Hi, I haven't introduced myself or 73Rat. She was a sad case when I bought her as a project back in March 2006 - I wasn't looking for a 'vette but stumbled across this 350/T400 Elkhart green / Medium Saddle coupe that had been sprayed Blue Green at some stage and the front clip had been replaced (really badly) with a '75/’76 clip. The interior had been sprayed black but the car was complete. In comparison with a period Holden it had a big block, 4 wheel discs, a/c, p/s, independent rear, all wrapped in fibreglass - a good start for a period targa car. I didn't want to spend money on a shiny car with hidden issues so a low cost purchase and a ‘doeruppera’ suited me fine.
I thought it would be a pretty quick clean-up and a good excuse to get back into the shed after years of not playing with cars, as the end game was targa not show & shine.
How things change....
Working fly in fly out and some lifestyle changes effect priorities and targa was out and an extensive restoration was the new game, but with a twist. I loved the Baldwin Motion story & the muscle car look, the standard Elkhart Green car did not seem to be popular. Off with the old clip and many hours to repair, fit an frp nose, the body came off the chassis and a full nut & bolt resto has been undertaken. New brakes, suspension, vacuum systems, new axles / bearings / unis. Although I scooped the bonnet, filled the rear beaver panel, fitted bonnet pins and used the ’68 style stripes to reflect the Motion style, I agonised over guard flaring as that is not so easy to reverse. I don’t want to run 10” rear wheels so standard suits me. The colour is Mulsanne Blue or Medium Bright Blue which was run over multiple years including ’73 so I’m not too guilty about ditching the Elkhart Green. The stripes are GMH Ermine white from the HQ. I decided on leaving it left hook as the costs to do it ‘properly’ by changing the firewall and engine positioning (even with the clip off and engine out) seemed crazy and not needed for rego.
Only the interior remains old (accept for carpets and RCU) and I just re-dyed the vinyl until I can justify the high spend here. It is not registered yet (10 years on!) as I have a few bits to do before engineering. So it is now just for cruising and enjoying, no targa! She is a much happier car now...
Specs – mild 402 oval port with a 650SB Holley, Performer 2.0 manifold, extractors & factory style side pipes, T400 with aprox. 2250 stall convertor, 3.08 positrac. Heavy Duty springs dropped about 1.5” in the front and a big fat sway bar. Std rear steel leaf and the lowering bolts & shocks yet to be purchased. Twin thermos & shroud from an EF falcon fitted to the reco 454 radiator, no mech fan.
Anyway, nice to meet you and catch up some time when I am finally on the road!
