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

[conv67bdere]

The work you are doing with those wheel tubs is something "I" would never attempt to try. Not because I will keep my cars close to original, but I know I don't have the skills that you are showing in accomplishing this build.

Hey RoadRunnerMan . . . I hear what you're saying . . . but let me tell you a little story . . . ( sorry if I get a little long winded here )

The honest truth is that I "don't" have the skills to accomplish this build either, however, I'm not letting that stop me. Just to let you know, as a profession, I'm a computer programmer ( yeah, a computer nerd ). I have NEVER in my life done a build this in-depth in my life. Welding, very little, but I'm working on it every day and trying to improve. I had a talk with 747 Mopar one day and he said his father would tell him

"You can't fly with the Eagles when you hang out with a bunch of Turkeys" . . .

Well, I'm sure glad that I found this site, because this a truly a website of EAGLES - and the threads that they have on this site, restoring some of these Mopars is priceless ( to say the least ).
Propwash - his Family Tradition thread - where he restored a Road Runner is unbelievable . . .
Hunt2Elk - his 1969 Charger R/T Resurrection - is yet another rebuild that is incredible
747 Mopar - and his Restomod Charger Pics - also has some outstanding ideas and great helpful directions - a work of art . . .
Mr. Speed Freak - 1969 Charger R/T - building my dream - a 20 year old that is doing fantastic work on his restoration . . . wish I started that early ( he'll be a great builder - he IS a great builder ! )
Mopar4Don - I think he's replacing more metal on his car than I've ever seen - he's an inspiration . . .

SGT Paul, USARoadRUnner, kb67Mopar, 5.7 Hemi, Daytona Kid and so many more . . . all these guys/gals documenting their builds "pushed" me to take this to the next level - I never intended to be this deep into this project, but these guys ( and the rest of them on this site ) gave me the drive to "try" . . . they show us how, they provide assistance any time you ask . . . how could you go wrong ? ?

My current boss says - "if you're not being pushed outside your "comfort zone", then you're not learning . . . "

well . . . needless to say . . . I'm WAY OUTSIDE my comfort zone, but I'm not going to let it stop me . . . I've got one of the greatest group of guys/gals here on this site, ready to give me advice and point me in the right direction if I ask . . . and I'm going to advance my skills ( with all of their help ) so that I can build a car that I'm proud of when it's DONE.

Do I have the skills to do this . . . . NO . . . am I scared SH**LESS at now deep I'm into this project . . . YES . . . am I going to let that stop me . . . Oh heck NO . . . . I'll work on my techniques, make plenty of mistakes along the way, work on fine tuning my skills a little at a time, and day-by-day, week-by-week, I'll make a little progress to my end goal . . . and I'll document what I'm doing, step by step, so that if if helps someone else, I can help pay back to this great group of guys/gals that are helping me out on my project.

I'm outside my comfort zone, and it may take me a little while to get my courage up to tackle a job, but look at my mini tubs, once I get the hang of it, and get comfortable with what needs to be done - look out . . . nothing is going to stop me.

KB67Mopar said to me one time . . . what have you got to lose, there's rusty holes in the metal, you can only make it better . . . I keep that in mind ! ! !

It may not be perfect . . . it might end up a little wavy . . . it may have a couple flaws in it . . . BUT . . . in the end I'll know I did it all myself and I pushed myself ( with the help of this great group ) to try and learn things I don't know how to do - and get this thing done.

I did not mean to leave anyone out of this post - THANKS to FBBO for being the motivation and inspiration to help my build my MOPAR the right way.

And when I'm done with this one . . . god help me . . . and I decide to start another project, hopefully it'll be that much easier the "next time" around . . .

 

[kb67mopar]

Amen to that gospel. ccasion14:

 

[conv67bdere]

Now that's a wheels well, looks good Kahn.

Thankss 747Mopar . . . I'm really happy with the results ! ! ! One step at a time . . . ( smile )

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love a vert, I do.

Thanks a68postcar . . . got to agree with you on that ! ! ! I'm having a blast rebuilding it . . .

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Nice work Kahn! Tough job trying to puzzle together something with that many angles/shapes. Job well done.

Thanks Propwash - it's a giant jigsaw puzzle in 3-D . . . it's a challenge but it's also FUN ! ! ! Thanks for the kind words on my metal work too ! ! ! ( smile )

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Man you're hauling @ss Khan! I'm gone for a weekend and come back and the mini-tubs are done and looking great! Keep it up and the whole car should be welded up by Sunday right? :icon_thumleft:

Hey Speedy - you snooze you lose . . . LMAO . . . can you tell I finally felt more comfortable with my skills . . . driver side should go MUCH faster . . . YAY ! ! !

