MyJetstar1

In all honesty, I would avoid the Corvair for a first time old car purchase. I think there would be a little too much tinkering involved for the new enthusiast, and quite honestly, no one around here (I live in South Dayton area) besides my dad, knows how to work on them for a reasonable amount. A model I like, based on your input would be the Impala's. 1965 would be the most affordable, in my opinion, followed by the 66. The 67 and 68's are too hard to get sheet metal for, so they would have to have super nice bodies, and the 69 and 70's are just slightly better for aftermarket support. I'm a professional restorer in the area, so if you do get it nailed down to one car, let me know, and I can give you some input on local service and parts providers. Sorry for the run on sentences, I was trying to type a reply before I had to run, lol! Regards, Jim

It really depends on body style, and a features, in my opinion. If it's a "little black dress" type, you don't need to see anything else, because it looks fantastic just from outward appearances. If you drive a "pantsuit", such as myself, you have to open the hood. Otherwise it looks like any other burgundy pantsuit.

Have you tried Max Merritt? www.maxmerrittauto.com If they don't have it, they may be able to point you in the right direction. The Packard museum in Dayton, Ohio used to have an annual garage sale, but I'm not sure if they sell parts outright. Either place may be able to point you in the right direction.

When I was a kid, my mom had a new 1969 Camaro that she named "Phyllis". When you road in "Phyllis", your feet were on the floor mat, your hands were on your lap, and you didn't touch ANYTHING! When I'd get out of the car in the summer, I'd have dimples in my legs from those bumpy clear plastic seat covers. Some of my greatest memories as a kid in that car. I've probably had 20 or so 69 Camaro's since, but there is only one "Phyllis". While I didn't name it, friends have tagged my JS1 as the "BBW". It started by my trying to explain it was sort of an oversized 442, and it just went bad from there. Now I get a lot of "Are you taking the BBW?", lol!

Often times the packages I receive appear to have been hit by a train. In the past, I was merely exaggerating when I inquired, now, I can reasonably ask. "Geez, was that hit by a train?".

Although difficult at times, I'm sure, try to consider it a form of flattery or appreciation. Many of you have beautiful examples of museum quality cars, and I believe often times the person inquiring is just trying to correlate a monetary value, with the vehicle in front of them. Maybe with the hopes of one day having the means to acquire such a vehicle. On the other hand, my poor Oldsmobile must have a perceived value of about 800 bucks. I get some genuine offers of really ridiculously low amounts, or trades. I just smile "Thanks, your 92 Taurus is one of the cleanest ones I've seen, but I think I'll just hang onto the Olds for a while". No sense in being mean, besides, you never know when two fools will meet, lol!

Hmnn, can't catch a break on your first question. I'm sure you'll be eager to ask another, lol! So, different boosters are for different applications, I suspect you currently have a 4 wheel drum manual set-up. If that's the case, you will probably be looking at an 11 inch (actually slightly less) booster. They are based on vehicle options. Some options are 4 wheel drum, front disc rear drum, 4 wheel disc, and even engine size. The smaller boosters are generally big block applications, with front disc, or all drums. Pick the booster that most closely matches your current set-up, with which you merely want to add the power option. Keep in mind you may have to experiment on the rod length. Hope this helps a little. Jim

Geez...I've sort of figured it out. I guess it only proves the car looks it's best from a slight distance.

At the risk of sounding insensitive to the community, that warehouse was in a pretty rough part of town. Having done a Caribbean or two, if memory serves me, that facility was more of a storage area for donor Patrician's, 400's, and Clippers for the use in more historically significant restorations. While I'm sure some decent parts were lost, I don't know of anything too valuable having been there, and certainly not a smart move, if there were.

I didn't do too bad, it was kind of interesting. I have to admit, though, that a couple I guessed correctly by saying to myself, "that is so hideous, it had to be made by xxxxx".

I don't think body style plays into new car purchases as much now, as it did in the past. In the "olden days" folks wanted a significant change in body, in order to be identified as a "new model" car owner. Now, your old car was silver, with rounded plastic bumper covers, and your new car is a different shade of silver, with rounded plastic bumper covers. The main difference is your old car had 6 jigawatts of internet capability, and your new car has 12 jigawatts of internet capability with a nice 20 inch touchscreen that slides up to block your windshield, lol!

Have you checked for a giant vacuum leak? If you "feather" it, can you get the rpm's up? As mentioned above, a compression check. Maybe a valve is too tight and not shutting all the way? Can you just bring it by the house?, lol!

Hmmnnn...So are you sure your carb linkage is opening all the way? I've seen some where the gas pedal goes to the floor, but not adjusted to provide wide open throttle at the carb. Then, maybe, timing? Could it be a tooth off? Many will run, but just barely. Can you get more power out of it by moving the timing from the factory setting. Assuming good fuel flow, just a couple thoughts.

The 27K and above values are pretty much dominated by the short bed 1/2 ton versions. There is a more limited market for 3/4 ton 4WD versions, thus I just don't think that kind of value is there. Keep in mind that many of those trucks are "aftermarketed" ( I know, I made that up myself) to death, and things like grill shells, and even steering wheels, aren't even close to originals. I feel bad for folks that spend 20 grand on a vehicle, only to discover 80% of it was made in China.

