The new guy

Budiak · 05-20-2002, 03:57 AM

Hello everyone, I'm budiak, and I've got the fever.

I work at my stepdad's Classic Chevy parts store(which means parts for price and free access to a full auto shop with pneumatic tools, 4-point hydraulic lift, jigsaw, all the nicities) and I've been just itching to restore something.

I drive a '93 Escort. LS.

Now that my current ride is behind us, Let me tell you about my recent acquisitions. I have just purchased a '65 Coupe and a '64 1/2 coupe. The feller who sold them to me is moving out of state in 3 weeks, and he had to get rid of them, so I went and looked at them. He originally wanted 1500 for the 65 and 900 for the 64, but we cut a deal-for me- I bought the 65 and he decided to 'throw in' the '64 as a parts car for free. What a deal, no?

Well, the cars aint pretty but honestly, I didnt expect them to be show winners. The bodies are very straight, the paint looks like it was applied by a kindergarten class, but there is no creeping rust that I can see, the chrome is all intact, body panels, for the most part, are all in order. He started them up for me and they both ran pretty well, I couldnt hear any pings or other sickly sounds, even when he revved it up. One is a 4speed and the other is an automatic.

Inside, the '64 is trashed, but the '65 is decent. Its got green shag carpet. I know, you're all starting to bid on it, but its mine, you filthy pirates. The dashes are warped, but the instrument panels are free of dents and rust, but could use maybe some paint and a new ashtray. And knobs. The '64 steering wheel is tight, I'm going to take it, polish it up and stick it in the '65 (which will be the project car). I love the old 3 spoke wheels.

Well, there you have it. I am lost as to what I'm going to do first even. My stepdad has restored a few dozen cars, so he can definitely helped me, but from my experience, online messageboards usually offer great support and advice.
What I was planning on doing first is just ripping everything out of the interior and chucking it, like the shag(sorry, ladies), the headliner, taking the cap chairs and bench out, all the way down to the pans. Then remove the body panels and doors, basically strip the whole thing down to a frame and see which parts gotta go now, which gotta go soon, and which I might be able to keep. Then I am going to remove the God forsaken paint and apply a rust converter/preventer and primer to protect the metal.
After that, I dont know where to go. So please extend a hand to a fledgling car nut and help me out.

CobraII76 · 05-20-2002, 10:49 PM

Welcome aboard and sonds like a great first project. I'm no first generation expert. But I would start with an inventory of good usable parts and remove them from both cars then the parts that can be refurbished restored or rebuilt and set all the "junk" aside for awhile. In those early cars floor pans torque boxes cowl area rear frame rails are notorious for rust. I would do a good strip down, label all the parts and keep everything sorted. A good project starts with a good plan and orginazation. Good luck with the project the guys here with the early cars know what they are talking about.

Budiak · 05-21-2002, 04:53 AM

Thanks, I have had the privilege of looking underneath plenty of pretty cars at the shop where I work and I notice that lots of people who do these restorations never take the time to look at the actual frame of the car, and its all rusted underneath. I am going to strip EVERYTHING off of the car, take a full catalog of all the parts and their condition, and refurbish or replace everything from the frame up. I will probably even redip the frame, like strip and clean it, then throw on a coat of rust converter/preventer.

Does anybody know of a good rust converter/preventer? I've been looking at this stuff called Rass-o-nil, its a converter that is supposed to completely convert rust and protect it for up to ten years or so, and also acts as a primer so you can paint right on it. I dont know, so, anybody?

Anyways, I've decided to restore the 64.5 as it is probably worth more. Not like I want to sell it or anything, but still. I am going to have to swap door panels and some interior, but other than that its fine.

05-20-2002, 03:57 AM	#1
Budiak Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 47	The new guy Hello everyone, I'm budiak, and I've got the fever. I work at my stepdad's Classic Chevy parts store(which means parts for price and free access to a full auto shop with pneumatic tools, 4-point hydraulic lift, jigsaw, all the nicities) and I've been just itching to restore something. I drive a '93 Escort. LS. Now that my current ride is behind us, Let me tell you about my recent acquisitions. I have just purchased a '65 Coupe and a '64 1/2 coupe. The feller who sold them to me is moving out of state in 3 weeks, and he had to get rid of them, so I went and looked at them. He originally wanted 1500 for the 65 and 900 for the 64, but we cut a deal-for me- I bought the 65 and he decided to 'throw in' the '64 as a parts car for free. What a deal, no? Well, the cars aint pretty but honestly, I didnt expect them to be show winners. The bodies are very straight, the paint looks like it was applied by a kindergarten class, but there is no creeping rust that I can see, the chrome is all intact, body panels, for the most part, are all in order. He started them up for me and they both ran pretty well, I couldnt hear any pings or other sickly sounds, even when he revved it up. One is a 4speed and the other is an automatic. Inside, the '64 is trashed, but the '65 is decent. Its got green shag carpet. I know, you're all starting to bid on it, but its mine, you filthy pirates. The dashes are warped, but the instrument panels are free of dents and rust, but could use maybe some paint and a new ashtray. And knobs. The '64 steering wheel is tight, I'm going to take it, polish it up and stick it in the '65 (which will be the project car). I love the old 3 spoke wheels. Well, there you have it. I am lost as to what I'm going to do first even. My stepdad has restored a few dozen cars, so he can definitely helped me, but from my experience, online messageboards usually offer great support and advice. What I was planning on doing first is just ripping everything out of the interior and chucking it, like the shag(sorry, ladies), the headliner, taking the cap chairs and bench out, all the way down to the pans. Then remove the body panels and doors, basically strip the whole thing down to a frame and see which parts gotta go now, which gotta go soon, and which I might be able to keep. Then I am going to remove the God forsaken paint and apply a rust converter/preventer and primer to protect the metal. After that, I dont know where to go. So please extend a hand to a fledgling car nut and help me out.

05-20-2002, 10:49 PM	#2
CobraII76 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 56	Welcome aboard and sonds like a great first project. I'm no first generation expert. But I would start with an inventory of good usable parts and remove them from both cars then the parts that can be refurbished restored or rebuilt and set all the "junk" aside for awhile. In those early cars floor pans torque boxes cowl area rear frame rails are notorious for rust. I would do a good strip down, label all the parts and keep everything sorted. A good project starts with a good plan and orginazation. Good luck with the project the guys here with the early cars know what they are talking about. __________________ 74-78 MustangII's So many II's so Little Time.

05-21-2002, 04:53 AM	#3
Budiak Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 47	Thanks, I have had the privilege of looking underneath plenty of pretty cars at the shop where I work and I notice that lots of people who do these restorations never take the time to look at the actual frame of the car, and its all rusted underneath. I am going to strip EVERYTHING off of the car, take a full catalog of all the parts and their condition, and refurbish or replace everything from the frame up. I will probably even redip the frame, like strip and clean it, then throw on a coat of rust converter/preventer. Does anybody know of a good rust converter/preventer? I've been looking at this stuff called Rass-o-nil, its a converter that is supposed to completely convert rust and protect it for up to ten years or so, and also acts as a primer so you can paint right on it. I dont know, so, anybody? Anyways, I've decided to restore the 64.5 as it is probably worth more. Not like I want to sell it or anything, but still. I am going to have to swap door panels and some interior, but other than that its fine.