New member here. I'm shopping for a good source for info, tips, tricks and knowledge for what I'm thinking will be a recent year Camaro V6 swap into another body ... with a frame I can't 100% identify.
I just bought a late 50s Ladawri Conquest (body on an early 50s Chrysler frame I think) that will need everything. I've got lots of experience with Fiats and MGs, but almost none with GM stuff.
Have I come to the right place?
You definitely have.
Whats the wheelbase and width of each car? Do they match up, or are you gonna be hackin at some stuff?
Edit: I may have misread. Just a drivetrain swap, or are you taking the suspension and swapping it as well?
You sure have! We do however require pictures. Of the project in question, that is. Not just random pictures. Although, we have a thread for that if that's your thing.
So far, just the drivetrain swap, but I may change my mind later. The current chassis has a live axle - given that I don't plan to race the thing or take hard corners at 80 mph, I might stick with what I'm getting. ... and then I might go with an independent rear end :)
I'll upload some pics today or tomorrow...
Pics :)
It needs a few things :)
The engine is reportedly a 283, but comes as shown - no intake, no exhaust, no fuel delivery. I'm curious if anyone can ID that rear end - the chassis is from an early 50's Chrysler, so I'm guessing the rear end is as well.
Good lines. That has potential!
I'd be tempted to go speedster....what windscreen is intended to go in that frame?
That is way beyond my skill set and why I love coming here to see things like this. That looks freakin awesome.
What are the dimensions of that? Wheelbase, front and rear track width, engine bay height, firewall location?
This has way less mullet content than I expected.
Windshield will come from a '57 or '58 GMC truck, or so I'm told. At least, the eBay auction stated this.
So as far as I can see it, I'll eat the elephant in chunks. Starting with the suspension, I'll need to decide whether I'll keep the rear end or replace it with a modern one (modern being something in this century, from a junk yard). Same with the front end. I'm leaning toward a recent model Camaro v-6 and 6 speed tranny, so motor mounts, radiator mounts, tranny mounts, gas tank mounts, etc will need to be welded in. I have a welder and more importantly, an angle grinder. Once I've got all that ready, I'll be doing chassis stripping/recoating (I have a compressor, so I'll do my own painting). After that, mount the drivetrain and such, test it to make sure everything works correctly, and then mount brake and fuel lines. I'll need to think about the electrical system too - there's zero wire in there currently.
Once the chassis rolls and stops under its own power, I'll do body work and paint. I'm MUCH more handy with that, so I'll be here, a LOT, asking for tips, tricks and advice on that power train install.
I've got a Karman Ghia to strip/prep and then probably sell, so this car's resto/mod job won't start until likely the upcoming spring.
Javelin (Forum Supporter) said:What are the dimensions of that? Wheelbase, front and rear track width, engine bay height, firewall location?
Wheelbase is 100 inches, total length 188 inches. Tread is 58 inches. There's no firewall (or trunk floor), so I'll be fab'ing that on my own. Engine bay height - no clue yet.
You are definitely in the right place! Looks like an awesome project! I wish I had more information for you regarding the frame or the rear end, but this community is such an amazing collection of knowledgeable people that I am sure someone will come along in time with the answers. Meanwhile, I'm in for the updates, excited to see where this goes.
Have you seen GeoFordMan's CrownVic Mustang project thread? Definitely some inspiration lurking in there.
That looks the beginning to building a unique restomod sportscar. Have you seen the forgotten fiberglass page on undiscoveredclassics.com. If not, check out this link to info, instructions, build manuals on various Ladawri fiberglass cars. https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/?s=Ladawri&x=27&y=7
Maybe it will have some helpful info to bring this car back to life.
grubeguy said:So as far as I can see it, I'll eat the elephant in chunks.
The closest, most recent, build on here that I can think of is gumby's
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/project-x71-reheating-stampies-leftoversfcfc/177534/page1/
His build and attention to detail is way beyond my capacity, but its some solid inspiration as to what you can do with an existing frame and a fiberglass body.
Looking forward to seeing more!
Perfect - I'll check out the links and get to researching.
Would a C4 chassis not offer a good starting point for this project? You would not have to use the upper bits if not suited.
And please explain how the doors work when the windshield post seems to be part of the door?
That looks like a really cool base.
In reply to NOHOME :
On the rear shots it looks like there is a seam on the back side of the a pillar?
This thing is cool. I look forward to following along.
It Looks like the doors are notched and just barely not part of the windshield frame.
It looks like they are using the windshield upside down and rotated 90*. The vertical sides of the windshield seem to be being used as the horizontal sides. Given the "round" shape of the top of the windshield this would seem to be supported. Which assuming you source a non-shaded top windshield is really a brilliant way to get a sloped low profile windshield.
That thing is really cool! What's your overall vision for it? Are you thinking that you want to keep the vintage feel? How do you envision using it? Sunday cruiser, track day toy, autocross, cross country road tripper....
What's drawing you to the late model Chevy V6?
Can you show share some shots of the front suspension?
grubeguy said:It needs a few things :)
The engine is reportedly a 283, but comes as shown - no intake, no exhaust, no fuel delivery. I'm curious if anyone can ID that rear end - the chassis is from an early 50's Chrysler, so I'm guessing the rear end is as well.
Feel free to post some close ups of the axle, particularly from the other side. But that may well be a Mopar 8 3/4" rear axle, which is quite stout.
Ooooh, I like that. It's like a cormann ghvett. In fact if I would've guessed I would've said the windshield was vette.
I'll post more pics when it shows up, hopefully in the next week or so.
NOHOME said:Would a C4 chassis not offer a good starting point for this project? You would not have to use the upper bits if not suited.
And please explain how the doors work when the windshield post seems to be part of the door?
V6 - light, good on gas and great hp (if Wikipedia is to be believed). I'm not going to mess with the lines, and am unsure about interior. I'll go full aftermarket with instruments. As this has no top, it'll be a weekend car show driver only.
APEowner said:That thing is really cool! What's your overall vision for it? Are you thinking that you want to keep the vintage feel? How do you envision using it? Sunday cruiser, track day toy, autocross, cross country road tripper....
What's drawing you to the late model Chevy V6?
Can you show share some shots of the front suspension?
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