Just got this (1961 Bel Air) after 2 weeks of waiting for a deliquent shipper (Elite Auto Services LLC, out of Columbus). The guys driver quit- he told me the driver damaged a Barrett car and up and quit, so my car was also delayed from that. Then weather, then trailer problem, then it came in with the exhaust ripped off of the drivers side. Anyways, got the car and her is what she needs (immediately) Battery won't stay charged- hope it is just the battery 3 on the tree is sticky??? Have no idea how to fix that so I will just go in with a hammer, that will figure it out. Rear window was busted out- already got all the stuff to fix that (very hard to find but Hubbards is cheapest) Seat is little rough- seller told me how nice it was. WTF, gonna have to get some deep south blankets for that for now. Maybe something with Hecho on the tag. Headliner and pretty much the rest of the interior needs "freshened up". I need a lot of "freshener" for that project. Then the fun stuff... Get rid of some of the al***ude- not sure about air ride yet, but maybe. For the time being think I am gonna chop a coil or 2 out. Clean up the motor- want to go traditional route and make 'er pretty Full interior- if I can figure out how Oh and body work and straightening trim- not sure if that should go in "fun stuff" but I want to learn how. Well anyways that is the plan for now. Have to see if the wife likes it enought to make it a keeper. Very solid looking car- haven't dug in to it too much but at first bluch it is pretty nice.
Nice driver/project in the works. For parts you might try the following Full Size Chevrolet companies. Cl***ic Industries-1-800-854-1280 Sinclairs 1-804-685-2337 Impala Bob's 1-800-impalas Harmons 1-800-851-2433 Year One 1-800-932-7663 C.A.R.S. 1-800-451-1955
Thanks for the support fellas. It is an 8 car with 3 on the tree. I did know about some of those companies 40fordpu but not all, so thanks for that too. Anyone know why a 3 on the tree gets sticky? When I finally find neutral it is a BEAR to get it front and back. Just gunked up or is something bent?
Could be gunked up, or not enough gunk for that matter... I had a '53 Chevy with a 3-speed and it and it was really sticky. I cleaned the mechanism on the column and greased it up and it was much better.
Nice looking car to start with that's for sure. You might try spraying the shift arms with some carb cleaner and then pour some transmission oil on the arms and linkage and then see what you got.......
Liberally spray it with PB Blaster, or similar product, including inside the column, and keep working it back, and forth. It worked for me.
Very nice solid looking project......Good for you. As for the linkage, I would disconnect it from the transmission, then do as the others have said...this also will let you know immediately if you have a trans problem.... Keep us posted...
It Worked! The column is moving perfecty now. Too bad it started raining and the back window is not back in it yet. So I couldnt try it out. Instead I ripped the carpet and headliner out as well as taking off the seat cover. I tried to temproarily put a mexi blanket on it but that seat is HUGE. Gonna take at least 2 to get it done. Well hopefully the gl*** can get installed next week so I can start cruising this thing.
Okay guys and gals, here is a small update (without pictures unfortunately) New gl*** went in today. Looks great and how nice it is not having to drive around in 37 degree weather with no back window. You would be amazed how much air gets in the car with no back window- I thought I was driving with no windshield for a minute. I am picking up a new bench from a '63 today as well. It is red but the other one was shot- think the springs were good but there was a huge hole in the drivers side all the way to the springs. Think someone was going to use it as a toilet seat while they drove or something. So once the seat gets home I will start trying to cover it. How fun. Drove the car a couple of times, rides pretty good. First gear is super low though- I think my truck has a better gear becasue I can wind out first a lot further. Shifts good though (thanks to your help) and gets moving nicely after first. Looking forward to some highway time. More to come, thanks for watching.
Does anyone know if you can dismantle the split front bench on a 60-64 Impala? I just got a decent one but the color doesn't match. It appears that the pivots are not welded or riveted but I dont want to go and start cutting sh;t up and screwing up a good seat unless I know it will come apart (and go back together). Before you go there, I know they make seat covers that can fit around the brackets but that is not what I am asking for, I want to take the seat apart if possible so I can make my own covers.
Crushed-61 by Malibob, on Flickr So this is what it would look like aired out. I messed with it a little on photoshop. I think I am liking it.
Okay, cleaned out the floors, got a few little holes but nothing I cant find patches for. Took the original seat out and put the '63 in with the blanket treatment front and back. Put a few miles on it and am starting to enjoy it a bit. Here are some updated pictures. DSC_1982 by Malibob, on Flickr DSC_1981 by Malibob, on Flickr DSC_1980 by Malibob, on Flickr DSC_1987 by Malibob, on Flickr
Nice Belair.I stepped my a-arms 2" & cut 1 coil in the rear on my 64' Belair .Check out my album for pics.
Damn! I was hoping you would have went the Super/Stock route.... You've got the wheels for it.. Oh well... Have fun wit it!! That what matters..
Ok, lost the trim left the holes in the event I ever find Bel Air trim. Took off the remaining 3 center caps and tried CLR-ing the back end of the car. Man that really takes some luvin to get that to clean up surface rust. Most of it looks like it is just on top of the paint so as soon as I can feel my arms again, I will be back at it. Oh... the weather also has to cooperate. Well here are some pics. DSC_2010 by Malibob, on Flickr DSC_2006 by Malibob, on Flickr DSC_2019 by Malibob, on Flickr
Got a little crazy with a cut off wheel today. Going to eventually go with air suspension, but I was getting headaches from being so high up in the air so had to give her an al***ude adjustment. DSC_2054 by Malibob, on Flickr DSC_2065 by Malibob, on Flickr DSC_2082(2) by Malibob, on Flickr I know some of you guys were tellin me not to do this but sorry, low is what I like. Trust me, if I could I would be driving a bomb right now.
Okay, so here is an update... got the floor sections that were bad replaced this week, and before you start complimenting... I did not do the work- no time. Sold my truck and been too busy with work. DSC_2135 by Malibob, on Flickr DSC_2136 by Malibob, on Flickr They are getting finished today and then I will clean them up and off to the next thing.
Had a 61, 409 sold it, miss it. I don't like what you did to the stance, looked great to me when you first got, sorry, I'm a street racing 60's guy. Still a sweet ride. A couple of beers will help your at***ude problem.
Thanks for your brutal honesty. I like them lower so got to go that route. I dont have an at***ude with this car, it is actually been growing on me, you cant tell from the pictures but I have been cleaning up the paint and it is starting to shine now. It is looking real good. To me the lower they get the lines start to come alive on them.
+1 and yes I know he wrote the post two months ago. That car deserves to have a period correct superstock stance. ****, too late.
My 62 wagon, 2 inch dropped spindles and cut coils on a nine inch ford rear. Rides pretty good like that.
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