Dave's Synopsis of the Hardtop Build
This car was a complete ground up build. We didn't like the way the chassis was boxed in, so we cut it out and re did it. We also purchased new 1"1/2 chrome molly tubing and tig welded it for the roll cage. The reason for this was because I felt a responsibility for anyone that was going to drive the car. I wanted to make sure that I knew I had done everything as safe as I could. The roll cage tubing goes through the top rail of the chassis and is welded to the bottom and top, and capped on the underside. We cut out the original cross members and replaced them with steel 2x4 boxing as seen in one of the pictures.
The ones that show inner wheel wells and firewall is to show that they were made and not original to the car. I made them myself. I also added about six inches to the bottom of the body so we could raise it back up like we wanted it to be. I'm not a sheet metal worker, so I think it is important to share with everyone that it can be accomplished if you have never tried it before. I also cut out large sections of each door and replaced with new sheet metal, as they didn't look very good. I replaced the hood with one I purchased on line from back East. It had some rust where it rested on the body on the right side, so I cut it out and re shaped a new piece and welded it in, turned out okay.
From the original purchase of the car, we only used the chassis, body and front axle, everything else was replaced with new materials. I know that I have my critics on this car, but anyone that builds one must ask themselves some questions before they start the project such as...
1. What do I want, a race car? replica? just a car to drive around the track?
2. How much do I want to spend?
Answering these questions will determine the direction of the build and what the outcome will be.
It is known by many that I spent a lot of money on our build, but the money was not what made the car fast. My motivation to spend the money was that I wanted all new parts and pieces, no used stuff. When people see the car, they think and say that it is way over kill, but it is what we wanted and I spent the money for quality parts like the rear end, transmission, engine, tubing for the roll cage, and it was in excess of $2000.00 alone. There was very little outside help with this build, very little in the engine, we had the front nerf custom bent at a fab shop, and some front steering pieces made so they were 100% identical from a C&C machine.
That is about it, I did all the body work myself, and have never done it in my life. I primed the car and Jim painted it blue and also the chassis silver. I had the car lettered by a long time friend from school and I paid him for it. I tell everyone that the car looks like it does because of the craftsmanship, not because I spent a bunch of money on it. I decided on the color of the body and Jim insisted on a silver chassis. I chose Jim as the sponsor and surprised everyone with it. I figured it was the least I could do.
And... I do consider the car to be owned by Jim and myself. I stopped adding the money at about 25K, but am sure it is over 30K now, that includes the purchase price of $4500.00 for the car. If I were to include all of our labor building it and all of the many hours of machine work Jim did on the front hubs and steering arms, it would be much much more. All that for a car that we might be able to sell for maybe $15000.00, if I could even find someone to buy it, but we do have a really nice car and it is so gratifying to take to the track.
This car was a complete ground up build. We didn't like the way the chassis was boxed in, so we cut it out and re did it. We also purchased new 1"1/2 chrome molly tubing and tig welded it for the roll cage. The reason for this was because I felt a responsibility for anyone that was going to drive the car. I wanted to make sure that I knew I had done everything as safe as I could. The roll cage tubing goes through the top rail of the chassis and is welded to the bottom and top, and capped on the underside. We cut out the original cross members and replaced them with steel 2x4 boxing as seen in one of the pictures.
The ones that show inner wheel wells and firewall is to show that they were made and not original to the car. I made them myself. I also added about six inches to the bottom of the body so we could raise it back up like we wanted it to be. I'm not a sheet metal worker, so I think it is important to share with everyone that it can be accomplished if you have never tried it before. I also cut out large sections of each door and replaced with new sheet metal, as they didn't look very good. I replaced the hood with one I purchased on line from back East. It had some rust where it rested on the body on the right side, so I cut it out and re shaped a new piece and welded it in, turned out okay.
From the original purchase of the car, we only used the chassis, body and front axle, everything else was replaced with new materials. I know that I have my critics on this car, but anyone that builds one must ask themselves some questions before they start the project such as...
1. What do I want, a race car? replica? just a car to drive around the track?
2. How much do I want to spend?
Answering these questions will determine the direction of the build and what the outcome will be.
It is known by many that I spent a lot of money on our build, but the money was not what made the car fast. My motivation to spend the money was that I wanted all new parts and pieces, no used stuff. When people see the car, they think and say that it is way over kill, but it is what we wanted and I spent the money for quality parts like the rear end, transmission, engine, tubing for the roll cage, and it was in excess of $2000.00 alone. There was very little outside help with this build, very little in the engine, we had the front nerf custom bent at a fab shop, and some front steering pieces made so they were 100% identical from a C&C machine.
That is about it, I did all the body work myself, and have never done it in my life. I primed the car and Jim painted it blue and also the chassis silver. I had the car lettered by a long time friend from school and I paid him for it. I tell everyone that the car looks like it does because of the craftsmanship, not because I spent a bunch of money on it. I decided on the color of the body and Jim insisted on a silver chassis. I chose Jim as the sponsor and surprised everyone with it. I figured it was the least I could do.
And... I do consider the car to be owned by Jim and myself. I stopped adding the money at about 25K, but am sure it is over 30K now, that includes the purchase price of $4500.00 for the car. If I were to include all of our labor building it and all of the many hours of machine work Jim did on the front hubs and steering arms, it would be much much more. All that for a car that we might be able to sell for maybe $15000.00, if I could even find someone to buy it, but we do have a really nice car and it is so gratifying to take to the track.
Photograpic Chronology of the Build Click on photo to enlarge
Thanks Dave for a great and interesting submission.
Dave is always willing to offer any assistance to anyone building or considering building a hardtop.
If you want to contact Dave, leave a note here in the comment section or email us and we will contact Dave.
Dave is always willing to offer any assistance to anyone building or considering building a hardtop.
If you want to contact Dave, leave a note here in the comment section or email us and we will contact Dave.
