Projects Pontiac roadster ute build

[toddc]

Here is my Pontiac roadster ute project. I haven't posted it on The HAMB earlier, because its not really traditional. But there has been some interest, so here goes.

If you are going to flame me for it, you'd better make it funny

I've pretty much copied and pasted this from another hotrod (or is that streetrod?) forum. So please excuse any continuity errors.

I bought it in December 2007 off eBay, unseen. The add said "not much rust"....
Here is one of the pics from the add.


I got a great deal on transport from Victoria to my place in Sydney, but the boot lid (edit: trunk lid) came off somewhere between Swan Hill and Cowra. As far as I know, its still out there.

So, when it turned up in late Feb I wasn't real happy. There was rust and damage a plenty. I knew about the front being bent, but had no idea that both rear quarters were bent, the drivers door was caved in, both rear guards were bent, there was major rust everywhere, and it had been rolled over and repaired a long time before any of that. And the damage wouldn't even show up in a photo! The worst part was that the previous repairs had never been sealed from behind, so they were all now paper thin.


What to do? Why, cut it up of course.



Plans quickly developed to make a roadster ute out of the good bits. After getting the body out of the way, I found that the chassis was bent, rusty, had dozens of cracks, and about 2 feet of oxy welds where it had been repaired previously. And I do mean rusty, from being in many floods down by the river. As well as being wider than the front end I had for it. Not really ideal for what I wanted.Vintage chassises can be hard to find in a hurry here, so I tore ( literally ) the body off a Hilux/Tacoma and started from there.


After cutting out the rusty floors there wasn't much Poncho left, so I started with some RHS and made a basic frame for the body. I beat the front panels back into shape, and worked from the wheel arches back.


And then mocked it up on the chassis.


So in goes the motor and box. I'm a bit of a EFI 5litre fan. Please forgive me. Also, a post 1984 engine was a requirement for registration here in Oz.


And then some pedals, steering and seats. Nearly all Commodore, but Hilux brakes complete and un-moded.



At this point the car was a roller, with all the controls working. The brakes, clutch, steering and so on are all done. This was about April, the one advantage of using a Hilux chassis - its pretty fast to build to this point.
For some reason I stopped taking photos about this time.
LOTS of boring panel work and rust repairs later it emerged looking somewhat like a car again, complete with half arsed flames



Its a little further along than where the pictures show. It has floors in it, and I have sorted the loom for the EFI.

[toddc]

I managed to find a better front guard. It only needed 6 inches across the front, 12 inches along the back, and the whole lip between. But at least the crown was the right shape. I made a new grille for it too.


Mounted the battery. The wiring needs a bit of a tidy up still.


I roughed in the frames for the rear half of the body. Now I need to skin it.


This shot shows the floor and door frame. I'll put in the anti intrusion bar after I finish beating out the skin.


I set up the wipers on Saturday. Piece of cake.

The wipers I used came out of a Triumph 2500. I used to have a few Triumphs, and had some wipers left over.
But any Lucas wiper setup is essentially the same ; Mini, Jaguar, Rover, etc. I had to make the central tube a bit longer, and found that 3/8 bundy tube was a perfect fit to slide over and silver solder in place.

The engine bay. Runs and drives smoothly.


And an overall front shot. The "new" front guard fits heaps better. And only 3 metres of oxy weld to get it there.


Still plenty to do, but I think its past the half way point.

[toddc]

Got a lot of framing for the back sorted out. Pretty much finished the tailgate. I used the skin off a VL Commo bonnet, to get a nice smooth compound curve.



Finished up the B pillar too.


And put some running board frames in place. Nice and low


I'm starting on the rear wheelwells and quarter panels next. Anyone got an SV21 Camry wagon for me to cut the roof off?

[toddc]

Made some grilles for the guards. The one in the centre isn't staying, too plain.


I'm still looking for some originals though. EDIT- I found some originals!
I wired in a Statesman dash too. Another Australian rego requirement due to the 1984 chassis. Just need to tidy up the mounting.

[toddc]

I destroyed a Camry wagon a few weeks ago to get a rear 1/4 panel. The look on the guy at the wrecking yard's face, when I walked up with a whole roof, was priceless

I beat the back corner out of flat sheet. That's like hard work...

A nice, BIG, wheelwell!

And an overall shot in some primer.


Now I have to do the other side, and make it match

[toddc]

I had to turn it around, so I got some decent pics of it side on.


I ruined another Camry this week too So there is another 1/4 on the way. And I have moved the battery too, it now hides in the rear 1/4 below the tray.

[Antny]

Now THAT is how you make lemonade from a lemon! Very nice work!! You're an inspiration. Keep the pix coming!!!

[moefuzz]

Originally Posted by toddc

Made some grilles for the guards. The one in the centre isn't staying, too plain.


I'm still looking for some originals though.
I wired in a Statesman dash too. Another Australian rego requirement due to the 1984 chassis. Just need to tidy up the mounting.

WoW!

Keep up the good work
(oh and good choice on the engine).



.

[fitzee]

I came across this car a while back and thought it was just too cool,nice to see the build. Great job.

[retromotors]

I'm sure some will disagree, but I think it's traditional as hell!

You're taking what you got, adding what you have access to in your part of the world, accomodating the laws you are bound by and building a bitchin' ride.
Don't get much more traditional than that!

Anybody doesn't agree .... screw 'em!

[Thom Mead]

That is going to be a very good looking, unique car. Craftsmanship and creativity are both HAMB friendly and what you've done so far shows a lot of both. Thanks for posting the photos, I enjoyed them.

[resqd37Zep]

Thats going to be a beautiful ride but did anyone mention that you put the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car

[Road Oiler]

Originally Posted by resqd37Zep

Thats going to be a beautiful ride but did anyone mention that you put the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car

You beat me to it......I tip my cap to you sir. Truly a wonderful build from mostly nothing. Serious fab skills....

[41 Dave]

Todd, You sure are building one neat looking Pontiac Roadster UTE. If you didn't know it you would say that is one neat factory build ! Will stay tuned for further progress. Will you be building a canvas top for the cab ?

[crotex]

I think you brought that to the right site. cool project.

[matt 3083]

Now that you've done an easy project, what's next.
Just teasing. You should be very proud. Great job.
Matt

[38FLATTIE]

Amazing work! That thing is both super cool, and bad ass!

[PonchoJohn]

Amazing build! I've seen it somewhere before... thanks for posting it here- I had forgotten about it.

[ken1939]

Tremendous work! From a fellow Ute Owner, its a Bute!

[LIFESTYLZ]

So how did you get on with the Certification?
Any hassles?