65 GTO

[NightShifter]

I remember trying to find that Pontiac blue engine paint back when I did my 69 Firebird, can be a pain in the rear. Still have a few cans laying around for reserves.

[Thumpin455]

None of the shops around here have it, two of them asked for a part number for it with the whole useless parts guy "ITS NOT IN THE COMPUTER AND I CANT READ A BOOK" attitude.

So I order it from Summit, Jegs, OPGI, or Performance years. They all have it. Last time I asked, Eastwood had the eggshell blue but not the metallic.

[NightShifter]

None of the shops around here have it, two of them asked for a part number for it with the whole useless parts guy "ITS NOT IN THE COMPUTER AND I CANT READ A BOOK" attitude.

So I order it from Summit, Jegs, OPGI, or Performance years. They all have it. Last time I asked, Eastwood had the eggshell blue but not the metallic.

The car turned out nice, that was one hell of a project. I think those rims are really going to set it off.

[Thumpin455]

I make it look good in pics. In person its obvious that it started with a very poor body and had someone barely capable of doing the work learning as he went.

But thanks. If it doesnt snow here over the weekend, I will throw the wheels under it, roll it out and get some shots of it.

[NightShifter]

I make it look good in pics. In person its obvious that it started with a very poor body and had someone barely capable of doing the work learning as he went.

But thanks. If it doesnt snow here over the weekend, I will throw the wheels under it, roll it out and get some shots of it.

That car took balls, don't play yourself down. I would have never touched it and being from Mi I don't consider myself afraid of rust.

[Thumpin455]

The messed up thing is it was a South Carolina car. Rusted top down rather than bottom up like the salted cars here.

[milner351]

Todd this is one for the record books - seriously - don't put yourself down, ever - this and your other projects are truly heroic efforts.

VERY disappointing the new wheels were bent - do you think they were made wrong or got bent during shipping?

bummer regardless - sucks to have to fix new parts!

[Thumpin455]

Thanks but really the pics make it look better than it is. Way better.

Been working on it for a while today, got the front drive and a few other things in place. Turns out the alternator needs some work, so I am ordering the 100amp upgrade for it, and a couple more to put on the other cars around here.



Finally got the wheels on after battling some viral bug that kicked our asses lat week, along with a couple snowstorms that dumped more white stuff on us. The rears look kinda small to me, but the front fits the wells good.

[NightShifter]

You're looking under-carbed. Them there Pontiacs need more fuel to breath properly.

[Thumpin455]

Its just a little Holley to keep the dust out, its getting a rebuilt Qjet I did a while back.

[NightShifter]

Its just a little Holley to keep the dust out, its getting a rebuilt Qjet I did a while back.

You're joking, right? You know those Q-jets cant hold any fuel. P.S. nice rims.

[Thumpin455]

Qjets are awesome carbs, especially when I build them. Lots of power, great mileage, and impressive drivability even if the engine has a bigger cam, ported heads and headers. They dont work so well on worn out 350 chevys that have more blowby than compression though.

Pushed it is outside do do some shop cleaning and parts moving, so here it is with some sunlight, the new wheels, and more parts on it. Checked the runout on the wheels and they arent bent, so I dont know whats up with that shop. Some people just cant run a balancer I guess. Might need to invest in one sometime.





This is the project for tomorrow. Tore into it today, and it looks like one I rebuilt years ago but didnt run. Still want to pull it apart and check everything just to be sure.

[milner351]

Well done Todd - I still can't believe where you started and where you are now!

Is there a stainless piece that runs along the rocker panel or am I thinking of a different year?

I was thinking a stripe or some trim would look good down there, and maybe either raise the rear a little or lower the front a little, just enough to give it that slightly nose down stance.

I agree - the rears could be a bit wider wheel / tire but you'll have plenty of time to make small adjustments like that as you go.

That trans looks fresh already

[Thumpin455]

Thanks again man. I think the trans is in good shape, will know more tomorrow.

It gets a piece of stainless, I just hapent put them on yet. Will need to massage the fenders to get them to fit right. Thing big freakin hammer massaging... The pair that were on the LeMans were in good shape, one on the Tempest was tweaked a bit. The front end will come down once the engine is all together and has fluids. Might play with a spring spacer in back and cut a 1/4 coil from the front, need to drive it around and get it to settle first before I make drastic changes to stance.

Talking about where it was and is now, there is a three year gap between these two pics, I stuck em together in photoshop.

[milner351]

One more thing Todd - thanks for NOT painting it Red - red would be too typical for an old hot rod color - and NOTHING about this car or this build is typical. I also think you nailed it with the pin stripe.