I just had Al Knoch do my 1970 "Bright Blue" dash for my T-A and they did a great job on it and I am pleased with the results. Don't know if they do other colors though.

I could not find the paint sample cards, then I remembered I had loaned them to a friend who is redoing his sandlewood interior. I'm going to stop by his place next week and pick them up. I'll let you know when I have them, and then I'll arrange to send you a sample.

No news to report. Still waiting on my spot to open up for paint, but it's low priority now with all the Covid-19 craziness going on. Also, about a month ago I bought a gently used '18 ZL1 (10 speed auto), which I've been enjoying thoroughly. So much so, it has me wondering why I'm building the Formula. The ZL1 has about the same power as I'm planning for the Formula, and even with all the nannies on, it can be a real handful. I can't even imagine what the Formula will be like.

https://i1379.photobucket.com/albums...sop9geh02.jpeg

Can you post some pics of it please?

That ZL-1 is a great car and I bet so much fun to drive. But in the end it isn’t even in the same area code with the Formula when it comes to cool factors

You say "cool", I call it "Mojo".

MojoMeter
Formula: 10

Ah, you have to look at the Formula as an opportunity to do something great looking (like no modern car) and "fun to drive" (however you define that). Something no one else will have or have have built exactly the way you did. It's about exercising your creative juices in the automotive realm :)

You can't look at it as an endeavor to build the fastest, quickest, best handling, best braking, quietest, etc., car. Because nothing conceived/assembled by a few guys, however knowledgeable they may be, using a mix of aftermarket bits, will ever touch a modern OE-engineered supercar (which the ZL1 Camaro is) for that stuff. Not the balance of all of it. Just isn't going to happen.

It was true once upon a time when the engineers at auto companies were completely consumed with rapidly tightening emissions, fuel economy, and safety standards. But not now.

No doubt love this build....

Thanks guys. I definitely plan to finish the Formula...for the reasons you stated--it will be very cool and the creativity required is intrinsically satisfying. Just a little frustrated to be on a holding pattern with this project, which can't be helped now, and the Z checks off a lot of boxes for me...for about half the price. Moving forward with Formula, I'm even more inclined to maintain the original elements that make the car cool, and will do even more of the work myself.

Well said, Jeff. "More inclined to maintain the original elements that make the car cool..." Exactly. I for one, can't wait to see it finished. She will be a stunner! :)

Driving them everyday is a real treat. For me, I do it simply because of the feeling I get. They are salve for the soul. It's the full experience: Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch. The ole Pontiac's (pardon the pun) just 'move' me in a way no new car does.

Last Thanksgiving, I blew away a late model Mustang from the stoplight in my wife's Audi Q5 (that little turbo 2.0 is a solid 14 second machine). And as much fun as that was, I still don't get that soul satisfaction that comes with my Pontiac's. Hard to put into words why.

Driving Pontiac's for 30+ years now, it's still funny to me how society has changed its view on the cars. In the beginning, I was the societal menace, a college kid with a Hot Rod. Now, I'm the societal hero, and everyone wants to tell you about the car they used to have. The comment is always the same... "wish I still had it." Yep. I'm thankful to still have mine (28th year with my 67 GTO).

I know you'll be just as thankful once you have the Formula together. The time, money and aggravation will all be worth it. I might even harbor a guess that you'll let the ZL go when that day arrives. ;)

Couldn’t have said it better Todd.

BJ

Has another year passed already? It was a crazy one, that’s for sure. Anyhow, Randy just let me know he’ll be ready to start back on the Formula next week. No big changes in direction. Gonna press to have it on the road by the end of summer. Full steam ahead...hopefully.

After 6 years spent on the Judge tribute project, I'm finally back on my 'bird project. Doing a color change, going to follow a 73 brewster theme.

Almost done gutting it, should be done in 2 weeks, and the paint guy already came and looked at it, so moving forward. Wish I could drop the sub frame and have it powder coated, but just not in the cards!

Don't give up! Once you drive it, you will be glad you finished it! Last I drove mine was in NOV 2000!

.

I am finishing my 72 TA clone that’s a light resto mod. I bought it in August of 2013 and finally got to drive it two weeks ago. It went from shop to shop trying to get finished. I will say that it was an amazing feeling to finally get to drive it. Keep pressing on and it will be worth it in the end.

We hauled the car and boxes of parts to Randy's shop yesterday.

I asked him to reassemble the front end one more time...mostly I want to verify that the front wheels/tires will work with the factory inner fenders...they should, but better to be safe than sorry!

I haven't made a final decision, but leaning towards BC/CC.

I'm going with factory color/sheens on the firewall, inner fenders and so forth. I'll probably go with black on bottom rather than red oxide.

BC/CC is the way to go, more depth and shiny!

.

Gator67,

I don't know why I haven't seen this thread until now. All I can say is WOW!!! I know you responded to my thread on the '73, but this is one heck of a build.

This will be an awesome ride when you are done. I love what you are doing with the engine (IAII) and subframe (DSE).

There was one thing on my '73 I wanted to do, but didn't have the funds. The rear leaf springs were shot and needed to be replaced. I had one of two options - replace the leaf springs (cheapest way) or go with a rear coil over conversion. I wanted the DSE coil over conversion kit, but between the cost of the kit and installation it was well beyond what I could handle. So, I went with the replacement rear leaf springs "Eaton".

There are not enough words to describe this build.

Jim

Jim,

Do you have some pictures of the ride height with the Eaton springs? I looked on your build thread but didn't see any.

Chris

Hi Jeff,
Glad to hear it's moving forward again-
As your Formula was built at Van Nuys, black on the bottom IS correct for it (rather than the red oxide color of the '70 Norwood cars).

Just FWIW.... as I know Concours points-judged isn't the objective of this car! :)

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Been so long I completely forgot it's a Van Nuys car. Makes me wonder what else I've forgotten!

Most of the pro-touring crowd go with a bedliner product underneath, fender wells, sometimes trunk...Upol Raptor liner and SEM Protex as examples...don't think I want to do that.

Out of curiosity, how were the interior floors done at Van Nuys?

Also, are there any other areas besides the top of the dash that should get sprayed with the Sandalwood color?