What would you have done differently?

Status
Not open for further replies.

pontiac guy

G-Body Guru
Oct 28, 2016
582
843
93
Royse City, TX
I would recommend you don't take it off the frame. Since this is new to you I think you may be running before you can walk. That's a lot of work and most people lose heart and never finish. I recommend keeping it driving and work on it in small bits. I speak from experience. I stripped a perfect 79 Cutlass and ended up junking it because I ran out of gas and went on to other cars.
 
  • Agree
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Gonzo1970

G-Body Guru
Sep 30, 2018
898
1,302
93
I wouldn't say don't do the rotisserie... I would say strive to not end up one of the 85% that give up on it. :D

-Gonz
 
  • Like
  • Agree
Reactions: 6 users

69hurstolds

Geezer
Supporting Member
Jan 2, 2006
8,089
17,300
113
Story time from an old b*st*rd:

NEVER EVER let anyone talk you out of what YOU wish to do with your car (unless it's illegal, dangerous, bad for others, etc.). If you want to do a frame off so you know where your base is, then do a frame off. Ensure you are ready to sail the entire trip. It's not for the faint of heart. You must commit to the project and invest in it with time and money. And more money than you thought originally.

Setting a goal is one thing. Planning for it is another. Then executing the plan is the hardest part to start. When I picked up my 85 442 in Feb 85, I knew what it took to pore through a Hemming's Motor News fixing up the old 71. Having been there and done that, I decided right off the bat I was going to start amassing genuine GM parts for my one-day restoration of said car WHILE THE STUFF WAS STILL AVAILABLE FROM GM. Sure, I've seen the "survivors" of the day, those 1965 442 cars with 29,000 miles on them, original faded paint and patinas on everything. They were still great cars, but if I were going to respray a car to make it look new again, I sure as hell needed all that new plastic sh*t too.

My goal was lofty, and maybe stupid to some, but I'm still on my goal. So in April, I started my plan. First few items out of the box, so to speak, was new front grilles and an extra set of floor mats. Then to follow was tail lamp and reverse lenses. Then it was on...over the years, I've amassed all sorts of GM parts for the car. Obscure crap that I didn't even know you could get. Like that plastic edging on the T-tops...interior fabric (TIP- NEVER buy the NOS foam-backed headliner material 30 years in advance- useless. What was I thinking?)...those weird exhaust bolts that have the extra stud pieces for the hot air shroud...name it, I've pretty much got it. Not 100%, but damn near. I'm still identifying the little stuff here and there that I've forgotten, but when I'm done, I'm going to be pretty much darn near the way it was the day I drove it off the dealer lot. I may not use all the stuff, but I'll have it, just in case.

So with the planning still going on for me, the parts issue is pretty much taken care of. I have all the bolts and frame bushings, etc., to do a frame-off, and I probably will. This is a car I bought new, it's never been wrecked and pretty much never saw much weather, let alone winters but they rustproofed it underneath anyway, so I'm expecting no typical rust issues. I ordered it the way I wanted and had to wait forever it seems for it to be built and shipped. BUT- when I start on it in earnest, I'm going all-in. If I don't finish it, it's because I have died, stroked out, or some other catastrophe. I've got $10K set aside for some paintwork, and I'll probably end up putting some more to it. Is it worth it? Not to others, but it is to me. I have the car, I have the parts, I have the money (ok, most of it) and now all I need is the trigger to get started. Maybe next spring, or maybe fall. I dunno.

No modifications, and don't expect rust or other cutting/welding operations, so it's basically going to be a strip/clean/refinish/reassemble operation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users

Northernregal

Sloppy McRodbender
Oct 24, 2017
3,359
12,826
113
Red Deer, Northern Montana territory
Set a goal. Good lord that will save you time and money.

Make a plan with what you want and a road to get there. Do your research and ask the people here for advice. Some really knowledgeable members that will steer you in the right direction.

Where are you located? I am central AB.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users

WV CHEVY MANN

Greasemonkey
Sep 15, 2018
248
285
63
West Virginia
Hello and welcome to the forum from West Virginia. Looks like you have a very nice Monte to start on your venture. I didn't have any problems as floor boards, frame, etc as my Malibu was a drag car and was stored inside for many years and it was just putting it back together for the street. Finding and still looking for original or OEM parts to get it streetable as many factory parts were discarded. I will say as another poster has stated that taking pictures and keeping all your parts such as nuts, bolts, etc. grouped together and tagged is a very big plus. After a long period of time memory does leave us ( I'm Old ) on what was taken off and where it goes back. Been there done that before.... Thanks for joining us here.....
 

pontiac guy

G-Body Guru
Oct 28, 2016
582
843
93
Royse City, TX
I wouldn't say don't do the rotisserie... I would say strive to not end up one of the 85% that give up on it. :D

-Gonz

I agree whole heartedly. I rephrase. Start and finish.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

ItsnotaGN

G-Body Guru
May 28, 2016
662
1,142
93
Colorado
I'm in the middle of an 86 Monte with the body up on cinder blocks with the frame off. I started with a N.Y. car and found the frame and mounts were roached. Like others have said, bag and tag, take mucho pictures and be honest with the budget. Most of my speed parts glory items have been put off for rust repair. If you're gonna go for big power eventually, now is the time to beef up the frame. I like to break things down into little projects with my limited time home, it helps to keep things moving forward, and have somewhere like shelves or a shed to keep your pars organized and out of your way, for me, nothing kills progress like having to move a bunch of stuff before you even turn a wrench on the car.
 
  • Agree
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
6,791
6,675
113
Des Moines, Iowa
All you need is a single car garage, or some kind of structure preferably, to store the body in up on blocks, roll the frame out from under. It helps to take the drivetrain out, or the front clip off to roll the frame out if you keep the drivetrain in. If the frame isn't rusty to the point of being unsafe, I'd leave it until you really have time to dig into it. I've kinda got a "rolling restoration" thing going. I do stuff here and there when I can. Save all the big stuff for when I have the time, space, and money.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

lilbowtie

Comic Book Super Hero
Jan 7, 2006
3,460
3,965
113
Canton Mi
You have received some great advise - take it all in and decide what's right for you. As said it isn't going to be cheap and make sure you have enough $$ to get through the project without putting it on the back burner and loosing interest. Don't think it's going to be worth anything near what your going to put in it, this has to be for you and not a think I would like to do this. And don't plan on using that garage for anything else either. If you married I hope your wife is on board for this undertaking. Good luck!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor