Hello all,
I just bought a 64 Impala from a guy on eBay. I always wanted a 64. From what I see in the pictures and from what he tells me there's not much rust at all but I have a million questions. I want to eventually put a Roush crate motor in it, tranny, a new interior and a black paint job,, suspension, wheels, the works. So, my question is this, where do I begin? I'm a machinist but I have limited mechanical car related skills and my machining skills are limited to making saxophone parts which I've been doing for many years. I'm a motorcycle guy, had lots of Harleys and Ducatis’.
Obviously I don't have the tools or the money to do a frame off restoration but I'm not sure it needs it. I thought I’d do a big block with a supercharger running low boost. What I want is an outrageous street car that I can bring to the track (1/4 drags) once in a while that will get some respect.
Coming from bikes it would be nice if it did sub 11's but I'd also like it to be reliable. Maybe I'm dreaming I don't know but I can imagine what some of you guys are thinking. KNUCKLEHEAD! That's okay, I've been on that side of the fence. I'm sort of an icon in my business but I don't know jack about cars except for what I see on Pinks and Overhaulin'.
So aside from buying a book what would some of you guys do first? The motor is a 327 and the tranny isn't original, it's a three speed auto. I thought I'd put an Art Carr in it, also an automatic but I don't have a clue which model. I saw on one of the TV shows a car with a paddle shifter. No clutch but you could control the gears with a little shifter off the steering wheel. For some reason it appealed to me. Thank you for your time and consideration. By the way, I live in Westchester New York if anyone wants work. Please have serious references.
Thank you,
Phil 212.686.9410
I just bought a 64 Impala from a guy on eBay. I always wanted a 64. From what I see in the pictures and from what he tells me there's not much rust at all but I have a million questions. I want to eventually put a Roush crate motor in it, tranny, a new interior and a black paint job,, suspension, wheels, the works. So, my question is this, where do I begin? I'm a machinist but I have limited mechanical car related skills and my machining skills are limited to making saxophone parts which I've been doing for many years. I'm a motorcycle guy, had lots of Harleys and Ducatis’.
Obviously I don't have the tools or the money to do a frame off restoration but I'm not sure it needs it. I thought I’d do a big block with a supercharger running low boost. What I want is an outrageous street car that I can bring to the track (1/4 drags) once in a while that will get some respect.
Coming from bikes it would be nice if it did sub 11's but I'd also like it to be reliable. Maybe I'm dreaming I don't know but I can imagine what some of you guys are thinking. KNUCKLEHEAD! That's okay, I've been on that side of the fence. I'm sort of an icon in my business but I don't know jack about cars except for what I see on Pinks and Overhaulin'.
So aside from buying a book what would some of you guys do first? The motor is a 327 and the tranny isn't original, it's a three speed auto. I thought I'd put an Art Carr in it, also an automatic but I don't have a clue which model. I saw on one of the TV shows a car with a paddle shifter. No clutch but you could control the gears with a little shifter off the steering wheel. For some reason it appealed to me. Thank you for your time and consideration. By the way, I live in Westchester New York if anyone wants work. Please have serious references.
Thank you,
Phil 212.686.9410
Phil Barone
