2 year update.

[ryan_boswell22]

Ok guys it has been 2 years, and I have a lot of Photos coming I just have to get them uploaded on the computer. This has been quite the journey. I don't know if I would call it pandoras box or just our worst nightmare as car guys. Roof skin replaced with both A pillars and one B pillar reconstructed. Most of the front support and middle supports for the roof replaced. New floorboards new rear seat bottom pans.

Got a donor roof for parts from a yard out here in the west coast called GM sports salvage. Kinda cool going to that place, and I think I might have seen an old Bugatti at the body shop across the street that is a one of one and said to be worth 27M it felt like seeing a ghost. I replaced the entire trunk seal frame and rear window seal frame and window seal panel. New trunk floor. The body guy that is helping me is an awesome guy and has done a few SEMA cars, so I feel blessed to have him helping me for this poor car, but she is worth every min of our time.

If anyone is looking for good body parts, try AMD (auto metal direct). Nice parts and not too much work for fitment but as you all know she was outside in the back of a body shop for 16 years, so she was pretty bad. We took her all the way down to guts and bones. I'm talking 4 wheels and tires and a body that's it and took her to get blasted clean. underneath is really ok, so we did not want to frame off. Plus, the body guy said that if we took the body off in its condition that we could run into issues with fitment putting it back on. It would be better to fix the body issues with it on the frame then pull the body later but by that time she is going to be good to go anyway.

Going with mid 90's GM polo Green which was used on the corvette, Cadillac NorthStar, and Camaro I believe. Tha'ts the same color that she was when my dad's buddy did the resto on her. I think the dark green looks really good on these cars. Let me know any thoughts or comments because I think that tends to be desired color on these particular cars, I have always liked it. It pops really nice in the sun but in the shade from a distance, it looks like it could be a black car.

I have spent so much money already and much more to go but I am very excited to see her done. when she is done, I want to do some shows with first gen club for sure and get her judged by the Monte Carlo owners association. Got new seat covers that took over a year to get because of the pandemic, I guess, and still have not received the dash pad. So, if anyone knows where I could pick up a 1970 Monte Carlo dark green dash pad let me know cause year one is taking forever.

Got a rebuilt OE radio that I did not know is pretty rare. I found one and only one guy on ebay that had an OE air cleaner for 400$. Never paid that much for an air cleaner in my life but what can you do; you don't want to know what I paid for the radio. I want to keep her as stock as possible. I'm thinking about hiding an aftermarket radio somewhere and wiring it up so key on turns on the OE radio or if you want something more modern move a switch to turn on the newer radio, but I will play with that idea later at that time. Well, it's late here on 9/14/24 so I'll be back on tomorrow and get these photos posted.             

[420ponies]

If your in need of an excellent dash pad, Contact  ( in our parts sources section).http://www.koniksklassiks.com/

Edited September 15, 2024 by 420ponies
added content

[ryan_boswell22]

Here are some pictures and I still have more coming.

[Scott S.]

Gotta love all the room to work on these cars....

 

[Glen]

Looking good!  Keep up the good work. 

[1970mcss]

Good progress, keep up the old work 

[714024SPEED]

Lots of work done 👍. keep it up 

[ryan_boswell22]

I am thinking of doing a 5-6 speed on this car. SS 454 LS5 bench seat manual would be pretty cool, I think. Let me know in the comments what your thoughts are. Two of the rarest Monte Carlo's combined. The 1970 SS and the manual transmission. Since the car is pretty much completely apart. Now would be the best time to modify the firewall to mount the pedal assembly for a manual and make the cut out for the shifter.  

[jft69z]

5 hours ago, ryan_boswell22 said:

 Since the car is pretty much completely apart. Now would be the best time to modify the firewall to mount the pedal assembly for a manual and make the cut out for the shifter.  

Not much to modify on the firewall really, the pedal assembly mounts under the dash. Chevelle pedals are a perfect fit. 

You may want to look into a Tremec TKX 5-speed transmission too. They're designed to fit in place of factory 4-speeds, require no floor mods. Plus they shift like butter & have a much higher torque capacity & RPM capacity than original 4-speeds. I've always had good luck with Centerforce clutch assemblies too, and they can handle well over 600 HP with their dual-friction disc setup.

Lastly, a hydraulic clutch system would be my recommendation as well. Simplifies installation, gets rid of all the sloppy mechanical linkages, and the need for the Monte only frame mount bracket for the Z-bar (they're available thru aftermarket though, and originals can be had thru e-bay sometimes). I mount the fluid reservoir right behind the brake booster, barely noticeable.

