Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Can't control myself...

Enganeer · Mega Poster

I know the seller in the second link. He's my best friends brother and you can bet it's probably better than described.

SteveS · Super Poster

Looks like fun, and pretty sharp as Miata's go. If I had the money or space I'd go for it, I have neither so it's easy for me to say. After you autocross the Miata for awhile how much more money will you have to dump into the Chevelle to get it to handle as good as the Miata?

Lost in the 60s · President

You need to find some of my conservativeness and just keep what you have and get them back on the road.....

Derek69SS · Founding Member

SteveS wrote:
Looks like fun, and pretty sharp as Miata's go. If I had the money or space I'd go for it, I have neither so it's easy for me to say. After you autocross the Miata for awhile how much more money will you have to dump into the Chevelle to get it to handle as good as the Miata?

The idea is to have a dedicated "race car" with strict class rules so I don't have to keep dumping money into the Chevelle to get a little quicker... Maybe even soften up the Chevelle a bit to make it a more enjoyable street car.

SteveS · Super Poster

It would be nice to have a couple of dedicated cars. Then I wouldn't keep having these crazy thoughts about re-stalling my convertor to get a couple of tenths in the quarter, or tearing out the auto completely, putting in a 6 speed, changing the wheels and suspension and finding an autocross...

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Honestly, if I had a Miata 2 years ago, I probably would have just done a cam & heads on the LT1 to get it up around 425hp, and been perfectly satisfied with the Chevelle... and could have been driving it for the last 2 years.

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
Honestly, if I had a Miata 2 years ago, I probably would have just done a cam & heads on the LT1 to get it up around 425hp, and been perfectly satisfied with the Chevelle... and could have been driving it for the last 2 years.

Did you write this to convince your wife or yourself ....

Aren't you supposed to be working ?? Focus..

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Wife says "We should buy a Trans Am instead"

Might have to turn in my man-card, because I'd rather have the Miata than the LS1/T56 98-02 WS6 that she wants... already have one car that's severely handicapped for its class, don't need another. To be reasonably competitive, tire costs for STR Miata = $250/season.. tire costs for F-stock Trans-Am = $2500/season.

SteveS · Super Poster

I could see where the Miata would be more fun to race (and cheaper than a T/A). Only downside I could see would be you could take the whole family to the races in the T/A. Unless you plan on trailering anyway.

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
Wife says "We should buy a Trans Am instead"
Might have to turn in my man-card, because I'd rather have the Miata than the LS1/T56 98-02 WS6 that she wants... already have one car that's severely handicapped for its class, don't need another. To be reasonably competitive, tire costs for STR Miata = $250/season.. tire costs for F-stock Trans-Am = $2500/season.

If that's her answer, it's time to get this non-sense out of your head and get that Chevelle done.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

There's currently 3 cars I'm in the market for, but I can only buy one of them, depending on what deal comes up first...

1915-1916 Model T touring car (kinda pricy, but can be offset by selling my '23 Model T roadster)

'69 Chevelle coupe - looking for a rough looking complete Malibu with good floors and original or weathered paint... crazy idea I can't share until I make it happen or give up on the idea. ...would be a daily-driver though.

Mazda Miata for STS or STR class, and track day use.

67ss · 1K+ Club

Derek69SS wrote:
There's currently 3 cars I'm in the market for, but I can only buy one of them, depending on what deal comes up first...

'69 Chevelle coupe - looking for a rough looking complete Malibu with good floors and original or weathered paint... crazy idea I can't share until I make it happen or give up on the idea. ...would be a daily-driver though.

I know of one of these. Not sure how much you want to spend, it is a factory 350 4 speed car, disc brakes, and 12 bolt rear end. Has SS hood on it but no other badges. It has the original motor but needs to be rebuilt. Paint is checked and needs slight fender lip repair in the rear but floors and trunk are good. I think they are asking 10K for it.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

67ss wrote:
I know of one of these. Not sure how much you want to spend, it is a factory 350 4 speed car, disc brakes, and 12 bolt rear end. Has SS hood on it but no other badges. It has the original motor but needs to be rebuilt. Paint is checked and needs slight fender lip repair in the rear but floors and trunk are good. I think they are asking 10K for it.

Color? Pics?

Price is a little more than I want to spend, but it's just about everything I want.