I was hoping for a test drive on Monday ? ? ? ( wink )

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Amen to that gospel. ccasion14:

LMAO KB67Mopar . . . the Belvedere building gospel according to "Khan"-vertible . . . Thanks for all your help and advice too ! ! !

 

[HYRDGOON]

Moving along great! That's some awesome progress and really nice work

 

[monroegtx]

It may not be perfect . . . it might end up a little wavy . . . it may have a couple flaws in it . . . BUT . . . in the end I'll know I did it all myself and I pushed myself ( with the help of this great group ) to try and learn things I don't know how to do - and get this thing done.

I did not mean to leave anyone out of this post - THANKS to FBBO for being the motivation and inspiration to help my build my MOPAR the right way.

And when I'm done with this one . . . god help me . . . and I decide to start another project, hopefully it'll be that much easier the "next time" around . . .

Well said Khan. You too are inspirational as well. :eusa_clap:

 

[mopar4don]

Hey RoadRunnerMan . . . I hear what you're saying . . . but let me tell you a little story . . . ( sorry if I get a little long winded here )

The honest truth is that I "don't" have the skills to accomplish this build either, however, I'm not letting that stop me. Just to let you know, as a profession, I'm a computer programmer ( yeah, a computer nerd ). I have NEVER in my life done a build this in-depth in my life. Welding, very little, but I'm working on it every day and trying to improve. I had a talk with 747 Mopar one day and he said his father would tell him

"You can't fly with the Eagles when you hang out with a bunch of Turkeys" . . .

Well, I'm sure glad that I found this site, because this a truly a website of EAGLES - and the threads that they have on this site, restoring some of these Mopars is priceless ( to say the least ).
Propwash - his Family Tradition thread - where he restored a Road Runner is unbelievable . . .
Hunt2Elk - his 1969 Charger R/T Resurrection - is yet another rebuild that is incredible
747 Mopar - and his Restomod Charger Pics - also has some outstanding ideas and great helpful directions - a work of art . . .
Mr. Speed Freak - 1969 Charger R/T - building my dream - a 20 year old that is doing fantastic work on his restoration . . . wish I started that early ( he'll be a great builder - he IS a great builder ! )
Mopar4Don - I think he's replacing more metal on his car than I've ever seen - he's an inspiration . . .

SGT Paul, USARoadRUnner, kb67Mopar, 5.7 Hemi, Daytona Kid and so many more . . . all these guys/gals documenting their builds "pushed" me to take this to the next level - I never intended to be this deep into this project, but these guys ( and the rest of them on this site ) gave me the drive to "try" . . . they show us how, they provide assistance any time you ask . . . how could you go wrong ? ?

My current boss says - "if you're not being pushed outside your "comfort zone", then you're not learning . . . "

well . . . needless to say . . . I'm WAY OUTSIDE my comfort zone, but I'm not going to let it stop me . . . I've got one of the greatest group of guys/gals here on this site, ready to give me advice and point me in the right direction if I ask . . . and I'm going to advance my skills ( with all of their help ) so that I can build a car that I'm proud of when it's DONE.

Do I have the skills to do this . . . . NO . . . am I scared SH**LESS at now deep I'm into this project . . . YES . . . am I going to let that stop me . . . Oh heck NO . . . . I'll work on my techniques, make plenty of mistakes along the way, work on fine tuning my skills a little at a time, and day-by-day, week-by-week, I'll make a little progress to my end goal . . . and I'll document what I'm doing, step by step, so that if if helps someone else, I can help pay back to this great group of guys/gals that are helping me out on my project.

I'm outside my comfort zone, and it may take me a little while to get my courage up to tackle a job, but look at my mini tubs, once I get the hang of it, and get comfortable with what needs to be done - look out . . . nothing is going to stop me.

KB67Mopar said to me one time . . . what have you got to lose, there's rusty holes in the metal, you can only make it better . . . I keep that in mind ! ! !

It may not be perfect . . . it might end up a little wavy . . . it may have a couple flaws in it . . . BUT . . . in the end I'll know I did it all myself and I pushed myself ( with the help of this great group ) to try and learn things I don't know how to do - and get this thing done.

I did not mean to leave anyone out of this post - THANKS to FBBO for being the motivation and inspiration to help my build my MOPAR the right way.

And when I'm done with this one . . . god help me . . . and I decide to start another project, hopefully it'll be that much easier the "next time" around . . .

AMEN! and AMEN!
I totally agree Khan, I am in the same boat as you.

 

[Propwash]

AMEN! and AMEN!
I totally agree Khan, I am in the same boat as you.

