Projects Mid Life Crisis 62 Vette

Don’t talk to me about that right now. I’m still sullen about not being able to go this year. Next year for sure.

 

That.

 

Meanwhile....

One advantage of the new brakes, with their lightweight hubs, is that now I can put center caps on the front wheels. Another is that I got rid of 40 lbs of unsprung weight. Stops really good too. I ended up removing the RPV from the stock master cylinder and using it. I still have to get a switch for the line lock, too.

Another weird thing about the car is that it doesn't have any liquids leaking out of it. I don't expect that to last, but I'll enjoy it while I can.

Off to another test drive to Bisbee, the hills might feel better this time.

 

U doing the cruise with the slicks mounted? Pic looks like slicks

 

No. Slicks are on stock steel wheels. And quite a bit smaller

 

Dang, that’s a nice picture of the car.

 

That came out nice. Rubbing it out really made a difference.

 

That is a slick looking little ride! You didn't take long to get it from a million pieces to a cool car. You move a whole lot quicker than me, but that isn't hard to do, hahaha!

I really like that car, and I am not a huge Corvette fan......the stance looks great!

 

One of the cool aspects of this thread is, if Jim ever decides to sell this cool corvette, there is enough cool accurate, detailed photo-documentation of how it all went together, so that any potential buyer will know exactly what all went into building this cool ride!

 

Thanks, it's a real challenge to get a nice picture in my back yard. I have to get the car in just the right spot, right time of day, and hunker down to get the car framed right to hide the huge metal building behind in the neighbor's yard

fortunately we have some nice built in background...

 

Yes ya do, “picturesque” describes it.

 

I had to go back and look at the picture again I didn't even notice the cool scenery in the background the first time, that car turned out just right.

 

Mid-life crisis my ass..... I do "childhoods". I'm on my sixth or seventh now....

 

That's what HE said....

 

Yesterday I was wondering about my planned trip to Drag Week. My wife said there's no way I'll be able to fit everything in the trunk. So, I tried....here's most of what I need to go racing, but of course I need to also fit two people's living stuff for 10 days in. (there are laundry facilities at the swanky hotels I frequent, so only half that many clothes needed).

It think it might work?



This morning, I washed the car...I've been leaving lots of greasy fingerprints all over everything. So now it's clean, or as clean as it'll get any time soon.



Then, after taking everything back out of the trunk, today I went to the city "dump" waste transfer station, and weighed the car. 2960 with me in it, so 2800 pounds empty. That's with half a tank of gas, no carpet, and missing most of the soft top. Not bad! if it's accurate.

I also took my son's mother in law for a ride. She said she used to get to ride around in a red and white 58 when she was in high school, so it was a thrill for her to get to do it again. Fun!

 

Maybe use a suction cup rack behind the seat for the slicks? Getting those tires out of the trunk would give you back a lot of room. I won't post a pic, but I'm thinking of the roof rack those guys used on Ruby the red Corvette.

 

@squirrel
Not that it matters at this point, but I am curious if there ever was a rubber seal/ molding for the trunk lid?
I would assume that steel rubber products still makes one?

 

All that's missing is duct tape, bailing wire and a crescent wrench.
Oh yeah, AAA.

 

I installed the new trunk weatherstrip a few weeks ago. It's on the lid, not the body, so you can't see it in this picture.

Wife and I talked about a luggage rack...the 74 Vette I had decades ago had one, and the 61 on Route 66 has one with a couple suitcases on it most episodes. But I'd rather not, and I think I can squeeze it all in. Hell, I managed to go a week in an MG TD.

 

Nothing leaking? You sure it’s not empty?

 

yeah, it's full. Really strange about not leaking.

oh...I also learned that I have to check the water pump bolts for tightness, they get loose because they are also the front motor mount bolts. But it starts leaking water before the engine falls out.

 

why not...definitely period correct.

 

“Cafe Society” is not Hot Rodding.

 

Make a couple of soft saddlebags that strap into the coves! You could start a whole new trend!

 

I think you are crazy in the best way possible that you started with a sleeping car, reassembled it to drive around and are now pondering taking it on Drag Week. Slicks, no roll bar, cramped 50s tech, thousands of miles, unproven combo, beat on it off the line. Amazing!

 

I'd really rather keep the soft top working (once I actually get it working!), I like driving with the top down.

I finally figured out what to use for an NHRA legal catch can for the cooling system. The can is old enough to not have a zip code on it. And the windshield washer reservoir bracket was just the right size and shape.

 

All good. looks like you have a nice shop at your new place, are you still near Sierra Vista? I forget. Have a nice trip