Todd, well done, it takes guts to take on a project like you have, and it is inspiring to see you doing it on your own, and doing things carefully and properly. Congrats!
I am curious as to how you intend to finish the car - ie perfect restoration, or modified for comfort and better performance?
I have been at that point and it is a big decision either way, and unless you have a bunch of excellent condition original parts, it is gonna be about the same in cost (both are expensive paths) I am referring to drive train, rear end, wheels, interior etc.
Any way, I think youre doing a great job, it is like a phoenix rising from the ashes, as someone noted earlier on.
I rebuilt my 68 twice and have some major mods coming in Feb March 2012 when the fabricator ships my parts. I have put a lot of time into working out the pros and cons of original versus upgraded argument, and would be happy to discuss it if you are considering modifying or improving the safety and performance of your 69. If you are going full resto, that is a different story. Still good, and I love to see them too.Iit's just that for me, I found it too compromising for an (almost) daily driver. It is a jungle out there on the roads, and some 18 year old texting her gal pals is gonna ruin your day if you dont have the good brakes, responsive engine and good handling. just my 2 cents
I gotta ask you what age you are, and if you are gonna keep the car for yourself? I am 48, so I kind of expect good performance levels, above the original 68-69 levels, but old enough that I cant stand the darned rice burners that the youngsters love. Old school is cool, but it should be fun too. Make it exactly what you want, but now is the time to decide the end result of your build.
I am changing out the entire front and rear suspension, drive train and rear end is going to truck arm suspension on a 9 inch Daytona with Tru trac. New brakes. Upgrade the 396, alloy heads etc.

Once again, thanks for inspiring others to have a go at bringing the almost dead ones back to life. Kudos to you!!!!!

Les

 

Hi Les. Thanks for the great message.

I’m still wrestling with what I will keep original and what will be upgraded. I did decide to go with 4 wheel disc brakes. My thought was right inline with yours in that other cars (and morons) on the road are able to stop on a dime so I should too. I’m keeping the drive train original since it is the original drive train, except I am going to swap out the 2bbl stock carb with a 4bbl throttle body fuel injection system and an MSD ignition system, a mild cam and magnaflow exhaust. I’m putting the gauges in the consol because it just looks so cool.

I’m on the fence on air conditioning and electric windows. I’m also debating flush mount windshield and rear window and shaving the drip rails down.

Les, I’m 47 and I know the 20 year old “me” would have poked fun at the rotisserie because laying on your back for 10 hours and getting lots of rust in your eyes isn’t a big deal so building a rotisserie would be a waste of time.

This car is a keeper, in fact I’m looking for a 69 convertible to do next. Will you be documenting your upgrade?

Thanks again Les

 

Todd, I dont want to detract from your thread, and it is really a great story, so can I suggest we continue with emails. I can suggest options and issues I have encountered and solved. I can tell you the costs for the various things I have done and purchased. This is your car, and you gotta make it work how you want it to. You have a ton of options in front of you.
Les
les.riekie@fluor.com

 

I had to modify my sandblaster a little. I put this 500W light in the top so I can see what I’m sandblasting. The light that came with it was a joke

I got the wheel wells welded into placed. Drivers side front and back

Passengers side front and back

I reinforced a lot of the factory spot welds with some stitches.

 

I prepped both Trunk Drop Offs

Here is the Driver side Trunk Drop Off installed

Here is the Passenger side Trunk Drop Off installed

 

looking good

 

Thanks Mike

 

I didn’t have time to start on the ¼ panels so I cleaned up the transmission and threw a coat of aluminum paint on it.
I also painted the torque converter flat black because it had a lot of surface rust on it. I put it away until the body is completed
Before

After

 

Looks nice. You might want to put a coat or two of clear on the trans. I've used that aluminum paint before, and it wasn't very durable against preventing solvents or oils from attacking it.

 

Thanks Camaro69. Point taken. Ill do that with the final coat in the spring.