Re: [Chevelle-List] Is it worth it??

[Mach4]

Sounds expensive to me, considering what all needs to be done. Around here, $2600 would get a solid SS body/frame with quite a few of the SS parts, brought in from out west or southwest. These are still around, but you are right, they are getting harder to find.   We paid $800 three years ago for a '66 SS. No: hood, front fenders, stock steering wheel, radiator and support, interior anything, engine or tranny, an Olds 10-bolt rear end, decent tires/wheels. Good: all glass, all interior/exterior chrome & trim (ok condition), frame, trunk lid & inside, doors. One small hole behind each rear wheelwell. And some idiot had jumped on the roof & caved it in some. It came to WI from out west, and we are very happy to have one this solid to work on.   We now have a correct 396 engine on a very slow rebuild, a repro SS hood from Goodmark (and I do not know how well it fits yet, but some of the lines look kinda soft), radiator & shroud, a correct 12 bolt unknown ratio, used but solid '66 fenders, a 4-speed and a Turbo 400 with a console for each, and some of the bucket seat  interior. The roof is about 75% fixed, one quarter is done, and the other is started. And we are still under $2500 invested, but we shop slow, don't buy much new or repro, do some swapping, and do have a few parts available from our piles.   Good luck on your search. It's all fun, but having a solid car to start with sure is more fun!!   Jim        central WI        ACES #2020        2 - '66 SS's ----- Original Message ----- From: George Spatta To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 1:45 AM Subject: [Chevelle-List] Is it worth it?? Hi everyone,   First let me say that I have enjoyed all of the advice and postings here for a long time. This is the 1st time I have actually posted to the list. I would like to get some opinions on a 66 Malibu I am thinking about purchasing to do a frame off restoration of. It is a 2 door Malibu hardtop and is in fairly rough shape. It basically needs rear quarters, hood, trunk lid, doors, floors, & trunk metal. The interior with the exception of the dash needs to be replaced. It also needs a new windshield. The motor and tranny would be coming out so I'm not even considering them (a 350 backed by a powerglide). Essentially the car needs to be completely done. There is no evidence of frame damage that I could find and the car is all original although in terrible shape. I checked all the numbers (VIN & cowl tag) and everything looks to be in order and original except for the motor. I can do all of the mechanical work myself at home ( I have a job that permits me a lot of free time) but I am not a welder and probably will have to farm most of the body work out. I realize that just the replacement body panels alone will cost a few thousand dollars. The guy is asking $2600 for the car & I think I can get it cheaper.   I'm unsure of what to do because these cars are becoming more rare by the day and everyone I do find has already been restored and have large price tags. Is a car this rough worth that much (not being an SS) as it is?? I will be building this car to drive and not worried about making money on it at a later time!   Thanks for reading and for any thoughts you may have!     George [EMAIL PROTECTED]