Y2Keglide,

I want to apologize for the post partially quoted here. I'm thinking I was REALLY in a bad mood! Sometimes, I just need to write something in MS Word, go on and on and on, vent vent vent, then hit 'delete'. I had a manager at the City who I used to drive crazy in meetings. She maintained that I lack a "delay" box between my brain and my mouth, and I get her point. Of course, her problem with me was that, when someone asked me something, I would tell them the truth automatically, without considering the politics that lives at management level. That tended to sometimes expose her, shall we say, machinations...

I have been wandering around the internet since I wrote the response I'm quoting, and sure enough, the term "restomod" seems to be everywhere. Funny how once you hear something, you start seeing it everywhere. Don't get me wrong, I still think it's an ugly-sounding word, but now I think it's an ugly-sounding word that describes an absolutely valid concept. Please accept my apology, again, for firing on you with both barrels. My bad. Ricky is indeed a 'restomod'. And I will continue to call him, as Juliet would, a restoration. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." But you didn't deserve my response.

 

Meh, no harm no foul.

 

1st Gen,

Do you still have the original floor shift linkages and assembly from your old Saginaw? It was a 4 speed manual....correct?

 

I have the entire engine/tranny/shifter assembly, minus the bellhousing. That part bolted onto the 396 for re-use. And yes, the Saginaw is a 4-speed. Regarding the shifter, however, a caveat. Let me quote from a conversation via email with the owner of the Restoration Shop:

"That Saginaw tranny had a functional shifter, although never very satisfactory, being "sloppy", but I could find gears OK enough to shift. Not ideal, say, for a drag race though. Perhaps this was just a matter of adjustment..."
and his answer:
"The slop is directly attributed to wear and a lack of (heavily worn) shift linkage bushings. I reattached the shift assembly to the Saginaw transmission and I can easily see why there would be driver frustration."
If you are asking because you're interested in obtaining it, we can talk, but technically, I was hoping to provide someone with a complete package of 327, Saginaw and shifter.

 

Yeah... that's what I expected. I still have my original too, but mine is in the same conditional if not worse. Last time I drove it with the original shifter, it was very difficult to get in/out of reverse and had to be very patient to shift into 1st & 2nd. Once I had to go under the car and force the shifter out of reverse, so that's why I invested in a Hurst speed shift that is currently attached to my transmission. The linkages are easy to rebuild, but the internal shift assembly needs major repairs. Anyway, all is good. I would not want to separate the package.

 

Boy, I'm glad the Saginaw never got stuck in gear. I would have been hard-pressed to squeeze underneath, and no way would I trust my jack to keep me safe. So, my final decision with the Muncie looks like this:

Not cheap, but you would have smiled to see me squat down on the floor behind the entire sub-frame, shifting gears and being a little boy, making engine sounds as I shifted effortlessly...

 

That's a beauty.....your going to love the way that Hurst speed shift works. Got to remember to hold it to the left as you shift down to 2nd. That spring in there is tight and can pop you into fourth quick if you not paying attention... like the steel tip shoes too, looks like you've been doing lots of kicking and toe smashing.

 

I can't wait to figure out downshifting from a linkage that actually works!!! Re the boots: NOT MINE. They belong to the mechanic who put it together. Personally, I use Filson boots. Filson is an old Seattle company that invented the Mackinaw coat, and still make it on the original patterns. Six pockets up front, four with flaps, and including two handwarmer pockets, and the entire back is a pocket with snap flaps on each side. Amazing coats, incredibly warm. But their boots... Ahh. I've gone through many boots through my long years, including a pair of Whites, considered the cream of logging boots, but I can't seem to wear these buggers out! They are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn. I also love Filson's motto: "Might as well have the best". Not a brag when it's true. Based on his motto, I feel sure that the founder of Filson's would own a 1st Gen Camaro.

Here's MY boots, showing many years of wear with great pride:

 

I know it's April Fools Day, but for me, it's just April 1. Today, Ricky Camaro regained his wheels!!! By day's end, the front core support and inner fenders will be installed, and then wiring will commence once the kit arrives (1 week). Meanwhile, the brakes will be completed, as will the fuel supply system. At some point soon, the front sub-frame will get welded to the frame extensions, at which point this 396 will not be able to wrinkle the skin!
Boy, this day has been a long time comin'...







Note the wheels have not been polished out yet, and this is still the old rubber, but the new Goodrich TA's will be the same size, so the foot print looks correct. And even though we're seeing it with indoor lighting, I'm quite pleased with the color. The headliner and black vinyl are in-hand, and we're just waiting on the seatbelts to arrive, at which point those two items will be installed.

 

Nice color for sure,I've been offline for a while as my PC crapped out but I got it fixed so I'm back to follow the progress.
I'll bet you're chomping at the bit to get behind the wheel.