Just the GM cars
Over the years I have had as many as 25 cars at one time, mostly made in Europe (British, Italian, Sweedish). About 5-6 years ago I bought a 'Vette and my wife of now 25 years put her foot down and said either the Corvette goes or the foreign cars all go. I guess i had other options, but I thought it important to stay married. After all, she is the mother of my children
Since then I have collected mainly GM cars, focusing on early 60s V8 four speeds. I will never sell any of the new purchases, and I plan to restore them one-by-one. After the 'Vette I got really interested in 1961 and 1962 Chevys, and thanks to Bob
I became well informed with respect to the beloved "W" engine.
I will only list the "builders", not the parts cars (there are about 3-4 of those) in order of purchase:
1963 Corvette split window coupe 327-340HP four speed. Ermine white over Red. Paid $15K about 5-6 years ago, then did a body-on restoration. Will keep forever, and it's willed to my 21 year old son, who learned to drive a stickshift in this vehicle (and took it to the Senior Prom).
1961 Belair 2 door sport coupe. Originally a 348 with a 3-on-the-tree, it came without a drive train costing $200. This one started by "W" engine craze, and while it's been neglected, it deserves to be restored. I started that restoration, then stopped about 2-3 years ago when I acquired a:
1962 Belair 2 door sport coupe (aka "Bubbleop"). This is my favorite ever body style. I love the Impalas, but this style and its simplicity justs knocks me out. I know Wrench feels the same way. The car came with no drivetrain, no front clip, and plenty of corrosion. I gave $1200 for her. Figured any '62 Bubbletop under $7500 was going to have rust issues anyway, and thought with a lot of effort I could get mine rust free (just the body and frame) for about that price, and at least I would have the comfort of knowing it was done correctly. Color codes are Black over Red (a personal favorite). I stopped work on this treasured beauty after 2 years of body fabricating (not at all my strong suit) when I acquired a:
1962 Impala SS from the original California owner. Bought on Ebay for $6941. Originally a 283 PG with power steering and E-Z tinted windows, this baby was a driver from the get-go. After two years of driving her (while still working on the Bubbletop) I decided last October to totally dismantle the vehicle and do a frame off restoration. Am currently about 45%-50% done and am putting the push on to get her ready by September 15th for KC. If I have to tow it there, I will
. My plans are to work fulltime in July and August on getting this vehicle ready for the Annual. Wish me luck. My Dad bought a one year old '62SS in 1963 and my car matches his color scheme: Ermine white over Aqua. This is a keeper, and it's willed to my second son, who is now 18. He's never driven the Corvette, afraid that he'll damage it and I will end his life. I wonder how he's going to react to this beauty when she's done???
Currently owned but not restored are:
1961 Impala 2 door coupe. CA car with one piece bumpers. 283 with 3 speed on the floor (was born a PG). Restorable. Gave $700 for it.
1961 Belair 4 door sedan. Donor car to the above '61s. Solid up front with a 6 cylinder PG.
1961 Impala 2 door coupe. Originally a 348 factory 4 speed car, I bought this for parts and paid $1000 on Ebay. Already salvaged the frame, the 4 speed and tons of parts like window glass, seats, and such.
1962 Belair 4 door sedan. Purchased locally as a parts car for the Bubbletop. Gave $500 for it. Starts, runs, drives, and stops. It's so complete I didn't have heart to take parts for it, so I bought another one:
1962 Belair 4 door sedan. Paid $409 in an Ebay auction. Was about 2 hours from my home. I still have every part of this car, except that they are all dismantled and stored in my shed and the Farm. Its to be the donor to the Bubbletop.
1962 Belair 2 door sedan. Bought on Ebay for $600 last summer 'cause the guy said it had "factory posi". He lied, it had an open case with welds to make a "locker". I lost that one, but the car is soooo cool looking in gray primer that I thought I'd hang on to it for a future drag car. I think it should have a 409 fuelie in it...
1966 Pontiac Catalina convertible. 389 2 barrel automatic with factory air, seats, windows. Rust free. After Dad sold his '62 SS, he bought his first new car in 1966. Can you guess what that was? My long range plans are to "spruce" this land yacht up with a 421 tripower setup and a Muncie 4 speed. I've only had this three months and have already acquired a 421 long block along with a 428 Pontiac block. Have about $1300 in everything so far. Still loking for Pontiac parts (tripower setup), but need to stay focused on the Chevys.
That's about it, except for some parts cars I might have missed. Now for my "dream list" of vehicles that still need to be acquired:
1. All of IgnitionMan's cars stored in that train station in Nevada
2. Jack Gibb's 1962 aluminum-fronted Bubbletop (wet my pants...)
3. A 1956 Mercedes 300SL "Gullwing"
4. A 1964 Rolls Royce S3 convertible
5. A 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Coupe ("Flying Spur")
6. A 1963 Z06 Corvette Coupe
7. A 1963 Corvette Gran Sport (I'd settle for a clone, since there's only 5 made)
That would make me happy, but being a part of this Forum does that as well
Cheers,
TomK