You asked for photos....

[studiog]

Well today was the first day I had ever driven my 61 under her own power. It was quite a shakedown cruise. I drove about 200 feet. 100 feet in reverse and about 50 feet in first and 50 feet in second. The length of my driveway, back and forth. None the less it was very exciting! Is she ready for Carlisle? Hell no, but now I am very motivated to get her done. I was temped to take her around the block but the wife gave me that look and that was the end of it. No hood no windshield and just a driver seat dropped in, the steering wheel just barely bolted on. My door and windshield posts should be in Monday from the chromer, and my new windshield is in. Time to order a complete interior package... If it's on backorder I'm gonna die. Would never have made it this far without all the help I got here on CAC. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!!!
Enjoy the photos.

http://members.capital.net/com/studiog/outside/outside.html

 

[BarryK]

Awesome
looks great, thanks for the pics.
If this was your very first drive in her ever than it must have felt great even just staying in the drive way. CONGRATS!

 

[67HEAVEN]

Wow, that's going to be one beautiful ride. Well done. Keep it up.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Gary congradulations,that first ride is the best,the only thing better is the first ride when its 100%


It looks beutifull you should be very proud of what you have done. Good luck with the dash pad.as always cut the minimum you need to and I would not trim the ANY off of the windsheild area.Just kinda notch it so it lays flatter in trough.
I was at a car show a couple of weeks ago peddling some parts and seen 2 C1 with the dash pads pulling out from under the windsheild.

Good luck the rest goes easy your on the down hill side now

 

[Sting Ray]

Looking good, a cruise today with no windshield would have been ok it was so hot, Marcel's usually has good prices on interiors.

Tom M

 

[61 Silver]

Hi! Studiog



I can feel your excitement in your post and we are a few hundred miles apart, you must be on a high! The car looks great and you are in the home stretch. Just take your time on the dash pad; the balance is pretty straightforward. I took the 65 for a very short test drive after the completion of the restoration, no plates, no inspection and couple on non-completed items. As luck would have it I was pulled over by State Troopers. I was lucky that one of the troopers was a past student of mine and they just wanted to check out the Vette!



Great Car!



Ray

 

[tigernut]

Looking very nice. Thanks for the pictures. Keep them coming.


Doug

 

[Fuelie]

Hi Studiog,

The car looks great! The first ride (no matter how long) is always a blast. I love those solid axle cars, especially the '61s. My first vette was a 270 hp '61

Keep those pics coming, we all love 'em.

Take care,
Brian

 

[Duntov-097]

Looks great ! Thats always the best ride.

I love these progress reports from everybody. Helps keep me motivated to finish mine.

Bob

 

[Subfixer]

Beautiful car! Won't be long now.

 

[paul67]

That car looks great! I can only imagine how pretty it will be in a month or so.

 

[cfalson]

Beautiful, just frapping beautiful, how long has it taken to get there. I know the anticipation is difficult, my 66 is still on jack stands, but now the parts are all going in the correct direction, back in the car
Charlief
66 Coupe

 

[61 Silver]

Beautiful, just frapping beautiful, how long has it taken to get there. I know the anticipation is difficult, my 66 is still on jack stands, but now the parts are all going in the correct direction, back in the car
Charlief
66 Coupe

Charlief

Pictures PLEASE


Ray

 

[Tom Bryant]

Nice work. The carbs look great.

 

[I_R_DA_ONE]

Oh my...Oh my...Oh my... It just makes me sick to think I sold my 62.... By the way what speed did you get it up to in the driveway????

 

[JohnZ]

Looks terrific!

 

[Geek's 65]

You're a better man than I. Wife or not I would have been gone. Very nice ride that will be perfect when you're done.

 

[Z28Canuck]

Really coming along and looking fantastic. You've gone and done it now by driving it that little bit...now the "Can't wait any longer to finish it" is really taking hold and you love it!!!! You'll suddenly wonder where all this new energy comes from to burn the candle at both ends to see this through. You're doing a super job Gary and your efforts clearly show. Your patience on detail really shows obvious rewards. Wonderful watching the progression! Thanks for posting the pics and please keep us posted. Hope you had a good MOLSON weekend . See you soon
Doug

 

[studiog]

Thanks all for the comments. Great bunch of kind folks here at CAC. To answer a couple of questions: This project has lasted for 3.5 years. Don't know my top speed in the driveway but by the look on 22 year olds face as he watched me closing in on the garage, it was too fast. And yes it was a good Molson weekend. The heat and humidity was brutal this weekend as many of you know I'm sure.

New brake system worked great for 4 wheel drum. New clutch needs major adjusting it is catching at the very top. I don't remember how to adjust but I guess I'll figure it out. Muncie M20 tranny seemed good at least in first, second & reverse. No grinding or clunking into the gears. I have a hurst shifter with the stock looking handle. The throw is extremely short, maybe too short, but I love this shifter. The accelerator linkage seems to work very smooth, decent idle. Finally got the 2x4 setup under control. The steering (gear box) feels nice too. Didn't require as much effort as I thought it would but I don't have my radials on yet. Idled her for 20 minutes in the driveway in the 93+ degree heat with no signs of overheating, (no hood on yet). I don't have a gauge hooked up right now. As many of you suggested I am stoked to wrap this project up and get her out on the open road for some cruising.

 

[Z28Canuck]

Still a bit of hard work to go but what you've done is looking fantastic. It is a long time working on something but that must have been awesome going down the driveway that first time! Have you got everything now or do you still have to order some parts for the balance of the trim, mouldings, interior etc? What condition is the original interior and trim etc. you do have that hasn't been re-finished or reworked yet ,good shape? Wonderful the support you get isn't it, what a group! I'll send you a PM you later. Take care and cheers

Doug