Project Chimaro Rolls Free
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Greeting Oppo!
Life has been a bit crazy but I finally made some progress with the Camaro. Initially I started with another Camaro but found its roof would need a complete replacement. Also, the lack of title was proving to be an issue. Decided that would be the parts and reference car. The end goal is still the same; clone the look of a 1970 Camaro by bolting the front sheetmetal and grafting the rear with those year parts, thus Chimaro (chimera • \kye-MEER-uh\ • noun. 1 : an imaginary monster compounded of incongruous parts).
Back in November, I found this perfectly clean, rust-free 1979 Camaro shell, with a clean title. $400 and two hours later, it was in the yard. About two weeks later, found a front subframe and rear end. Another $400 and 6 hours later, they were in the yard.
Then it snowed, and snowed, and snowed...
Meanwhile, sourced and built a 396 (actually a 402 now) along with the M21 4 speed. Again, $400 entry prices on both) and did some trading for the bell housing, flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate.
So now, it was time to get the darn thing off the trailer.
I am a patient car. I wait and I wait and I wait and I wait.
Front and rear assets no longer covered in snow.
My uncle reminding me he is one year younger than his tractor.
Initiate docking sequence.
Docking complete.
Roller ready for the next phase, stab the engine and transmission in, and make it a basic runner/driver.
After that, the real fun begins...transforming the rear sheetmetal to that of a 1970 Camaro. The parts will be here next week. Hope to start late August.
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@LunaticPants Nice, now revive that 928
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@LunaticPants Very interesting. I also love that tractor.
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@LunaticPants It would have been easier to start with a 77 or earlier as the early nose would bolt right on (the fender on my 71 is from a 76), but it's a worthy project! With the big block it will definitely be a hell of a lot faster than the POS.
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@LunaticPants Oh, does that have a story! Everything for a 5 speed conversion in that embattled carcass.
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@pos_camaro All it takes is to change to a 70 - 73 radiator core support and the fenders/header/valence bolt right up. Helped a buddy in high school do it to his 1978 Camaro.
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@LunaticPants I meant you could use the fenders and all but as your 79 didn't have fenders it really doesn't matter. Is there a way to switch the taillights?
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I think you should take it to a further extreme and graft that 928 rear end onto it.
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@LunaticPants Are you going all in with the small window, too?
Pro Tip: Now's the perfect time to do the door hinge pins/bushings.
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@LunaticPants said in Project Chimaro Rolls Free:
I am a patient car. I wait and I wait and I wait and I wait.
+1 for the Fugazi reference.
