Bought this car in Feb '11. Had to go to Kansas City, MO to get it. I have the build sheet for it.
Car is a 402, 4 speed, 12 bolt posi with 3:31. It was originally Placer Gold, black vinyl top, with a black interior. It is now Midnight Blue Matallic. The original motor blew-up many years ago. But, it came with a year/car matching 402. Engine has been completely rebuilt and already fired.
Hoping to have it finished summer '14.
I have attached some pics to show my progress over the years.
It's looking real nice. Glad to see a 71 getting some attention!
Back in Black said
Nov 18, 2013
Awesome!
67ss said
Nov 18, 2013
Looking great, bet you are just itching to be able to drive it.
Tim H said
Nov 20, 2013
You are doing a real nice job on it. I'm sure it will be a real head turner.
Lost in the 60s said
Nov 20, 2013
As said, looks great. Gonna be an attention getter on Chevelle Row at CC...
I don't see any pics of body work. Was it that clean that you could just shoot it ???
hkgmillette said
Nov 20, 2013
Thanks everyone for the positive comments. It has been a fun project.
The body was very solid. The rear fender wells and some small holes in the rear of the front fenders were the only parts of the car that needed repaired. The floor, trunk floor, trunk lid, doors firewall, etc. were all fine. There is the 'usual' surface fill for straightening purpose and you can see in the one pic.
The body man has some pics of the body work that was done. He will give them to me when the car is done.
What is left is painting the hood, striping the car, final alignment of the doors, fender and hood and final buffing.
Hoping it will be home the first week of December.
Then I get to put everything back on it.
hkgmillette said
Nov 29, 2013
Went and looked at the car today. Progress has been made. Hopefully it will be home next weekend.
Lookin' good Hank! Especially like the white stripes, but then again I'm a bit biased!
I see you are in the Brainerd area, so curious if you will go to the Pequot Lakes show in June? Three of us have driven cars there, and spend the weekend in cabins, and it's a blast. Great car show venue in the city park. Last year was kind of a bust with cold, windy, and misting all weekend, but we made the best of it. I'm sure we will do it again next year, so watch the forum for announcements.
Otherwise, your car will go back together quickly once you get it back. And, you have 6 more months of winter to work on it if we have another Spring like this year...
-- Edited by SShink on Friday 29th of November 2013 06:37:04 PM
hkgmillette said
Nov 29, 2013
I am hoping to get to some of the local shows and some in the Cities. I am figuring that it will be June/July time frame that the car will be completed and the kinks will be worked out.
SShink said
Nov 30, 2013
Cool.
I might have missed it in the previous posts, but what color is the interior going to be?
Well Hank, got all those boxes torn down and that interior in yet?
hkgmillette said
Aug 13, 2014
Well, it has been a while since I posted, so here are some updated pics of my car. Though it might not look like it, a lot has been done. All of the components are in for the cowl hood, brakes, tilt steering, pedals, power trunk release, wiper motor and mounts, new shifter mount, heater hoses, emblems, wheel well moldings, window tracks, door latches, Rattle Trap and much more. Hoping to start the wiring this weekend. The seats have been taken to the upholstery shop. Car might be able to be taken there at the end of Sept.
I bet you're just ITCHING to scrub them stickers off the tires!!
SShink said
Aug 14, 2014
Looks good in the pics Hank, and it was even better in person back in June when we stopped in on the Pequot Lakes return trip!
Hopefully, you can get it on the road for a Fall cruise before you have to put into a deep winter slumber and wonder what it will be like to drive it.
SteveS said
Aug 15, 2014
I love that color combo
hkgmillette said
Oct 5, 2014
Project Update
66 RAT said
Oct 5, 2014
Nice music!
SShink said
Oct 5, 2014
It's Alive!!!
Nothing better than the first times when it's running on it's own power. Nice work Hank.
Scott Parkhurst said
Oct 6, 2014
Congrats Hank! It looks awesome!
hkgmillette said
Oct 20, 2014
Off to the upholstery shop for headliner and carpet. When I got there, he had my door panels done. After the carpet/headliner, he will work on the seats.
What did the guy do with the door panels ? Did he build them from scratch ?
hkgmillette said
Oct 22, 2014
I bought the Original Parts Group Inc. Stage IV interior kit (https://www.opgi.com/chevelle/1971/interior-accessories/interior-kits/I411/).
The door and rear quarter panels come complete with the hard board already on the vinyl, but you have to transfer the metal piece that hooks into the body, from your old door panel. The panels have all the cut-outs for the various holes in the panels. You just pop out the hole insert and cut the panel. If you want to see a picture of the back, just let me know.
I elected to not transfer the emblem in the center of the door, because 1) the new panel was not cut out for it and 2) it would have required us to try and lift the vinyl on the new panel to get it installed. I did not want to chance ripping it, or stretching it so then it would not sit back down properly.
