This is the day we brought it home. Circa June 1987

Engine compartment as bought. 327 running on 7 cylinders, household plumbing fittings and all.

Started tearing it down. Removed fiberglass fenders to uncover severely rusted inner fenders.

Firewall stripped and painted along with replacement subframe/suspension.

Fast forward-rebuilt 327 sittng in new NOS doghouse. All new fenders, inner fenders, lower valance and header panel-all purchased at the local Chevy dealership.

In primer at the body shop.

Fresh out of paint, about a week after final assembly.

New wheels-this was how I drove it until teardown.

Sick of the drum brakes, added power discs.

New 350 replaced the 327.

Replaced rockers are rusting out. This was approximately after five years of daily service.

Decided to tear it down again!

Hidden damage on the roof will likely require a re-skin

More rust damage in the rear wheel housing-mini tubs here we come!

Quarter panel rusted through as well. The whole rear clip will be replaced.

Even one of the leaf springs was broken.

Custom made replacement leafs.

Reverse rear eye, dearched and second leaf wrapping the front eye to eliminate wheel hop!

Hydroboost and...

...big brakes!

Firewall has been filled where heater was. Currently working on replacing complete floor. More pictures to follow.

Subframe has been modified with Guldstrand mod by removing upper control arm mount and trimming. Fresh from sandblasting.

I also patched up some bad spots on the frame. There was a notch in the lower a-arm bolt access hole and angle iron welded to the frame horns. I think this subframe may have been on a drag car sometime in its history. The angle was likely for a tow bar. I was told it was an old practice to chain the engine block to the frame where the notch was made.

Control arms blasted

Repainted adn re-built with Global West bushings

Floor prior to cutting out. Looks decent in this pic, but it is in rough shape.

Closeup of one problem area. When floor patches were put in before, the inner rockers were hacked up (see hole where seat pan attaches.)

First cut complete.

Closeup of inner rocker damage on pass side, dr side is about same condition.

Pass side toeboard removed.

Driver side toeboard removed.

Inner rocker panel repair