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1960 restore keeping the old school street racing look
1960 vette chassis
AMCE front XP900 front clip
1964 327/365hp motor
4 speed tranny
So I'm looking to keep the car the way it looks but change a few parts.
It had drum all the way around. I want to put front disc brake on. There is a set on ebay for around $300.00 is that an OK kit?
I have the generator still and want possibly switch it over to an alternator and run a new MSD ignition. thought?
I'm looking to lower the front end. Id there a company that offers drop spindle's?
The fiberglass is weak and old. I don't want to soda blast the car so what's a good way to strip it. Mainly the engine bay. I'm pulling the motor and want to clean the engine bay up. the rest of the car I will bring to a body shop to do.
There is a lot of people in the North Houston area that have the knowledge to help me do this, please feel free to stop by my new shop and help me get a game plan on what to do this car..
Yes, there are dropped spindle supports. Depends on how far you want to drop it, and why it is raised in the first place (gasser style straight axle, stock suspension with square tubing risers, stock suspension with stiffer springs?). If any of those, perhaps a return to "stock" configuration might be what is needed. Also check your tire sizes.
I put in 53/54 Chevy passenger car stock spindle supports to drop my front end about 5/8". Does not sound like a lot, but it was exactly what I wanted / needed. I think Fatman offers a 2" drop version.
Yes, there are dropped spindle supports. Depends on how far you want to drop it, and why it is raised in the first place (gasser style straight axle, stock suspension with square tubing risers, stock suspension with stiffer springs?). If any of those, perhaps a return to "stock" configuration might be what is needed. Also check your tire sizes.
I put in 53/54 Chevy passenger car stock spindle supports to drop my front end about 5/8". Does not sound like a lot, but it was exactly what I wanted / needed. I think Fatman offers a 2" drop version.
Plasticman
Yes I have tubing risers in the front coil springs, there is also air shocks in the rear. this car has not been touched since 77' and was built by my uncle (big gear head) in the late 60's. So not that I'm learning that this is the look of back then, I may just clean up those parts and re install them. The car sure does look cool sitting in the shop. I just don't want to ruin history or waste time and money on changing the car when I should have done my research. Thanks guys.
I'm pulling the motor to get checked out and built for 93 pump gas. I take more pics as I do the build. Here is a few just so you can see what I'm starting with.
yes i have tubing risers in the front coil springs, there is also air shocks in the rear. This car has not been touched since 77' and was built by my uncle (big gear head) in the late 60's. So not that i'm learning that this is the look of back then, i may just clean up those parts and re install them. The car sure does look cool sitting in the shop. I just don't want to ruin history or waste time and money on changing the car when i should have done my research. Thanks guys.
I'm pulling the motor to get checked out and built for 93 pump gas. I take more pics as i do the build. Here is a few just so you can see what i'm starting with.
tell me more about the gas tank fill. Does the car have the standard 16 gallon tank? Or something larger like a 24 gallon larger tank. If the later, it is very rare.
Take a close look at the brakes and suspension before you change anything. You never know, but the car may have old race history with special RPO BRAKE PARTS
SEE THE SCREENED BACKING PLATES ???????? THEY HAVE CONVERS OVER THEM
Last edited by jimgessner; 08-08-2014 at 04:31 PM.
tell me more about the gas tank fill. Does the car have the standard 16 gallon tank? Or something larger like a 24 gallon larger tank. If the later, it is very rare.
Jim,
I believe we went thru this with this car a while ago on this forum. No big tank or brakes, just an old custom car from the 60's.
and if anyone else is interested in doing a car like this (sans nose)... I saw this at the HAMB 1960 Barn Vette $32K
60 Corvette, been in barn since 1985. 283 engine and 3 speed trans works great. Puff of smoke when started, ( valve seals ). All gauges work. Solid frame, drives and stops great NYS inspected. All Crome, grill included. Also included, new carpet, door panels and dash pad, Extra numbers correct 283 block
Go really slowly on all the modifications. Get the car running. I have drums all around on my '58 and the car works just fine. No need for disc brakes on the street. Same with the MSD ignition and the dropped spindles.
Just get it running and drive it for a year.
Now if you're like a lot of us really enjoy buying parts just order a lot of crap and put it on the shelf in the garage. You can buy all the stuff but you don't really have to install it. That way you can preserve the time capsule and still run up a big balance on your Visa card.
I believe we went thru this with this car a while ago on this forum. No big tank or brakes, just an old custom car from the 60's.
Rick
Your correct rick, this is a stock small metal tank and my uncle put the filler cap on the side in the 60's. The fiberglass work wasn't done well so I'm going to have to fix it but still want to keep it like he had it.
As most of you know my uncle meant a lot to me, He died fighting for this country. His name is on the memorial wall in DC. He always loved these cars growing up and after getting blown up in a fox hole in Vietnam he was able to save money to finally buy this corvette. He was a hell of a mechanic for only having one arm and eye. He later passed away due to bad blood transfusions. I served in the Army as well and did a tour to Iraq. I have respect for car and want to bring it back to life the way he enjoyed it with my aunt.
I may continue on this post with the build or start a new one. The build has already started. So any help would be appreciated.
My hat is off to you and your uncle for both serving. Sorry you lost him far too soon.
I spent 8 years in Saudi Arabia in the 70s and 80s working for an engineering and construction company and can only imagine the difficult and unpleasant conditions our service men and women had to deal with while in that part of the world.
That car has to be very special for you with the history you mentioned;
Enjoy it and please keep us posted.
Doug
Last edited by Workin On 59; 08-10-2014 at 06:39 PM.
Reason: added info
08-08-2014, 11:02 AM
1960 restore keeping the old school street racing look
