Well today I was giving some thought to design ideas for the chevelle let start with the decoded vin
Year: 1971
Series: (36) Malibu, V8 engine
Body Style: (37) 2-door sport coupe (33/34/35/36 series only)
Plant: (B) Baltimore, Maryland
Chevelle #: 118786 for Baltimore, Maryland
Funny thing is it is registered as a 1972 has a 1972 front end on it and the vin does match the registrations vin so no funny business there. Just a crazy little mystery to me I looked at other clues to like the horn location which is where a 71 chevelles should be mounted behind the drivers side head light. So she will be resurected with a 71 front.
and theinterior trim code is 736 which is
Dark Jade Roma Cloth, Antique Dark Jade Coated Fabric
so it is supposed to look like this
It is all black now still bench seat still sweep dash pretty good shape though
The exterior paint code is 43 which is
Lime Green
so my chevelle is supposed to like this
even though I see this being a closer match to the factory paint I have found
It is a factory AC car.
With that out of the way the chances of it being a real SS are slim to nothing and it is more than likely a cloned malibu so I don't feel bad chopping it up and making it into the car I want I cannot keep the bench and will probably fabricate most of the interior with use of composites fiberglass or carbon fiber. I will use vacuum bagging to keep the parts weights down to a minimum. And should lose some pounds switching over to a set corbeau sport seats LG1 models. I will then be counter productive and put power options in the car such as power windows. I would like to have a full cage in the car but only if I can place the bars far enough from my head to create a safe enviroment for when I am strapped with out a helmet. I know harnesses are built to stretch up to 2 inches.
As for the exterior the color will be black the car will go on a diet of as much composite parts as possible the bumpers will be painted with alsa mirror chrome or a chrome vinyl wrap to keep the factory look. Crush zones will be built into the chassis and foam also used to keep crash protection up. I will try to squeze as much aero as I can with starting from a muscle car. I do want to use some accenting of lime green to pay homage to the cars roots as it rolled off the factory floor. I was thinking more along the lines of lime time pearl HOK though.
I really like the stance of this
But tire rub on the front tires scares me lookes pretty deep in the fender. Not sure how that would pan out trying to turn hard.
The chassis I will still be using a solid axle rear. Full coil over suspension more of a BBSS(Big Bar Soft Spring) suspension. So my big question here is this do I
A. build a tube chassis design it and have the plans looked over by a professional before the build and after. CAD designed. My theory is it can built over time while I drive the car. Then the Body can be fitted after it gets frame off.
B. modify the existing chassis to fit the bill of the pro touring build strengthening week points, Boxing, drive shaft loops, etc.
C. Buy a suspension package and not be happy with myself
Here is the factory chassis dimensions
There room for allot of improvement, bump stop, camber and caster issues, braking, weight distabution, need to at least mini tub it to fit wider rubber.
I figure you have to start some where and brain storming into a plan is where I'm at. All input is always welcome!! Your not gonna hurt my feelings and this is a 10-15 year build at least. I have a son that I want to bring him up around this enviroment if we wants to hang with dad in the garage or go play thats fine with me but he will exposure to it and it will not be forced on him. He turns 2 next month so if I plan 15 years that will make him around 17 when it gets finished. Hopefully I will have a milder car for him to work on to go tear up the track with wether auto-x or road course day.