Monte Carlo rebuild thread

[willie]

John she looks sweet!!!!!    Nice work!!!

[71SSclone]

Thanks everyone. It's really coming along.  

Funny story I was told when I was there. The rear seat pan was replaced. In order to do that, the 2 support braces that go from the seat pan to the inner 1/4 structure had to be removed. Well, the guy who lives in the house on the shop property used to be a machinist. He comes in the shop from time to time to help out, use the lathe, clean the shop, etc.  He accidently threw out one of the support braces, thinking it was just old metal that was going to be replaced. My body goes to put the braces back in and can't find one of the braces. He's like "I can't find one of the braces"  The machinist is like "I threw that out last week, thought it was junk" The machinist feels terrible and proceeded to fabricate a new support plate. I'll be damned if the support brace he built looks better and stronger than the factory one. 

[71SSclone]

Getting closer to paint. The body is blocked and ready to go. They are now working on prepping the insides of the front fenders, and underneath the hood and trunk, for sealer and paint. 

[cny first gen 71]

Doing the inside of stuff and underside of stuff is a real pain but has to be done for sure. Been there done that. Looks great can't wait to see it in color.

[MC1of80]

Great progress! Keep the pics coming! 

[willie]

Looking good John!!!! Keep up the good work.

[1Bad454]

Nice!! Keep the pictures coming.  

[Jared S]

On 2/28/2022 at 6:41 PM, 71SSclone said:

More progress today. Had the glass removed, fitted the replacement hood and hinges. Removed the rest of the trim. 

Think I'll leave my Vinyl Top in place for as long as possible. Ignorance is bliss!

[willie]

Jared, the snowball begins!!!   The back looks to be a lot worse than the front, maybe the car was under a car port with the rear sticking out. In any case, there is a bit of work there. Good Luck and keep plugging away. if you need us just ask!!

[Dtret]

I’m confused.   John’s car before bodywork. 

[71SSclone]

Yes, that's my car before the bodywork was started. I think Jared S was saying that he'll leave his vinyl top on for as long as possible to avoid having to do bodywork. I get that, sometimes I wished I left my car alone and drove it. In the end, mother nature always prevails and you'll either have to do repairs, or sell it and move on to something else.

Thanks for all the positive comments. I'm real excited to see color on this soon.

[willie]

I misread his post, I am sorry!   But so happy you are getting it done John!!  LOL

[cny first gen 71]

11 hours ago, Dtret said:

I’m confused.   John’s car before bodywork. 

That's ok Dennis I live in a state of confusion you get used to it after a while 🤪

[Dtret]

2 hours ago, cny first gen 71 said:

That's ok Dennis I live in a state of confusion you get used to it after a while 🤪

I live in Ohio. Same difference. 😆

[71SSclone]

Surprise post on FB by the body shop doing my Monte.  They have started to lay some color down. Making progress. 

[Dtret]

Looks great. 

[willie]

Looks Great John!!!!   I am jealous, i couldn't find a black Monte!!!  lol

[71SSclone]

More paint pictures. A few more pieces were painted last week. They also spent some time refurbishing a spare hood for my 69 Buick GS400

[71SSclone]

More pictures

[1Bad454]

Very nice!

[willie]

John, Looking Sweet!!  

[Montemedic]

Forward progress, looking good John !!

[71SSclone]

Wow, I've been slacking. I can't believe I haven't updated this thread in 10 months. In all honesty, not alot has been going on. The car is now in the mechanical shop, where the engine was removed to prep and paint the engine, engine compartment, frame, and smooth the firewall. Also prepping for the installation of the Vintage Air system, aluminum radiator and electric cooling fan, serpentine belt system, and ARH exhaust.  

The frame was damaged by some aggressive towing sometime in the past, so that was repaired. Also found some rust (shocker!!) on the core support and on the front frame rail, so that will be fixed. Seam sealer was applied to all seams, in prep for the final paint. Engine compartment and front frame rails will be painted chassis black, then the body shell will be painted gloss black. Then comes final assembly and a cut and buff on the paint. Making progress. Pictures to follow.

[71SSclone]

[71SSclone]

More pics