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04-07-2015, 07:42 PM | #1 |
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'66 Malibu N/SA
Hi All.
I started this project last year but I'm finally building up enough momentum to have some pictures to post. I've been bracket racing off and on for a long time but this is my first venture into class racing. For 30 years I've wanted to race in Stock, but really never thought I would. Last summer I decided it was now or never, and now won out. I was originally looking to buy a complete car, but I had this '66 Malibu partially built that was intended to be a Saturday night cruise car with a big block and a four speed. Pure nostalgia. But then I realized that with my limited amount of room bringing in another race car would probably mean selling the Malibu. I guess I just couldn't quite bring myself to do that, plus I like building things anyway. Though at 62 years old I don't put in the long hours like I used to, so it's going to take quite a while to finish this. The car was a basket case when I got it, but the body was pretty straight and solid with very little rust. I had already re-done pretty much all the suspension, steering and brakes already. So here's a few pictures, starting with how the car looked when I got it. I can't show much about the engine, as most of it I've never seen myself. Mark Yacavone is building that, and he also built the transmission and torque converter. Yeah, not pretty! Here's the reworked front end suspension and such. Sadly, those big block springs will have to come out. The dash is done, including welding up the holes for the A/C vents. What looks like scratches on the dash pad is really just some dirt. I have epoxy primer on everything that needs it now. It's also been 30 years since I've done any painting, but I'm getting the hang of it and I'm hopeful the paint will not be so stripey by the time I get to the base coat. If it's still an issue I may have to give up on the idea of using metallic paint. The car already had a 12 bolt in it, but for a variety of reasons I elected to pull that and replace it with a new Moser. Last edited by Dave Muller; 07-07-2017 at 03:35 PM. |
04-07-2015, 09:08 PM | #2 |
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Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
Looks like you're well on your way, Dave. Good luck with your project. I'll be 62 in a couple weeks myself, so go at your own pace, you'll do fine. Keep us updated, this will be a fun build to follow along. Take care.
Danny Durham |
04-08-2015, 06:10 PM | #3 |
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Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
So this is the first time I've seen the car !
But I do have a few pics to add. Here's the trans and converter . I'll have pics of the heads from Kadar Performance next.
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04-09-2015, 02:03 AM | #4 |
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Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
Thanks, Danny, I'll keep plugging away. I'll get there eventually.
And Mark, it'll be great to see the heads. They were rather unimpressive the last time I saw them. I all but needed a tetanus shot after dropping them off! |
04-09-2015, 02:13 PM | #5 |
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Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
Hey Dave, glad to see you finally getting to work on the Malibu. Did you sell the Camaro?
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04-09-2015, 02:33 PM | #6 |
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Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
Okay, here they are..Look better?
I've still got to fit the split guide plates later on. See Kadar Performance, LLC on F/B
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06-10-2016, 10:14 AM | #7 |
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Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
I was out at Dave's home last saturday and I must say his car is looking really good.He was wet sanding his car in 100 deg heat. Ugh. Tough Guy!! He loaned me a bunch of painting info so I car get started on my car. Thanks Dave.
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06-10-2016, 03:28 PM | #8 |
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Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
Yeah, I wish it was only 100 degrees!
I hope that stuff helps some, Rob. And thanks for not looking too critically at the paint! I still have to re-do a few small areas on the paint tomorrow, then I'll break to head out to Wild Horse with the Camaro. On Sunday I hope to apply the polymer sealer and start putting on the moldings and emblems. |
06-21-2016, 06:19 PM | #9 |
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Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
Progress is really slow at this point. Mostly my accomplishments in the garage are inversely proportional to the temperature.
I did manage to do another round of sanding and buffing, and now waxing the paint as well. So having that completed now I'm adding emblems and moldings. The trunk also opens via the key now, although that wound up being more of an adventure than it should have. Seems like nothing fits easily on this car. This Sunday I tried installing the front bumper. I was having some trouble getting things to line up (of course!) but the thermometer had no trouble at all getting to 114 degrees about the time I gave up. I must confess I could also sense All Access calling me! Now that I know how to get that on the wife's Roku I can see that nothing is going to get done around here on Labor Day weekend! Anyway I'll try again this coming weekend. I may have to do some hacksaw and welder work on the brackets to make up for earlier damage from a mild collision. Last edited by Dave Muller; 07-08-2017 at 01:11 PM. |
06-21-2016, 10:41 PM | #10 |
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Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
Don't beat yourself up, Dave. I am pretty sure that most people would not see any progress in the kind of heat that has been out your way lately.
"It's not just a hobby, it's an adventure!" |
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