Lost in the 60s said
Oct 22, 2014
That's what I was thinking, you bought the unfinished panels and needed the upper mount installed.
hkgmillette said
Oct 22, 2014
Just got the car back from the upholstery shop. Carpet, headliner, sail panels and package tray have been installed. Also had to check out the floor mats.
That's funny Hank... I saw your thread this morning, and was just wondering how you were coming. Keep up the good work, you are on the downhill slide now! Once it's time for the interior, it's not far from there!
hkgmillette said
Jan 25, 2015
With the colder temps and limited heat in the garage, I get limited opportunities to work on the car.
I have installed the emergency brake cable, the rear arm rests and panels and assembled and installed the dash.
You've got a few months now to git-r-done. Looks like a cake walk from here.
hkgmillette said
Feb 8, 2015
Got the seats back form the upholstery shop. Right now, the car can not get together fast enough, but I have learned to be patient. If I am not, mistakes will be made or corners will be cut. Besides, where am I going to drive it now.
Looks nice Hank. Did you install the upholstery yourself?
hkgmillette said
Feb 8, 2015
I had the upholstery shop install the headliner, carpet and assembly the seats and rear interior and door panels (need the metal transferred). I will be installing the rest.
hkgmillette said
Mar 21, 2015
Thought this might be a good time to give a project update. I have been busy. Since last up, I have:
Finished and tested the wiring. The only thing left to test is the fuel gauge, tach and temp. Waiting to fire up the car to do that.
Installed the rear window defogger. Had to cut the dash for the switch.
Finished the sound proofing behind the rear seat.
Re-installed the tranny (found out the reverse gears were bad.
Modified and re-installed the shifter
Installed the headlight bezels
Installed emergency brake.
Installed speedometer cable.
Installed the parking light bezels.
Installed the gas tank (yes, it is powercoated)
Installed rear seat
Installed console
Installed seat belts
Installed the front seats.
Just have the door panels and threshold left to install. Then some final adjustments on some items, grease it and then start to clean it up. Radio will be later.
Almost there.
-- Edited by hkgmillette on Saturday 21st of March 2015 09:03:55 PM
Looks great Hank. I look forward to seeing it in person!
dashboard said
Apr 5, 2015
Car looks great, you're now officially out of the Cars Apart Club also called CAC. If the car ran under it's own power and you where able to stop it with it's own brakes I think you qualify, nice job. You may have also qualified as the 'first out cruise' unless someone else has been out and about.
I did have the Mustang out for a romp, I think it's disqualified from the competition however because of the manufacture and our location but it did cruise nicely at 120+.
Your car (project) looks great, your efforts have paid off.
Chris S said
Apr 5, 2015
Got out of work early on Friday. Went home, washed the car and took it out for the first time this year. Had a little time on Sat. to take my wife to the DQ. Felt great to drive it again! Everything is working well.
Bought this car in Feb '11. Had to go to Kansas City, MO to get it. I have the build sheet for it.
Car is a 402, 4 speed, 12 bolt posi with 3:31. It was originally Placer Gold, black vinyl top, with a black interior. It is now Midnight Blue Matallic. The original motor blew-up many years ago. But, it came with a year/car matching 402. Engine has been completely rebuilt and already fired.
Hoping to have it finished summer '14.
I have attached some pics to show my progress over the years.
This is the end of year 1
Here is year 2
This has been this summer.
It's looking real nice. Glad to see a 71 getting some attention!
Looking great, bet you are just itching to be able to drive it.
As said, looks great. Gonna be an attention getter on Chevelle Row at CC...
I don't see any pics of body work. Was it that clean that you could just shoot it ???
The body was very solid. The rear fender wells and some small holes in the rear of the front fenders were the only parts of the car that needed repaired. The floor, trunk floor, trunk lid, doors firewall, etc. were all fine. There is the 'usual' surface fill for straightening purpose and you can see in the one pic.
The body man has some pics of the body work that was done. He will give them to me when the car is done.
What is left is painting the hood, striping the car, final alignment of the doors, fender and hood and final buffing.
Hoping it will be home the first week of December.
Then I get to put everything back on it.
Went and looked at the car today. Progress has been made. Hopefully it will be home next weekend.
Lookin' good Hank! Especially like the white stripes, but then again I'm a bit biased!
I see you are in the Brainerd area, so curious if you will go to the Pequot Lakes show in June? Three of us have driven cars there, and spend the weekend in cabins, and it's a blast. Great car show venue in the city park. Last year was kind of a bust with cold, windy, and misting all weekend, but we made the best of it. I'm sure we will do it again next year, so watch the forum for announcements.
Otherwise, your car will go back together quickly once you get it back. And, you have 6 more months of winter to work on it if we have another Spring like this year...
-- Edited by SShink on Friday 29th of November 2013 06:37:04 PM
Cool.
I might have missed it in the previous posts, but what color is the interior going to be?