67ss · 1K+ Club

I don't have any pictures of it, but it is black exterior and interior right now. Was originally blue exterior. I'll PM the phone number of who has it and you can call and talk to him. The car is a roller right now the motor is out.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

dang... black is one of the colors I don't want.

Going to try pulling off a very specific look that just doesn't work in black... can't be too shiny either, but the paint needs to look old. Rust is OK, as long as the floors and frame are decent.

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
dang... black is one of the colors I don't want.

Going to try pulling off a very specific look that just doesn't work in black... can't be too shiny either, but the paint needs to look old. Rust is OK, as long as the floors and frame are decent.

Sounds like a modern Rat Rod ....

You gonna weld all kinds of farm tools and incidental junk on the fenders too......

Sand the black off to expose the blue. Bare metal will "patina" quickly also.

Just buy the Miata and put Firebird emblems on it. Maybe Jenna won't notice...

Tony Hoffer · Moderator

Come look in my garage.... This should have the desired effect.

Lost in the 60s · President

Tony Hoffer wrote:
Come look in my garage.... This should have the desired effect.

Then he can come look at mine and see what happens when he thinks he has "extra" room...

Maybe you, Dashboard, Jim, Stan, and Gearlube can give him a visual of what a "full house" is.

Scott Parkhurst · Super Poster

You'll be fine. Keep doing what makes you happy. Embrace life for all it's worth!

I'm not the guy to talk you out of anything remotely cool. Sorry.

Lost in the 60s · President

Scott Parkhurst wrote:
You'll be fine. Keep doing what makes you happy. Embrace life for all it's worth!

I'm not the guy to talk you out of anything remotely cool. Sorry.

I'm not either, Scott. That's why I have been teasing him. He has a long way to go to match my collection of junk...

Well, maybe not. I helped move his collection of pedal tractors. He has a bunch but most of them are really nice, not junk..

SShink · 3K+ Club

Here ya go Derek. Maybe not the ideal color, but definitely a solid '69 for $7500:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/cto/3317074089.html

Derek69SS · Founding Member

COOL! Fathom green is one of the acceptable colors for this particular crazy idea, and I have most of what I'd need to swap the interior color...

Lost in the 60s · President

Wow, that seems like a screamin' deal for that price and OBO means he may buckle under to 60-65 $100 bills in his hand. Better hurry, I don't think it will last long...

Derek69SS · Founding Member

If it's still available in a week, I might go look at it... too much to do this weekend.

I'll probably call tomorrow. I'd prefer something a little rougher and cheaper though... I haven't tested the "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" theory out on anything over $5k before.

-- Edited by Derek69SS on Friday 5th of October 2012 11:56:40 AM

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
If it's still available in a week, I might go look at it... too much to do this weekend.

I'll probably call tomorrow. I'd prefer something a little rougher and cheaper though... I haven't tested the "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" theory out on anything over $5k before.

Time to broaden you horizon's...I'm up to around 10k...

I will add that you might lose "conversation and snuggle privileges" for a week or so......not that I have any experience with that...

Derek69SS · Founding Member

That's getting into pretty risky territory... she might start wanting a nice car of her own if I spend that much on a 6th car for me.

Tanaman · Member

Derek69SS wrote:
Wife says "We should buy a Trans Am instead"
Might have to turn in my man-card, because I'd rather have the Miata than the LS1/T56 98-02 WS6 that she wants... already have one car that's severely handicapped for its class, don't need another. To be reasonably competitive, tire costs for STR Miata = $250/season.. tire costs for F-stock Trans-Am = $2500/season.

I have to go with Jenna on this one, although being a Firebird guy I may be biased. :-)

Derek69SS · Founding Member

It'll work on either 110 or 220. It's a Miller Spectrum 625 X-treme rated to cut 5/8" mild steel, but can be dialed down to make clean cuts on thin stuff. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/plasma/product.php?model=M00243

I didn't pay anywhere close to that much though... $850 out the door.

My welder is a Clarke 180EN. It works OK most of the time. I'll probably keep it for a while yet... bought it used for $200 so I don't have a lot into it.

-- Edited by Derek69SS on Tuesday 9th of October 2012 08:02:47 PM

Derek69SS · Founding Member

I think I've solved the car-desire problem for now... bought a plasma cutter today, and plan on ordering a 2-post lift real soon, as well as a big air compressor. Also plan on upgrading my welder soon too. That, along with all the stuff I still need to buy for the Chevelle insures that I won't be able to afford another car for a while.

