Thinking out loud.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,554
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From: Eagle, Idaho
Thinking out loud.
I'm thinking about a C2 coupe. Doesn't need to be all original, in fact I'm thinking I'd like a 383 stroker, air conditioning, overdrive automatic, possibly power steering and power disc brakes. But it would need to in nice original appearing condition.
After selling off our '57 and '54, both of which were original restored cars, I have my '62 which is a blast to drive. And it has a great new 383 and a 700R4 automatic overdrive. But at 6'4" the '62's head room and leg room are wearing me out. I sat in a '65 coupe and my head doesn't hit the roof and with a tilt column I have enough room for my legs. Not a lot, but enough.
I figured if I made the switch why not A/C and some other creature comforts. I actually saw a Goodwood (I think) green one being sold by an older gentleman a couple years or more ago on eBay. I think it went for somewhere in the $50's.
Should I find one done and ready to go, or should I buy a nice one and make it the car I want like I did my '62, or should I take a vacation and forget about the whole thing, instead?
After selling off our '57 and '54, both of which were original restored cars, I have my '62 which is a blast to drive. And it has a great new 383 and a 700R4 automatic overdrive. But at 6'4" the '62's head room and leg room are wearing me out. I sat in a '65 coupe and my head doesn't hit the roof and with a tilt column I have enough room for my legs. Not a lot, but enough.
I figured if I made the switch why not A/C and some other creature comforts. I actually saw a Goodwood (I think) green one being sold by an older gentleman a couple years or more ago on eBay. I think it went for somewhere in the $50's.
Should I find one done and ready to go, or should I buy a nice one and make it the car I want like I did my '62, or should I take a vacation and forget about the whole thing, instead?
Last edited by Randy G.; Jul 28, 2017 at 04:00 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,103
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
I would find one with as many of the modification you want already done. finding a auto might be tough as everyone who sticks a new motor in them likes manuals I am 6'4" too and with a auto a tilt column is really not that needed but it would be nice. good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
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I bought a silver 66 coupe with black interior to do that exact same thing to for my wife. It's a side pipe, knock off wheel, 4 speed, etc car. I was going to put an automatic tranny in it and aftermarket AC for my wife.....then we got pregnant again...LOL....No time to do it, so i am going to sell it soon. I would, personally, prefer to do the "mods" myself so i know how well they mods were done. Some guys will half *** a job. With me doing it, i know it would have been done right the first time. Just my two cents....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,554
Likes: 555
From: Eagle, Idaho
I bought a silver 66 coupe with black interior to do that exact same thing to for my wife. It's a side pipe, knock off wheel, 4 speed, etc car. I was going to put an automatic tranny in it and aftermarket AC for my wife.....then we got pregnant again...LOL....No time to do it, so i am going to sell it soon. I would, personally, prefer to do the "mods" myself so i know how well they mods were done. Some guys will half *** a job. With me doing it, i know it would have been done right the first time. Just my two cents....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,554
Likes: 555
From: Eagle, Idaho
I don't think I want to have one gone that far. Most people who see my '62 think it's an all original car. I'd like to keep it close to original. Even at that, it has to ride better than a C1.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,554
Likes: 555
From: Eagle, Idaho
My '62 came with a Powerglide and it was a little underwhelming. The 700R4 makes it fun to drive with it's very strong low gear coupled to a low RPM high gear. What are the overdrive (near bolt-in) choices for a C2? The 700R4 was a bolt-in in the '62. Didn't have to drill one hole, and BowTie Overdrives makes a bolt-in crossmember for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,103
Likes: 9,418
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
My '62 came with a Powerglide and it was a little underwhelming. The 700R4 makes it fun to drive with it's very strong low gear coupled to a low RPM high gear. What are the overdrive (near bolt-in) choices for a C2? The 700R4 was a bolt-in in the '62. Didn't have to drill one hole, and BowTie Overdrives makes a bolt-in crossmember for it.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Massachusetts
My '62 came with a Powerglide and it was a little underwhelming. The 700R4 makes it fun to drive with it's very strong low gear coupled to a low RPM high gear. What are the overdrive (near bolt-in) choices for a C2? The 700R4 was a bolt-in in the '62. Didn't have to drill one hole, and BowTie Overdrives makes a bolt-in crossmember for it.
My recollection is that while the 2004R is a shorter transmission that can use the original driveshaft, it's rear mount is harder to adapt to the C2 crossmember.
