Guarantee the top cooling shroud needs to come off for anything more than a 5 minute run as mice always fill up the cooling fins with crap. Loved my 63 Monza and now I’m restoring a ‘64 Spyder. Clark’s Corvair Parts, California Corvair, Mikes Corvair and Corvair Ranch will have everything you need. Also join Corsa club. Very cool!
@@lostwrenchgarage No joke about the mice under the upper shroud. Especially around the little oil cooler which should be flushed out. The flow of oil plays a significant role in engine cooling since there is no liquid coolant to redistribute heat.
I know this is going to sound strange, but I am in the process of acquiring a 1963 corvair and overall the body is in really good shape. Even the floor pans have minimal rust considering how long its been sitting. Only problem area is actually the front trunk area. specifically the rim where the hood comes down onto and the rubber seal. On the left side it is heavily rusted and on the right side it is bad but not as bad as the left. How hard would it be to actually fix that? Can it just be chopped off and a new lip and seal welded on? or would i have to look at replacing the front section of the body? I also wanted to say that I appreciate the recommendations on places to buy parts, as I am pricing a few pieces out myself.
That is a nice opportunity for restoration. Apparently all parts are present, in the original position. OEM/reproduction parts available. This should/will be a "romantic" investment, not a resale investment. But you will certainly enjoy the satisfaction of completing, meeting other owners/fans, any touring the countryside. Summer day cruises around Santa Cruz, through the mountains, will be epic. IF/WHEN you are ready.
I bought this car to learn from it and challenge myself by working on it, not as any kind of investment. The more I learn about these cars the more I realize how unique and interesting they are. Maybe someday I'll actually get it roadworthy again. If so, summer day cruises are a must!
Great Video. My second car was a 63 Corvair convertible as a late teen. Then I bought my second 63 convertible all restored about 1990 and drove it a few years, but just couldn't afford it, insurance etc. (both automatic trans,) I sold it 4 years later for just what I paid for it. Big Regret. The buyer parked it and it's still in the woods near his home. Now they finally appreciate in value. I live about 45 minutes from Clark's Corvair in Mass.😀 Enjoy.
My dad had a hard top 63 spider white with a red interior when I was young. You can still easily get the correct Chevrolet 14" wire wheel spinners, I happened upon a set I used on my 65 Olds I covered the center chevy logo with an aluminum tape disk I cut out then hand-panted the olds rocket on. to use until I found a full set of olds spinners. I collected all available caps for 1965 so I could change the car's look. In your case, I would keep those hubcaps, the story of the car is important to me. But I might do the aluminum tape trick only to deflect the hate you get from car purists at car shows. I wish I had my old set I could send to you. Me and my brother used to stand on the seat of our 60 Cadillac to watch the cars go by that my dad passed, But in the Corvair, it was pointless to peer out the side window, they went by too quickly. In That car, we look out the back window because we liked to see the look on their faces as we left them in the dust. That Corvair outran Corvette's. There was a lag... and then it took off! The Cadillac seemed more dramatic because it made such a Fuss and noise as the three two barrels opened up and sucked the car down the road, it lasted a long time compared to the Corvair which was over and done within seconds!
@@lostwrenchgarage Yes, I understand.. For reference there is a 1964 Corvair Monza Soyder here on YT. The owner did a complete rotisserie restoration on his car. You may like too! Check out his YT Channel: @ Nicholas Shumaker… he has shared some vids on his Spyder Corvair convertible!
Nice you want to keep it running. I knew a mechanic that worked on these. He said putting it back together will all the oil gaskets correctly was a real puzzle.
I have a 64 convertible with auto and a very rusty 2 door post with 4 carb engine and 4 speed. Plan was to put was to put 4 carb 4 speed driveline in convertible but I’m old enough that I don’t think I’ll ever finish all my projects. I hope one of my grandchildren will take the interest. Have fun with it!
Your car is very interesting. Truly a barn find. It's funny going around the car and thru the parts box, saying " "yep yep yep, he's gonna learn and oh, that one's gonna sting." But you know what nothing more satisfying than the accomplishment of restoring such an understated yet important piece of Americana. And it's a meditative outlet.
My dad used to tell me; the only 6 cylinder car he couldn't beat, in his 61 Valiant 3-speed, was the Spider. Because it had a turbo. Sweet find. Good luck on the build.
