Projects Mid Life Crisis 62 Vette

I've been going through a midlife crisis (no problems with my wife, I'm just realizing that I'm starting to get old!) so I got the itch to get an early Corvette. I haven't been looking too long, but it seems decent project cars are kind of hard to find...so I felt lucky when I did find one that was priced right and in about the right condition. Some assembly required, which is OK with me, I like jigsaw puzzles.

I have to go back to LA to get the engine from the machine shop. It's a 327, I have no idea what all has been done or needs doing yet.

The rest of the car seems to have been used and mildly abused and then taken apart and got a paint job, but never got put back together. Then decades later got taken the rest of the way apart for a complete body off the frame restoration, which didn't really get started past the disassembly phase.

I plan to put it all back together, replacing some stuff like rubber parts, and the things that are missing, and buff out the red paint and maybe some new interior parts and get it running and drive it around and see how it fits me. I don't plan to make any significant changes from stock, at this time. Then maybe try to make it go fast, or decide it's fun enough, or pass it on. We'll see what happens.

 

Cool car and congrats on the acquisition. Corvettes have grown on me over time, moreso after I've been able to separate my feelings for the cars from that of their owners haha

 

I love me a good @squirrel build thread.

 

I like it. Congrats on the find. I’ll be watching.

 

You did better than I did with your mid life crisis. I bought a new Fiero.

 

Wow! An early Vette! I like your plan for it.

 

@lumpy 63 ......another one that needs a tunnel ram.

 

Waaaayyyy Cool....I found one that, like your's, needed a lot of love and fixing up......started life as a red car,
then white, now black...they are really fun. '62's are very desireable. Keep us posted on the progress.

 

Full size AMT kit

 

Look out "Race Of Lemmons"! Squirrel is back in the game!

 

Good job,they are really nice simple cars. I had a '62 for 15 years and traded it for my '40 convert 44 years ago. I drove the Vette enough miles to rebuild the engine and replace kingpins twice. Wouldn't mind trading the other way now.

 

Good one! Our Squirrel finds a nut every time.

 

Fun

 

Yeah, but those tail lights........

 

TV show Route 66......well, the '62 Vette was the one I wanted......good luck and enjoy!

 

Uh oh, you do know that early Corvettes are addictive don't you? Once you get one you can't get it out of your system. I had a 58 and a 59 and now would like another (but can no longer afford one).

 

Easy Chris , your gunna get Mark all bent at me again besides , you know Jim will put a 671 on it

 

Welcome to the HAMB '62 Vette owners club. Next month I will have owned mine 51 years. Here it is the day I bought it in 1972.

 

You know if you hot rod it, the 'Vette guys will chase you with a stick.

-Abone.

 

I certainly wouldn’t need a crisis of any kind to buy that, lucky dog! Colour me 3 shades of green. And all apart, talk about a big boy model kit! Did I mention I was jealous?

 

Congratulations!
I think maybe, it's exactly what you needed. Well, probably exactly what all of us needed.
LOL
But I can see you as "that guy" in the nice red sporty Corvette.

Still, for some reason, an image of a snarly firebreather launching off the line at the drag strip comes to mind, too.
Must be your track record.

 

I think you should get that original engine and build it stock and set it on an engine stand for reinstallation if you ever sell the car.
Then you should build you something with a lot more hp for you to drive it around while you have it. You know you are not gonna be satisfied with the 327 when people next to you rev their engine.........Good find though.

 

The 327 is not the original one, so it doesn't really matter what I do with it.

 

Squirrel, whatever you do with it I am sure its going to be cool. I cant wait to see the build thread.

 

I know they were rare but I have heard some of these came with a blower sticking through the hood.

 

A big block goes in sooooo easy.

Corvette + 427 =

 

@squirrel this might not work for you but I'm driving to Phoenix first thing Wednesday morning to pick up a seat for my Ranch Wagon. If the stars will align I could pick up the engine in LA and you could meet me in Phoenix for the exchange. Let me know if interested.

 

All is right

,
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congrats!