Gasman's 61 Project

[Gasman]

Worked on getting this one for almost 2 years. It was in the middle of a frame off and soon to be in bankrupcy. Parts were in different locations. Didn't know how many parts were there when i made an offer, but the engine and trans caught my attention. Long story short, more than 90% of the parts were there.
Most were new in bags, chrome already done and gauges refurbished. Had the body shop finish the body and frame. And now it's home!!!

This is going to be fun. But since i didn't take it apart, where do i start?
Joined the NCRS and bought the books. Think i'll put some chrome on it,
it's real naked the way it looks now.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1182076

 

[67HEAVEN]

Great stuff. This looks like a very good project.

Keep us involved.

 

[Ken]

... soon to be in bankruptcy.

Good for you, bad for someone else.

I'm facing the same issues; I hope can manage to keep my Corvette.

 

[61 Silver]

Great looking 61 and it is a fuelie! Can't wait to see additional pictures as you proceed with your restoration. If we can get a few more 61s on CAC we may be able to start our own registry.



Ray

 

[studiog]

Gasman, great car. Thanks for the pics. Good luck with the rest of the project. I am at about the same stage with my 61.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Great project and a fantastic find. It can be a big task putting something together that someone else took apart. I'm in the middle of one of those projects myself. Just think it out and try not to assemble anything that you will have to remove to get at something else. I agree that the chrome will undo the nakedness and it won't be in the way of other assembly. Enjoy and keep us posted.

Tom

 

[Ken]

Great project and a fantastic find. It can be a big task putting something together that someone else took apart. I'm in the middle of one of those projects myself.

Yeah, someone else took it apart alright -- a young man!

 

[Tom Bryant]

I was talking about the truck Ken. We don't discuss the '59. :L

 

[IH2LOSE]

Yeah, someone else took it apart alright -- a young man!

Anybody else get this joke?

Its just TOO funny I guess maybee Tom should explain it or just tell us when he disasembled the car

 

[IH2LOSE]

Worked on getting this one for almost 2 years. It was in the middle of a frame off and soon to be in bankrupcy. Parts were in different locations. Didn't know how many parts were there when i made an offer, but the engine and trans caught my attention. Long story short, more than 90% of the parts were there.
Most were new in bags, chrome already done and gauges refurbished. Had the body shop finish the body and frame. And now it's home!!!

This is going to be fun. But since i didn't take it apart, where do i start?
Joined the NCRS and bought the books. Think i'll put some chrome on it,
it's real naked the way it looks now.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1182076

Gasman the best place to start is with an asembly manual,and the service manual.I took my car apart but its not going back together as a stock car. I would say the toughest part will be what should go in first under the dash area,

I would definatley suggest getting to see a C1'S under the dash area for a good idea of the wiper system,to me its very confusing how the cables are run,Also use caution I remember seeing another fellow from a different forum a couple of years back showing photos of his burnt up wiring from the wiper cable rubbing on an electrical line.

Good luck with it,and keep us posted on your progress,

 

[IH2LOSE]

PS

Once I am done putting on the easey stuff,Chrome and bright work,I am going to start on the under the dash stuff first because it seems the toughest area to work in,then I will work on getting the doors and door mecanisms,windows and such in and assembled. I am also wainting on my dash pad to set in place so it will settle in.

Again good luck and see if you can fins a local car to get some digital photos of how things should look to use for refrences

 

[Tom Bryant]

Anybody else get this joke?

Its just TOO funny I guess maybee Tom should explain it or just tell us when he disasembled the car

Well I was referring to my truck project. I'm actually getting something done now that I built my shop a few years ago. As for the 1959, that all stems from the age old question of how long do you let fiberglass repairs cure before you paint. I admit to taking the car apart in 1971. I also admit to having the body repairs done by the end of the 1970s. I moved a couple times and the car was in storage much of the time. Then I sold that house, moved again and it was nearly 20 years before I had a shop again.

I was looking at it with my brother a couple days ago and I think the repairs are cured. Unfortunately there was a trailering accident about 20 years ago and the front valance is busted. Do you think I need to let that repair cure for 30 years when I do it or will a shorter time be ok?

I catch a lot of grief over this car but I can see it finished in my mind. that's a start. :L

Tom

 

[BarryK]

I also admit to having the body repairs done by the end of the 1970s.......... I was looking at it with my brother a couple days ago and I think the repairs are cured. Tom

hmmm, ONLY 30 years for the fiberglass to cure?
well, you don't want to rush things you know. maybe you should give it a few more years to really let it set up.


Actually, since the factory let it go after curing for a slightly shorter time than your 30 years I have a feeling that you might be in the "safe range" and the fiberglass is probably cured enough.

 

[RugHead]

...but I can see it finished in my mind. that's a start. :L

Tom

I have that same problem. (as my wife points out) Thanks for the story - I don't feel so bad now.

Gasman - great project. You're a lucky guy. Looks like there are a number of other '61s going together here on CAC, so at least you have a place to go if you run into issues putting the old girl back together.

 

[studiog]

Anybody else get this joke?

Its just TOO funny I guess maybee Tom should explain it or just tell us when he disasembled the car

Yeah Larry, some younger guy also disassembled my car. He was allot faster than I am today :L

 

[studiog]

Also use caution I remember seeing another fellow from a different forum a couple of years back showing photos of his burnt up wiring from the wiper cable rubbing on an electrical line.

Larry this is a very good point! Glad you mentioned it.

 

[studiog]

Well I was referring to my truck project. I'm actually getting something done now that I built my shop a few years ago. As for the 1959, that all stems from the age old question of how long do you let fiberglass repairs cure before you paint. I admit to taking the car apart in 1971. I also admit to having the body repairs done by the end of the 1970s. I moved a couple times and the car was in storage much of the time. Then I sold that house, moved again and it was nearly 20 years before I had a shop again.

I was looking at it with my brother a couple days ago and I think the repairs are cured. Unfortunately there was a trailering accident about 20 years ago and the front valance is busted. Do you think I need to let that repair cure for 30 years when I do it or will a shorter time be ok?

I catch a lot of grief over this car but I can see it finished in my mind. that's a start. :L

Tom

Tom, just think of all the money you saved by not restoring it thirty years ago. It would probably all need to be redone again now. You skipped one whole restoration cycle, very clever. :L

 

[67HEAVEN]

Tom, just think of all the money you saved by not restoring it thirty years ago. It would probably all need to be redone again now. You skipped one whole restoration cycle, very clever. :L

:duh

 

[Blue1960]

TOM, Iknow where you are with the 59. My 60 sat in my parents garage from 71 thru 88 at that point I moved it to my house in 92 started to restore the car. We did body off frame ,rebuilt originalmotor, trans,and rear end put all of that back together then it sat for 9 more years. In the fall of 01 my wife and brother persuaded me start working on the car. My brother and I finished the car in July of 02 in August of 02 my wife and I trailered the Vette to Michigan For our 30th High School class reunion it was alot of fun my old friends did not believe I still had the same car. So grab your brother and have him help you ,me and my brother had a GREAT time putting mine back together. Steve

 

[Ken]

Tom, just think of all the money you saved by not restoring it thirty years ago. It would probably all need to be redone again now. You skipped one whole restoration cycle, very clever. :L

Then again, think of how much more it will cost now as opposed to thirty years ago.

Parts weren't as expensive before everybody and his brother started to get into old Corvettes, or old cars period.