ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 This project is many years in the making and I am gearing up to get back on this project this spring. The build is going to be my what if project. What if GM actually produced a monte convertible? What if GM actually produced a monte with an LS6? What if GM actually produced a monte with an L89 option? What if GM actually produced an ss454 with an M22? I am going to attempt to do this using all GM parts, assembly manuals and other GM publications to be as accurate as possible. I may stray a bit from that but I will do my best to stay true to form. Keep in mind i started collecting parts to build this project since 1995. I will start by posting some photos of what I started with and where it's heading. I welcome comments and input along the way. Let's get started! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70mcarlo Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Sounds like a really cool "what if" project. I look forward to following along as it takes shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Welcome Jeff, cant wait to see pictures. I'm origanly from the Albany area, Colonie to be exact still have family in that area. Good luck with the project and yes we love pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 This is the 1970 monte I started with. It is a vertially rust free car from Oregon. I purchased it in 2005 out of northern New Hampshire. I actually bid (eBay) and missed out on this car 4 years prior but managed to buy it from 2 owners later when he listed it on eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leghome Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I bought a Forest Green Monte on Sept 20th 1969 two days after they were released Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 These shots were from cica 2006 just before the sawzall came out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Well can't turn back now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
502ci Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 You gonna make it a removable hardtop...just kidding... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 More cutting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Hey Jeff have to ever ran assross a guy named Nelson Dupre from your area hes a street rod guy. Him and my brother have been friends for years. My brother has a 26 ford roadster (picture in my sig photo) he runs around Albany a lot too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Here I was checking tire figment for my 1971 monte but mocking them up on the 1970. one of these photos actually made it into hot rod magazine in their project section in the fall of 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Hey Jeff have to ever ran assross a guy named Nelson Dupre from your area hes a street rod guy. Him and my brother have been friends for years. My brother has a 26 ford roadster (picture in my sig photo) he runs around Albany a lot too. I can't say that I know him. I'm actually originally from cny too. My brother and sister live near Syracuse and my brother still has the triple green 71 ss454 I sold him in 1996. He never takes it out! I'm working on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 This is what's left of a 1968 chevelle convertible I purchased in 1995 for this build. I told you I have been planning this project for a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 I found this chevelle marker light trim stuffed in the quarter panel cavity of the 1970 monte. It was never installed but painted to match the car. Some one on the assembly line made a mistake and just tossed it in the car since the chevelle came down the same line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70mcarlo Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Looks like you're already well-along on your project - it's looking good! You also have a nice work space - I'm so jealous. Beautiful '71... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 I know some guys install the complete convertible section as one piece but they need to cut a larger portion of the quarter panels to get it to fit. My approach is more work but I'm disassembled the convertible section at the factory seams to minimize cutting the monte quarter panels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Looks like you're already well-along on your project - it's looking good! You also have a nice work space - I'm so jealous. Beautiful '71... Thanks, you will notice I was building the garage at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Lots of room to work and a lift too i'm really jealous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Time to check for top alignment as its mocked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 And this is where I stopped on the project in 2009. it's now in storage in Utica! I got to get back on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss454-71 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 This is what I put the monte on hold for 3 years ago. Here is the build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=329775 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS5 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Jeff, I sent you a couple PM's Darren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte7071 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Wow you do some impresive work. I went through your truck build very nice. Keep up the good work hope to see some more pics of the Monte. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Wow looks great! I look forward to more updates. That 71 is pretty sharp also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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