New and looking for some direction

[Mark P.]

I am new to NCRS and have recently been able to buy a 1964 Convertible 327/365 from a man I have known for 35 years. He is the original owner of the car and I have pretty much all of the original parts that were taken off over the years. The car has not been run or driven in approximately 25-30 years. So far I have found the original alternator, water pump, intake, carb and starter. It is a complete numbers matching car that has never been molested but was repainted once in the incorrect color. It was Riverside red with red interior, white soft top and also the hardtop. It now shows around 81,000 miles. I even have all the original paperwork and dealer license plate frame!. After all that here is my question. How should I go about having these items rebuilt to working order and making sure that I maintain my correct parts? Any help or pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Mark P.

[Mike T.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Mark - Welcome to the Technical Board and congrats on a lucky find. You'll definitely get some assistance regarding restoration of the various parts but also check out the archived threads, there's a wealth of information there as well.

[Mike E.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Really nice!...Once Michael Johnson see this post he will welcome you into what he calls the 1964 Secret Society. What a great color original combination. I love the right side "Sport Mirror" I think everyone cool in 1970's had a pair of those.

How much work are you intending to do yourself?

Mike

[Brad K.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

You are a very lucky man! Good luck in your Corvette experience.....As far as the components you already have, you can have them (the alternator and starter) professionally restored at John Pirkle's (although they might take a while due to John's passing), the water pump at Ron Burke's (chevycool.com) and your carburetor at Paragon Reproductions. There are a only a few of the places I have used .....and they are only suggestions. There are many others located in "The NCRS Driveline" magazine that you may not have received in the mail yet. If you haven't heard already....never, ever throw anything away and if you ever use a local vendor for re-building, hang a great big, red sign on it that says "return original part" ......Good luck to you!

[Mark P.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Really nice!...Once Michael Johnson see this post he will welcome you into what he calls the 1964 Secret Society. What a great color original combination. I love the right side "Sport Mirror" I think everyone cool in 1970's had a pair of those.

How much work are you intending to do yourself?

Mike

Thanks Mike! I plan to do most of the work myself with a buddy of mine. I have built a few cars in the past just not Corvettes. I do have another friend who has been painting cars for 40 years and he will do the paint. Here are 2 of my other cars:DSC_0024.jpgDSC_0502.jpg

[Ara G.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Welcome! This is the best car organization out there. You will meet some of the best guys and gals in the world here. Red/Red is a gorgeous combo. Body panel gaps and body in general look really nice on your car. Also, what better car to restore than a 365 one owner car? NICE NICE NICE.....Order the Judging manual, The Pocket Spec Guide and familiarize yourself with the current judging standards BEFORE jumping into the project would be my advice. Also, attend a few meets beforehand as well. take your time, educate yourself before doing anything....It's amazing how a bolt is not just a bolt in the NCRS....We look at headmarkings, grade/strength, finish, length (if it can be seen) etc....and that's just for a bolt. Do the job once, do it right and don't do it again.....Congrat's and welcome aboard....>ARA

[Ed S.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Mark,
I am about 12 months ahead of you. Purchased my 64 L76 last August - a very original car in many respects, the big difference is mine had a frame off restoration in 2004 by someone that knew what they were doing. That said, in addition to following the very good advice you have already from other members I recommend (if you haven't done so already) that you purchase the following; 1). the 1964 shop manual (actually it is the 1963 manual with a smaller 1964 suppliment; 2) the 1964 AIM (assembly instruction manual); 3) the NCRS judges guide. The combination of the three references will help a great deal in identifying, and understanding disassembly, and reassembly processes of virtually every part of the car. Even if you will not be doing the work you will gain an understanding of what the vendor you are hiring will or should go through to properly complete a task. One more thing - take lots of pictures of everything you do - before, during and after.

Welcome to the best organization in the world.

[Rick A.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Join local NCRS Chapter - see youse are in Ohio, and there are FOUR Chapters to chose from - join the one closest to you and you will have folks there to lean on

[Michael J.]

[Tracy C.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Thanks Mike! I plan to do most of the work myself with a buddy of mine. I have built a few cars in the past just not Corvettes. I do have another friend who has been painting cars for 40 years and he will do the paint. Here are 2 of my other cars:[ATTACH=CONFIG]62705[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]62706[/ATTACH]

Mark, Congrats on the find and let me say I love your other two cars. Two of my favorites from the late sixties.
tc

[Mark P.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

I just want to post my thanks for the warm welcome and all the positive advice. I am expecting my information from the NCRS and a couple books I ordered any day now. What little time I have been here it is already showing to be a wealth of information.

Thanks again, Mark P

[Mark P.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Mark, Congrats on the find and let me say I love your other two cars. Two of my favorites from the late sixties.
tc

Thanks Tracy I have always enjoyed the muscle cars of the sixties. I also have a 61 Impala Bubbletop that is at paint now and a 1969 Chevelle SS 395/350hp 4 speed numbers matching car that hasn't been registered since 1984 that is next in line. As soon as I learn more about the 64 I will come up with a game plan and try to get started.

Thanks, Mark

[Georges C.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Mark, All have given you good advice. Let me add two things: 1, all the owner documentation is backed by the Warranty Book with Protect O Plate and is extremely important, guard it carefully. 2, Read, read, read and verify every major component for castings, stamping, and as I just completed full restoration be prepared for the cost. Good luck and welcome aboard!

[Jim H.]

Re: New and looking for some direction

Mark, Welcome aboard. You've done the first thing right - reach out to the members on this BB for advice. I am continually amazed at the range and depth of knowledge here and the generosity of those who offer their advice. Here are some thoughts on how I approached my 66 restorations:


1. Knowledge is power: Get the judging manual for your car and the other reference books recommended above. They will be a continuing reference for you. Ever time you go over a section, you pick up more.

2. Knowledgeable friends: Join a chapter, talk to people, and you will build a network of NCRS judges and members who will help you figure out your car and become friends in the process. It's not all in the books - they will know inside info, additional vendors and people who have the parts and services you need.

3. Observing at an NCRS Meet: Pick an NCRS meet and go observe - maybe observer judge. You may well find one or more cars comparable to yours that will give you valuable information. The process itself is very enjoyable. I had many enjoyable experiences in this phase and still do.

4. Figure out your restoration objective: National Top Flight trailer queen (no offense meant), reasonably original flight-able car you will drive, or nice car that priorities your driving needs first and judging level second (that's my category). You will be presented with this issue almost every time you buy a part (i.e., original 66 MC at $850 or 67 style at $195).

5. Get it judged: When your car is ready mechanically and you are ready psychologically (and that doesn't necessarily mean in Top Fight condition), consider getting your car flight judged at an NCRS chapter meet. It's a minimal cost 4-6 hour evaluation of your car by experienced NCRS judges who give you detailed notes and conversations that will guide your restoration. And it's a great day spent with really nice people sometimes in amazing locations like someone's mancave warehouse with Corvette eye candy everywhere you look.


6. Enjoy the ride.

JCH