Man that is cool! What gauge of metal for the boxing plates? I was hoping I could get away with 14 gauge since that is the limit of my welder. Wouldn't happen to have a pattern or dimensions of the plates? I have a 64 F85 I am thinking about boxing in the frame and gusseting the cross members and suspension mounts. Not sure if it will be worth it to me though since it will be a street car but it would be nice to firm up and frame and hit some auto cross event. Thanks
I have a Pontiac Tempest question. A friend bought Mickey Thompson's silver 63 A/FX car and was one of the first few altered wheel base straight axle cars in 64. he was a street racer running a 422 Pontiac (stroked 389)but liked to run Fontana for tuning. (not many L.A. street racer drove that far) I've heard that all Mickey's Pontiac's are accounted for. did Arnie end up with Bob Porter's Tempest? As a side note Bob drove that tempest on the street, I can not remember his speeds at the strip (Beer then-years now) seems like it was in the 140's, very good in 1964. I do remember that we flat towed the pontiac to the strip with his full fendered chopped 32 ford 3 window the now famous "Doyle Gammel" car. it ran a aluminum headed L-88 427 chev with a 4 speed and ran right at 124 in the quarter. pretty good for a tow car then or now I don't know why he sold the Tempest unless he couldn't find anyone with cash that wanted to play with him on satuday night street drags.
VonMoldy - They were fairly thick at just under 1/8" thick but i was able to weld them with my 110v Mig Welder. I bought them from a guy over on another site. They were lazer cut and not exactly cheap. I think the entire kit was around $300. You can definitely do it cheaper. If you want me to dig I'll look the guys info up for you.
Do you have any pics of the '63? I would love to see them. Must of been a '63 Catalina Swiss Cheese car. Pontiac built 12 of them in '63 all in Silver Mist color. As for the Bob Porter Tempest, Arnie got a '63 Tempest Wagon from Pontiac and got a '63 Tempest Coupe from Mickey Tompson, he had aquired 2. There was 6 wagons and 6 coupes built in 1963 from the factory all in White. The Tempest Coupe was called "The Runabout". The Wagon was "The Grocery Getter". The coupe after a wreck in transport from a race, would later get reconstructed into the altered wheelbase car "The Tameless Tiger".
Oh glad to hear you did it with your 110 cuz thats what I got. (I am trying to avoid having to pay anyone) You don't need to dig the info up if it's a lot of work. $300 seems pretty expensive. I was thinking of having someone water jet the plates, but I don't really know what a shop would charge to do it.
Hey Neighbor Looks Good. Keep Sanding. And When You Think Your Done Sand Some More. What Color Are You Going With.
No I'd love to have a photo. when mickey (mickey was just a local rodder that did well at the time) was setting all the records at Bonneville for Pontiac in 63 he also had 2 A/FX Tempests Bob bought his silver one minus engine and trans, he dropped his 422 in at Foothill Speed Center in Monrovia. had the rear wheel wells moved forward then the rear end and ladder bars also had the straight axle and front wheels moved forward 4 inches. He did his own fibreglass tubs in his driveway. He olny kept the car about 6 months and I can't remember anyone local with the car after that time, he was a street racer and the car was never lettered or sponsored when he had it. He died in prison several years later.
Hello: Please input. I have an opportunity to buy a Pristine 1966 El Camino Frame. I am considering this frame because it has added strength of the Box in frame and two per side body cowl attach points in lieu of one per side. I would have this frame blasted the send to Oregon to have the entire Straight Axle system installed. This frame as we know is 115 inch wheelbase. Of concern is the following: Will this frame accept a 1964/67 GTO and 1964/67 Chevelle two door? Would you suggest staying with the car frame then boxing this frame? Thank You.
Centurion Go For It!! The Elco frame is workable, although as you know there were some minor diferences. My experience with early boxed-frame A-bodies (Elcos and convertibles) is that they like to rust from the inside out. Inspect it carefully. Other small differences include the upper front A-arm shafts, fuel tank mountings, and trans. crossmember holes, as well as the specific frame brackets for whatever motor you want to use. Just mix'n'match parts if needed. My 65 GTO has a 67 frame under it now (don't ask why...) and incidentally, will be out this summer as a "pretty close to period-correct" modified production-type racer. Think of it as a little brother to a Zettle-type car. Good luck Pete
Please read caption with the attached pic. Does this Article narrative state using stock uncut frame a man can move the posi forward 5 inches within factory frame radius inturn leave the factory frame unharmed? If so, can we keep the back seat and flooring intact? Please input *************************************************** Body-on-frame cars require more work than unibody cars. Here is a never-before-seen construction shot of Don Gay's "Infinity" '65 GTO. Car-builder James Osteen repositioned the '62 Pontiac rear axle 5 inches, about as far forward as it will go under the stock-perimeter frame. An alternative is to shorten the frame and rework the floor of the body to match. Rear suspension consists of de-arched leaf springs, airbags, and massive ladder bars. Stretched wheelhouses provide tire clearance. Hefty stock front suspension is replaced by a '40 Ford straight-axle with radius rods and transverse leaf spring for increased CG height. This classic match-racer ran 9.70s at 155 with blown 421 power and was featured in our Sept. '65 issue.
That pic was in Hot Rod a couple years back when the Wilshire Shaker was finished. Yes it is the stock frame. The back seat would have to be omitted because the wheel wells move forward. Notice how the right rear slick is forward. If it was left stock the wheel and tire would be in the center of the bend of the rear of the frame.
Thank you Guys. I was sure hoping I could retrain the back seat. Oh well. Attached are two pics of what appear the be "Buggy Spring" GTO and Chevelle vintage mid 60's In your opinion by installing a Buggy Spring straight axle can the motor mount attach points and the front chassis frame be left intact hence not removed as the dual parrell leaf spring system requires? Thank You.
and i stumbled on this thread searching shock absorbers for my roadster project. next project after the roadster and a pals awb comet (who is a pontiac guy) is a 64 or 65 injected, straight axle le mans, tempest. sneaky pete are you going to take you car to any pontiac races if finished this summer? i love these cars after seeing the zombie at norwalk years ago.
I know it's been years but I finally picked up where I left off. The steering is in and the drivetrain is in. Started working on the rear quarters. I used front fender wheel lips on the rear quarters. Right front to left rear and vice versa. Here's a few more pics.
The Jalopy Journal
