Twenty years ago this month...

[Tom Kochtanek]

Wow, time really flies when you're having fun, eh?

It was twenty years ago this month I first looked at and then made an offer on my 1963 Corvette.

The first two years I took her down to the original fiberglass then came back with a base/clear paint job and a new Al Knoch interior.



I showed her locally for a few years, then turned her into a nice driver:



So today, for the first time in 2 months, I got in her and put my new left hip on that clutch and took her for a short spin .

This was the first time I've driven a stick shift since I had my hip replaced 8 weeks ago All is good in my neck of the woods .

Cheers!
TomK

 

[Iowa 409 Guy]

Glad to hear things are going well for you Tom.

 

[La Hot Rods]

That's good news!!!!
You should have stopped by and gave me a ride.

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

I hope to get her out tomorrow as well while the weather is good

James it was 13 years ago this month that we first fired up that stroker 409 that is now in the BA409 car!!

 

[59K9]

nice...

 

[La Hot Rods]

That must have been why there was the itch to hear it run today.

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

To add to the confusion, it was 13 years ago December 5th that I picked up the 1961 Bonneville. I've started and stopped on that project several times now, and it's got me wondering if I'll ever make it a driver .

Like a lot of projects, I started with a disassembly of the interior and the stripping of the original paint. I did get it in primer and sealed the floor pans, but that's about it. Oh yeah, there is that stroker 428 engine we built for it. My problem is these darn Pontiacs are expensive to restore and this particular Pontiac isn't al that collectible (it's a long wheel base Bonnie, not a Ventura), although it does have that "sport coupe" roofline that tickles my fancy . I guess other projects moved to the head of the line over the years...

 

[4onthefloor]

The interiors are insanely expensive on 61 Bonneville. Is it a 4 speed car ?

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

Originally a 3 speed Hydramatic. She came with no drive train...

James had a 428 block, some 455 heads and a 455 crank, so we made a "stroker" out of the 428.

 

[bobs409]

It's scary how fast time is flying. My 63 Impala and I had our 37th anniversary on Nov 1st. Say, what do you get for a 37th anniversary present to your car?

 

[Don Jacks]

You can fix it's REAR END so it can go out and play!

 

[GCAMINO]

37 th. birthday present. Hmmmmm. I KNOW !! CASH, yes, give it more!!!!

 

[Carmine]

Beautiful Corvette Tom. Glad you're feeling better. I also like that '62 in the background, Carmine.

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

Guess what the drive train is in that 1962 SS car .

Here's a current pic of the Bonneville:



Right now it's in "dry dock"...

 

[JED]

Congrats, Tom - on both the '63 and the recovery from surgery that allowed you to relive the good years!

Keep it up.
John

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

Thanks everyone, it's been a year of limping about and putting up with some minor pain, that's all gone now and I have full range of motion .

Although earlier today I was on the ground changing a tire out and it took me a bit of wrangling about to get my A$$ off the floor. But that's nothing new...

 

[La Hot Rods]

That must have been after you hit your head on the Yamaha.

 

[Carmine]

Guess what the drive train is in that 1962 SS car .

Here's a current pic of the Bonneville:

View attachment 65780

Right now it's in "dry dock"...

The '62, a 409/409??? Being a Pontiac freak, I just love that Bonneville, Carmine.

 

[Phalen409]

Tom,
Congrats on the recovery! And yes...time does fly by. I was looking at receipts from my blue 63 from 2012. Hard to believe the journey of THAT car.
Currently looking for a C-2 corvette coupe for my wife that I promised her 4 years ago.

Now that your hip is good as new.............your projects will be finished in no time..............right?

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

My neighbor passed a few years back and I helped his widow sell off three cars he had collected.

One was a very nice 1965 Corvette coupe, high perf 327 (365 horse) with of all things a PG, but also with PW, A/C and other options.

I recall it sold for $55K.

Cheers! TomK