It's all about the "Prep", that makes a paint job look good (close up) and last. ;-) Growing up, our family had a 64 Monza convertible (110 / 4sp), later on I had a 66 Corsa convertible (140 / 4sp). My Mom worked at a tire store and was given a free set of Michelin radials, it was funny seeing mechanics shake their heads when my five foot and a bit mom tried to tell them the tires weren't flat. ;-D I suggest you contact your local "Corsa" club, if available.
All true about the paint prep. That’s down the line a bit. I’ll start with the mechanicals and structure. Love hearing stories about these interesting old cars, thanks for sharing!
I LOVE THE CAR. but I'm afraid it's going to cost a bundle to restore . If your pockets are pretty deep it's a good find. You might have been better off buying one that someone has already thrown a lot of money at. IMHO good luck.
had no idea they even made a turbo corvair. you definately could have done much worse for a project car, but for a 60 year old car i would say its in pretty good shape. i sold my first car about 13 years ago, a 69 plymouth satellite 4 door, 318 automatic, 50k miles and second owner (i got her in 94), cars name was libb. i still miss her everyday, but life and kids needed me more and i had to let her go. looks like this one should be interesting to watch, keep us updated.
Those things in the coil springs are what we used in the 70s when we wanted to install 14 inch wheels on a corvair, we called them trailer park coil spring spacers. I bought a set of factory 15 inch wheels from my adult neighbor when he bought a set of Cragers for his vette (wadda dumb... butt) and after upgrading to disc brakes with 5 lug rotors ran 15 50's that were just slightly taller than the original 13 70's. Originally, I installed a 400 cid V8 using a kit from a company called Crown Engineering, but swore it was only a 283... I had a plethora of problems from adapting a radiator to having to join the "spider gear of the month club" where I initially got 11 gears for a penny.... before changing to one of the new chevrolet V6's. Eventually, I gave up on the corvair body and, using a better transaxle, moved all the mechanical parts to a Chevrolet Monza body. The corvair body has sat in the barn of my family farm for the last 40yrs. With the help of my grandson, the cars new and future owner, I plan on reviving the project this summer. I bought an all wheel drive transaxle from a Subaru WRX, cut off the tailshaft...
Please reconsider your goal of 'complete restoration'. The car doesn't need it. The market favors original cars. Get it running reliably and safely, clean the paint and interiour. Fix whatever rust it has but besides that - preserve and maintain. You'll save 5 years of your life and $50K.
I will for sure consider this advice. I favor originality personally as well. The problem I may get into with this car is the totality of wear and decay in every aspect, from the interior to the frame. Rust is a serious problem. The paint is so poor and it’s not original anyway. Bottom line is I may end up with a total restoration just to make it safe, reliable, and presentable. Besides that I have an interest in learning everything I can from this car. But, I’ll just go one step at a time. Stay tuned, more to come. Thanks for watching and commenting!
63 the instrument needles went orange it appears the speedo is from a 62 no big deal… love the car I owned a 62 Spyder subbed and will enjoy watching this👍🏼 Clarks Corvair California Corvairs Corvair Ranch all good sources for parts.
Awesome! These are fun little cars. My dad had a 1964 Spyder convertible that I need to get back on the road. I definitely will be following along to check out the progress.
45 minutes away from me, WHERE in hell is that all you tubers NEVER say some folks like to know, it brings us closer to you in this huge wonderful Republic we all share. Jim AKA Mister Bojangles. She's a beauty. AN another thing how fukkin much did you pay or is that another state secret? Just funnin. HOW MUCH Bongo. Counter 7:11 om & only hint. Ok ya got me.
As you might have guessed from the car plates, I'm in a magical place called INDIANA! And I paid $3K for it. Don't tell anyone, I don't want to be judged haha
Pull the plugs, squirt some light oil into the cylinders, turn the engine over a few times, change the oil, put new plugs in it, hook it up to an external gas can and I guarentee she will fire right up. Maybe sand the points a little too. Love the Vair!
That’s the plan! Been having fun so far. More to come. Check out my subsequent “will it run” and carb rebuild videos! Next it’ll be getting it to move under its own power again. Thanks for watching!
