Hi Everyone,
Finally getting around to posting some pics of our resto. A little out of the ordinary to post the finished product first but oh well. I'll get some more pictures up so you can see the starting point and points of progress.
Mom became the 2nd owner of this Skylark Sport Coupe in 1967. It was her daily for many years until the car started having major repair issues in the early 80's. Instead of getting rid of it, my folks decided to keep it with the "one-day" aspiration of restoring it.
Fast forward 25+ years to 2009 when my folks decided to "start" restoring it. That's where I came in. Over the next several years we performed a complete frame-off rest-mod restoration that completed last spring. All of the non-stock decisions were authorized by Mom. Particularly the upgrades to the drivetrain and suspension.
Some of the notable mods/resto details:
Motor - 462, 10:1, TA-310 CAM, 68 big port heads w/ minor porting and polishing and Stage I valve conversion, Performer Intake, Headers, FAST EZ EFI. Built by JW. Dyno'd at 455hp@5000 520ft-lbs@4000.
Trans - 2004r built by JW. Speed activated OD controller.
Rear - 71 GM 10 bolt posi. 3.73 gears. Built by JW.
Suspension - Front and rear sway bars. Front discs, rear drums. Boxed control arms. Rear frame connectors (like the gs cars have). All new suspension components.
Interior - Completely new using Legendary. Steering wheel by McIntyre. Resto of dash, dashpad (putting one of Loren's repro's in soon (thanks Loren!!)), AC Ports, arm rests (tpp repro's), etc. by your truly.
Body/Exterior - Chrome done by JR Custom Plating in North Branch, MN. Stainless and Aluminum resto by me. Hubcaps restored by Iverson Automotive, Minnetonka, MN. Body work and paint by PoJo's in Gilman, MN. Final Assembly by JW and me (Ascher pulled on some wrenches too).
We are very happy and proud of the results.
This resto wouldn't have come out the way it did, in the amount of time it did, without the great people on this site. And for that, we thank you sincerely. You've truly helped at least one more 65 come back to like new condition!
Now for the pics. Enjoy!
Tony
