b_pappy Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 (edited) Here's what I found to start out with. Most of these have been rode hard and put away wet. I looked at mostly "project" cars, started and abandoned. It was depressing actually. Nothing I even really wanted to drag home for free, much less paying the money people were asking for them. Finally, on a lark, I searched Craigslist in Tucson, Az and there she was. Parked in 1980 and left for better days. It's all original, and largely rust free, although everything needs to be re-done, at least I'm not going backwards. It's going to be a long process, time and money restricted, but we're planning a 383 stroker, 200 4R trans, Don Hardy headers and mounts, Chris Alston & Spohn chassis parts, and lots of GM parts where I can; 4 wheel disc brakes, narrowed posi rear end. I want to make it look as much like GM built it as I can. Ugly as sin right now, but I'm excited. Bruce a pic (this is CA, but very cold that morning, so lots of frost) Edited January 4, 2015 by b_pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFairbanks Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Looks like fun. We want to see a pic under the hood as it sits right now. Rats nest and all...lol. As a kid I remember my mom having the same car, but pumpkin orange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHL88 Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 That is going to be a sweet project. That would be a killer sleeper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris@Adams Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 A neighbor lady had a gold one like that, I use to wash it for here all the time. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Awesome! Glad you found a good base to start your project with! FWIW: take a look at the LS motors to build...a lot lighter than a typical SBC and they make killer power (the heads are fantastic from the factory and breathe like crazy). Keep us posted!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Adam's Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 AWESOME! Can't wait to see this progress Bruce! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDuff Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) One that I liked. When I had my Vega with a 327 in it we put a Don Hardy shortened rear end in it without tubbing the car and fit some decent tire inside the wheel wells with only bending the lip in. Might be a shortcut for you since you mentioned them. Have you figured out the engine mount system yet? We had a front mount for the engine to save room on the sides. I will watch with a lot of interest to bring back my glory Vega days. Best of Luck and keep the pics coming. Edited January 6, 2015 by McDuff b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 Thanks for the encouragement guys! I'm thinking a 383, old school, but an LS is possible. The reason I'm going with the Don Hardy kits is to use conventional side mounts. I know there are a lot of front mounts running around, but I really dislike that method. We'll look around for rear options. I'd like a 12 bolt, but I'm told the S-10 would work out fine. Heading out to Pomona in a few weeks to scout parts. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redline Challenger Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 The second car I owned was a '71 Vega station wagon. Blue metallic and aluminum slot wheels. I LOVED that little car! It broke my heart when I sold it, and even more when I saw what became of it. It was beyond any hope of restoration at that point. Can't wait to see how yours turns out. I may even begin searching for one myself... b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted January 7, 2015 Author Share Posted January 7, 2015 Broke the hood release trying to open the hood... guess that's one more part I need now. I'm thinking this one will be Muslanne Blue with a white GT stripe, but that is way down the road. My wife and I had one when we first got together, so she is totally behind the project (man I got lucky when I found her). Bruce LFairbanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 (edited) No real progress yet, but I've been busy collecting parts: 2nd gen Camaro Z/28 wheels S-10 front hubs and spindles 10 bolt rear end with disc brakes tubular front control arms (AJE Racing) front coil overs (Viking Performance) Tubular rear control arms (Spohn) Sub frame connectors (Chris Alston) That should be almost enough to get going on the suspension. Still debating on power steering. can't find all the parts I need. Bruce Edited January 30, 2015 by b_pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Nice parts list so far! It'll be nice having discs all the way around. You should be light enough that power steering may not be necessary... Wheels will look good on it too! Subscribed for progress updates! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 (edited) Okay, I guess we're making some progress. Hah, you'd think she was Megahn Trainor (All About That Bass, not Miranda Lambert) the way we're looking at her rear... Actually we're measuring to narrow the rear end, and apparently it takes three of us, plus my wife taking pictures, and the shop girl doing math. I happened to be in dress clothes that just about matched the shop uniforms. Edited February 12, 2015 by b_pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Nice! Progress!! Keep us up to date! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
694doorbird Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 going to be watching the updates, can't wait to see it when completed. b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFairbanks Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Looks like a fun project. b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Just about done suspension collecting parts, and disassembling everything. We narrowed the rear end 3.75" per side! Dang, sure hope we measured right! When we make positive progress I'll post some new pics. I also decided to put in a first gen Camaro fuel tank, doubles my capacity, which with the 383 will be a plus. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted March 21, 2015 Author Share Posted March 21, 2015 Good news, we measured right! All the brackets are transferred over to the new rear end and it fits perfect. New tubular control arms work great too. Not excited about this sway bar, changing to a different one. A long ways to go, but moving the right direction. As soon as it rolls again we are sending it down the street to weld in the sub frame connectors and fit the Camaro tank. And the motor (ZZ383 Deluxe) is at the dealer with my name on it. LFairbanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted April 4, 2015 Author Share Posted April 4, 2015 two steps forward, one back... The rear disc calipers hit either the frame, or the rear springs. Rear brakes are overrated anyhow. :-) Okay, so now we're moving the spring percehes inboard. Cool though, the rear end fits like we knew how to measure and everthing. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Tubular control arms are in up front, along with the left side coilover. I wound up getting a lead on some coilovers for the rear that eliminate needing to move the spring perches. They don't "bolt right in", but pretty sure we can make them fit. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Nice work! Good progress. The rear is looking good...and that 12 bolt will handle whatever you are going to throw at it. The coil overs will make it so much 'cleaner' and neater underneath as well as give you a helluva lot more room back there! Not to mention the adjustability/etc. Keep us posted! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 Making some progress. Got coilovers and disc brakes on all 4 corners. No engine yet. Next stop is teh fabricator for sub frame connectors and 18 gallon fuel tank, custom traction bars and some other stuff. Her she sits, a litle high up front. Bruce LFairbanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFairbanks Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 I know this is a ways down the road, but do you have a color picked out yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 What? It's already painted! Yeah, we have it narrowed down to one of two schemes. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted May 31, 2015 Author Share Posted May 31, 2015 (edited) The car rolls again, and now it's at the fab shop. I was literally so stunned I forgot to take pictures. They have the engine / trans mocked up with cases to fit the mounts and headers, plus the entire cargo area is cut out to install the first gen Camaro fuel tank and battery box. These guys are doing top drawer work, really blew me away. Right next to my Vega is Axl Rose's '55 Chevy, so my Vega has good company. Some other outstanding cars there too. Plus the fabricator is so down to earth and cool it's amazing. He thinks it's pretty cool to be a V8 Vega these days, did some good ones back in the day. The sub frame connectors will take some work. Next time by I'll get some pics. I really need to give a thanks to my wife too, she's just happy I'm happy, and finally doing it. She's pretty amazing, and has agreed to let me keep everything until we get this one running, then I'll probably sell something to have a parking spot for it when it comes home. Bruce Edited May 31, 2015 by b_pappy LFairbanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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