<VV> It has Started

[corvair at mts.net]

Frank,

I'm working on the same kind of project (since 1995.... no, not done yet, basically engine, top, interior left to install). You're into some fun times. The hardest part is forcing yourself to keep at it. I found the second hardest part to be figuring out the correct fasteners for each piece, finding them and cleaning them up! The big assemblies are not too hard to deal with.

You really need the assembly manual, body manual, and chassis service manual from Clark's (or your favourite alternate vendor). The assembly manual is especially valuable. An old junker parts car is great to have too - both for scrounging bits that you can't find or have gotten lost over the years, and for using as a model to see how things go together.

My '65 Corsa (Canadian convert, 140/4) had EVERYTHING removed (every single unboltable piece, including the lines, wiring, etc). All the parts were in a trailer 200 miles from where the car sat on sawhorses, and had been picked over a little to rebuild another car. Just like you, I never saw the car together or on wheels until I did it myself.

I did the "paint your own car" course with my '63 Spyder coupe. I think I signed up for 2 sessions in a row (about 9 classes each, 3 hours once a week, total of  about 50+ hours work). The end result was pretty positive and I learned a lot:

http://www.cybrus.net/LHonke/Spydersale/rightfront.jpg

Have fun and work through the frustrations...
Les
corvair at mts.net
==================
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:42:28 GMT
From: "frank_180 at netzero.net" <frank_180 at netzero.net>
Subject: <VV> It has Started
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Message-ID: <20080722.074228.4703.0 at webmail23.vgs.untd.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

after sitting for 8 years as an empty shell with many boxes of parts stacked in my storage 
shed. my 66 convertible is finally going to be put back together. All the body work is done. 
last night i temporarily put on the front and rear suspension on. Tomorrow the body will be 
taken to school where I will paint it. ( I am taking a class called paint your own car) 
Thursday night i will tow it home take out the dummy drive train and front suspension and start 
putting it all together. the heads are back from being welded for the fuel injection bungs. and 
are ready to go to the machine shop, my new interior is ready to go in. I am even considering a 
web site where i will chronicle building of the car. the only thing not removed from the car 
are the brake and fuel lines. since i bought the car striped as some one Else's project i have 
never seen this car together or on its own wheels.