Need some C1 advice prior to a purchase

[IH2LOSE]

Well as some of you know I have been in the market forever for a 61/62 for a tube frame convertion

I have an apointment on 01/20/04 to see a garage kept 61 been sitting for a while NOM car Needs cleaning up.

I was supposed to go today but it has been post poened
(the story of my life here)

Anyways I had found a car on ebay and miss bid on It and lost the car,some of you guys had commented that I was better off missing it.
I figured dont need the frame ,dont need the motor or drive train.All I wanted was a good body

Anyways What should I be inspecting on the body,This is a drivable car that I am told by the owner it only needs some cheap sprucing to be a show car(the owner is definatly not a vette guy and his idea of a show car is firehouse car show).

I think I am purchasing afordable compared to what I have seen selling on ebay.I am not steeling it by NO MEANS and I am going with a envelope and a trailer to look at it and plan on bringing it home with me (I am tired of looking for a car)

What are the real bad spots on these cars.I know cars and have been restoring them for a long time.But I am not falmilur with C1 bodys yet .What books or pictures should I bring to know its a correct front end correct rear end,Correct doors,proper vin # location of frame vin,How is the colum vin connected?

Any and all advice is apreceated.Or pictures I can print to take with me to compare.

I am not going to get excited untill I am rolling it off my trailer into my garage.

 

[John Mcgraw]

Larry,
There few real problem areas with these old bodies since they are really built like a tank! THe VIN on a 61 should be spot welded to the column, The door gaps may not fit right if the frame is bad, but it will adjust right up on a proper frame. The front bumpers are slightly different an a 61-62 car as the center bar moved closer to the radiator due to lack of a toothed grille. Look for a poor fit at the center bar to side bumper that would indicate an eariler bumper being used. The bumperette brackets are shorter on a 61 car as well to move the bumperetts in to match the center bar. A large gap between the center bar and bumperetts, would indicate an eariler set of brackets being used. As long as the body looks solid and does not look like it has been repaired a lot, it will probably be a good car for what you are looking for. I would not even let a handlaid front end be cause for rejecting the car! Since you are doing a late model retro fit of the car, original body panels will add little value. It is a whole different deal than a restoration. If the cars lines look good and there is no obvious large damage, I would seriously consider the car.
Regards, John McGraw

 

[vettered91]

Hey IH2LOSE,

What if it is a real jewel-well-keep that '61? Would you resist the temptation to restore it?

I ask you just because since the 67 heaven's vette restoration I been thinking how nice a proyect like that could be for me!

Anyway good luck!!!

 

[IH2LOSE]

I have no temptation for another ncrs type restoration.

I am working on my 66 for ncrs judging in the future and have had a great time doing it and look foward to the day its on the judging feild being cretiqued by my peers on how well I have done at bringing it back to a simular state as the day it left the factory.

Becuse of my failing legs I belive this will be the last project car for me for a while (at least untill my son is ready to build a car)Or its time to rebuild my 02 C5

This 61 is going to be a total custom the only matching numbers I will be concerned about is the frame and the colum vin numbers matching to the registration.

Only if the owner had an original bill of sale stating it was fueley (witch I hope he doesn't) would I not use the car for the project.

Originally I was looking for a car with a wrong motor or no motor rusted frame or frame damage thinking I would save the car and not customize/modernize a good solid car.I gave up on that and now I am set on getting any solid 61/62 I can get my hands on

 

[studiog]

Here are some of my own personal observations as I have a 61 in the process of restoration. I also owned one back in 1970.
1) Watch the fit of the trunk lids. Look for warpage.
2) Look for cracks or signs of repair over the middle of the front wheel fenders
3) Especially check the front end in general for damage or repairs that were not made properly. Kneel in front of the car and sight down the top of the outter most headlight looking for waves in the body
4) Check fit of the hood especially at the front end
5) Check the inner fender skirts especially from the radiator forward. Put the hood up and look down in there in front of the radiator for damage. While you're there check the underneath area in front of the hood for body braces and just overall condition look for excess bondo repairs.
6) Check the front grill... new ones are about $650! yikes!
7) 61's should have stainless trimmed cove area 62's do not.
8) Check windshield and windshield frame for condition
9) Factory hardtop included is a very nice bonus!
10) Non rust through bumpers are desireable as new front bumpers top $400 ea.
11) Check door windows for working rollup mechanism. Door window glass is flat and is easily replaced at any auto glass shop
12) Check fit of metal body colored headlight bezels and how they fit to the adjacent fiberglass.
13) Check condition of the dash gauges... asethetically anyways
14) Check for good kick panels in interior. You'll probably replace the door panels and arm rests.
15) Check door hinges for excessive rust
16) Check soft top especially frame.
17) Front license plate bumperette is nice to have also
18) Spare tire trunk board is nice to have as well as jack, jack handle and lug wrench.
19) Check wiring harness some sections may be okay.
20) Check seat foam condition. Good foam will save some bucks.
Okay I'm getting carried away, Good night.

 

[IH2LOSE]

One more thing... Here is what the VIN plate on steer column looks like, not mine, think it is from a 62. No other plate on doors or anywhere else as far as I know.

How is that attached the little black dots are spot welds?

THANK YOU

 

[JohnZ]

Yup, spot welds.

 

[studiog]

engine 1

 

[studiog]

engine 2

 

[studiog]

interior1

 

[studiog]

interior2

 

[studiog]

interior3

 

[IH2LOSE]

Well today is the 20th I dug my trailer out of the snow.hooked it up to my truck called the seller to remind him I am on my way over for our 4 pm meeting and again he resheduled for this week end instead of today because he is just back from a long weekend.

I think I will never aquire a car. :cry

 

[Mac]

I think I will never aquire a car. :cry

Geezea, Larry, you already have two Vettes plus a kickin' Caddy. My sympathy circuit doesn't seem to be working. :L

 

[IH2LOSE]

Geezea, Larry, you already have two Vettes plus a kickin' Caddy. My sympathy circuit doesn't seem to be working. :L

MAC you know its not for me ,Its for the wife

 

[Mac]

MAC you know its not for me ,Its for the wife

I hope she appreciates what a good husband you are!

 

[Sting Ray]

Larry,

Did you get to see the car yet? How was it?


Tom

 

[IH2LOSE]

Larry,

Did you get to see the car yet? How was it?


Tom

No Tom Again he said we will do it a different day.Had it not been from a relabile source I would even think he has a vette for sale.I am just thinking maybee he is this busy and I will continue trying to hook up with him,anybody else would stop calling on him,and that probably why its still available.

 

[vettered91]

Larry,

I guess we all are here waiting for the good news to come! (Larry's new vette)

 

[IH2LOSE]

Larry,

I guess we all are here waiting for the good news to come! (Larry's new vette)

THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT