55' Cameo Build!!!

[55Cameo]

Ok so I've been on here a lil while and really like the boards here. Lots of good info and ideas, friendly people and decided to make my build thread.

So I'll give a brief history as best possible and then let you know my plans.

I'm now coming up on 30 and this is my 1st vehicle I ever bought which was at 15 yrs old. I bought the truck for $800 with no motor and trans and it started life as a step side. I wanted it to be my Hot rod and take it drag racing. My sis boyfriend at the time, which i now consider my bro even though they split, has a shop and we towed it there. My dad and I got a 283 from and Impala to rebuild and a turbo 350 from a Chevelle. We rebuilt the motor and did a lil work on the heads and mild cam, headers, torker intake, flowmatsers, holley double pump carb. Stuck trans in as is. We rebuilt all the stock brakes and new bushings in the suspension. We tried installing stock wiring harness but ended up having an electric shop do it, bad choice, later on that. So after almost a year of gathering parts, like a bench seat, tires, radiator, etc. and getting things done, we had it running and driving. I started driving it to high school and will always be remembered for my truck.

Over my high school years I did what i could while working at a tire shop. I ended up breaking a piston in the 283 because of clogged fuel line. So we put in a new crate target 350 and fuel lines and swapped all parts over. Up till i graduated in 2000, it got other stuff, Grant steering wheel, some gauges, another stock rear end(killed one racing), rebuilt trans w/B&M kit and vega converter. IT was always my DD.

In 2000 i became a family man and had my lil girl. Got a better job at the dealer and kept going on the truck best I can. Next couple years it got a Camaro posi rear end(blew up another stock one), lots of rear tires from great burn outs LOL!!, fuel cell, battery relocation kit, CPP disc brakes on soild axle, Car rally's, power brakes under cab, and new painless wiring kit because bad install and wiring caught fire.

Lastly In 2005 or so my uncle got word of Cameo parts. I ended up picking up a Cameo bed and cab from a field for my truck. Bed was in bad shape and missing pieces, had holes, but why pass it up. Had the bed repaired a lil and installed and drove around intending to gather the missing pieces.

Life went on and progress slowed on the truck and drove less cause suspension/steering problems and got new cars n took interest in those for a while. So it sat on side. Went through a relationship split, and lay off so more time passed.

Now in the present, within the last 4 yrs, got new job and relationship, which recently now married and settled down and became stable. I started driving the truck again but realized why it sat cause of its probs. So now its finally time for a frame off rebuild and do things better quality work since i learned more over the years.

So on to my current plans and ideas for the truck. It will be a pro touring build, so a great handling/braking truck, I can drive daily and get in and go anywhere/anytime. I'd rather be driving a classic more then a new car.

Things that will for sure get done by the end of this year:
-Mustang II IFS w/ manual steering
-LS/4L60
-Install my big window cab
-Acquire missing Cameo parts and install
-Redo brake lines for cleaner install
-Detail frame
-A/C
-Self custom made headlights
-Finish gauges
-Tires

And if money time permits:
-New rear suspension(prob 3 link)
-Big brakes and rear disc
-Roll cage
-Nitrous
-Alarm w/remote start and stereo
-Racing seats and harness
-Engine mods

The great thing is its already a runner/driver, just needs alot of clean up and TLC. I live in an apt so will be doing this from a hobby unit(12x20) work space. I'll get help from family friends but do all i can myself. I still have lots to learn and can see this site will help with that.

Heres all the pics I have now, will try and get more later: