This car was bought July 2005. Interior and top were white and a poor red paint job was badly worn. Along the way I added a new engine (chevy 350), trans (700r), interior and top, stereo system, air suspension, MSD ignition, paint and body and a few other things.

This was what it looked like the day I bought it. It was 'ok' but I had a thought for it. I wanted something a bit cooler than a traditional Skylark. Yet not go overboard with 'bling.'

As you can see, there was a lot to be replaced.


Al's Automotive in Burbank did all the engine and mechanical work. I've been using him for 10 years and it's nice to see an honest and great mechanic. We talked about going in and maybe fixing the Buick 350 but parts are a pian to get and due to the fact I had a time schedule on this, we went the easy route...Chevy. Headman headers we added and MSD later. Holley 750 4 bbl carb. I still have my Buick block and will eventually build it.



Next came paint and there was some rust (had to completely replace the floor) but not terminal. Body rot was only in the rockers and the passenger sided rear quarter.

I took the car to Dura-Glo in Van Nuys. The guys do really good work at a really good price.

We pick an old Infinti color rather than traditional black or red...with four coats of paint and four of clear.

This pic is when I brought it back from the interior shop. The door panel were not installed because the stereo was going to go in next.

Rodz in Burbank did this incredible system. All equipment was bought at Sound Waves in Van Nuys. They got great deals. I went all Diamond Audio with an Alpine head unit. Being that a 5 gallon tank was going to go in for the airbags, I went with 10" rather than 12" woofers so the box size wouldn't interfere.

Lastly back to Al's Automotive where he installed the Air Ride system. As you can see it is cramped back there.

That's about it. I'm still going to do more. Custom center console with bucket seats. Rear disc brakes. Vintage air conditioning.

Lastest picture of my car (and my others) since I shaved the handles and changed the tires.

UPDATE: Dura Glo basically DESTROYED my cars body. I got hit 2 months after these pictures were taken and instead of fixing it, they put layers of bondo up to half an inch thick throughout. Also, there was a crack in the frame that they did nothing about. The paint peeled literally a month after and it came back and had to be painted again. I didn't know what they did previously but also, they only painted 3/4 of the car so with the peeling I had them do it again.

Same result. We did it one more time. Same result. On top of that they damaged my shocks and put a hole in one of the airbags. I asked for my money back and they told me to F-off.

Come to find out that there have been lawsuits going against them and they sold the company.

I'm now getting a new paint job from the company that installed my stereo. They were tired of getting their customers ripped off and got one of the top paint and body guys in the city.

Should be done soon.

In the meantime I've added a ton of other things. Tubular "A" arms, aluminum heads, bucket seats, door poppers and so on.