65 Corsa by barrist

[barrist]

Hi, thought I would move to a Build page. Still a long way from real work, but thought I could post what I'm doing here.

Did get the new vanity plate on,

new plate on

Sorry about that "UNSAFE", IND would not let me have "N8DR H8R"

new front plate

And YES, I did try to order the front plate from here, BACKORDER

This is my First Project to Finish.

This is my Barris T Buggy

[barrist]

Starting to personalize.

Spoiler from Clark's

8-track.jpg (25.33 KiB) Viewed 11925 times

NOS 8-Track, E-Bay

Fuzzy Dice, another E-Bay find. Cheech and Chong appropriate,proposed to wife onstage with Tommy Chong.

[Scott H]

I dig the barris buggy! You're Corsa is beautiful too. What's the story with the proposal?

[barrist]

Thanks,,,,,,,, The proposal, was a long story.

Happened at the Funny Bone, I had to get the OK from Tommy's wife Shelby,(she said"this never comes out good".

Well, it worked,I did have to ask again,(something about being Drunk-Out that night)

We did get married 7-7-7, Working out very well..............................

[bbodie52]

Congratulations! You and the Corvair and other vehicles must be quite an "acquisition".

I got married in a Corvair on April 1 (April Fool's Day) in 1972. She liked Corvairs... maybe that is one reason why we are still married!





Now I am sorry I tossed my Panasonic 8-track that used to reside in my 1965 Corsa. Bought in 1973. Later removed and stored in my garage until 1993, and then I tossed it.

Love the photos of your classic Corvair!

[barrist]

I did get to take her to a show this weekend.

No trophy, but it was a great day.

I really need to get back to work on the buggy, but having fun with the Corvair

[barrist]

We just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas

Have a Great One,

Bill & Sherl

[bbodie52]

From last year...

...but still works for me!

Corvair Christmas Card.jpg (76.1 KiB) Viewed 11631 times

[barrist]

Well, the heck with the Ground Hog.....................

Time to start getting some parts together.

4 rebuilt carbs, and a new gas line set.

And some Corsa hubcaps (someday, the wires will be replaced)

Now I just need a little warmer weather to get things going.

[barrist]

Something new for me Guys, I need a reality check ,,,,,,,,,,,

I’m thinking of trying to replace convertible top, myself.

Tell me the Pros , and the Cons . (Horror stories, Might Work)

Thanks,

Bill

[bbodie52]

I have not done this work myself, but some time ago I did a little research to find out what is involved. The material I looked at is shown below. Some of it is not Corvair-specific and is more generic in nature, but it should help you to gauge the effort and to see if you feel that you are up for it.

The Clark's Corvair Parts online catalog pages 291-295 covers their convertible top materials. I would suggest clicking on the link below and then browsing through the pages to get a feel for the items that are offered. When browsing their online catalog, just click on any part number to display pricing and availability details.

As you can see below, Clark's indicates that a DIY installation is "not easy" but that 40-60% of their customers do it themselves in 6-8 hours.

http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... N&page=291


CORVAIR CENTER: Replacing Convertible Top
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.ph ... 305,354414

Here is a link to a Car Craft magazine article that discusses a DIY installation at home, entitled: Install A New Convertible Top At Home

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/cc ... ewall.html

Here is a video that discusses this issue when performing a convertible top replacement, in this case on a 1969/1970 Cougar / Mustang



This Web site may also be helpful...


http://www.convertibletopguys.com/static/topmanual

I have extracted the section of the 1966 Fisher Body Service Manual that applies to folding top work. I had to divide it into two parts to make the file size in Adobe Reader (.pdf) format small enough to upload to the Corvair Forum website. The information it contains may be useful to you.

I suspect that there are not a lot of members of the Corvair Forum who have tackled such a project. So if you decide to attempt this DIY project on your Corvair, here is my unofficial invitation to be a volunteer Corvair Forum Guinea Pig. If you decide to do it yourself, might I suggest that you consider providing us with some feedback as you complete your project. We would love to see you document your effort in pictures, video, and perhaps post a detailed write-up telling us of your experience. Such feedback could provide some valuable guidelines and information from your experience for other Corvair owners!

[barrist]

I'm Still on the fence.

I had hoped for some more horror stories.

BUTT, "IF" I do it , I will post the attempt.

[barrist]

Weather warmed a bit, Got to do some work.

Off with the OLD...........

And on with the New !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Runs GREAT @

[barrist]

Alright, bit the bullet and ordered new top (and ALL the Parts) from Clarks.

Still have to decide, WHO'S gonna do it.........................

[Roelof]

I did my first top a few months ago. If you are the patient type it is not that hard. Take your time and be prepared to redo some parts. And redo them again... And then have a beer and redo them for the last time...again.

It took me a lot more than 8 hours, but it turned out ok. Two small wrinkles that i will take out if I stil see them next year. I found it funny that the top is held on with a million tacks. You really need some removing tool and an electric tacker.

Have fun
Roelof

[barrist]

Thanks Roelof,

Boxes from Clarks came today. Everything looks great.

OK Guys, guess I'm gonna try it.....................

It will be a couple of weeks before I start. Gotta finish Buggy for her first show the 7th.

When I start, please let me know what I do wrong.....I'll post pics...