My 1967 Belvedere Convertible Plans and Restoration (aka - Mad Scientist Build)

[747mopar]

That door looks great, appears little blending is needed too.

 

[kiwigtx]

Some serious work going on here Larry. You need some help lifting that rear end around. I like the look of the front end ...extremely beefy and solid.

 

[conv67bdere]

Nice job on the door Larry!

Remember the fabrication that I did on the door hinges . . .

From this ( only (2) small 1/8" contact points )

To this with a new sleeve installed for complete contact . . .

Seems to make a HUGE difference on the door . . . or at least I'm hoping that it will . . .

 

[HYRDGOON]

Remember the fabrication that I did on the door hinges . . .

From this ( only (2) small 1/8" contact points )

View attachment 664626

To this with a new sleeve installed for complete contact . . .

View attachment 664627

Seems to make a HUGE difference on the door . . . or at least I'm hoping that it will . . .

It's these touches that will save you a lot of grief in the long run. Nothing wrong with a little over engineering for peace of mind!

 

[conv67bdere]

More work on the car today . . . couple of things . . .

Worked on the door alignment a bit more, to try and figure out what's going on there . . .

And on the dash, pulled it out and did some cleanup on the edges where it bolts under the windshield ( working on a plan for this . . . )
Got it back in the car and trying to figure out the console extension . . . have (2) ideas that I'm thinking through ( hope these pics will help me to decide )

First up is this option . . . .

Here's a little closer shot of the idea . . .

And option #2 . . . notice it's a little lower on the dash where it connects . . .

Then I spent some time trying to find these rubber grommets that go behind the backing plates . . .

And the grommet - I guess 50 year old grommets are allowed to do this . . . Any ideas ? ?

Got a few things that I'm trying to get done and see if this thing might get into paint . . . ( no clue when ) . . .

5.7 Hemi news update . . . Mad Scientist style . . .

ALSO . . . looks like I might be rebuilding a 5.7 Hemi ( so I can add that to my list of things that I've never done before . . . if you're not out of your comfort zone then you're not learning . . . )

( it's all your fault Kevin ! ! )

 

[HYRDGOON]

I kept looking at the options and always go back to #1

 

[kb67mopar]

More work on the car today . . . couple of things . . .

Worked on the door alignment a bit more, to try and figure out what's going on there . . .

And on the dash, pulled it out and did some cleanup on the edges where it bolts under the windshield ( working on a plan for this . . . )
Got it back in the car and trying to figure out the console extension . . . have (2) ideas that I'm thinking through ( hope these pics will help me to decide )

First up is this option . . . .

View attachment 664646

Here's a little closer shot of the idea . . .

View attachment 664645

And option #2 . . . notice it's a little lower on the dash where it connects . . .

View attachment 664647

Then I spent some time trying to find these rubber grommets that go behind the backing plates . . .

View attachment 664648

And the grommet - I guess 50 year old grommets are allowed to do this . . . Any ideas ? ?

View attachment 664649

Got a few things that I'm trying to get done and see if this thing might get into paint . . . ( no clue when ) . . .

5.7 Hemi news update . . . Mad Scientist style . . .

ALSO . . . looks like I might be rebuilding a 5.7 Hemi ( so I can add that to my list of things that I've never done before . . . if you're not out of your comfort zone then you're not learning . . . )

( it's all your fault Kevin ! ! )

Glad I could pull you out of the comfort zone!

 

[kb67mopar]

Oh and I like option 2.

 

[JB400]

I'd recommend moving the top of your extension to the bottom of the dash. It'd lean it forward, and you'd be less likely to jam your knuckes into whatever you have mounted in it while shifting

 

[Mike67]

have (2) ideas that I'm thinking through ( hope these pics will help me to decide )

What do you have planned for that????

 

[kb67mopar]

I'd recommend moving the top of your extension to the bottom of the dash. It'd lean it forward, and you'd be less likely to jam your knuckes into whatever you have mounted in it while shifting

I tend to agree with this. I had a short little console I made in my Coronet and loved it. But you have the full lower section already in place. I think if you keep it boxy like that it will look a little silly if its tall and vertical. But make sure you do what YOU like....its your car and you get to live with it!

 

[747mopar]

I like a tilted back look, just looks better than almost vertical to me.

 

[Mike67]

This is the one we built for the Nova, GPS is easy to read, no glare...

 

[5.7 hemi]

I’m liking that steering wheel, is that a Budnicks?

 

[Mike67]

I’m liking that steering wheel, is that a Budnicks?

No its an ebay special, I think its 4EVER Sharp, its ok, my F.I.L. likes it...but I dont like fake looking wood

 

[5.7 hemi]

Oh, it’s fake wood, damn. I like the wood grain wheels.

 

[Mike67]

Oh, it’s fake wood, damn. I like the wood grain wheels.

I think they do make one but 3x $$$ and IIRC its a 15"

 

[5.7 hemi]

Yup, very pricey!

 

[conv67bdere]

This is the one we built for the Nova, GPS is easy to read, no glare...

That is the "look" that I was hoping for, but when I put the cardboard templates into the car and saw how they looked . . . I was not very happy about it . . . BUT, I still don't know exactly how the shifter lever is going to be positioned in the car . . . and it might allow for me to add a lot more angle to the face . . .

SO, this part might have to be left out ( at this time ) and then make a modification to the dash at a later date once I know how everything is going to align . . . and save my knuckles . . .

 

[Mike67]

Larry have you decided on what type of shifter you are going with? Are planning on using an original console to attach it too?