To be honest the " build" never truly ends ,if that's what you enjoy most in this hobby. I " been there done it" with this car around 10 years ago--shows, cruising , drags. Different motor/trans combos--fiberglass hood, semi gloss frame/engine compartment-- chrome--billet. And that was me--Dad had different rim combos ,and ran a ProRam 2 intake with dual center squirts--no hood. Ran like a raped ape over 5K--never had it to the track with that combo. Traction bars, ladder bars ,frame ties Accel--Mallory--MSD.
#1 owner removed the air pump ,plugged the exhaust manifold and sold it within the year for a good profit--his overall intentions I believe.
#2 Hideaways(67), spoiler, cowl hood , stripes , torque thrusts ,4:88's,Hurst,Sun,console,air shocks , lowered front springs ( they were screwed up and I replaced in 90)
I had the quarters resprayed, but they never quite matched when the sun hit it ,every top crease was showing metal from years of over waxing , silver dollar size hole pass side fender(rocker area) lips of front lower quarters getting some pin holes ,front fender tops showing signs of wear from years of leaning over it-----this was all I saw when I looked at it.
Loved the drags but did not want to start twisting it up so never took it out of the mid 12's.
Last time out was at a Super Chevy meet at Norwalk .Sometime early 2000,time slips are in the glove compartment. Car was well received being an over 30 year old car in such "great shape" Day 2 before the term was coined: skinny front runners ,black rear corvette rally rims with slicks screwed on, color matched glass hood with snorkel scoop ,cowl mounted tac and gauges. Deep down I always wanted to tear it all down, record the numbers and put it back to what it looked like in the early 70's----no big stretch. Not the most popular color--I really don't like it but it is correct. I had several color combos picked out but never pulled the trigger. So in the back of the shop it sat covered up.
Went in with my Dad on rebuilding his Anglia for gasser meets ,picked up a "garage find" 68 SS El Camino (priced right) and began tearing down. Everyone was on me to do something with the Z. Dad point blank said " rebuild it or sell the damn thing !" My wife asked why I was working on junk ( Arizona car, SS wasn't junk) while my Camaro sits. We also slammed together a 32 pickup for my son's FHA weld project: open header 327 ,mustang 2 front end, disc all around---cool 3 week build ! He took 1st.
I actually emailed Jerry M. a few winters ago and asked his opinion which direction to go with the Z ,bone stock is not the car I want--he recommended Day 2 ( didn't know the meaning)
Full circle is what it means---to around 69 anyway.
So last summer I was stuck in traffic heading into Cleveland , called my buddy at the shop and asked if his schedule was clear. His reply was yes, been waiting since 79 to do that car! Now he is very slow but a perfectionist . I know this. You do not push him. Told him it's his baby ,10 months or 10 years he sets the pace. 4 days in cars stripped , my front lower quarter patch panels should be in today. For 2 pieces of sheet metal about the size of my thumb----but I'm not questioning.
And that fellow 1st generation enthusiast is my story----may be ready for next summer nats ,may not. But when I run into some of you ,this car's going to be "right" And when I'm bored with it in this configuration , the flat hood, OE exhaust goes back on. I'll be retired, she'll be retired-----fold down the back seat ,throw the clubs in the back , and go golfing.
