzr's and that takes up a lot of time but didn't break anything last race so I have some time to catch up on the impala.

[BLACKIE66]

I heard your dad broke something curtis

[SuperBuickGuy]

I heard your dad broke something curtis

that sounds ominous

[BBO Javelin]

I heard your dad broke something curtis

Yep he broke his arm in our last rzr race.He rolled it pretty hard and his arm got outside the cage and it came down on his arm breaking it in two places also gashed the arm open 10 inches all the way to the bone.

[383S-10]

Shoot Jake.....I didnt know your Dad was racing the Razor too......I hope all is okay with him..........

on a side note......finally got mine together today which required a new driveshaft, tailhousing, got the proper speedo gears to run my speedometer, speedo gear housing and seals, installed a new trans pan.......tomorrow I will top off fluids and take it for a test drive around the county............