<VV> Making necessary repairs.

[Dave Keillor]

Byron, my resto-mod ('65 Monza coupe) is following your formula -- not necessarily to make it more reliable, but because it's something I wanted to do.  The car has a long family history which is a factor, too.

I also have a '66 convertible that is very original and has most of its original mechanical parts.  I drive that on long trips and have never had a major problem.  I carry a small tool kit with a fan belt.

The old car I trust most on long trips is our '73 Nova -- not because it's in great shape (it is), but because I can find parts and someone to fix it almost everywhere.

A couple of years ago we had a significant problem with a rental car in the mountains of New Mexico.  No cell service where we were, so I had to improvise.  We made it back to civilization late that night.  (Btw, KIA is POS in Korean.)  It was a memorable experience.

The bottom line is that when cars are involved, stuff happens and when it does, you deal with it. 

Dave Keillor
-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org [mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Byron Comp
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 6:57 PM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: <VV> Making necessary repairs.



Although I still feel like a relative "newbie" here, having never taken part in any kind of CORSA or local chapter event, or driving my '64 Monza more than 30 miles at any one time in the almost 4 years that I've owned it, I feel obliged to comment on this thread. When I decided to "resto-mod" my purchase, that included not just the rusted body parts, but all other "degradable" parts, too, wherever/whatever they were. As I've read other posts on this forum I've often been apalled at the "cheap"ness of many Corvair enthusiasts. I've replaced every conceivable part on my car, from brakes to suspension to fuel (sender unit and all) to rear bearings, etc. etc. If you doubt me, call Clark's and ask them!
 
My point is that if I'm going to do something like this, I'd never do it half-a$$ed! That negates the whole concept of restoring something, to my mind. Am I in my right mind? No, probably not! I'll have ten tmes as much invested in this car than I'll ever recover; but I knew that going in and still decided it was something I wanted to do. Do I expect everybody else to be such a purist? Certainly not, but to boast about how cheaply you've done something also doesn't seem right to me.
 
That's my two cents. Now I'll go back to lurking again.
 
Byron Comp
'64 Monza Vert
Gainesville, FL