Is my dad loosing his mind?, What do we want with a '64 corvair 'vert? Options

[ottox914]

We went to look at a 1964 corvair today, 61k actual miles, 4spd, 3rd owner. Re-spray an unknown # of yrs ago, newer roof, unknown # of yrs ago, original interior, black roof and interior on red exterior. Some flaws in the paint, scratches, nicks. I couldn't find a bit of rust on it. Really. What you see is what the car is. Panel gaps are good, with exception of drivers door, which closes hard. ? if the chrome trim on the door is getting in the way, or if the door just needs an adjustment. Or does this point to something more? A little oil on the engine/trans, has a "nader bar" installed. Started on one crank, clutch was smooth, brakes soft. Was converted to dual master cyl, and blade style fuses. Had a groovy 8 track player, OEM radio is included. OEM jack and washer fluid bottle are there! What does anyone think about the condition, what do I need to look for if we go back, and value?

[Tom_T]

Classic Motorsports Magazine has been doing a series on a rolling resto on a convertable like this one. Go read the online articles posted at the link below from past issues (the latest one may not be up yet). They list a scad of resources for `vair parts, clubs, etc. where you can get really good info, parts, etc.

http://classicmotorsports.net/

BTW - Nader's book & claims were debunked by a "real" scientific study by NHTSA & several engineering testing orgs. decades ago, so Ralpie's reputation is based on....nothing but falsehoods!

My Great-Aunt got a new white/blue `62 Coupe after my Great-uncle died, & she drove the crap out of it summer, fall, spring & on the snowy/icy steep hills in Pittsburgh PA winters with nary a problem.

My Dad bought a 63 Greenbriar van just before we moved from PA to San Diego for his new job. It did burn valves on the way in TX, but the warranty covered the new/better valves mentioned above, then he used it as a DD + an annual trip back to PA in hot summer with nary a problem, up to 67 when he got a Chevy pick-up with a bigger camper for the now growing 6 kids. He'd have kept the van if he didn't need the trade-in.

I almost bought a couple of used 65-69 Corvair Monza/Corsa w/ either normal Carbs & Turbos in fall `69 for my first car (I preferred the late body style), but most had been heavily thrashed by the PO's in my limited budget, so I ended up with a more lightly used Opel Kadette. I'd probably have kept a Corvair!

Good Luck - they're great little cars! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)