Rust In Peace Chevelle /NOT

Most of us would have scrapped the old Chevy but Navonda has her dream car and she will do what it takes to make it right. The A pillar was bad from the get go but the bondo around the windows made it hard to see what was there or should I say wasn't there.

A few of us went down and cut a parts car up.

Not much left of the parts car by the time we got done.
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It was a long day and we stopped to grab the Bird too. After everything died down we stopped to drink a soda pop and unwind. We got alot done that day.

Big Dog had pretty much stripped the car down to work on the roof. Only a few things were left to do other than cutting.
Everywhere you looked it was rusted out. This car is rough!


Alot of the rust had already been cut out by Big Dog.




Figuring out the best way to do this was crazy too. We were going to just use the roof skin but after looking we figured the best way was to keep the A pillar framework and cut the rest(RUST) off.


It wasn't too long and Joe and Vickers showed up to help.

Taking the roof off just like the factory put it on means you have to melt the lead out of the seems.




I guess having a plumber in the club comes in good for something. Watching that lead roll out of the roof was cool too.

I sure take a bad picture. Do I looked this ticked off all the time. I'm really not if so.

Vickers and Joe ran out to get some tubing so the old car didn't fall in two when we hacked it up.
A little welding for support and the roof was ready to come off.




looks like a jungle gym in there.

I really like Dogs welder. I'm going to have to get me a good one after using his.

Looks like you guys did a good job. When is the next work session?

I did not think they rusted up that bad and explains why someone come into Starks and cut off a roof from one last year and what is it with girlfriends and their car projects,I have two projects from mine going on right now.

You have to keep them happy.

That is pretty cool. Wish I could have made it down there. but by the time I saw this it was to late to make it down.

Looks like you guys got a good start on it.....how are the floors and are ya gonna be able to keep the 1/4s or replace them also.......

magicman_1968 wrote:Looks like you guys got a good start on it.....how are the floors and are ya gonna be able to keep the 1/4s or replace them also.......

Floors and frame are good. It needs lower 1/4's. They are mudded up. She could get by for a while without adding them.

RebStew wrote:Most of us would have scrapped the old Chevy but Navonda has her dream car and she will do what it takes to make it right. The A pillar was bad from the get go but the bondo around the windows made it hard to see what was there or should I say wasn't there.

Hey now. Navonda asked for advice from 2 or 3 club members BEFORE I bought this rusty Chevy. Was told it was no big deal. Well, once you have it, you make the best of what you got. This was way more than I was expecting to have to do to it. Thank goodness for good friends (Scroungers) and an understanding boyfriend. But, don't forget, I was the one who stripped this entire car to get it started and I work on it on the weekends. I am not one to sit back and let others take care of my problems. The whole idea is to learn as you go. I appreciate all of the help that I have been given with this. I can see it becoming my dream car more every day. Now to just find the color that I am wanting.......

Navonda wrote:

RebStew wrote:Most of us would have scrapped the old Chevy but Navonda has her dream car and she will do what it takes to make it right. The A pillar was bad from the get go but the bondo around the windows made it hard to see what was there or should I say wasn't there.

Hey now. Navonda asked for advice from 2 or 3 club members BEFORE I bought this rusty Chevy. Was told it was no big deal. Well, once you have it, you make the best of what you got. This was way more than I was expecting to have to do to it. Thank goodness for good friends (Scroungers) and an understanding boyfriend. But, don't forget, I was the one who stripped this entire car to get it started and I work on it on the weekends. I am not one to sit back and let others take care of my problems. The whole idea is to learn as you go. I appreciate all of the help that I have been given with this. I can see it becoming my dream car more every day. Now to just find the color that I am wanting.......

Don't take anything personal. Everyone runs into this stuff. Most ditch the car and start over. You chose to save one and that's a good thing. I looked at the car and told you it would need a new A pillar down the road. No one knew about what was hiding around the windows. It was mudded up. Some say Jr. got you on that deal but I don't think Jr. knew how bad it was. I wish we had some before pics with all the mud ground out of it. To some people this may look like something crazy to fix. It's really not any different than putting on a quarter or door skin. I think you are doing a good job and it's also a chance for the club to get together and learn some body work tricks from the ones who know. By the time we got the roof off The alarm company called and said my house alarm was going off and the kids were home by themselves. So I had to get back home early. We could have gotten alot more done with a few more hours. When is the next work session??? We need more than a few hours notice so we can get some of the guys out there.

I had one years ago that was Black with Silver belts and slways said if i did another 71 or 72 i would go back with that combo....Blue with White belts look good also......

that dark green with black belts also looks good,I like the blue with black belts like Rick Kidney had also that one you had was sharp too!!

way to keep another CHEVELLE on the road instead of crushing it! you got alot of work ahead of you but I promise you it will be well worth it.especially when you pull up to the gas station to get fuel go in to pay and come out and there is people all around it asking you ?s about it and telling you how nice it is.it makes it all worth it.I can see the smile on your face already! let me know when you guys go back out,i d like to go NICE WORK GUYS!!!!

Is it done yet,if not whats taking so long as those TV shows do a frame off in a week.

Saw another of those rust bucket Chevelles on the way to John's to get the best Falcon in the state. The plan is to rust proof it and run the wheels off it. Got all the new parts needed to get it back and forth to work next week. Might use it to go to the NHHR next summer in Bowling Green, it'll be old enough, and there probably be another one there like it.

Got the roof back in place. The biggest part is done.
She seems to be happy that the workmanship is what it is.


Randy Turner tossing some sparks.

15 years ago I looked at a 47 desoto coupe that a barn fell on and someone cut the roof off without any bracing and it was a mess,it was cheap but beyond my skill level.

That thing's really looking good. You can't even tell you took 3 inches out.

Mr. Fabulous wrote:That thing's really looking good. You can't even tell you took 3 inches out.

anymore progress?