<VV> Powerglide and General Restoration Question

[N. Joseph Potts]

As with many American cars of the period, trim for the Corvair came in three
varieties (on each car): stainless steel, aluminum, and cast (pot metal),
which is chromed. Stainless-steel is durable, and can be restored at
reasonable cost (bang out the dents and polish). Aluminum is more-delicate
AND easier to reproduce, so economics encourages replacement in a
restoration (it IS available repro). Pot metal is durable but subject to
pitting, and is expensive both to restore and to reproduce, so NOS of these
are particularly valuable.
     For anyone (like me) trying to put together and maintain a "nice
example," it's all (the foregoing) economics.
     Depending on your location, the actual present condition of your car,
and the standards you want to attain, your estimate of the bodywork seems
about right. For such amounts, you should be able to attain nice results.
Figure on spending more for this than for anything else (including
acquisition of the vehicle).
     My attitude toward Chevy IIs, as a Corvair owner, is that except
perhaps for its size, it is a thoroughly conventional car with little about
it of special interest. I'm not familiar (except by extension from similar
cars) with its performance attibutes. Chevy II replaced the Corvair in
Chevrolet's product line as the economy (low-end, now called "entry-level")
offering. This is more of a reflection on the market (customers and supplier
both) and the regulatory environment than on the car.

Joe Potts
VV Economist

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org]On Behalf Of Russell Heim
Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2004 8:15 PM
To: virtualvairs@corvair.org
Subject: <VV> Powerglide and General Restoration Question


I test drove a 1964 110 powerglide convertible today.  This car appears to
be in good shape mechanically, except for the transmission.  It needs some
body work and a paint job.  It also needs a new top and boot.  The asking
price is $2500.

I drove the car around a parking lot and it car wouldn't shift into high
gear.  The owner said the powerglide needs and "e-clip" for high gear.  I've
owned five powerglide cars (Impalas and Chevy IIs) but I haven't heard of an
"e-clip".  Is this the Corvair equivalent of a band?  This Corvair shifted
into reverse and neutral without problems.  Are Corvair powerglide parts
readily available?  If so, is there anyone left who knows how to work on
them?  I'm new to Corvairs so please excuse me if my questions sound basic.

If I buy this car it would be my first Corvair.  I've always liked them I
recently caught the bug to finally buy one.  I've been through a restoration
before with a 1963 Chevy II Super Sport.

Is my estimate of $3500 - $4500 for a repaint, including some rust repair,
in the ballpark?

The owner has a lot of N.O.S. trim for this car.  I think that should save
me a lot on the restoration.  How much of the trim is reproduced for 1964?
I ask because there's no reproduction trim for 1963 Chevy II and N.O.S.
pieces are rare and expensive.  Even used pieces, especially SS trim are
very expensive.

This car is Goldwood Yellow with a black top and interior.  Is that a common
1964 color?

By the way, is owning a Chevy II considered taboo among Corvair aficionados?