Retro S197??
05-22-2008, 08:01 PM
#22
S197 Section Modder-ator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 13,373
RE: Retro S197??
Well, I'm gonna do something radical.
Can't help it.
The job doesn't scare me, but the time and money...
After the real Fastback is done, I'll prolly have depleted my car stuff money for a while.
Can't help it.
The job doesn't scare me, but the time and money...
After the real Fastback is done, I'll prolly have depleted my car stuff money for a while.
05-22-2008, 11:43 PM
#28
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location:
Posts: 2,227
RE: Retro S197??
I would recommend first doing a little research and then a test fabrication:
- check the rear and front wheelwell widths and the door widthof the 65-66 and the 67-68 to see which is closer to the S197 (Might need to search the yards to get these measurements; bring a friend, two 6' sticks with level taped to each. Hold plumb against panel and measure across.I suspect the 67-68 is closer but I'd check first. (let's assume the 67-68 is closer)
- compare the arc of the windshield end of the S197 hood vs the 67-68. If the arc is close great, if it's off significantly the work effort to make the hybrid S197-67 hood is going to be significant.
- get a S197 door from a yard; see what adaptinga 67 door skin involves. If this effort is determined to be withinreason then you commit to the project.
- find a GT that has as muchpanel damage as you can find(in the color that you want to use; this is important because the engine bay must match the exterior.
- consider getting a rotisserie for ease in underside welding, particulary for the rear wheel wells.
- find a 67-68 that needs a lot but is straight(rotted floors are ok but qtrs and fenders should be free of rot; along with a good hood and decklid; rear and front facia sheetmetal).
- adapt everything from qtrs back (use S197 decklid as a base though(modify its skin by adapting the 67 to it) note how S197 lid goes right up to the glass; hybrid lid should do this as well, use 67-68 rear fascia, bumper, lights,etc.)
- adapt everything from fenders forward(the whole nose: hood,front fascia, bumper, lights etc.)
-section an area of thedonor S197 doorskins including handle/lock, to the 67-68 doors.
Personally, I would not add any chrome trim except for front and rear bumpers. I would suggest color keyed sport mirrors (mid 70's olds cutlass, pontiac tempest/gto are excellent but look around the yards for the right profile; I would not usechrome mirrors) You don't want the car to look like a 67-68 stocker. The donor S197 mirrors power mechanism and glassare likely adaptable to these mirror shells.
There will be some natural subtle differences created in the fabrication process and that is perfect. The result can sit low with 18"s, 19"s or 20"s and you will have a clean retro look combined with today's latest tecnology.
I wouldn't go down this road though w/o doing the measurements,passing the hood arc test and the door skin adaptation. My point is, test the water before jumping in. I wish I had the time and the garage space for something like this.
Do not attempt this unless you are proficient in welding this very thin sheet metal.
- check the rear and front wheelwell widths and the door widthof the 65-66 and the 67-68 to see which is closer to the S197 (Might need to search the yards to get these measurements; bring a friend, two 6' sticks with level taped to each. Hold plumb against panel and measure across.I suspect the 67-68 is closer but I'd check first. (let's assume the 67-68 is closer)
- compare the arc of the windshield end of the S197 hood vs the 67-68. If the arc is close great, if it's off significantly the work effort to make the hybrid S197-67 hood is going to be significant.
- get a S197 door from a yard; see what adaptinga 67 door skin involves. If this effort is determined to be withinreason then you commit to the project.
- find a GT that has as muchpanel damage as you can find(in the color that you want to use; this is important because the engine bay must match the exterior.
- consider getting a rotisserie for ease in underside welding, particulary for the rear wheel wells.
- find a 67-68 that needs a lot but is straight(rotted floors are ok but qtrs and fenders should be free of rot; along with a good hood and decklid; rear and front facia sheetmetal).
- adapt everything from qtrs back (use S197 decklid as a base though(modify its skin by adapting the 67 to it) note how S197 lid goes right up to the glass; hybrid lid should do this as well, use 67-68 rear fascia, bumper, lights,etc.)
- adapt everything from fenders forward(the whole nose: hood,front fascia, bumper, lights etc.)
-section an area of thedonor S197 doorskins including handle/lock, to the 67-68 doors.
Personally, I would not add any chrome trim except for front and rear bumpers. I would suggest color keyed sport mirrors (mid 70's olds cutlass, pontiac tempest/gto are excellent but look around the yards for the right profile; I would not usechrome mirrors) You don't want the car to look like a 67-68 stocker. The donor S197 mirrors power mechanism and glassare likely adaptable to these mirror shells.
There will be some natural subtle differences created in the fabrication process and that is perfect. The result can sit low with 18"s, 19"s or 20"s and you will have a clean retro look combined with today's latest tecnology.
I wouldn't go down this road though w/o doing the measurements,passing the hood arc test and the door skin adaptation. My point is, test the water before jumping in. I wish I had the time and the garage space for something like this.
Do not attempt this unless you are proficient in welding this very thin sheet metal.
05-23-2008, 12:26 AM
#29
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: West Los Angeles
Posts: 5,390
RE: Retro S197??
But that quarter panel is not made for the S197, is it? I imagine there's a ton of work getting it to fit.
It would look about as retro as possible though.
These ones were designed for the 2005+ body style:
[IMG]local://upfiles/15212/6946A833120045798B51C6FCB44CDBF7.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/15212/2BC7B7C9A7F2494AABE21EFEAD5F9FF4.jpg[/IMG]
It would look about as retro as possible though.
These ones were designed for the 2005+ body style:
[IMG]local://upfiles/15212/6946A833120045798B51C6FCB44CDBF7.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/15212/2BC7B7C9A7F2494AABE21EFEAD5F9FF4.jpg[/IMG]
05-23-2008, 12:28 AM
#30
4th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Melbourne, FL
Posts: 1,373
RE: Retro S197??
ORIGINAL: Orion_240
But that quarter panel is not made for the S197, is it? I imagine there's a ton of work getting it to fit.
It would look about as retro as possible though.
These ones were designed for the 2005+ body style:
[IMG]local://upfiles/15212/6946A833120045798B51C6FCB44CDBF7.jpg[/IMG]
But that quarter panel is not made for the S197, is it? I imagine there's a ton of work getting it to fit.
It would look about as retro as possible though.
These ones were designed for the 2005+ body style:
[IMG]local://upfiles/15212/6946A833120045798B51C6FCB44CDBF7.jpg[/IMG]