I used Silver Sport as the supplier for my trans & hydraulic system for my Camaro. They have a real nice hydraulic setup that fit perfectly (for the F-body Camaro, but they have stuff for us here too), and used an OEM type throw-out bearing that doesn't leak. I did a lot of research before hand, and it seems like a lot of other types were leak prone according to some reviews. They also have kits available with crossmembers, driveshafts, shifters, etc for an A-body. Best bet is to call them up and they'll help you decide what's needed. They're customer service is fantastic too, if you have any issues. I ran into a couple snags & they were right on top of it.

Message me if you need more info, I'll send you my phone number.

 

[Montemedic]

Keep it going Ryan. Forward progress !!!

[420ponies]

Now that would be cool !! I do like the dark green/green interior on this Monte.That 5spd with the bench is what I'd do. Do you think you would have to notch the seat for it? Great work, keep us updated.🙂

[Scott S.]

I'm sure that they make a shifter rod that will accommodate a bench seat. They were pretty popular on mid '60's Impalas. 

Like the green/green idea.

[willie]

Welcome Ryan, I see the snowball bit you!!!   Keep up the good work!

[cny first gen 71]

Somehow I missed this  got lots done so far looks good so far keep it up.

[ryan_boswell22]

On 9/15/2024 at 4:38 AM, 420ponies said:

If your in need of an excellent dash pad, Contact  ( in our parts sources section).http://www.koniksklassiks.com/

I have been waiting for over a year now for a new one from year one. Everyone blames covid or they wait for bulk orders. Its frustrating how they do that.  

[ryan_boswell22]

On 9/16/2024 at 2:03 AM, jft69z said:

Not much to modify on the firewall really, the pedal assembly mounts under the dash. Chevelle pedals are a perfect fit. 

You may want to look into a Tremec TKX 5-speed transmission too. They're designed to fit in place of factory 4-speeds, require no floor mods. Plus they shift like butter & have a much higher torque capacity & RPM capacity than original 4-speeds. I've always had good luck with Centerforce clutch assemblies too, and they can handle well over 600 HP with their dual-friction disc setup.

Lastly, a hydraulic clutch system would be my recommendation as well. Simplifies installation, gets rid of all the sloppy mechanical linkages, and the need for the Monte only frame mount bracket for the Z-bar (they're available thru aftermarket though, and originals can be had thru e-bay sometimes). I mount the fluid reservoir right behind the brake booster, barely noticeable.

I used Silver Sport as the supplier for my trans & hydraulic system for my Camaro. They have a real nice hydraulic setup that fit perfectly (for the F-body Camaro, but they have stuff for us here too), and used an OEM type throw-out bearing that doesn't leak. I did a lot of research before hand, and it seems like a lot of other types were leak prone according to some reviews. They also have kits available with crossmembers, driveshafts, shifters, etc for an A-body. Best bet is to call them up and they'll help you decide what's needed. They're customer service is fantastic too, if you have any issues. I ran into a couple snags & they were right on top of it.

Message me if you need more info, I'll send you my phone number.

 

I talked to two places about that. Probably gonna do that trans. Less cutting and fab work. 

[ryan_boswell22]

On 9/18/2024 at 5:11 AM, 420ponies said:

Now that would be cool !! I do like the dark green/green interior on this Monte.That 5spd with the bench is what I'd do. Do you think you would have to notch the seat for it? Great work, keep us updated.🙂

I don't think so. I would have to see when I get to that point. So many mods available now days for linkage and swaps now that automobile manufacturers are no longer offering manual options.

[Leghome]

That interior looks exactly like my new 70 did back in 1969

[420ponies]

Ryan, you can always cancel that order on the dashpad ,and get one from Leo Konink ,Koninks Klassiks ( on our resources page) . I believe they come from Muscle Factory. Very nice and not long to get either.Here's what I have gotten done on mine. It's been 3 1/2 yrs since it has been off the road, not this year!!

[72 Monte Carlo]

Welcome to the club Ryan. Looks like you've come quite a way with your Monte so far.

[Scott S.]

On 2/4/2025 at 2:43 PM, 420ponies said:

Ryan, you can always cancel that order on the dashpad ,and get one from Leo Konink ,Koninks Klassiks ( on our resources page) . I believe they come from Muscle Factory. Very nice and not long to get either.Here's what I have gotten done on mine. It's been 3 1/2 yrs since it has been off the road, not this year!!

 

Amazing how that much iron still looks small under the hood of a Monte. 

[ryan_boswell22]

On 2/4/2025 at 1:43 PM, 420ponies said:

Ryan, you can always cancel that order on the dashpad ,and get one from Leo Konink ,Koninks Klassiks ( on our resources page) . I believe they come from Muscle Factory. Very nice and not long to get either.Here's what I have gotten done on mine. It's been 3 1/2 yrs since it has been off the road, not this year!!

Dam that look good. Are those inner fenders metal. Mine are plastic I don't know what factory is. What is the bottle mounted on driver side fender. Does that car have the factory air leveling on it.