12-08-2013 Home from the body shop!
Santa must have thought you were very good this year!
That stocking could hold lots of parts!
02-10-2014 OPGI Stage IV Interior kit is starting to arrive. This is not all of it. Still more to come. Should have it all by the end of the month.
Now just need warmer weather to start working on the car again.
Well Hank, got all those boxes torn down and that interior in yet?
Well, it has been a while since I posted, so here are some updated pics of my car. Though it might not look like it, a lot has been done. All of the components are in for the cowl hood, brakes, tilt steering, pedals, power trunk release, wiper motor and mounts, new shifter mount, heater hoses, emblems, wheel well moldings, window tracks, door latches, Rattle Trap and much more. Hoping to start the wiring this weekend. The seats have been taken to the upholstery shop. Car might be able to be taken there at the end of Sept.
I bet you're just ITCHING to scrub them stickers off the tires!!
Looks good in the pics Hank, and it was even better in person back in June when we stopped in on the Pequot Lakes return trip!
Hopefully, you can get it on the road for a Fall cruise before you have to put into a deep winter slumber and wonder what it will be like to drive it.
I love that color combo
Project Update
It's Alive!!!
Nothing better than the first times when it's running on it's own power. Nice work Hank.
Off to the upholstery shop for headliner and carpet. When I got there, he had my door panels done. After the carpet/headliner, he will work on the seats.
I bought the Original Parts Group Inc. Stage IV interior kit (https://www.opgi.com/chevelle/1971/interior-accessories/interior-kits/I411/).
The door and rear quarter panels come complete with the hard board already on the vinyl, but you have to transfer the metal piece that hooks into the body, from your old door panel. The panels have all the cut-outs for the various holes in the panels. You just pop out the hole insert and cut the panel. If you want to see a picture of the back, just let me know.
I elected to not transfer the emblem in the center of the door, because 1) the new panel was not cut out for it and 2) it would have required us to try and lift the vinyl on the new panel to get it installed. I did not want to chance ripping it, or stretching it so then it would not sit back down properly.
Just got the car back from the upholstery shop. Carpet, headliner, sail panels and package tray have been installed. Also had to check out the floor mats.
New windshield (with antenna and sun shade), tinted rear window and tinted rear quarter windows are installed
Feels like it is time for a new update.
Items since last update:
Installed quarter and side windows
Installed windshield and rear window molding
installed kick panels
Assembled console
installed front and rear bumper
And got some new garage art
-- Edited by hkgmillette on Sunday 7th of December 2014 04:58:45 PM
That's funny Hank... I saw your thread this morning, and was just wondering how you were coming. Keep up the good work, you are on the downhill slide now! Once it's time for the interior, it's not far from there!
With the colder temps and limited heat in the garage, I get limited opportunities to work on the car.
I have installed the emergency brake cable, the rear arm rests and panels and assembled and installed the dash.
It all looks great!!
You've got a few months now to git-r-done. Looks like a cake walk from here.
Got the seats back form the upholstery shop. Right now, the car can not get together fast enough, but I have learned to be patient. If I am not, mistakes will be made or corners will be cut. Besides, where am I going to drive it now.
Looks nice Hank. Did you install the upholstery yourself?
I had the upholstery shop install the headliner, carpet and assembly the seats and rear interior and door panels (need the metal transferred). I will be installing the rest.
Thought this might be a good time to give a project update. I have been busy. Since last up, I have:
Finished and tested the wiring. The only thing left to test is the fuel gauge, tach and temp. Waiting to fire up the car to do that.
Installed the rear window defogger. Had to cut the dash for the switch.
Finished the sound proofing behind the rear seat.
Re-installed the tranny (found out the reverse gears were bad.
Modified and re-installed the shifter
Installed the headlight bezels
Installed emergency brake.
Installed speedometer cable.
Installed the parking light bezels.
Installed the gas tank (yes, it is powercoated)
Installed rear seat
Installed console
Installed seat belts
Installed the front seats.
Just have the door panels and threshold left to install. Then some final adjustments on some items, grease it and then start to clean it up. Radio will be later.
Almost there.
-- Edited by hkgmillette on Saturday 21st of March 2015 09:03:55 PM
Very nice. You'll have it ready for summer and be anxiously waiting for nice weather.
That car will draw crowds wherever you take it...
Installed the dash pad and door panels.
I just have the stainless for the rain gutter to put on.
We did take for a short ride today.
-- Edited by hkgmillette on Sunday 5th of April 2015 07:26:56 PM
Looks great Hank. I look forward to seeing it in person!
I did have the Mustang out for a romp, I think it's disqualified from the competition however because of the manufacture and our location but it did cruise nicely at 120+.
Your car (project) looks great, your efforts have paid off.
Got out of work early on Friday. Went home, washed the car and took it out for the first time this year. Had a little time on Sat. to take my wife to the DQ. Felt great to drive it again! Everything is working well.