BigDawgDavao
May 20th, 09, 07:41 AM
Hello folks,
Just to introduce myself and my new project. I recently found a 1967 RS over in the Philippines where I live. It's taken 20 years, but finally got another.
I had a '67 SS back in my high school / early university days in Saskatchewan, but unfortunately had to sell it to help finance university. After getting the degree, I pretty much went to work overseas and never really had a chance to get another one.
Well, finally after a couple years of looking around in the Philippines I finally found one with promise. You'd actually be surprise how many old American musclecars are over here, but mostly they are 6 cylinders and in most cases are serious fixer uppers. This is most due to many years of limited access to proper spare parts and typical Filipino backyard engineering. A lot of the old American cars were left behind when the Subic Bay Naval port and Clark Airforce Base were shut down.
Anyway here she is in her new home with a couple of my other toys. I wasn't able to get too many photos as by the time I got the car shipped to Davao City where I live from where I found it in Manila, I pretty much had to leave to go to work in China for the next 6 weeks. Most of the other photos are the ones the owner sent to me via email as I was out of the country when I found the ad online. I pretty much agreed to buy it just based on the photos.
Due back around the 29th May right around the time a sustantial shipment of parts from Classic Industries is due to arrive.
The car has a 327 in it currently. Sounds decent, though struggling with a couple of issues with overheating and backfires at high rpms. I have a new HEI ignition, plugs and wires and replacement quadrajet carb coming.
For the most part the body is sound. Interior is okay as well, though most of the items I have coming are more so for cosmetic purposes.
My current plan for the car is to make it into a serious Sunday driver and I might take it to the drag races every now and again to race against the mainly Japanese PBR stuff. I want to get the mechanical side working first, then the flash, higher tech stuff.
Things to do hopefully over the next 6 months.
1. Swap out the 327 for a 383 stroker. Really considering the ZZ383.
2. Put in a Tremec 500 or 600 with high performance clutch. Still weighing in the pros/cons of the gear ratios of each. I don't really need for North American highway cruising speed lower rpms as we are lucky to be able to cruise at 60 mph for more than 5 miles at a time before having to jam on the brakes to avoid a water buffalo or 125 cc Honda bike loaded with 6 people!
3. Change out the 10 bolt rear end to maybe a Moser 3.73. Could really use ideas here!
4. Swap out that aftermarket air con with a Vintage Air.
5. Replace radiator with good quality aluminum with leaning towards electric fans as I like the low clutter value.
6. Front and rear spoilers already on the way.
7. Glass needs to be replaced, but will need to see if the local GM dealer can order. The glass has what looks like really ingrained water spots that won't come out even with buffing. Front glass has a crack so has to go anyway.
Things I would like to do later on as more funds become available.
1. Power up everything, windows, locks, alarm, trunk, mirrors, security and maybe even the shaved handles. I have a complete wiring kit coming in and intend to use all 18 circuits and then some. Too bad I found this site after I had already ordered the Painless only to find out that the American Autowire Classic Update probably would have been better.:mad:
2. Change out the buckets to something more comfortable then the old stock ones.
3. Put in the proper RS hideaway headlights. Although the car is listed as an RS the front lights must have had the kit removed at sometime.
4. Convert all tail lights, parking lights, signal reverse lights to LED type. I think I will try the DIY style there with a little help from my electronic tech co-workers. As I'm in China can get the electronic stuff for next to nothing.
5. I am also leaning towards the Air Ride Technologies Level 3 for a couple of reasons. I know it's expensive and maybe a little gimicky, but I think it would be handy for the roads here that tend to be a little unpredictable. I like the idea of being able to raise the car up with the touch of a button to clear a oversized speed bump or cracked road, then lower it back down for parking/shows/posing purposes.
6. Any other sort of renovations that mix old/new. I want to try to keep the classic look to the interior as much as possible, but still mix in new technology that blends in but gives that....wow that's cool reaction.
7. A flash paint job, but still I don't know whether to paint it same color as my old one (Will post a photo of it when I can get an old picture of it from back home sent over) or go with a Candy Apple or Brandywine that I've always wanted but could never afford.
Sorry for being so long winded. I will have many more questions later once I start to work on the car. I will try to document the restoration as much as I can to help others as well. I've noticed there are a couple of incredible complete ground up restorations on this site already that provide a wealth of information and ideas.
