Hey guys I'm new here and I figured I'd jump right into the mix of things. I've got a 69 coupe that I'm restoring and I want your input on what needs to be done. All the rust has been taken care of and the interior is stripped down to the bare metal. What should I do next?? Paint the car or get to work on the engine?? I'm a senior in high school working on a very modest budget so I'm not sure what the next step should be... any advice?[/align]

 

Yes id do all the body work and paint it first then suspension and rear end get it a rolling body the rest will fall in to place.

 

personal oppinion... i like to get all the mechanical stuff done...engine,trans,susp. etc....before painting.... why? i can drive a car if funds run short if it only needs paint, but i get very unhappy looking at a nice paint job sitting under cover in the garage on nice days when i paint first......besides it cuts down on the poss. scratches when installing that performance engine you have your eye on...you do have your eye on one don't you? come on admit it....it's OK your among freinds........................

 

If it is mechanically sound - paint it!

 

Haha ok you caught me... my uncle has a boss 351 block that I'm trying to get my hands on.

 

In your case if money is what needs to considered first get that baby humming. Go black on the engine bay later. You can still make it pretty don't worry sweetheart.

 

I would get her running first and then suspension and then body work.. But thats me.. Im working on the same thing. My car now has a rebuilt engine, and I just got my rear suspension and all shocks in the mail last night.. So... Its up to you..

If you dont mind waiting a while to have a great car then do the body work first. If you want to drive that thing no matter what it looks like then do the engine, drive train,and suspension.. Everyone is different.. Me,, Ive got a sleeper.. It looks like hell, butruns like a deamon!