# SixSpeed454SS's 1966 GTO project **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [December 11, 2006, 9:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764 "2006-12-11T21:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![bgblockelcamino](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bgblockelcamino/32/5997_2.png) [@bgblockelcamino](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bgblockelcamino)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/101 "2008-04-30T21:33:20Z")
drool can’t wait to see it running ---
**Author:** ![AeroKing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/aeroking/32/6011_2.png) [@AeroKing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/AeroKing)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 2:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/102 "2008-05-01T02:25:34Z")
trips look good with no hood on. ---
**Author:** ![BlkP42E](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blkp42e/32/5938_2.png) [@BlkP42E](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BlkP42E)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 5:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/103 "2008-05-01T05:23:27Z")
coming along nicely ---
**Author:** ![foxrus14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@foxrus14](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/foxrus14)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 5:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/104 "2008-05-01T05:25:54Z")
Damn Tod… Looks great! Keep up the work. Can’t wait to see ya out and about. ---
**Author:** ![DTMVENG24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@DTMVENG24](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DTMVENG24)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 5:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/105 "2008-05-01T05:25:59Z")
> [@FS:94-98 mustang cobra headlights](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-94-98-mustang-cobra-headlights/34728/5): > > coming along nicely I agree!:burnout: ---
**Author:** ![Zack01GC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a183cd/32.png) [@Zack01GC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zack01GC)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 8:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/106 "2008-05-01T08:56:06Z")
> [@FS:94-98 mustang cobra headlights](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-94-98-mustang-cobra-headlights/34728/5): > > coming along nicely ---
**Author:** ![obi-1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@obi-1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/obi-1)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 9:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/107 "2008-05-01T09:16:44Z")
> [@FS: 99/00 Civic Si rims w/tires](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-99-00-civic-si-rims-w-tires/35971/12): > > drool can’t wait to see it running ---
**Author:** ![4doors5gears](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/4doors5gears/32/6006_2.png) [@4doors5gears](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/4doors5gears)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 9:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/108 "2008-05-01T09:35:23Z")
I can’t get over how clean and straight the car is. Keep up the good work. ---
**Author:** ![SixSpeed454SS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@SixSpeed454SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SixSpeed454SS)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 11:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/109 "2008-05-01T11:59:45Z")
Thanks, guys. ---
**Author:** ![SixSpeed454SS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@SixSpeed454SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SixSpeed454SS)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/110 "2008-05-05T20:06:01Z")
finished the exhaust this weekend & then detailed the paint. Used a clay bar with foaming window cleaner, wetsanded with 1200, 1500, & 3000 grit, and then buffed the paint out. There are still alot of imperfections in the paint, but it looks great. The wetsand/buffing was done by a friend of mine. I am no detailer, but I did do the clay bar & was very surprised at how it removed the 20+ yrs of overspray. Remember this is what the paint looked like before… ![http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LRside.jpg](http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LRside.jpg) Here is just the LR quarter panel done… ![http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_lsider.jpg](http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_lsider.jpg) Here is the buffing mostly finished… ![http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_lside.jpg](http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_lside.jpg) ![http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_lsidef.jpg](http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_lsidef.jpg) ![http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_lsider1.jpg](http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_lsider1.jpg) ![http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_rsider.jpg](http://www.akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_045032008_sanners_rsider.jpg) That is another '66 GTO in the background of the last pic. I’m glad mine is in much better shape. That one needs alot of work. ---
**Author:** ![SoLow](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/solow/32/6001_2.png) [@SoLow](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SoLow)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/111 "2008-05-05T20:14:20Z")
wow…LOOKS GREAT tod ---
**Author:** ![noahTHEpurdy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/87869e/32.png) [@noahTHEpurdy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/noahTHEpurdy)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/112 "2008-05-05T22:26:06Z")
That’s incredible. Looks AWESOME! ---
**Author:** ![4doors5gears](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/4doors5gears/32/6006_2.png) [@4doors5gears](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/4doors5gears)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/113 "2008-05-06T05:24:27Z")
Wow what a turn around. How is all the chrome and chrome trim? You gonna get it refinished? It looks pretty good from teh pics. ---
**Author:** ![Zack01GC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a183cd/32.png) [@Zack01GC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zack01GC)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/114 "2008-05-06T07:47:15Z")
Wow. That wetsand/buff did the trick. ---
**Author:** ![bgblockelcamino](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bgblockelcamino/32/5997_2.png) [@bgblockelcamino](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bgblockelcamino)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/115 "2008-05-06T07:52:14Z")
wow it looks great . ---
