Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

First i have to say, i have way too much on my plate but if that is not enough here is another one!

So today a new little one folowed me home. This is a friends car, it has quite the story, I will start with that. My old shop foreman has always wanted a 68 Camaro, last january he bought on, online from Mishigan. The pics seemed ok, he knew it was a little bit of a project, but he was ok with that. Well he sends a friend down there to go get it, this friend knows nothin about cars. Strike one. Well he gets home and Mike drives it around a bit. It creaks and groans a little but he seems satisfied. So he finally decided that he will take the interior apart and go from there. BAD NEWS. you can see through everything, he pulls the engine and lifts the car off the ground, subframe falls off, rusted right out. The P.O told him he could just jump in it and drive it back. STRIKE TWO. Now Mike is frustrated and comes over to my side and talks to me. Rmember he is my boss. We decide it be better not to let anyone at work know i am doing this for him. So he disassembles the complete car. I go look at it and i am floored. It is GONE. beyond that infact, this is the worst case i HAVE EVER TAKEN ON. Anything for a friend. So we orderd every single part of sheetmetal that we can. As of now this is how it sits, later this week i will take the plasma to the rest of it and go from there. So for now i will let the pics speak for themselves. All i am doing to this car will be the sheetmetal work. not a show car, just a driver that we are trying to save.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

more.

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more yet

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more

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

This is it for now, so this week the plasma will get happy, once that is done it will be off to the sandblasters with supports in it and then metal replacement time. Oh yah. Who all thinks that I am nuts for doing this.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

dude he would be better off buying another body. that car is gone!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

OMG!!!! i feel for you buddy! have fun with it!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

:jdp: It's time to call Goodmark and order a complete shell! Seriously, if you can save that, my hat is off to you! Friend or not, unless you're doing it for free, how is it not cheaper to get one of those new shells? It needs everything and then some!!!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Yeah you're nuts, That looks bad! At least you're practiced from the '69.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Yup, your crazy. Thats is REAL bad, but the project name is very fitting. Good luck, but I wouldn't attempt it.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

That...looks like something I'd buy and try to fix! And sadly, that's not saying much. My hat is off to you, sir, and I wish you the best. I'll definitly be following this one.

-Sam.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

This makes me realize how lucky I was with my Camaro buying it sight unseen!

As far as a shell vs panels I'm sure than panels can be had for $6000 vs $13000 for the shell. Is there $7000 worth of work for James to do on this to get it to that point? Quite possibly......

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Wow, I never knew how $ the bodies were. I had always just "guessed" they were around 7 or 8 grand. $13,500 is quite a chunk of change for one!

My dad is giving me his old 67 Firebird that he's had for about 25 years. It was originally an SC car that was brought to NY. It was never driven in the salt/snow, but it did sit outside, in the grass, for MANY years. It rains and snows A LOT where I'm originally from. I'm scared of how bad it might be, but my dad says it's still pretty solid. It will need quarters and a lot of patches, but should hopefully be nothing like this poor car.

I'll definitely be following this too! The more pics the better for when I someday tear into my pops car.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Wow! James you are setting some kind of record there! Just in case he changes his mind Camaro Body this is a 69 but maybe he can get a 68? Anyway, I have a 68 that you can start on next.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Holy crap guys, this car sure stirred up some ppl. It is true, he should have gotten a shell, but to be honest by the time he is done he will have a new car and will have saved a few thousand. Besides he trusts me to do it. One of the few ppl he can. I do have my work cut out for me, but to be honest i am looking forward to this, it will be a challenge. But a good one, as you all know i enjoy the challenges, it is what makes us stirve for the better in ourselves. So either friday or saturday, i will cut it up and we will go from there.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Since you seem to have a lot of time with these cars, I have to ask, who sells the best reproduction parts for these cars (body/patch panels)? Or who is the best manufacturer to look for? ESPECIALLY for quarters. After lots of reading and watching videos, it actually looks easier to do a complete quarter swap and weld it back up like the factory did, rather than trying to weld many many feet of seams.

For example, I know for these trucks (67-72) I've seen: Tri-Plus, Counterparts, and Key-Parts.

I'll be looking for all of the panels at the Charlotte swap meets (TONS of venders for these cars there!!!) and want to make sure I get the best fitting/thickest metal parts, especially for the quarters. I want to keep the car as much GM as possible, and I'm pretty sure the front clip only needs small patches and the doors will need a reskin. In the videos I've watched, I didn't like how the complete doors and fenders fit the cars at all.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Well, to behonest, there is 2 suppliers forthe metal on these cars, look up dynacon or golden leaf, they are the same company, one american, and one canadian. Do full qtr's, the only way to go. Look at the 69, i have done one re-skin, and hated doin it. Welding that 4 foot seam is horrible and it is just asking for future problems, besides they never fit right at the front rear or wheel well. The skins for he doors, seem ok, still need a little adjustment, no matter what you do, all the metal you need will have to be adjusted. This will be the 16th or so camaro i have done. I know these cars well. The wheel tubs in the rear require work, you have to fit them to the qtr first, then put the qtr in then put the wheel tubs in, then mark them in the spot ......... That is the hardest part with these cars. Remember if you neeed help i am here.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