X2...Very well put Khan! It's amazing what a fella can do when he roles up his sleeves and put's his mind to it! I'm sure glad we all got a place we sit down and share our trials &, tribulations, and well.......don't want to forget "The Curse of the Chargers" lol

 

[kb67mopar]

LMAO KB67Mopar . . . the Belvedere building gospel according to "Khan"-vertible . . . Thanks for all your help and advice too ! ! !

At least this gospel is not written in old english so us motor heads can actually understand it.

"now go forth my children and not look down upon any muscle car for its color, brand, or quantity of doors"

 

[conv67bdere]

X2...Very well put Khan! It's amazing what a fella can do when he roles up his sleeves and put's his mind to it! I'm sure glad we all got a place we sit down and share our trials &, tribulations, and well.......don't want to forget "The Curse of the Chargers" lol

I'm starting to wonder myself there Propwash . . . if there might be a Burden of the Belvedere too ! ! !

( or is it just ME ) . . . ( sigh )

 

[747mopar]

Hey, we're all in over our heads at some point (for me it's this damn paint job) but it's all in what you do when you get there and you've proven to be pretty relentless. Pretty impressive if you ask me for a computer geek haha. Thanks for the kind words Kahn and I agree 100% about this sight, it's been a ton of help but you have gotta be the most enthusiastic character on here lifting all of our spirits. Rock on Kahn

 

[conv67bdere]

Passenger mini tub has been completed . . .

One more trip to the shop tonight - with the plan to get the trunk area of the wheel wells completed - and the mini tub DONE !

Here's the progress . . . the last of the trunk area finished . . .



And yet another view of the same area . . .



Thought I was done . . . then I placed a light under the car to look at my welds . . .

Unlike Propwash that can see Orions Belt in his Dart Top . . .

I can see the whole Milky Way ! ! ! ( SIGH ) . .

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Moving along great! That's some awesome progress and really nice work

Thanks GOON . . . I'm on FIRE now ! ! !

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Well said Khan. You too are inspirational as well. :eusa_clap:

WOW . . . thanks monroeGTX . . . guess I never thought of it that way as I look to others on this site for help and direction . . . I'm flattered . . . ( smile )

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AMEN! and AMEN!
I totally agree Khan, I am in the same boat as you.

Really DON ? ? . . . well, if you ever need a hand bailing out the boat, let me know and I'll be happy to lend a hand ! ! ! Your work is amazing - you're a MOPARTIST ! ! !

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X2...Very well put Khan! It's amazing what a fella can do when he roles up his sleeves and put's his mind to it! I'm sure glad we all got a place we sit down and share our trials &, tribulations, and well.......don't want to forget "The Curse of the Chargers" lol

I remember your words all the time Propwash . . . "Roll up your sleeves and get to it" . . . it's sure not going to get done all by itself ! ! ! ( smile )

And the stuff that i'm learning . . . is so much FUN ( yeah, it hurts some times, but that's the BEST way to learn - PAIN )

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At least this gospel is not written in old english so us motor heads can actually understand it.

"now go forth my children and not look down upon any muscle car for its color, brand, or quantity of doors"

Hey KB67Mopar . . . does me being OLD and speaking English constitute "Old English" ?? ?? ( LMAO ) . . .

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Hey, we're all in over our heads at some point (for me it's this damn paint job) but it's all in what you do when you get there and you've proven to be pretty relentless. Pretty impressive if you ask me for a computer geek haha. Thanks for the kind words Kahn and I agree 100% about this sight, it's been a ton of help but you have gotta be the most enthusiastic character on here lifting all of our spirits. Rock on Kahn

Thanks 747Mopar . . . I've been called a "character" on more than one occasion . . . but not in the context that you stated . . . Let's get this Belvedere built ! ! !

Thanks to everyone here on FBBO for all you help, your documented directions on fixing things, and the inspiration to "try" and build a quality car that you've demonstrated can be done on more than one occasion . . . the work being done on this site is out of this World ! ! ! THANKS FBBO ! ! !

 

[Propwash]

Unlike Propwash that can see Orions Belt in his Dart Top . . .

I can see the whole Milky Way ! ! ! ( SIGH ) . .

I wouldn't worry yourself over that Kahn. That happens to everyone, and what happens when you weld auto sheetmetal, being the little back and forth weld tac's that are used to eventually make a full weld. At least you found them now. Just use a bright light on the backside to find them all and weld them in. You're doing a real good job......and besides, i'm the only one authorized to operate a planetarium around here...lol

 

[conv67bdere]

I......and besides, i'm the only one authorized to operate a planetarium around here...lol

Yes SIR Mr. Propwash . . . ( LMAO ) . . . I'll get that corrected pronto ! ( smile ) Wouldn't want to be violating Forum rules here . . .

