Hell Freezes Over...Paxton goes GM!!!

**jaa55** · 10-26-2015, 11:28 PM

Cool oddball car! I'm not sure I've ever seen one in person

**PaxtonShelby** · 11-01-2015, 12:39 AM

Wow - October was a blur - and none of it was in the garage. But today I finally scored some quality time with the big gal.

The taillight panel had a big gash and a dent where it looked like someone backed into the car. So I borrowed a dolly from a buddy down the street, grabbed a regular hammer, and started straightening some metal. It still needs welded, but I thought it came out pretty good all things considered. The repair will be completely hidden behind a huge panel that covers the entire rear and surrounds the tail lights.

**SixSpeedSS** · 11-01-2015, 12:45 AM

Love the color on this car. Perfect combo. Many years ago ( was in my late teens/early 20s) I found a clean 66 in a junkyard and they wouldn't sell (not really bad shape, but salvage title and the yard wouldn't let it go). It was the original maroon with Black interior. This car reminded me of that as soon as I saw it. Looking forward to progress. This is one of GM's coolest 'experiments'. The '63 Riviera too. I also like '67 Eldorados alot too.

**PaxtonShelby** · 11-01-2015, 12:49 AM

Next on the list was the exhaust. Each resonator had a LOT of rust inside. See the last pic - that pile is from ONE resonator. The whole exhaust system is toast. Hopefully I can find a Borla muffler that will fit. Right now I'm not sure if I will replace the resonators or eliminate them altogether. I found a set of used 4" Borla tips that might just be perfect.

**PaxtonShelby** · 11-01-2015, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by SixSpeedSS

Love the color on this car. Perfect combo. Many years ago ( was in my late teens/early 20s) I found a clean 66 in a junkyard and they wouldn't sell (not really bad shape, but salvage title and the yard wouldn't let it go). It was the original maroon with Black interior. This car reminded me of that as soon as I saw it. Looking forward to progress. This is one of GM's coolest 'experiments'. The '63 Riviera too. I also like '67 Eldorados alot too.

Thanks Tod. Even though I'm a die-hard Ford guy, I feel the same way about the Toros, Rivs, and Eldos. For some reason I have a thing for the big-body cars. This car was originally a plum color called Dubonnet. I wish it hadn't been repainted - although if the paint job was better I wouldn't complain. This maroon isn't bad, but the Dubonnet is one heck of a great color. Still - for a driver this paint is good enough for me. It will be tough to have everything done by spring, but I'm going to give it my best shot.

**Dan B.** · 11-01-2015, 01:07 AM

I see jack stands!

**PaxtonShelby** · 11-01-2015, 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by Dan B.

I see jack stands!

Haha! El Toro will be elevated for a while. I'm going to dismount the tires and blast the rims to get them ready for powdercoat.

**95V6** · 11-01-2015, 04:27 AM

Awesome project Ron! What kind of time frame are you shooting for to get it on the road? Possible 2016 PVGP appearance?

**PaxtonShelby** · 11-01-2015, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by 95V6

Awesome project Ron! What kind of time frame are you shooting for to get it on the road? Possible 2016 PVGP appearance?

Thanks Barry! My goal is to have her on the road by May 1st. I feel like I'm behind schedule already, but I will keep plugging away. The key will be the engine rebuild. I need to get the motor pulled in the next month or so to have a shot.

**PaxtonShelby** · 11-03-2015, 11:43 PM

The weather was so nice today that I slacked on the house chores ( who needs clean clothes anyway?!?! ) and after dinner, while my wife and Hannah went to pamper the horse, Lilly and I headed down to the garage to work on El Toro. I didn't feel like working underneath, so I figured we would work on the interior. The rear seat is out, so we took out all the nasty underlayment from back there. Lilly used the wire brush to scrub lots of crud off the floor, and then we vacuumed out the goodies.

The package tray had some really horrible looking speakers on it, so they had to go. Once the package tray was clean I pulled both rear ashtrays and Lilly polished them. Next came the interior door chrome. It looks 50 years old but now it shines a little. After cleaning the interior quarters, door panels, and front seat with Aerospace 303 we called it a night. Hopefully tomorrow we will have time to clean the rear seat and install it ( and get it out of my way in the garage ).

Baby steps...

**somethingclever** · 11-04-2015, 08:48 AM

every little bit helps....any progress is good.

**PaxtonShelby** · 11-28-2015, 10:24 PM

I finally got the front seat and carpet removed today. Found some rust lurking underneath. UGH!!!

Nothing too bad - but once I clean things up there will be some repairs needed.

**Pure Stock** · 11-28-2015, 11:24 PM

What's the plan with this one Ron?

**Dan B.** · 11-28-2015, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Pure Stock

What's the plan with this one Ron?

Park it on jack stands.

**PaxtonShelby** · 11-29-2015, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by Pure Stock

What's the plan with this one Ron?

Hey Joe - my plan is in the first few posts - get her road worthy and make her a 9-month daily driver.

**PaxtonShelby** · 11-29-2015, 12:13 AM

I picked up 5 factory chrome wheels last week...like this one. Not perfect, but nice for a DD...

**gpfarrell** · 11-29-2015, 12:17 AM

While you have the rug out you should build a transmission hump that runs the length of the floor. Then atbcarshows you could tell the know-it-alls that yours was a rare awd experimental car.