Okay, here's the scoop. I was nosing around a local salvage yard and came across something completely unexpected considering my location. I always hear about the salvage yards down south with all the old rust-free Detroit iron, but I never figured to come across a 1961 Belvedere like this in my area. Could someone who is more knowledgeable about these cars look at this and tell me if I am missing anything, besides the obvious tail lights and housings, and some miscellaneous trim pieces? Oh, and the dash speaker too. Can't miss that gaping hole. I'm not sure why it is in the salvage yard, and that is what scares me. But the body looks pretty straight. I haven't done the magnet test yet, though, so it could be all filler. Unfortunately, the hood latch was rusted so I couldn't check the powerplant. Just peeking through the grille and through one of the fenderwells, it looked like a slant. I'm going to see what the yard owner wants for it. My wife's best friend knows the owner, so hopefully she can work out a good deal for me. I think it would make a really good cruiser with a little effort. I don't want this to go to the crusher, and I REALLY don't want someone to derby it! Let me know what you think! Is it worth the effort?
It occurred to me that I did not "technically" introduce myself, and I apologize. My name is Rob, and I hail from Central IL. After 6 years in the Navy, I moved back to IL from Seattle (WHY????) and got married. My wife and I are both car lovers and would absolutely love to be able to get our hands on a cruiser. We both know how to handle a wrench, but have minimal experience getting into the guts of fixing up a car. I'm hoping that things pan out with this Belvedere, but if they don't, I still have a line on a very restorable '65 Barracuda. One or the other should pan out. I hope. Thanks for the welcomes so far, and I will probably be talking to you more later! Oh, and I'll take my request for info into the main forums. Sorry if I stepped on any toes. Thanks!
I'm in Decatur. And unfortunately, I will not be able to get my hands on the Belvedere. The car has a junk ***le, and I don't have a rebuilder's license or know anyone with a rebuilder's license that could help me get it. I also got to thinking about the fact that the car has been sitting in that salvage yard for 9 years, part (if not all) of that time with the p***enger door rusted open. Considering my lack of experience in this sort of endeavor, I think I would be biting off more than I can chew. However, if there is anyone that would like to look into this car, shoot me a PM and I'll let you know where it's at. Thanks again everyone for the welcomes, and I'm sure I'll be back. Just gotta wait for the right car to show up.
Welcome from Springfield, It still has some usable cool parts on it I'd try to get. That dash pod is awesome.The grill, bumpers and headlights and bezels for starters
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