I am very much a HAMB style builder, I just picked up a 1962 Chevy II convertible that is a project but it needs saving. It is missing trim motor and transmission. Has anybody made mild customs out of the chevy II's like the Impala's of the 60's. I have found photo's of original and retro mod of these cars but don't like either. g***er style is cool but not for a convertible. I just would like to get ideas from fellow hamb friendly builder on a nice direction for this car.
Find a Marlin/AMC donor car, Cut the top off and make a Bill Thomas fast back replica. Convert is gonna take some cash to restore. and a fastback g***er would take time and labor. Don't see any fastbacks ever, and converts are everywhere
I had one that i just slammed and drove... Loved it and loved the 22+ mpg from the stock 6. I've been wanting to do another one, same style low and clean but maybe adding some s10 running gear.
I really thought about the s10 running gear, do you think to do a modified front clip or complete ch***is. with s10 it could get low which is what i like.
I see bagged S10's on craigslist for like $2000, I'd try to score on of those to part out. Frame swaps are alot of work onto the Nova i'd just upgrade the front suspention, there's tons of bolt-on options now.
just got through putting a heit front end on my 63 conv makes a world of diff in the eng comp with a v8 disc brakes and steering. if you want to just upgrade the brakes there are all kinds of kits and a s10 rear will fit to get you away from the 4 lug had my conv for 27 yrs now
I saw one in mid build that was mocked up on a g-body frame..looked pretty slick, the nova was really rotten in the unibody ...
Some great ideas, I just dont know what to do. I love rag tops especially low and slow 60's custom but dont know if i should do that to a Chevy II. It is a nice car and but I do not know if low and slow style is what i should do. Here is a pic
i have a 63 convertible, ive been doing the very mild custom stuff. smoothed bumpers, 5 lug upgrade w disk brakes, added a v8 and 350 trans. these cars look good out of the box but always needed mechanical upgrades. i found the biggest tire combo to use w/o modifications to the body. and next is a bit of lowering, 2 inch drop maybe? olde thread but we need more nova.
These aren't convertibles, but they are 1st genners: This car belongs to another Hamb member (TKuhl): This guy is a member too, but his screename escapes me right now:
A neighbor of mine had an early Nova convertible red on red with white top. He changed to 5-lug front and rear and used a hopped up 250cid six with 3 carbs and a 4-speed transmission. Wonderful car, economical when it needed to be, and always fun.
[it depends on your budget....if it were me i would put a 307 2 barrel engine in with overdrive trans mission...best of 2 worlds --economy and power for cruising![/I]
Beautiful. My first car was a '63 Chevy II post. Same color as this one and the one that I let get away.