[GREATGTO]

Hello everyone!
Starting this thread so everyone can follow along and for me to get some help possibly from time to time on a 70 GTO restoration. Owner has told me its an original 455 auto car.

Not going to be a 100% correct restoration but rather one where we upgrade certain parts of the car. Still have to discuss what the owner wants overall but I am looking forward to this build.
Car is pretty solid, just needs a new trunk pan. I will try to upload pictures as the build progresses and hopefully help some people along the way. I'm no 70 GTO expert so I may need some help from time to time for certain details depending on how original we keep it.

May need some 70 GTO parts here and there so if anyone has stuff please keep track of this thread as I will post any and all parts I need if any in this thread. Will most likely be the small detail stuff, if no one has it used a point in the right direction for the best buy on reproduction parts based on people's experience would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance to everyone for helping!

We have a lot of work ahead of us, its starting out as a $1,500 dollar car and we'll see where it ends up when finished. Anytime we can save one is a plus in my book for someone in the future to enjoy it after we are all gone.

Will take some pictures and post them the next time I see the car.. stay tuned.

[jstites]

I am in the process of restoring a 70 Judge. Here is a photobucket link to follow the resoration. There will be before and after pics.

http://s1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/jstites77/

[Roar]

soon finishing a 70 gto ragtop resto here, just send me pm if you need help

[GREATGTO]

Thanks! I will try to post some pictures of this project later today.

[2002Z4CSS]

Can't wait to see the pictures.

[GREATGTO]

I forgot to take my camera yesterday like an idiot! The owner is going to send me some and I'll post them when I get them.

[GREATGTO]

Here is what we are starting with, a $1,500 car . I actually went to look at the car to purchase it but it was a little more work than a friend was looking for so he passed on it. Then I had to talk myself out of buying it lol.. Anyway I could tell the owner really didn't want to sell it. So he decided to keep it and here we are now about to restore it, looking forward to it.

[GREATGTO]

more

[GREATGTO]

I'll post more later computer is awfully slow right now

[Loffen]

Nice !

And a 12 bolt rear, can for sure be original with a 455
Do you have PHS on it ?

[GREATGTO]

Yes he has a phs on it but I have not seen it yet.
The car had casting#17 heads on it and its the correct block 455. One thing we have to check out is the fact someone did a welding repair on the bottom of the block near the pan rail. I couldnt see any reason for the repair unless it had a hairline crack or something. Anyway we have to have it pressure tested to find out for sure. Hope its ok, I'd hate to lose the 70 455 block. I need to double check to see if its original or not when I get a closer look.

If it is the right block for the car I will try to save it.

[GREATGTO]

.more

[GREATGTO]

[GREATGTO]

sorry for large pics but PY's upload was way too slow

[GREATGTO]

[GREATGTO]

most of what you see is a medium grade of surface rust on the body, after some sanding is should clean up, followed by some rust treatment then epoxy primer, probably put some 2k primer on it and some slicksand as well to get it perfect again .Thinking about putting a 4 spd in the car but owner hasn't decided yet for sure. Car was gold on gold originally but Orbit Orange may be in its future

[455conv]

Originally Posted by GREATGTO

Yes he has a phs on it but I have not seen it yet.
The car had casting#17 heads on it and its the correct block 455. One thing we have to check out is the fact someone did a welding repair on the bottom of the block near the pan rail. I couldnt see any reason for the repair unless it had a hairline crack or something. Anyway we have to have it pressure tested to find out for sure. Hope its ok, I'd hate to lose the 70 455 block. I need to double check to see if its original or not when I get a closer look.

If it is the right block for the car I will try to save it.

If it's a 455 car it should have number 64 heads. The block code will also be either YA or YC. Good luck on the resto...

[GREATGTO]

If I recall correct the block is YC but I will verify when I start the restoration. He did say he has another set of heads I have not seen. Will also take a look at PHS when I get a chance. Thanks for this info.

[GREATGTO]

Just a quick update, parts have been ordered and the restoration will begin. first thing up is trunk replacement. We decided to go with the 3 piece kit with all new trunk braces.

After the trunk is welded into place the frame will be pulled. Body and frame will be mounted on a rotisserie , frame first until a new rolling chassis is completed, then the body will be mounted on the rotisserie.
When we get to this point all metal work begins, should be fun!

[F ROCK]

i like the big pictures.
your friend thought it was too much work, and it was 1500 bucks?
doesnt look that bad to me. i was pleasantly surprised when i saw the pics. that would've been a good deal in my opinion.