[V8Vairs] Recent purchase of V8Vair

[Lonnie M. Campbell]

We live near Winnsboro, S.C.  It was a two-day trip to Peoria to pick the
car up, 1,650 miles in two days...my wife Wanda was somewhat less than
thrilled with the drive though it was really quite scenic for interstate
driving, especially going through the mountains in Tennessee and North
Carolina what with the leaves changing colors.

The Vair is quite strong, with the odometer showing about 5600 miles - how
accurate that is, I have no idea at this point.  It has an exhaust leak that
I'll have to find and fix which from my initial evaluation seems to be an
opportunity for great fun.  Also, I'll end up working on closing up some
openings here and there on the engine cover.  Seems like a great time to do
both.  Also, it has some lighting gremlins which based on my experiences
with Corvairs I think (at this point) may be grounding-related.

It seems to be quite well built.

Lonnie

-----Original Message-----
From: v8vairs-bounces at corvair.org [mailto:v8vairs-bounces at corvair.org] On
Behalf Of GnKHOFFMAN at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 8:22 AM
To: v8vairs at corvair.org
Cc: rearengine.steve at worldnet.att.net
Subject: Re: [V8Vairs] Recent purchase of V8Vair

Lonnie:

I knew Mike and his car.  Steve Goodman (Rearengine Specialists) was also a 
friend of Mikie's, and can probably fill you in on more details.

Mikie built the car originally with a big car power glide.  He then switched

it to a Wills kit 4 speed.  He figured out how to modifiy the Crown subframe

so that he could use a low mount alternator (which allowed him to put the 
driver's seat back farther back, giving more leg room).  He had a 3.27
rearend in 
it (but I am thinking it may have broken soon after the last owner got the
car, 
so I am not sure which rearend is in it now).

Mikie used a 3 row Camaro radiator in it.  He also used a Mustang gas tank
in 
the rear, which doubled as a trunk bottom.  He put disc brakes on the front.

The engine was a 400 cu in small block.  I believe it had miles on it, but 
always ran good.  Mikie was planning on building a bigger (more hp) engine.

Let us know where you live.  If memory serves, Mikie passed away almost 4 
years ago.  His wife kept the car for 2 yrs (+??) before selling it, but I
am 
pretty sure it just sat, other than going to one car show.

Gary

In a message dated 10/21/08 4:27:45 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
lmharley at truvista.net writes:

> I have recently purchased 1966 v8 vair that was put together by the late
> Mike Hawkes from Littleton, Colorado.  I bought it out of Peoria, Illinois
> and it now resides here in South Carolina.  I rcvd some miscellaneous
> paperwork including some Clarks receipts but nothing that relates to any
of
> the auto's history.  Is there anyone on this forum who knows this car and
> can shed some light on its origins and build?
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Lonnie Campbell
> 




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