The lack of hood hinges, the missing heater plenum, the “ way too far inboard” bolted in 6 pt roll bar, zero insulation and sound deadened will just be a few of the things that will make this car a pain in the ass on the street. Add in 90/10 front struts, and 50/50 rear shocks, and you’ll have to pay more frequent visits to your dentist as a result of getting the fillings jarred out of your head from the ride quality.
That car looks to be amazingly clean, and nicely painted. It’d be a shame to lose such a nice starting point for a great street car to end up as another example of a gutted out rattle trap pretending to be a street car that is just a literal headache to ride in.
Get rid of the drag racing junk, ditch the lift off hood. get a good aftermarket electrical system ( these cars need it anyway). fix the stuff that has been Removed ( hinges, heater core/AC) restore the door mechanisms, put some sound deadener in it, and the interior.
Straight shooter. I like that.
Everything you said is exactly the reason I'm here. We have every intention of making this car an awesome street car. As the name of this thread implies it's about the journey. More on that below. I have no interest in throwing this car together just to get it on the road. In fact I have the summer of 2025 in my mind. Could be sooner, could be later. Knowledge, skill and budget will determine that.
The majority of the parts you mention came with the car. We plan on using what we have when it makes sense and improving/upgrading when appropriate. It'll get done and get done right.
I would like to keep the roll bar though. Big T thinks it's cool. Lol
He is right especially if you have kids. Not only the kids , but your wife will never get in it . Plus if you fix it right you might get all your money back someday.
I'll never get my money back on this project but that's by design. Tyler, my 26 yo son, has something called Williams Syndrome. Although he is the most enthusiastic car guy you'd ever meet, and pretty good with wrenches, he'll never be able to drive this car. That is why the journey is the most important thing. When the time comes that I am no longer able to take care of him and one of his brothers takes over the car will go with him.
He pulled and disassembled that motor mostly himself... With some direction of course.