Railroadman

Looked at the starter which came off my '64 ( mid June build) and it is date stamped " 4 F 5" . I would guess that means June 5 1964, which would work. But I have a book on restoring C-2's (excuse me, the book is religious about calling it a Midyear ) and their example puts the day first and the year last. Glitch in the book and original starter, or do I have a 1965 starter?

Panama 58

You are correct. It's Year / Month / Day. My '64 is a June 11th car and the starter is 4 F ? I don't call off hand the day, but it was single digit first week. I think you are good to go.

R66

My research indicated year / month / day format. Hope your book is wrong or I have starters made in 1924 or 2024 (2K24) and 1927 or 2027 (7B27). Of course maybe they are very rare prototypes and worth billions. I'm RICH \.

Railroadman

Thanks guys. Thought that was the case but wasn't sure.

Panama 58

Just went and looked at my starter date and it is also 4 F 5...same as yours. What is the assembly date of your car? Mine was June 11th.

Railroadman

June 23rd according to the birthday calculator.

Panama 58

I would be happy to provide information on my car as you progress with yours. With them only being a few days apart, it could be interesting to see what we come up with. Mine was owned by the second owner for 45 years and he didn't monkey with it, so many of the original parts are still on the car and many yet to be discovered. I removed the original shocks off of it a few months back and am thinking that I should take the original floor mats out and keep them in a safe place. Happy to help as you progress.

Railroadman

Thank you for the offer! Altho we hashed over the meaning of "owner" in legal terms in another thread recently, in terms of those who actually drove the car I believe I will be only the 3rd. It seems to be "numbers matching", but I'm not big into that. It's a low option car, will never be worth cubic dollars, and since the frame was so bad it broke in two, I'm going to make it into a fun driver while staying fairly close to original.

I'll be glad to echo your offer, if you or anyone else wants to compare a given part or parts I'm glad to take pics or send info. The carpet on mine was totally shot, and the seats have been recovered. Probably will go with Rally wheels. Staying with the stock 250hp and M-20. Would like to upgrade to disc brakes, and I have a bracket to mount the shifter to the chassis instead of the tranny, to cut down on vibration and rattle.

The journey is half the fun. If I need a refresher on how something should go back together, I'll remember your offer!

Railroadman

The original owner sold mine after just about a year. I'm still trying to get specifics but I believe it was bought by a guy's wife but was "his" - at least that's what I'm told. At some point they divorced, and he got the car and it was then in his name. So in legal terms that's another owner, but he then owned it until his death in December 2016. So that's ballpark 51 years with essentially one owner if you look at it in those terms.

Panama 58

I agree. I have been watching your progress and "frame challenges" and amazed at how well you are doing with it. I don't have the skills you have but can snap a picture about as good as anyone. Very entertaining, so keep up the great work!

Railroadman

Well I am getting an education, that's for sure! But more importantly, I'm having fun! It's just what I wanted, through some strange mental illness I actually enjoy skinning my knuckles and lying on my back while flakes of rust and dirt rain down on my face. And I hope that whatever info I can pass along is not only entertaining, but also helpful to the next guy doing something similar. I have received a lot of help and encouragement from this forum, and I'm trying to pay it along downstream.