Ragtop G-machine

[LUCKIN-FOU]

I started this job for a customer it is a 64 Skylark. Going with the Pro-Touring theme it will get a 455 with a 5-Speed and a 9" Ford. Ride height will be 6" The car is really nice for a ragtop the floor is solid.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2049-1.jpg

The wheels are 17x11 for the rear and 17x8 for the front.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2321.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2322.jpg

The coilovers are from AFCO with Air Ride Strong Arms.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2323.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2315.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2323.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

Here are some more pictures of the front end. I don't want to make weld everything up just yet. The ride height is 6" so I want to make sure that the tires clear. Not to mention the headers have to have room.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2443.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2442.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2437.jpg

The rear is a 9" Ford the coilovers are AFCO. The springs will be black.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2440.jpg

We put the body on so we could center up the wheels. I didn't blow the car apart so I have no trailing arms not to mention I we have to do major chassis work in the rear.This is ride height coil overs all the way around.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2444.jpg

The plan is a mini tub we have to be careful not to go to crazy and mess up the ragtop.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2446.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2445.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

Here are some more pictures for you guys. We put the body on so we could square everything up. The rear suspension will be a 4-Bar with coil overs

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2470.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2471.jpg

You can see here the frame was cut and a new kick up is being put in a piece of 1/8" plate was laid in to hold the new and old rail together. The gussets are 1/4" there will be plate on both sides. Then it will be ground smooth.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2473.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2477.jpg

As you can see it is starting to look pretty crazy. The back of the frame rail will be the stock ones this way the gas tank will fit. Not to mention the bumper brackets will be in tack.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2474.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2475-1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2476.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

Here are some more pictures of the frame as you can see the kick ups are smoothed. The spring buckets are looking pretty good. A ton of time has gone into this chassis.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2525.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2524.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2526.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2528.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2532.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

The frame is almost done so I figured I'd post some more pictures.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2510.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2511.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2524.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2525.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2526.jpg

Here are some pictures of the front end. We are putting AFCO coilovers all the way around. With Strong Arms from Air Ride

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2528.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2531.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2532.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

So Today I started putting in the engine it's a Buick 455 with a TKO from Modern Driveline. I like this kit because it came with eveything. Clutch, Pressure Plate, all the bolts, Shifter and a Quicktime bellhousing.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2652.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2651.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2650.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2649.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

The frame is almost done so it's time to slam in the 455. I decided to wait on the front suspension. I'll put that on after I hang the headers this way I know how much room I have.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2651.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2650.jpg

The TKO tranny is from Modern Driveline they sent to whole kit. I've never used the Quick time bell housing. Man that thing is nice I really like it.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2649.jpg

I had my body guy Allen start to smooth the firewall The plan is to put a Vintage Air unit in it

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2547.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2546.jpg

[MrDavid]

Wow, thats a lot of frame work. Is this car going to be featured on tv at any time?

[LUCKIN-FOU]

MR David, I really don't know I have some more pics.

[LUCKIN-FOU]

I built the tranny crossmember. The reason for the boobs is simple nothing can hang below the frame rails.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2680.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2699.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2690.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2702.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2705.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2706.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2703.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

I for the last couple of days I've been making some cool brackets for the top bars of the Buick. I took some other brackets that I use some bar stock cut it down to fit the hole.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2727.jpg

Welded it all together. Then I took some flat stock welded it to the bracket.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2729.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2730.jpg

Then I tacked them to the frame. I'll make the gussets then weld it all up and start the bottom ones.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2734.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2735.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

Here are some of the mounts that I made for the front of the lower bars.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2768.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2770.jpg

You might see the other brackets in some of the pictures. I decided to change them because they didn't look good. That is right looks do come into play.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2771.jpg

This is one of the hiem joints that I got from Aurora I like there stuff. The crazy spacer comes from a local store.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/FUCKIN_LOU/IMG_2772.jpg

So I got the double shear done on the top bracket.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2784.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

I took a piece of roll cage tubing cut it. Made a washer (1/4" thick) from some bar stock.
Weld it in

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2786.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2787.jpg

Then I took some 1" .065 wall fish eye and weld it.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2788.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2790.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2791.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

Well the rear suspension is done. Check it out, time to move on to the front. The shocks are from AFCO.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2793.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2794.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2795.jpg

[LWillmann]

Awesome work as always Lou!

[LUCKIN-FOU]

Next is the bracing in the center

[The EnforceR]

love the work so far....reallll nice job on the crossmember

[91SILVERFOX]

im diggin the art morrison front suspension very nice build lots of hours in that one.

[DTSVT03]

Lou, you sir are the man. That looks like an awesome project you got goin on there, wish I had half the skill as you lol.

[01BlackBird]

looks awsome man some really top notch work you have done. cant wait to see the finished product

[punisher]

great job.....

[badjuju342]

Totally kills me how you make such labor intensive work look so easy.... You were always saying things " I could just buy a 4 link setup but where's the fun in that?" then proceed to build a setup that was just a good as anything you could buy , you are the king daddy of metal fab!

[LUCKIN-FOU]

I started the center bracing I'll pst some more picture of the bracing next week. I'm going out of town in the morning.

[crumbie]

luckin fou FTW

[LUCKIN-FOU]

I started doing the exhaust today. I can't finish the bracing till I run the pipes. Which means I get to cut up a brand new set of Hooker Headers. Hushpower mufflers the pipe will be mandrel bent front to back. Nothing will hang below the frame rails.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2825.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2823.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2822.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

I have a few more pictures of the Buick. The exhaust is all mandrel bends. I couldn't run the exhaust all the way out because I need the body on.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2907.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2906.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2901.jpg

I cut up a set of Hooker Super Comps because they were 2 inches from the ground.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2905.jpg

The control arms are from Air Ride. Right now all I have in is the lowers. I want to make sure I have enough room for the headers.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2904.jpg

[LUCKIN-FOU]

Well the economy got me! After I left the show the Economy start to go down the drain. I been hangin on but, the buick has left the building. The man who owns it has a couple of GM dealerships need I say more. So I put the front end on it so it could move and sent it home.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2966.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2967.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2968.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2970.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2974.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m30/LUCKIN_FOU/IMG_2975.jpg

There is a small light at the end of the tunnel He called me the other day and said it was going to come back, so we will see.

[89RABIDFOX]

that is some real nice work man. cant wait to see the finished product

[Nauty99SS]

think it started to catch up to alot of people and buisness' my last month was off bad , but seem's to be getting back on track ... now that gas prices have come down maybe he'll start to sell a few cars , bring it back so you can finish ..thanks for the updates Lou..