Regards,
Aaron
Just to introduce myself and my new project. I recently found a 1967 RS over in the Philippines where I live. It's taken 20 years, but finally got another.
I had a '67 SS back in my high school / early university days in Saskatchewan, but unfortunately had to sell it to help finance university. After getting the degree, I pretty much went to work overseas and never really had a chance to get another one.
Well, finally after a couple years of looking around in the Philippines I finally found one with promise. You'd actually be surprise how many old American musclecars are over here, but mostly they are 6 cylinders and in most cases are serious fixer uppers. This is most due to many years of limited access to proper spare parts and typical Filipino backyard engineering. A lot of the old American cars were left behind when the Subic Bay Naval port and Clark Airforce Base were shut down.
Anyway here she is in her new home with a couple of my other toys. I wasn't able to get too many photos as by the time I got the car shipped to Davao City where I live from where I found it in Manila, I pretty much had to leave to go to work in China for the next 6 weeks. Most of the other photos are the ones the owner sent to me via email as I was out of the country when I found the ad online. I pretty much agreed to buy it just based on the photos.
Due back around the 29th May right around the time a sustantial shipment of parts from Classic Industries is due to arrive.
The car has a 327 in it currently. Sounds decent, though struggling with a couple of issues with overheating and backfires at high rpms. I have a new HEI ignition, plugs and wires and replacement quadrajet carb coming.
For the most part the body is sound. Interior is okay as well, though most of the items I have coming are more so for cosmetic purposes.
My current plan for the car is to make it into a serious Sunday driver and I might take it to the drag races every now and again to race against the mainly Japanese PBR stuff. I want to get the mechanical side working first, then the flash, higher tech stuff.
Things to do hopefully over the next 6 months.
1. Swap out the 327 for a 383 stroker. Really considering the ZZ383.
2. Put in a Tremec 500 or 600 with high performance clutch. Still weighing in the pros/cons of the gear ratios of each. I don't really need for North American highway cruising speed lower rpms as we are lucky to be able to cruise at 60 mph for more than 5 miles at a time before having to jam on the brakes to avoid a water buffalo or 125 cc Honda bike loaded with 6 people!
3. Change out the 10 bolt rear end to maybe a Moser 3.73. Could really use ideas here!
4. Swap out that aftermarket air con with a Vintage Air.
5. Replace radiator with good quality aluminum with leaning towards electric fans as I like the low clutter value.
6. Front and rear spoilers already on the way.
7. Glass needs to be replaced, but will need to see if the local GM dealer can order. The glass has what looks like really ingrained water spots that won't come out even with buffing. Front glass has a crack so has to go anyway.
Things I would like to do later on as more funds become available.
1. Power up everything, windows, locks, alarm, trunk, mirrors, security and maybe even the shaved handles. I have a complete wiring kit coming in and intend to use all 18 circuits and then some. Too bad I found this site after I had already ordered the Painless only to find out that the American Autowire Classic Update probably would have been better.:mad:
2. Change out the buckets to something more comfortable then the old stock ones.
3. Put in the proper RS hideaway headlights. Although the car is listed as an RS the front lights must have had the kit removed at sometime.
4. Convert all tail lights, parking lights, signal reverse lights to LED type. I think I will try the DIY style there with a little help from my electronic tech co-workers. As I'm in China can get the electronic stuff for next to nothing.
5. I am also leaning towards the Air Ride Technologies Level 3 for a couple of reasons. I know it's expensive and maybe a little gimicky, but I think it would be handy for the roads here that tend to be a little unpredictable. I like the idea of being able to raise the car up with the touch of a button to clear a oversized speed bump or cracked road, then lower it back down for parking/shows/posing purposes.
6. Any other sort of renovations that mix old/new. I want to try to keep the classic look to the interior as much as possible, but still mix in new technology that blends in but gives that....wow that's cool reaction.
7. A flash paint job, but still I don't know whether to paint it same color as my old one (Will post a photo of it when I can get an old picture of it from back home sent over) or go with a Candy Apple or Brandywine that I've always wanted but could never afford.
Sorry for being so long winded. I will have many more questions later once I start to work on the car. I will try to document the restoration as much as I can to help others as well. I've noticed there are a couple of incredible complete ground up restorations on this site already that provide a wealth of information and ideas.
Regards,
Aaron