My 68 GTO resto-mod project
 

I started this about a year ago, and I've been taking pictures the whole time, just haven't had to post anything.
I bought this 68 from a guy I have known for quite a while. I have known of the car for 10 years or so, and was doing some work on the car for the owner when he asked if I would be interested in buying it. I wasn't looking for another car or a project, but it was all tore apart in my garage so I caved!

It's a 68 GTO convertible, 400 4-speed, starlight black with black top and red interior.
It has always been painted red as long as I have known of the car. but I asked him what the original color was and was shocked to find out it was black!

So I am going to make it look mostly original on the outside. The body will be black and the interior red, but I will be updating a few things, tastefully I think! I am putting a full UMI performance suspension on it. 17" steel wheels with poverty caps and red line tires, and a 5-speed trans. Also 4 wheel disc brakes and stainless brake and fuel lines .
It didn't come with a motor, so I found a 68 WT complete engine on Ebay and bought it and rebuilt it. It does have a set of forged pistons, ARP rod bolts and a SFI balancer, as well as an upgraded valve train (Cam, roller tip rockers, etc.) I also put a set of Jet-Hot coated HO manifolds on it

There is probably more, I'll let the pictures show it all.

fell free to comment and ask questions.

Going down

The frame was rougher than it may look. just ahead of the rear wheels, it was cracked on both sides. It had to be repaired. Both sides had bad materiel removed and new metal welded in. Then it was blasted and epoxy coated in satin black.

Front and Rear UMI performance suspension components. Tubular Front control arms, Lowered springs, ridetech shocks, 1 1/4" front swaybar.
Rear , Boxed lower arms, adjustable uppers, lowered springs, ridetech shocks, 3/4" sway bar.
12 bolt posi rear with 3.55 gears

This is about where I am now.
should be putting the body back on the frame by months end, and sending out for new paint.
I will be changing the exhaust later. Just put this on to fire the engine before it goes to the paint shop. good thing I did too. Found a couple things I had to fix. Minor but wouldn't want to do it over a freshly painted black fender.

Looks good! I dig the wheel/tire combo!!!

Looking good so far!:)

Just got home from work. I've been wanting to fire the engine before I put the body back on. Since it was nice out (sunny and 20°). I opened the door and gave it a shot.
pumped the gas a couple times and jumped the wires in the harness and she lit right off.
YES!!
Got the timing adjusted. So I'm ready to go.

any video or audio of the fire up? I was very close to firing mine but now its coming back out to install the oil dipstick. I thought it went in from the outside like a chevy... DOH!

Didn't have enough hands, but if I can get some assistance I may post something.

Sucks on that dipstick thing

The Body mounts and hardware came from Ames yesterday! now all I have to do is finish grinding a couple welds and paint the firewall and floor and I can put the body back on the frame. Then off to the body shop!

awesome!
great project... i'll be looking forward to seeing this one come together.

did you prime the fuel line before starting it up?
also curious how you have set up the wiring so far... are you using replacement stock or aftermarket style harnesses at all?
i'm about at that point myself so any info you might be willing to share would be helpful.

thanks for posting!
danny

Yes I did prime the line. I put a 2 gal. Can in the back by where the fuel tank would be and ran the return line in one side and put a small electric pump on the feed line.
I am using a stock style harness with the HEI option. It's a new engine harness from ames I think.

looks good!!

I need to move some pictures over from my phone to the computer so I can post them. My drivers side fender came from "Gman" out there in Nevada! so I dropped it off to Steve (my body man) so he can sand it down and address the small issues it has. Got to see the other parts while I was there.
The passenger side fender and the hood are in primer, all ready to block sand. he will probably have the other fender and valance done this week, so I need to get cracking. I think tomorrow I am going to pull the deck lid off and run it up to his house as well.
I also need to disassemble the endura nose so I can take that up as well.

I'm getting excited.

anybody have a nice core radiator support for a '68?

pictures from the body shop today

I orderd a new core support, inner fenders, and rear bumper, that should be all the body parts I need. At least till we get the body stripped and see what's under the paint.

Chris, Looks like you are doing it the right way. Very nice.

Thanks, Cuz.

My inner fenders and rear bumper came from Dynacorn, but the core support won't be here till next week.

Also the other fender is in primer now. Here's a picture before the primer went on

the core support came, I need to start fitting that. also My body guy has the trunk lid stripped all the body work done and it's in primer now as well. he wants me to get the doors off and up to him,but, I need to make some door bars to support the body till I can get it back on the frame.