( Thanks for the insight and a good laugh this morning Propwash )

 

[hunt2elk]

The wheel wells are coming along nicely Kahn. I sure wouldn't have guessed you were a white collar computer geek lol. You are doing a great job. Everyone of us has gotten a$$ deep into our projects and then realized we didn't know what the heck we were doing. At that point you just have to sit back, relax, do a little homework and talk to the great guys on this site for opinions and advice. Like I said before, I would never been able to get through the Resurrection without B-Bodies only.

 

[kb67mopar]

I found a trick that works for me is to get the light under there and take a magic marker and make a black mark next to all of the spots you see light. That way when you bring your light back up top to see what you are doing you already know where the holes are. But don't fret....we all missed 100's of holes as we did our welding. (remember my oil pan and how I ended up buying one because I couldn't stop the leaks!)

So not an error in your technique...just standard run of the mill issues we all experience.

I have to say here in the presence of the mopar gods that you and the rest of this site keep me moving on my project too. It may be in somebody else's barn right now getting painted but I can't stop thinking about my next step and its because all of you guys keep showing me the light at the end of the tunnel! Not to mention before I started this car I didn't know what a B-body was....Thank you all and FBBO!

:cracks whip:.....now back to work!

 

[mopar4don]

 

[conv67bdere]

I have to say here in the presence of the mopar gods that you and the rest of this site keep me moving on my project too. It may be in somebody else's barn right now getting painted but I can't stop thinking about my next step and its because all of you guys keep showing me the light at the end of the tunnel! Not to mention before I started this car I didn't know what a B-body was....Thank you all and FBBO!

:cracks whip:.....now back to work!

Funny how that all works out there KB67Mopar . . . YOU were an inspiration to my decision to do a FULL restore, and you just stated that I keep you moving on your project . . .

Never thought of that . . . ( very interesting ! ! )

OK . . . time to get back to WORK now . . . ( smile )

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View attachment 183468

LMAO Mopar4Don . . . In this particular case I've got a "whole lotta" lights at the end of the tunnel . . . ( LMAO ) . . .

and I'm working on getting them fixed ! ! ! !

 

[conv67bdere]

Got a welding question . . . maybe someone can answer/suggest . . .

Since I'm relatively new to this welding stuff . . . I've got a question . . .

I've welded up my mini tub, and I've got some ( ok, a whole lotta ) pin holes that need to get fixed. My Uncle has sent me his Dillon torch, and I've got a very little bit of experience with it, but is it ever cool . . .

So my question . . .

can I go back over a MIG weld, with the Dillon torch, and smooth out some of the peaks and valleys, and fill in the pin holes at the same time ?

- am I asking for more trouble ?
- is the MIG weld change the character of the metal and the weld won't "flow" out ?
- should I just try it on a sample piece, and see how it goes ?

Any ideas / suggestions / recommendations . . . would be most appreciated - Thanks FBBO ! ! !

 

[kb67mopar]

Funny how that all works out there KB67Mopar . . . YOU were an inspiration to my decision to do a FULL restore, and you just stated that I keep you moving on your project . . .

Never thought of that . . . ( very interesting ! ! )

Well basically its cyclical. Seeing you make progress makes me want to make progress! Probably one of the other biggest factors is seeing somebody that has never done it before tackle it like Jared Allen on Jay Cutler. Its inspirational to see somebody who's inspired and motivated. I am honored that I could be your inspiration and humbled that you can be mine.

:grin:

Oh and sorry but I have no input on what you asked with the torch, though generally putting that much heat into sheet metal will make it wavier than a lays potato chip...

 

[747mopar]

Since I'm relatively new to this welding stuff . . . I've got a question . . .

I've welded up my mini tub, and I've got some ( ok, a whole lotta ) pin holes that need to get fixed. My Uncle has sent me his Dillon torch, and I've got a very little bit of experience with it, but is it ever cool . . .

So my question . . .

can I go back over a MIG weld, with the Dillon torch, and smooth out some of the peaks and valleys, and fill in the pin holes at the same time ?

- am I asking for more trouble ?
- is the MIG weld change the character of the metal and the weld won't "flow" out ?
- should I just try it on a sample piece, and see how it goes ?

Any ideas / suggestions / recommendations . . . would be most appreciated - Thanks FBBO ! ! !

Don't know what a Dillon torch is to be honest but I'll tell you what very little I know. Torch welding is allot like TIG welding in a few ways, the most important being they make a softer weld (MIG cools the weld quicker making it harder) making it possible to relieve the stress with a hammer and dolly counteracting the shrinkage. With a MIG the welds are much harder to do any hammering on but because you can do it so quickly you don't warp the metal as much if that makes sense. I'd be a little hesitant but by all means play around with gas welding on some scrap because it's actually pretty fun to do. There's a guy here in town that builds hot rods and welds the whole body together with a torch, you wouldn't believe how straight his work is. Good luck