'65 Corvette Convertible
Latest News: Car has been delivered!!!!!
Latest News: Car has been delivered!!!!!
International Harvester created the Scout to compete with the only 4x4 in the marketplace at the time, the Jeep CJ. IH originally planned for the body components to be made out of plastic, however, during the design phase, the Goodyear Plastic Engineering Group that was going to provide the panels was closed. A decision was made by IH Executives to convert the body panels to steel. While more rugged, use of the steel has been the focus of this build as our techs have literally cut most of the original metal away and fabricated new pieces due to havoc that rust has done to the vehicle over the years.
The '64 Scout is owned by Chad Givens and looked really good coming in the door:
However, once we got a closer look, it was evident the Scout's days were numbered due to an abundance of rust and corrosion. All said, we probably removed and custom fabricated 70% of the original metal on this vehicle.
Body:
The majority of this build has been focused on the body. It was necessary to remove and replace most of the original metal to save the truck.
Below are some examples of the the work.
All wheel well metal has been removed and replaced.
Original inside wheel well metal before:
and replaced:
Original outside wheel well metal before:
and replaced:
The entire original floor of the truck has been removed and replaced.
Original rear floor removed:
and replaced:
Original transmission clearance panels removed:
and replaced:
Original front floor replacement:
and diamond plating added...
Now that the rust issue is addressed, work has begun on the body.
For some cool factor, we custom made some door brackets so the doors can be removed for summer fun.
*more pictures coming*
Chassis:
The original frame housed the original International 3-speed, 2.5L, 4 cylinder powerplant. The owner added Dana 44 front and rear axels and larger wheels resulting in a fantastic look, but a severe decrease in performance. A big part of this build was to replace the frame with a late model Scout frame built to house a 304 cubic inch, 5.0L V8. We acquired a frame from a 69' Scout and removed all unnecessary components and brackets, reinforced the frame with box tubing, and re-welded any welds that needed attention.
After repairs and re-enforcement, the frame was sandblasted:
And powder-coated OEM black.
Axles, differential, and all suspension components were removed and will be powder-coated prior to assembly.
Engine / Powertrain:
As stated above, the original 2.5L, 4 cylinder will be replaced with a 304 cubic inch, 5.0L V8.
Original 4 cylinder motor & trans:
More pics coming as we reach that phase of the build.
Brakes / Rims / Tires:
Original rear drum brakes were replaced with upgraded disc brakes. Calipers will be powder-coated prior to fitting.
Paint:
Discussions continue on paint color. In the meantime, we are getting the body prep'd for paint.
Here Jon was able to pick off the old paint:
Interior:
Modifications to the interior are still being finalized.
Seats will be re-upholstered as part of the build.
Pics will be posted when we arrive at that phase.
Stay tuned.
The '51 Chevy was purchased by Bob Harvel as a retirement present. Here is what it looked like at the time of purchase:
LOTS have been done to this truck once we got a hold of it. :)
Chassis:
The original frame was pitted from years in the elements.
We boxed the original 51’ frame...
filled all un-necessary holes, welded new custom cross members, grinded the frame and filled all pitting prior to etch and polyester primer.
Frame was finished with 3 coats of House of Kolor Jet Black and 3 coats of House of Kolor Showtime Clear Coat.
The original suspension has been replaced with a TCI Mustang II front end with QA1 Coil Overs.
We deleted the original leaf spring suspension and built a custom, 3-link suspension setup in the rear.
All suspension components were powder-coated prior to assembly.
The rear end is a Moser Engineering posi-track setup with a custom crafted, stainless steel fuel cell installed at the rear of the frame.
Current work is focused on crafting custom exhaust.
Engine / Powertrain:
The LQ9 LS engine has been installed onto the frame. The block, trans, and driveshaft were color coded gold to match other components and accent the House of Kolor KBC Rootbeer paint. Headers were ceramic coated for heat reduction and longevity. A GM 4L85 transmission has been installed and connects to a custom crafted drive shaft.
Body / Paint:
The truck will be House of Kolor Jet Black with the front fenders, wheel wells, and running boards painted House of Kolor KBC Root Beer Kandy. A House of Kolor Goldmine Pearl pinstripe will be added to accent the brown in the root beer paint, the dark brown materials in the the interior, and the gold brake and motor components.
The process starts with 2 coats of House of Kolor Sealer/ Surfacer.
Then the sides were sprayed with House of Kolor Goldmine Pearl as a base for the pinstripe.
Taped off...
Sprayed with House of Kolor Jet Black...
And finished off with 3 coats of House of Kolor Showtime Clear Coat.
The cab and bed were then sanded and received another 3 coats of House of Kolor Showtime Clear Coat. The interior of the cab received 4 coats of Lizard Skin Ceramic Insulation (2 coats for noise reduction and 2 coats of thermal barrier for heat reduction). This coating can reduce the interior temperature up to 30 degrees cooler than a vehicle that isn't coated.
The fenders, wheel wells, and running boards were sealed and received 4 coats of House of Kolor Rootbeer Kandy paint.
Perhaps the favorite mod we added to the fenders (according to the PMW team) has to be custom HID Halo Headlamps with our logo etched in the diffuser.
In the rear of the truck, custom billet rails hold down the Peruvian Walnut in the bed floor.
We tested several finishes to see what best matched the color scheme of the truck.
Finished product:
Brakes / Rims / Tires:
To give the truck a more aggressive stance, we went with Billet Specialties 18x8.5in front and 20x10.5in rear wheels.
The larger rear wheels made it necessary to modify the truck bed and bed drums.
Original brake calipers have been replaced with 4-piston Brembo brakes. Calipers were color coated gold to match the block and pick up the gold in the House of Kolor KBC Rootbeer Kandy paint. They look fantastic under the billet wheels.
(rear wheel shown)
Interior:
The dash has been modified to house a modern audio system, custom gauges, and AC components.
An Ididit Steering column will been added topped with Boyd Coddington billet steering wheel.
(pictures coming soon)
Modified Lexus seats as well as other interior components are wrapped in a dark brown ultraleather.
The original 2 piece split windshield was replaced with a a single piece contoured windshield, as well as hand-cut, tinted side & rear safety glass.
The truck was unveiled at the Carl Casper Custom Auto Show in Louisville on Feb 19th.
Once the final touches are finished, we'll have the truck professionally photographed and will post the pictures to this page.
Stay tuned.
Latest News: Performance Aluminum race radiator is in!! With the turbos mounted in the front of the engine bay, this NASCAR grade radiator was a must have to help keep the cooling system at the proper temp.
Created to celebrate Buick’s 50th anniversary, the 1953 Roadmaster Skylark joined the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado as top-of-the-line, limited production specialty convertibles. The 1,690 Sklylarks were handmade in many respects with only the stampings for the hood, trunk lid, and a portion of the convertible tub shared with the Roadmaster and Super convertibles.
Created to mark Buick's 50th Anniversary, the Roadmaster Skylark joined the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado as top-of-the-line, limited production specialty convertibles. The 1,690 Sklylarks were handmade in many respects with only the stampings for the hood, trunk lid, and a portion of the convertible tub being shared with the Roadmaster and Super convertibles.