Preservation of a 68 Camaro

[big gear head]

I didn't realize that Darrell was banned. I guess I missed whatever it was that got him kicked off.

[gregbowers]

Very informative . Thanks for sharing.

[Tuna Joe]

Man, I really learned a bunch from this thread.
Thank you Darrell.
I’d love to see the finished product.

[cook_dw]

Since the old thread was closed during my departure I figured I would start a new thread. If Shauger or anyone else wants to combine them later then please feel free.

Preservation of a 68 Camaro


I'll start by back dating what I had accomplished and shared on other forums but hopefully those that do not frequent those sites will find some kind of value on the continuation of this preservation.




Since I was having no luck locating a good replacement rear panel due to the previous racoon that took up residence in the car while in storage at my parents home. I pulled the vinyl off the board and removed it. I had an old junk 69 panel so I used it for its board. Once I applied new foam I patched (very crudely) the tear that was in the material. Again thanks coon...

UPDATE: - I had a good friend reach out with a set of door and qtr panel covers and I will update that at a later date.


Photo 755 - Original board chewed by coon.

Photo 756 - '69 donor (I knew 69 parts were good for something. )

Photo 757 - foam glued

Photo 758 - Crude vinyl repair


After it had setup I installed it along with the back seat.


Photos 759 - 760 - Back seat and panel now installed. The panel will have to do until I can find a suitable replacement. I'd rather push forward than delay the project. I can always go back and replace it.

I looked at another tach option from my stash. At some point the car had a column mounted tach as the cup on the column had an indention.


Photos 761 - 762 - Don Garlits Stars and Stripes tach. Oddly enough my father acquired this tach from a fellow member many years ago when he purchased a C10 from him. I've cleaned it up a little and it looks ok.


Found the bulb for the glove box so I installed it and confirmed it was working along with powering up the tach light to make sure it did not need replacing. Also installled glove box and door.

Photo 763 - 764 - Glove box and door with auxiliary light. Also like to add that's an original "born-with" scratch. I'm kidding. Idk when it happened but it was long before me.


Photos 765 - 766 - DG S/S tach lit up with the dash cluster.


Back on the horse over the weekend. Cleaned up the subframe tails so I can reinstall it. I'll continue the cleaning on the sub once I am ready to work on the front suspension.


Photos 767 - 769 - Thanks to a good friend Jose (jbtech) I was able to obtain a set of original sub cushions that were taken off an early 68 LOS car.


Photos 770 - 771 - Subframe tails before cleaning up the old spray bomb black.

Photos 772 - 774 - Tails cleaned, then using my da polisher I hit everything with M105 & M205 Mequiars.


Next I slide the sub back under the body and using my old brass punches as my alignment pins got it all bolted back up.


Photos 775 - 777 - sub bolted up using the pins.


Next I rolled the ole girl out into the sun for the first time in a few years.


Photos 778 - 781 - overalls before knocking the dust off.


I'll try to keep updating when time allows.. Thanks for the interest.

[napa68]

Great processes and results as always Darrel!

[Too Many Projects]

Good to see you back..

[jer]

Love all of it!......but the thing that caught my eye was the keystones, sure wish they made these versions today. Super neat pieces!!

[cook_dw]

Thanks. I have a set of 15x10 Kustomags for the rear I got a few years ago. Just haven't mounted them yet.

[cook_dw]

Next I jacked up the rear and got to work with the pressure washer knocking off all the old dirt and grime to see how bad the rear tub was.


Photos 782 - 790 - Rear tub before

[67since67]

Good to see you return Darrell! I love a '68 Camaro Deluxe interior!