Don McNeill

I stopped in at K&M automotive this week to see a vast array of Muscle cars in the shop. Owner Corey Doerksen has always had a passion for a little extra HP and it seems that since the weather has been great the Hot Rods are coming out of hibernation. Whether your Hot Rod needs some maintenance, a little extra horsepower, custom exhaust, brakes or a correct part for your restoration Corey only does it one way. The right way.

64 Fairlane with a 347 Stroker motor, 70 AMX 360 T10 4sp with Rally Pak, Stunning 69 SS 396, and a Mustang coupe. And then here is what was on the hoist for some maintenance.

Beautiful 57 Bel Air Convertible.

I have known Corey for 20 years and have always been impressed with his automobile knowledge, passion and the willingness to take on something out of the ordinary.

Whether your Hod Rod needs a little something extra or the family car has a cold be sure to give Corey a call or stop by.

K&M Automotive 2665 Minter street Abbotsford B.C. 604 859 3812

www.abbotsfordgaragehomes.com

I came across a couple of Mopars today in various states of disrepair. It's amazing what you can find taking the back roads.

What could be a nice 68 GT 340 Dart convertible.

1971 Super Bee 340 auto. It's all there.

And a freinds stunning 69 Z28 302 and 68 SS ragtop.

Spring is here and there seems to be less time in the garage. Between the outside maintenance, lawn tune up, family functions and of course Real Estate the progress has come to a slight standstill. I am hopeful that I can have the body off the frame this month.

All the sheet metal is now fully welded and it seems like countless hours adding and grinding metal to the edges to make a perfect gap. The trunk edges were the worst as the corners were pointed rather than a gentle curve.

Patch panel for the fender and the holes in the doors and fenders welded as the bodyside chrome is not going back on.

Out with the #s matching 327 and powerglide. I will keep them as they belong to the car.

And enter the big block for mockup and clearance fitting.

This is a 1989 454 and T400. As this motor was EFI some work has to be done to the heads. Should be roughly 500hp with roller cam, intake, headers etc, etc, and a rebuild.

A few more days on the metal work, a good layer of primer, test fit the engine and the body comes off until it 's time for paint.

If anyone has an idea for making a stand for the body that can be rolled around it would be appreciated. I would like to have the body 3 feet in the air.

I can't justify the cost for a rotisserie.

Well it's a snowy day here on the West Coast of British Columbia and being a newbie to A/R, I spent a fair bit of time looking at groups. It's a bit overwhelming to say the least. I stumbling on a few car groups, and really enjoyed your stories and pictures. Being a classic car enthuisist I thought I would start a blog on my current project. 42 years ago my first car was a 66 Impala. Thinking back to that real first feeling of freedom and all the memories that car gave me i have always wanted another one. Having had various cars through the years I will always be a Mopar guy. My 70 Dodge Dart Swinger is done and somehow the shop is a little boring with nothing to tinker with. Last year I came across a black 66 Impala SS that seemed to have seen better days. It had original paint and red interior, 327, bucket seats and console.

The Project had to sit in my neighbor's garage until I could find a suitable new home for the family and my toys. A year later it now has a spot to begin

the major restoration.

After the glass, interior, wiring, front sheet metal and anything that could be taken off the car it was decision time. Is this going to be a driver car or ? Upon further inspection it turned out that everything was original to the car except for the carb. Well I like to drive the cars so I decided it would be a nice but not to nice restoration. Trunk floor, quarter panels, trunk brace and floor extensions were ordered and while waiting for them the process of paint stripping could begin. Not a fun job.

Thankfully there was only the original paint to come off. A little aircraft paint stripper, razor blade and elbow sanding brought it down to bare metal. Each section was stripped, cleaned and etching primer coated.

Here is the major surgery on the trunk floor being fit, new patch panels made and welded.

Once its all fit and screwed together I can align the trunk, doors, fenders and hood to make of the fit and edge gaps correct before welding on the quarter panels.

Once the quarter's are on, fitting and alignment is done a heavy coat of primer will go on and the body will come off and sit in the front garage while the frame, suspension, brakes, exhaust and drive train gets rebuilt and detailed.

I hope you enjoyed this look into my project and will keep you updated along the way.