**Author:** ![SixSpeed454SS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@SixSpeed454SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SixSpeed454SS)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 9:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/116 "2008-05-06T09:46:10Z")
> [@Need some restoration suggestions please!](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-restoration-suggestions-please/36272/5): > > Wow what a turn around. How is all the chrome and chrome trim? You gonna get it refinished? It looks pretty good from teh pics. nahh, my goal is to get it on the road & enjoy it for a while. Sometime in the future, I will repaint the car & get the chrome finished. It all sort of matches the patina of the paint. ---
**Author:** ![Orr89rocz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac91a4/32.png) [@Orr89rocz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Orr89rocz)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 12:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/117 "2008-05-06T12:25:26Z")
sweetness man, cant wait to see it in person 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![spoolinsteve](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spoolinsteve/32/6026_2.png) [@spoolinsteve](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/spoolinsteve)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/118 "2008-05-06T19:05:54Z")
looking good and i like your truck i saw it up irwin a couple weeks ago ---
**Author:** ![SixSpeed454SS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@SixSpeed454SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SixSpeed454SS)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/119 "2008-05-06T19:15:59Z")
thanks, guys. ---
**Author:** ![SixSpeed454SS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@SixSpeed454SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SixSpeed454SS)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764/120 "2008-07-16T21:44:18Z")
Big change in plans from my last update… The little bit of paintwork that the car needed to get on the road became a major pain in the ass. I was just interested in repairing the pass side door & the right rear 1/4 panel. That turned into repairing the front fenders (paint was burnt from the engine fire 20 years ago, and something was spilled on the LF fender & trunk lid). Once the front clip & doors were aligned, the front fenders were stripped, and the body work was done on the right side, then were primed & painted with ppg laquer to match the rest of the car (painted in 1983 with ppg laquer). Well somehow the paint would not match at all & after a few attempts to try to match it, it was decided to sand the whole car down & repaint it (the roof & trunk looked horrible after the car was wetsanded & buffed anyway - looked like a wrinkled up blanket was left on the paint for a long time & stained the paint). I know this was not my plan originally, but I am happy it is now done. The work is great & now the exterior of the car looks as good as the underneath. There was a bunch of dents & a little rust repair that needed done, but the bodywork from 1983 is still under the new paint. I know the proper way would have been to strip the car, but this was all I could afford to do right now & my main objective from the beginning was to get the car on the road & enjoy it for a while. My intention is not to try to win trophies with it, and never was. I know putting more laquer on top of 20 year old laquer is not the best idea, but my reasons below will make it easier to understand why it was done this way. This car is being built for a couple of reasons. 1)It is a car I have dreamed of owning for many years, and 2)as some of you know, it was rescued from my parents house 8 months before their house was struck by lightning & burnt to the ground. My parents lost everything, including several other nice classic cars. I want my dad to enjoy this car, too, as his health will not allow him to do a complete restoration on an old car, and he does not care to spend $40k on a finished car. This car is not for sale & I do not care what it is worth to some collector. It will be in my family forever. My son will get it someday. Maybe in another 10 or so years, it can be taken apart, stripped completely, a given a proper base/clear paintjob. Here are some shots before any paint… ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_sanners_rside.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_sanners_rside.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_sannersRfender.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_sannersRfender.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_sanners_Lfender.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_sanners_Lfender.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_sanners_Lfrontfender.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_sanners_Lfrontfender.jpg) Some shots of it ready for paint (before the problems of matching the color turned up)… ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LS_primed.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LS_primed.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RS_primed.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RS_primed.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RSa_primed.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RSa_primed.jpg) Then the rest of the car got some bodywork & painted…Kind of an odd way to paint the whole car but It really turned out great. The reason the trunklid is taped off is that it needs chemically stripped & he was trying to get the car back to me so I can start assembly. ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LR_primed.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LR_primed.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LSa_primed.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LSa_primed.jpg) Some pics of the car yesterday when I picked it up… ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LF_07152008.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LF_07152008.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LR_07152008.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_LR_07152008.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RF_07152008.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RF_07152008.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RS_07152008.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RS_07152008.jpg) Some pics at my house after I put the door handles, mirrors, windshield trim, some emblems, headlight bezels, & other misc trim on it tonight… ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RFa_07162008.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RFa_07162008.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RR_07162008.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RR_07162008.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RFb_07162008.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RFb_07162008.jpg) ![http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RRa_07162008.jpg](http://akvalley.net/~ss/GTO_RRa_07162008.jpg) The trunk lid, hood, header panel & some other misc small parts still need painted. The trunk lid needs stripped completely & the hood has a few dents in it. Now I plan to start assembly. I still need a few items, but for the most part, I can get alot of work done. I just need to find the time to work on it in the near future. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764.md?page=5) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sixspeed454sss-1966-gto-project/186764.md?page=7)