James, I have no doubt you can fix this car and hope you didn't take offence. I watch craigslist pretty hard for Camaro parts that's why I offered that link. BTW, is it possible the parts place is Dynacorn you are talking about? I searched Dynacon and couldn't find any body panels. Dynacorn here
I hope you have patients with me too. BTW, my 68 has a vinyl roof which has attracted rust all over the roof. How hard is it to do a full roof? thanks

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

No worries, no offense taken, i am way too easy going for that. I would have prefer a body, but whatever. And yes it is Dynacorn. My Bad.The full roof is easy. Just watcha nd learn. I will let you know, no worries. Later

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I plan on watching and learning! Please go slow and take lots of pics. I haven't worked on a car in a long time. When Mike orders the parts, ask him to put together prices if you don't mind. I am going to try to start saving for our 68. If it is going to cost me $7K for parts....well I'll probably just sell the car.:waah: Thanks,

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

You can doooo it!!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I dig it!! You may have to replace a lot of metal but you'll still save some original 68 metal, which is cool.

I've been seeing alot of 1st gen camaros getting skinned down to the inner structure lately. Definately should rock solid when down. Good onya and keep us posted.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Thaks guys, and no prob Mike

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Yeah, it sucks these cars get in such bad shape, makes you wonder if they were zinc dipped like they are today, how much better these cars would look.

Thanks for the quarter tip, like I said, after watching a bunch of videos, some with cut and weld and some with a complete quarter, I was like, why the hell would anyone want to do all of those welds? You just need to do the plug welds around the ends like the factory, I think I could do those without messing up too bad :lol:

Unfortunately, my doors are pretty solid, but my pops had trouble moving the car one day by himself with the backhoe, and rubbed her against a tree on the PS, and on the DS, the door got backed into :rolleyes: At least the front clip was safe up in the garage rafters :lol:

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

LOL, rubbing elbows with the fellow branches was she. There is parts on these cars that are galvanized, the rear rails and inner rockers, but once they get this bad, it does not seem to matter with them. I wish i could find one for myself or a 70 chevelle, that is what the wife wants, but up here it is really hard to find something so we always end up with junk and fix it, hence the reason i am not scare to tackle anything. All i know, is that by doing these cars, and a few more by the end of the year me and the wife should be back on our feet and that is all that matters to me, hence the other reason i will work on anything. Thanks for all the replies gus, i will make sure to take a ton of pics of this one, because i knowthat there is alot of camaros out there that need the help and most ppl do not know where to start.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Here's a little inspiration! http://www.impalas.net/forums/showthread.php?t=686

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Very cool thread in the link! I love how the guy used a bunch of old cars and not repop parts. Defintely inspirational!:ito:

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

LEEVON, now that is someserious inspiration, my hat off to that guy, that was simply amazing, see, there is other crazy ppl out there, not just me.LOL. Thank you for that article, that was cool, i read every page. That guy had some serious heart and passion in his car, definetly proud of that one. Congrats to him. Just proves a point, anything can be fixed with determination and a little time and resources.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Well, i went out today and checked on some panels, i think you will like what we have, there is still a few more not there, but that is one heck of a collection.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I'm assuming these are the good parts you were talking about at Dynacorn? They look really nice! Step by step man.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

It looks like you've got a whole new Camaro in pieces on the floor :eek:...

because you do!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Looks like a bunch of work is ahead of you but im sure it will be no problem for ya to get her back in one piece..

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You bet they are! I will no worries, remember if you missed something to ask.

LOL, and one in my basement like that too!

Thanks bud.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Got out to the shop this morning, swept it up from last nites mess. I then proceeded to study the car, how bad it actually was. Once i determined, what i was removing, it was time to weld in some bracing. Front to back-side-top. Is not going anywhere and stron, and also not in the way. Once the bracing was in, it was time to bust out the Speacialized tools for some destructive remodeling. I first cut the floor from the skeleton. Once that was done, i determined what pieces from the floor i needed to keep. Then it was cut cut time. Got all that done then swept up again. I proceeded to put the skeleton on my on my dolly and determined again what was gonna have to cut off. There was a tremendous amount, but there will be no rust in this girl any more. Cut off everything i needed to and cleaned up one more time. She is now ready to go to the blasters.

Remember any questions you have, ASK. I will do my best to help you.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

The last two are the keep pile and garbage pile

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some more

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The stars of the show, without them.........

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

WOW, looking at the pics it sure was dirty/dusty in there, no wonder i was blowing some black boogies when i came in. ugh.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I had my share of black boogies today too:lol: Still wondering why I did not think to grab my respirator. I did find my eye & ear protection. Great thread BTW. ~subscribed~

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

wow...

So what exactly is going to the blasters? :lol: