[She has driven her Peugeot 203 since 1954]

2 hours ago, Hudsy Wudsy said:

We wake up the next morning with headaches.

No kidding! 😳
 

oops... I mean Oui Cher!

[She has driven her Peugeot 203 since 1954]

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

22 hours ago, Frank DuVal said:

 

Well, we all know WHY that belt kept coming off, don't we!😁 

 

That was the drag racer's trick back in the early 60s. Pop the belt off when leaving the traffic light and get 15 more horsepower!

 

Powerglide equipped Corvairs had very long belt life. 👍

 

1964 got both of the bet guards, top shroud at the fan pulley and on the idler pulley:

 

"All Corvair Models produced after November 29, 1963, are equipped with subject guides to afford greater belt durability and to prevent belt roll-over."

 

And of course, putting the belt on real tight is the other reason it keeps coming off. Leave it loose enough to turn the alternator/generator pulley fan with the engine off with the force of a finger or two. Lives a long time then.

This one was built in March of ‘63. Not surprisingly, I found a couple extra belts in the frunk. I’m sure they are too old to use now. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

On 6/18/2020 at 12:45 AM, Bill Stoneberg said:

I wouldn't blame your father about the pipeline, Why the hell they decided to put that ugly line right through the middle of this pretty area is beyond me.

Even with tons of people opposing it, it is still going through.  I have seen it further west of Harper and it is a swatch about 100 yards wide with no vegetation.

UGLY.

 

That’s true Bill. He fought a propane company that moved across the street from his garage. I found articles and legal notes and heard stories. Now I hear big new electricity towers are going in nearby also. The poor people that live there. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

2 hours ago, zipdang said:

Walked by this today and thought of you!

Nice! Hope it made you 😊!

[The Rampy resurfaces]

This was pretty cool to come across. Trying to find someone to get the Spyder running is proving difficult. Have contacted the President of the local Corvair chapter and it seems most people who work on them are also working full time. He’s willing to offer information and direction, I just have to find someone to take it on. 

[The Rampy resurfaces]

While doing some research on the Spyder, I happened along this video. Look familiar? Good to see it is well cared for. 

 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

On 6/12/2020 at 4:20 PM, victorialynn2 said:

Here is a picture in our front yard in NH before it was shipped to Texas. About 1983. 

It just dawned on me... that is an unmistakable shadow of my dad with his trucker hat on. And it could be me next to him. 

[What's Your Favorite Old Car T-shirt?]

The one i need to have made... I’m spending my inheritance on my daddy’s cars. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

3 hours ago, JACK M said:

Isn't the "Corvair underground" still in Mac.

The owner used to live just down the street from me. Might still.

I always thought his prices were high, but what do I know.

Last time I visited him it was clear he was no longer actively running his business. I showed him the Rampy. He said top 1% Rampy he ever saw. He posted that on the Corvair forum because people were questioning my eBay listing. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

10 hours ago, Graham Man said:

Good luck, great looking car, it will be fun for years, having Dad as a copilot is priceless

When driving the Skyliner I imagine him with me. It’s hard not to smile and he’s always on my mind. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

3 hours ago, Roger Frazee said:

 

You've got a great little car there.  I also have a '63 Spyder project that I hope to have back on the road someday.

 

The "camber compensator" or transverse spring was only available on '64 models.  Unless you plan to race in autocross events or run Tennesse's Tail of the Dragon, I wouldn't be concerned.  Early model Corvairs are completely stable in normal driving conditions.  Just be sure to keep your tire pressures correct.

 

Have fun with your Spyder!

 

 

And what is that tire pressure? Seems I remember front and back are different?

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

8 minutes ago, auburnseeker said:

I think the turbos are notorious for sticking after sitting for extended periods of storage like yours has.  Best to make sure it's free before trying to start it.  I had a couple a friend wanted me to sell for him and they were both seized from sitting though they look like they were stored in nice dry storage. He said they were free when he took them off the cars.

Good luck.

Yes I’ve heard that also. I definitely want to find someone who’s worked specifically on the turbo. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

57 minutes ago, Graham Man said:

I agree this is a fairly modern car the storage should not be that hard on her.

 

Dump the gas, possibly clean the tank, but I would just add an extra in line filter (easy to replace).  Put on a new fuel pump, should be cheap mechanical?, change the oil, pick up a new battery, rebuild the carburetor (might be optional to get her running), and fire her up, forgot replace any flexible fuel lines.  For brakes this should be easy also, new wheel cylinders, new shoes, new master cylinder, new flexible lines...invite a few friends over and make it a weekend job.  After it is running probably want to get some new tires.

 

Good luck, great looking car, it will be fun for years, having Dad as a copilot is priceless

Thanks! Yes definitely new tires also. I will need a mechanic to do all that. I don’t have knowledge or tools in Oregon. It helps to have a plan though. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

2 minutes ago, Frank DuVal said:

 

Nope, Spyder had same rear suspension as Monza, 700, and 500.  There was a front sway bar on Spyders.

 

Although all the rage in the 60s with the street racers, You will NOT need a camber compensator in the rear.   I've seen many an early (60 to 63) Corvair autocross well with stock suspension without any rear camber compensator.

 

Questions?  corvaircenter.com/phorum

 

 

The push rods are inside the push rod tubes, hence their names. Valve guides are pressed into the head like most every aluminum overhead valve head. Probably way over a million push rod tube o-rings have been replaced by average mechanics, some of which were done wrong..... like smearing silicone seal over the o-rings. 😡    But since the invention of Viton o-rings yeaaars ago, push rod tube o-ring jobs are almost once in a lifetime now. 👍

 

What makes you think this? Is it running yet? Unless a rod is hanging out, or other major obvious problem, decide if an engine rebuild is necessary after running it. Again, ask for help : corvaircenter.com/phorum 

 

Many easy tricks to starting a long sitting Corvair without damage.

Thanks for all the great info! Yes I was thinking of the sway bar. 
 

The only reasons I think I may need to rebuild the engine is because it hasn’t been registered since 1983, and i wonder why he left it sitting. Also I found a note that the “turbo is not responding”, Which my dad wrote. Plus there’s not even an oil spot under the car. Lol
 

Of course I hope I have friends who can take the necessary steps and check it out first. Being a Corvair turbo, I’m not sure if my friends know what those steps are. They mostly work on Dodges and other Chevys. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

Here is a picture in our front yard in NH before it was shipped to Texas. About 1983. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

7 minutes ago, kgreen said:

That's the car that dad used to teach me how to drive.  He said that if I could drive a certain route and keep up with required shifts but never use the clutch, then I would be allowed to drive it alone.  He later sold it when the rust got so bad the doors had trouble opening and closing.

Luckily this one is not rusty and I learned to drive a standard with my first car that my daddy bought me. He also highly encouraged me to learn to drive a stick. It might have been more like a mandatory condition, but I wanted to learn, so I never tested it. 🤣 This is a 4 speed. Paint is shiny but has crackles all over. I suspect the heat caused that. It used to be in beautiful shape. 
 

I need to find someone in Oregon to rebuild the engine. I know they make a kit and Clark’s carries it I believe. I just want to assess what all total it will take to make it safe before I get started. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

I told a friend I was spending all my inheritance on my daddy’s cars. She said I need a bumper sticker that says that. 😂

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

4 hours ago, padgett said:

I assume you have found Clarks. Would suggest adding a "camber compensator" first thing if it does not already have one. Was stock in '64s.

I am under the impression it comes on the Spyder but not sure if it came as early as ‘63 standard. I do intend to have that check out. Thank you. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

4 hours ago, C Carl said:

In spite of the dust, you can see that it really looks great, especially with those real wire wheels. I hope it does turn out to be a keeper for you !    -   Carl 

I have 4 more wheels that are like new condition also! Corvette knock offs. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

Thank you Terry. I often think about how my dad led me to all of you who have supported me so well during this stage of my life. So often in life, you find what you need, when you need it. 

[The ‘63 Corvair Spyder is liberated!]

Last night the Spyder was loaded up for the trip home to Oregon. She has New Hampshire plates, registered last in the early 80’s and I know she was shipped down here a few years after that.
 

It’s bittersweet to remove her from her long sleep, as she is the very last thing I am taking out of dad’s shop. It’s a relief to know that I somehow managed to get both shops and his home cleared out, but it’s an odd feeling to leave Harper and know that I never have to go back. The timing feels right, as a huge pipeline is going in just behind his properties. I know my dad would have not liked that. 
 

As for the car, I can’t wait to wash her up and see what it will take to get her running again. I’m leaning towards keep her, depending on the price tag to get her running. I’m anticipating an engine rebuild, brakes, wheels, and I’m sure many other things. I am willing to invest up to her value, and keep her for sentimental reasons. I know Corvairs are not worth as much as other makes, but she is a desirable model. Plus, she would be fun to drive and Peggy Sue needs a garage mate. 

[1961 Chevrolet Rampside - Not Mine - 6/1 SOLD!]

Nice Rampy. 

[1930 Ford Model A Roadster - Estate Find]

Nice A. Good luck on your sale.

[Special Corvair van?]

20 hours ago, Frank DuVal said:

I do not recall that JC Taylor was the problem. I have forgotten which one it was. My 95 was insured as daily driver, so I was not the one with the issue.

 

Nice looking Rampside!

It was a beauty. The van was nice inside also. That was original outside paint. I loved how it looked. 
 

Still have a Spyder Convertible project I’m hoping to keep as well.