So, I'll have 1 or 2 extra spaces in the shop, and might try to rent them out as heated storage after the meeting.

Enganeer · Mega Poster

No no...those are just tools...a means to end to work for efficiently.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

I got spoiled working next-door to my Dad's body shop... any metal-working tool I ever needed was 60 feet away.

Lost in the 60s · President

Plasma cutters are fun !!! Did you get a 110 or 220 volt model ?? Mine is from Northern and can be used either way. I've only used it on 110 so far. It has kicked out the breaker on 1/4" stuff but for normal use, it's fine.

What Mig do you have now ? I have a Miller Auto 180 and find it's actually too big for auto body work. I used a 135 last winter at work and it was easier to use on sheetmetal.

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
It'll work on either 110 or 220. It's a Miller Spectrum 625 X-treme rated to cut 5/8" mild steel, but can be dialed down to make clean cuts on thin stuff. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/plasma/product.php?model=M00243
I didn't pay anywhere close to that much though... $850 out the door.

My welder is a Clarke 180EN. It works OK most of the time. I'll probably keep it for a while yet... bought it used for $200 so I don't have a lot into it.

-- Edited by Derek69SS on Tuesday 9th of October 2012 08:02:47 PM

WOW, nice cutter and who do you know that gives that deep of a discount ... The specs didn't say if it was an instant arc or resisitance. I'm assuming it's instant with the mesh switch ability. That's a better machince for less than I paid for my Hobart. I really like the dual cord adaptors. I have to make a conversion box to use mine on 220.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Mississippi Welders Supply

Miller sells their "returns" to them to be checked out and/or rebuilt and sold as used... this one had nothing wrong with it, looked brand new, and comes with a good warranty. According to the guy that rebuilds them, it was likely bought by someone who did one project with it, then returned it to the store for a refund when they were done.

I was able to try it out in the store on a bunch of different materials, and it works great!

-- Edited by Derek69SS on Wednesday 10th of October 2012 11:46:17 AM

Chris R · 2K+ Club

They have a location in Hudson, WI. If one were to buy something from that location, do you still pay MN sales tax? Im thinking you would pay WI sales tax right? (Even though your a buyer from MN).

Derek69SS · Founding Member

You would pay WI sales tax if you bought it in the WI store... may be able to buy over the phone and avoid sales tax???

I shop at their Rochester store... they sell only the good brands, and they do all the warranty repairs in the store, so they know what models have weaknesses and known problems. Pretty good selection of used equipment too. Also, it's close to work, and I get a discount by mentioning where I work, as we have an account with them for all our metal-door fab supplies.

Lost in the 60s · President

My Miller Mig came from the Hudson store. You were lucky to be there for that smokin' deal on the plasma...

I have an oxy-acetylene set from them too. I bought a Miller welding helmet there for $170 but I hate it.....you need to push the "start" button when you're ready to weld and it shuts off if not used for 5 minutes. I got tired of being blinded when it didn't come on and bought a cheapy from Harbor Freight for $50. It works great but the strap likes to come undone...

Derek69SS · Founding Member

More deals... put a wanted ad on Craigslist a couple weeks ago.

Just bought a used one of these last night for $300 http://www.tptools.com/p/3270,53_850-T-Fast-Trig-Abrasive-Blasting-Cabinet.html

Now I just need a compressor big enough to run it...

Lost in the 60s · President

NICE !!! Get one for me too !! I'd sell my Northern cabinet in a heartbeat for that. You will love having a blasting cabinet around. I used mine for lots of things before the interior light burned out and the gloves wore out. I'm having a hard time finding replacement parts. Order a dozen lens liners before they go obsolete. You go thru them rather quickly and an extra pair of gloves.

As for a compressor, that will need a big one. I have a IR 220v 5 hp 2 stage with 60 gallon tank that runs pretty much the whole time I am blasting. I don't remember the exact specs on the compressor but I wish it had more cfm and a larger tank for less run time between cycles. I'll get the specs later when I go out in the shop.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

I work at a glass company... a new lense will cost me under $5 unless it's "scratched" then it's free.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Derek, sounds like you are finding ways to part with your $ setting up your shop, but here's a '69 300 Deluxe 6 banger with your name on it for $9200:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/3330772960.html

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Hey, we discussed that car a couple years ago when it was on Craigslist up in the cities... Pretty sure it's in Austin now.

Lost in the 60s · President

It's a nice, clean car but the price seems rather high for what it is...