Project "Jezebel"

[sgaylord]

Here we go again. I did not think I would be doing a full restoration right now. I restored a 69 Camaro a couple years ago and it really took some work. I have enjoyed the car and the ability to tell people, "I did it my self".

If you want to see the car here is a link to one of the magazines it was in. In total it was in 3 magazines 2 commercials and the cover of Rick's First Generation Camaro catalog. Sorry for the boasting, I am just proud of the work I was able to do there.

Moving on to my new project. Project, Jezebel. More on that name in a minute.

I swapped my 56 SWB truck for this 69 SWB at the Daytona Turkey Rod Run this past November. If you have never been to that show, you really need to try and make it. It's a great show.

Like I said this is a 69 SWB CST-10, PS, PB, Factory A/C, 383, 700r-4, 2 1/2 drop spindles in front, and 4" drop springs in the back. Sweet little truck.

[sgaylord]

Now for the Jezebel part.

I decided to replace the doors due to rust in the bottoms. Thinking that was the only major rust on the truck..,, At the same time I was going to update the A/C to Vintage Air and smooth the firewall.

I removed the hood and fenders and found this.

Digging further I found all sorts of interesting stuff. Apparently someone in this trucks prior life decided it was ok to put roofing tar over the rust in the cowl. Then they placed aluminum foil over that and painted it. Not till I started investigating what these "clumps" were did I find this mess and what it was covering up.

I went further to remove the doors, seat, and carpet. I have some interesting pictures of that as well. Apparently this person was quite creative. There was roofing shingles used as sound deadner in the cab. Lovely stuff to remove after to adheared to the floor pans.

Seeing what she was when I first got her and comparing that to what I actually found under the skin. The name "Jezebel" seemed to be very fitting considering how deceiving it was. I learned something very valuable. No matter how good it looks, dig a little deeper. There is almost always something hiding underneath.

So needless to say this is an all out restoration. I will update as often as I can and if someone sees me making a big mistake, please chime in.

I know it would be easier to replace the cab. This may sound weird, but I kinda want to try my hand at restoring this one. I want to add this skill to my mental tool box so to speak.

[sgaylord]

The list of places where rust will need to be addressed.

Firewall
Both sides of cowl
Both "A" pillars
Both floor corners next to "A" pillars
Lower corners of windshield track
Both front floor supports

Rockers were replace and are fine, but to get the access I need I will need to remove them. Perhaps I can put the same ones back on if not they are $25 each so relative to everything else, that is not an issue.

I completed quite a bit of this work this past weekend. I removed the Firewall, cowl, and dash. Man she looks bare.

[sgaylord]

More pics

[chevy_mike]

Damn, that's a lot of rust. Don't you hate it when people do the most crappy work, cover it up and let you beleive everything is A-OK...

Nice bikini top.

[LEEVON]

Nice camaro! You shouldn't apologize for boasting, looks like you earned it.

I can't believe that nice looking truck had so many dark secrets. I'm having trouble understanding how somebody would go to all the trouble and expense of making it look that good with such crappy fixes. I mean, they had to actually spend lots of money to put on top of that junk...paint, trim, etc...I just don't get it. Hopefully that wasn't a board member! Good for you wanting to make it right.

[sgaylord]

Thanks guys for the encouragement. I really want to make this right. I worked on it a little tonight. Replacing some edges on the "A" pillar. I will post some pics tomorrow.

Thanks,
Steve

[VA72C10]

I'll be following along. Sorry for the unwanted find...but I'm sure you'll be as proud of this as the camaro...and now it'll be a lot more of you into it...

[19723DR]

It looks like your truck is in good hands. Some times we spend way to much time and money on our truck that we'll never get out if we sell. Some times it's the learning experience and the accomplishment of overcoming challenges that make it all worth while.

[OARNGESI]

Wow i thought that truck was really nice then i scrolled down

[sgaylord]

Here are the updated pics from last nights work. I forgot to take a pic of the passenger side before I started so I included a pic of the drivers side. They both look to be in the same poor shape.

The lip that the cowl is spot welded to is completely gone from both "A" pillars. I had to cut the "A" pillar back about an inch and weld in a patch with a 90 degree bend and then curve it at the top to match up to where the windshield channel connects. I still have more fill in to do before finish grinding but you get the general idea of what I am attempting to do.

Hopefully I can get back out there later tonight. I have a school band meeting to go to tonight but afterwards I should be able to do something. It's a good thing I dont have neighbors or else they may not like my late night stress reliever of welding and grinding and welding and grinding.... I love living in the country. You dont have to worry about that sort of thing.

This is what I pretty much started with (dr side pictured)

This is where I am at now

[jay-dawg]

wow...that's alot of work. I'm guessing you will be going with a smooth firewall?

[VA72C10]

The good news is your floor pans look really nice

[sgaylord]

Yep, smoothing the firewall. My plasma cutter is supposed to arrive tomorrow. That will really help with that.

[Hart_Rod]

I too, hate it when someone covers stuff up like that. Take a look here and let me know if you need any thing off of this parts truck.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=330731

I'll be coming back to Pensacola in August and could bring the stuff with me. Best of luck and let me know.

R/

[jay-dawg]

Originally Posted by sgaylord

Yep, smoothing the firewall. My plasma cutter is supposed to arrive tomorrow. That will really help with that.

That's going to look trick.

[bgood70]

Looks like it will be a great truck when finished. Since I am your neighbor if you ever need a hand just let me know...

[idonutn0]

Work looks good so far, cant wait to see more as I am in the same boat as you repair wise!

[heidesign]

you think the previous owner had some part in the roofing biz?

Man that sucks, sure LOOKED like a nice truck, but will be soon I assume.

Hope thats not what the inside of the motor looks like.

Bill

[caja_larga]

Todat I was sanding my truck and forgat that I had rust repair to take care of.. I got a little upset.After seeing this I am a ok.
Keep keepin on Iam amazed at what some people will take on.

[sgaylord]

I agree about the roofing deal. I hope he was a better roofer than a body man.

As for the engine I have a new 383 I recently put in it along with a fresh 700r4. Drivetrain is in good shape, I just have to get this body back in shape.

I did not get anything done on the truck last night. My new Miller Plasma cutter arrived yesterday so I spent the evening playing with that and building a spot on my welding cart for it. I should have some time to work on the truck tonight. Expeting some progress there.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I hate it when the p.o. "s really do sloppy work...

[VA72C10]

I hate to even bring this up, but if he did this, is there a chance of bondo in areas like the doors/fenders/bedsides?

[sgaylord]

Yep I thought of that. I checked the bed from the underside and I dont see anything that looks like rust or dents. As for the doors, I am replacing those because of rust in the bottoms. As for the fenders, there is a little rust in one of them that has some bondo on it. I will look into that further when I get past this ordeal. The hood looks to be in good shape.

[VA72C10]

Man, it really shows you that alot can be hidden by bondo and paint.......and some roofing supplies....