After five years, mucho dollars, and several new swear words, I started the '74 up, broke the cam in, set the timing, and went for a ride!! Not too many bugs. Moan/rub sound when I let off the gas at speed (I'm guessing it's a tire rub, the alignment is waaaay off from having the trailing arms rebuilt and it's got 265/50's on it). Good sized power steering leak. Was proud to have my 14-year old boy out there getting greasy with me. Still lots to to... Like Dave, I've got body work and paint to go, and probably several other things that I don't know of yet. But it started, shifted, charged, and generally behaved. And I drove it for the first time since May, 2009!! But its put to bed now so I can have the celebratory whiskey sour (or four). Life is good! :)

By the way, the chambered exhaust from Mid America sounds AWESOME.  Its very, very loud, however.  I don't know if I can live with it as I'm bound to piss off the neighbors.  

Woohoo!! Congrats! Don't you love a plan when it comes together!

CONGRATS!!!!        
First drive after a long resto is always a happy thing!

Great going! 

and thanks for the reminder to go give my neighbors their weekly rumble.

Jim

Rubbing sound is NOT a tire rub, but most likely the rear end.  I'd guess the lash adjustment is way off, and it's moaning pretty bad when I let off the throttle.  But all in all, I'm not too disappointed.  After all, that's the one thing that I didn't rebuild!! 

So I'll pull it this weekend and drop it off to be done.  After all, it's only money.  (Said VERY tongue in cheek...)  Lots of little things to do while it's being worked on.

Thanks for the kind words!

Congrats! Aint it the coolest feeling in the world?! Who cares about the neighbors? They're just jealous. I'm blessed to live in a neighborhood where there are 12 Vettes and 6 owners! Loud exhaust and 93 octane fill the air around here! Enjoy!