A Major Milestone - With Pics
07-25-2015, 09:57 PM
#1
A Major Milestone - With Pics
Yesterday, for the first time, I turned the key in the ignition of my 1960 and started up a car that hasn't been driven in over 30 years. I don't have tags yet so I could only go around the block and back, but it was exhilarating. Let me back up a bit. When I retired 4 years ago I decided I couldn't spend every day playing golf or babysitting the grandkids. To the shock of my wife and kids I announced that I wanted to restore a C1. They were shocked because I had never expressed any interest in such a project, nor am I by any means a "gearhead" or "car guy". I have done the normal stuff over the years - change the oil or plugs, replace a starter or alternator - but nothing too complex and certainly nothing like some of the people on this forum have done. I do, however, like to do things myself and I have always been enamored by the classic beauty of the C1.
With far too little information and time invested I went on ebay and found what I thought was a good candidate. It seemed to have a good body and frame - plenty of surface rust but no real weak spots. It was a true project car and far from numbers matching. It came with a newly rebuilt 1966 327/300 that had never been installed and a 1966 Muncie 4 speed that was installed and had an unknown number of miles on it. The paint was pealing and there was multiple evidence of Bubba's work. It looked to me to be doable, but certainly a challenge.
Never having undertaken such a project I developed a fairly simple approach - take the car apart piece by piece and examine each piece. If it seemed good, clean it up, paint it and replace it. If was damaged, missing or unsafe, replace it. I think I have had my fingers on most every piece in the car, from the PITA little nut under the driver side defroster bezel to the tiny little spring in the handbrake assembly. Although I just got the car drivable, it has given me immense satisfaction for the past 4 years. For example, when on my back for the second or third time bench pressing the transmission and finally getting it to slide forward that last half inch I must have had an ear to ear smile for days. Of course there have also been days when I threw up my hands and wondered what the hell had I gotten into.
I have a long way to go, but at least now I have a rolling project and many of the mechanical hurdles have been overcome - engine, clutch, transmission, brakes, exhaust, steering, lizard skin, front and rear suspension, wiring, chrome and stainless removal, dash pad, instrument panel, grab bar and dash insert. I was pleasantly surprised at how strong the car runs. I really didn't know what to expect. I have a painter lined up for next winter (ouch $$; wife has no idea). Hopefully I'll be hanging chrome and finishing up the interior in the Spring.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but to this point I have only used the forum to pose questions. Certainly I could not have gotten this far without this fantastic forum. All of my questions have been answered and I learn daily from the answers to the questions of others. In addition, attachments that have been developed over the years for everything from rear ends to windshields have proven invaluable. And now the prerequisite pics - not too tough on the critiques, I'm just a rookie (kidding!).
More pics in a second thread. Reached the max here apparently.
With far too little information and time invested I went on ebay and found what I thought was a good candidate. It seemed to have a good body and frame - plenty of surface rust but no real weak spots. It was a true project car and far from numbers matching. It came with a newly rebuilt 1966 327/300 that had never been installed and a 1966 Muncie 4 speed that was installed and had an unknown number of miles on it. The paint was pealing and there was multiple evidence of Bubba's work. It looked to me to be doable, but certainly a challenge.
Never having undertaken such a project I developed a fairly simple approach - take the car apart piece by piece and examine each piece. If it seemed good, clean it up, paint it and replace it. If was damaged, missing or unsafe, replace it. I think I have had my fingers on most every piece in the car, from the PITA little nut under the driver side defroster bezel to the tiny little spring in the handbrake assembly. Although I just got the car drivable, it has given me immense satisfaction for the past 4 years. For example, when on my back for the second or third time bench pressing the transmission and finally getting it to slide forward that last half inch I must have had an ear to ear smile for days. Of course there have also been days when I threw up my hands and wondered what the hell had I gotten into.
I have a long way to go, but at least now I have a rolling project and many of the mechanical hurdles have been overcome - engine, clutch, transmission, brakes, exhaust, steering, lizard skin, front and rear suspension, wiring, chrome and stainless removal, dash pad, instrument panel, grab bar and dash insert. I was pleasantly surprised at how strong the car runs. I really didn't know what to expect. I have a painter lined up for next winter (ouch $$; wife has no idea). Hopefully I'll be hanging chrome and finishing up the interior in the Spring.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but to this point I have only used the forum to pose questions. Certainly I could not have gotten this far without this fantastic forum. All of my questions have been answered and I learn daily from the answers to the questions of others. In addition, attachments that have been developed over the years for everything from rear ends to windshields have proven invaluable. And now the prerequisite pics - not too tough on the critiques, I'm just a rookie (kidding!).
More pics in a second thread. Reached the max here apparently.
07-26-2015, 07:25 AM
#6
54 Vette Rod
Another congrats!
To me, this step was always a huge motivation to finish up the rest.
Nothing like firing it up and spinning around the block for the first time.
To me, this step was always a huge motivation to finish up the rest.
Nothing like firing it up and spinning around the block for the first time.
07-26-2015, 07:39 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Wellington, FL
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
What a beauty! Great work. As a side issue, since you have no tag, I assume the car is not insured (liability). I wouldn't take it out again w/o such insurance as you never know. Anyway, congrats on your fine work.
07-26-2015, 08:05 AM
#8
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2008
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From the looks of it, you have foregone your status as a rookie. Sorry.
Great looking project.
Looking forward to more pics.
Great looking project.
Looking forward to more pics.
07-26-2015, 08:40 AM
#10
Race Director
An amazing transformation. That's a lot of hard work and the results speak for themselves. Keep the pictures coming. 
07-26-2015, 08:56 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
Great work! Congratulations on your accomplishments!
Mike
Mike
07-26-2015, 09:44 AM
#12
Race Director
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C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Very nice Vette and great work. Congrats! As suggested, get insurance. 
Dennis
Dennis
07-26-2015, 10:10 AM
#13
Enjoy while you can.
Member Since: May 2008
Location: 10th District Court OHIO
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Ohio Events Coordinator
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Wow, well done and congratulations.
07-26-2015, 10:30 AM
#15
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Poway CA
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2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Congratulations!!
My car was in similar condition when I started on it 3+ years ago. I have some bad news for you: It's never DONE!
But I kinda think that's the whole point of having these cars!
My car was in similar condition when I started on it 3+ years ago. I have some bad news for you: It's never DONE!
But I kinda think that's the whole point of having these cars!
07-26-2015, 10:59 AM
#17
Race Director
Looks good - nice work!
07-26-2015, 01:03 PM
#18
Race Director
An inspiring tale!
congrats!
07-26-2015, 02:29 PM
#20
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2015
Location: Fresno California
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Congrats on a great job. That is not rookie quality work....it's professional quality work. Your method of 'one piece at a time' is the way to go without getting overwhelmed. Each day, the car gets a little better. It sure adds up, as evidenced by your photos. Keep those photo's coming....great thread!