I think one of the most important things, at least from the hobbyist standpoint, is being very familiar with the make and model you are looking at before you buy. Know your values, both in it's present condition, and the market value completed. Things like parts cost and availability, known problem areas, or issues, and so on. One of the most disappointing things would be to get what is perceived to be a great deal, only to find out you need a major part that is virtually impossible to find, or so costly it exceeds the value of your project significantly. When I go look at a car of interest to me, I'll know right off the bat, what the engine will cost me if locked up, which pieces of trim are non-existent, how many incorrect parts are on the vehicle, and about a dozen other things. The last thing you want is to have to turn it into a "resto-rod", lol!

My Grandpa had always bought new Impala's every few years. He had bought a new 1970 when I was around 5 years old. It was a beautiful silver car with a dark blue vinyl top and blue interior. My Dad had bought it from him, a few years later. A lot of great memories from that era, and I remember a lot of stuff could be put in the trunk, lol! That being said, I've always been drawn to Impala's from the 60's thru mid 70's. We've also had an El Camino or two in the family, and I've owned about every year from 64 to the 80's. About every car I look for, or buy now, is either one I had when I was a kid, or something my Dad always liked.

It looks to be a pretty nice car. That seems to be the most popular color I have seen around. They have either taken a beating in value, or that one looks far better in pictures than in person. 53 and 54 share the same body style, with the 54 most notably not having the rear wheel cutout. Then, completely different body shape for 55 and the last year, 56. Beautiful cars, my ultimate find would be an all black 56.

I think you get a demerit for any question you ask, that may have already been asked in one of the other 1.5 million posts over the last 10 years. At least I did, lol!

I've bought a few things off craigslist, most recently a pair of freshly powder coated stock wheels. For 30 bucks, I couldn't have even cleaned up a free pair for the cost of these. I've also bought a number of decent low end cars, mostly 60's big Chevys, Pontiacs, etc. I read the ads carefully, and look for clues in the background of photo's, especially cars, before I make a call. In the case of the wheels, the photo was taken on a nice garage floor with what appeared to be a nice old pick-up in the background. I know it probably makes little difference, but it helps me at least try to separate what I feel could be another car enthusiast, from..... let's say a crack dealer, lol! I am, however, very reluctant to place an ad. I can somewhat control the number of fruitcakes I contact, but when you place an ad you have no control over the number of fruitcakes that contact you. That's not to say no one has ever considered me to be a fruitcake, though, lol! The point being, there are way too many venues to advertise auto related items to fellow enthusiasts, than to risk the criminal element often associated with craigslist, invited to my home.

I drive my 65 JS1 quite a bit. To and from work a couple times a week, around town, running errands and so on. If my commute included a jaunt on I-75, then that would definitely change things. Technology has changed a little bit in the last 50 years, so while these cars were used daily in the past, everyone was on a level playing field, in that no one had great brakes, or quick ratio steering, lol! To me, the type of traffic would play a big role in the idea of an older daily driver. As far as insurance, I just carry liability and uninsured motorist on mine. I have never filed a claim, so I am somewhat ahead of the game over the years. Of course, a historically significant, or a vehicle worth more than 10K, would be a different ball game for me. Under 10K is just the amount I'm personally willing to risk, it would be different for others. Consider your maintenance costs. I work in the restoration business, so parts sources are readily available to me, and I do most of my own work. It would be a much more expensive proposition, otherwise. One thing you should know, when you start driving a car routinely that has been somewhat babied, or not regularly used for a number of years, things start popping out of the wood work. I see it all the time. Brake cylinders, master cylinders, rear seals, u-joints and pinion bearings, control arm bushings and tie rode ends, etc., not to mention more routine things like belts and hoses. Budget wise, I would arrive at a total amount you are willing to spend, maybe allow 65 percent of that for the car purchase, and the other 35 percent to get it safe and functional. I am referring to cars under a 8 or 10K budget, though. In other words, if you spend 40K on a 65 Impala, it should need nothing, and come with a driver, lol! Good luck in your quest! Jim

If you google the photo credit name, you get to a facebook page, in which you may be able to make a contact for the city and state the photo was taken. Hundreds of hours later, you may come up with a suspension shop, tire shop, or even paint jobber that knows the car. Just a thought. I once found a guy 3 states away that owed me $10. It was the principle of the thing, lol!

Still looking. Seems quite the elusive creature, and now willing to consider anything from near perfect, to found in a pond. Thanks.

I'm actually trying to clean up the garage this weekend. I have the "better keep that" pile, the "I knew I had one of those" pile, the "I'll never find another one" pile, yet, not a lot in the "time to get rid of it" pile.

Hello, I'm looking for the trunk trim for a 1957 Pontiac Super Chief. It is the "circle" and upside down "V" that attaches at the trunk lock area. Will consider NOS or good to excellent used. I'm trying to avoid plating, if possible. You can respond here, or by private message. Thanks, Jim

It is a beautiful day here in S. Ohio, and had the Olds out running around town a bit. Holy cow! I literally lost track of how many times I just about got plowed into, turned in front of, and rear ended. Most noticed common denominator? Cell phone. I know it's not the most priceless car in the world, but it would still be sickening to get it tore up, just because it would be hard for me to find another one not rusted to pieces. Hopefully it's just because of the weather break, and I won't have white knuckle drives every time I'm out. Otherwise, it's not going to be much fun. Be aware and be safe!