My '65 Monza PG Vert Undergoing Concours Resto

[California Dreaming]

Hey Everyone, my names Dennis, and I live in Henderson NV, a burb of Las Vegas..

Bought my '65 Monza 110 PG Vert, Artesian Turquoise, White power top, White Interior with Darker Turquoise paint scheme... NO RUST ANYWHERE !!!! as a Christmas Present to myself in Dec 2009, after looking at LOTS of Kharmann Ghias, and Corvairs.. When she popped up on Auto Trader Classics at a So-Cal dealer with her Unique color combo, I just HAD TO HAVE HER.. despite the way overpriced $6500 pricetag, 155k miles, supposedly with a fresh engine, which it turned out, was actually only repaired... had her shipped, she barely ran on arrival... Marty Katz to the rescue... He retired to Vegas, thank god.. He fixed her broken plastic carb air diaphram, and reconnected her chokes and had her running in 30 minutes

Original So-Cal car built at the Van Nuys Plant... Original owner of 20 years lived off Mulholland Drive in Hollywood, then 2 owners in West Hollywood, and 2 in Santa Monica... She'd had a cosmetic restore in '89 with new top, interior, new bumpers, rocker chrome strips, '66 wheel trim moldings, and a cheap but great looking paint job... back window shot now, and interior is very tired, worn, seats, door panels, door rests, pitted chrome etc, engine extremely tired with lots of crankcase blowby at 155k miles as you can imagine, but she still starts, runs, drives.. , suspension/steering noticably tired as well..I have piles of service records, along with her original Black Plates from CA..

SO.. after 3 years of constant debating ... should I keep her?, should I sell her?, Do I REALLY want to put THAT much money into her?, etc.. I finally bit the bullet... aka.. I just couldn't bear to part with her after 3 years of just staring at her, and imagining recreating the thrill of just how truly gorgeous she was when her original owner first picked her up from the dealer.. SO... She's now getting a total No Holds Barred Concours, Everything stripped, rotisserie restoration... Figured.. Hmmm Spend 45k on a new Camaro Vert? or put half into my baby and restore her to better than her former glory? My 2001 Mustang Bullitt GT has 23 k miles, so keeping him, and restoring my baby... and that's my legacy now....

SO FAR.. New Engine with bigger pistons, HP Cam, Elec Ignition, HP Carbs, Elec fuel pumps, Dual Exhausts, AC pulley added, Trans service/flush, new filter, vacuum modulator, High stall torque converter, Front/Rear suspension totally rebuilt, bushings, etc, quick steering arms, new steering box, new ball joints, etc.. Coil springs cut one full coil, All new brakes with new hoses, etc......

Next.. 7K in the body shop.. all doors pulled, new hinges, vent windows pulled, rechromed, new regulators, put on a rotisserie, Entire dash restored, doors, etc...POR 15 undercoat, trunk, engine lids pulled, new insulation under engine hood.. '66 wheel trim moldings replaced with original bigger '65 multi piece trim, New headlight trim, clear corner the front turn signals with clear lenses / yellow bulbs, all new stickers for the glove box, door jambs, air pressure guide, etc.. new sill plates, Front bumper bracket modified to get rid of the license plate mount, Optima Yellow Top, ALL new or NOS emblems / trim..

Then.. New top, repainting top frame, new bushings, Replacing ALL control switches, lights, wipers, etc.. Softer pleather seats, original pattern with hand sewn seams, wood wheel, while original gets restored also.. sent original seatbelts in, to have the buckles refurbished, and new factory webbing replaced.. to get rid of the '89 black cheapo set of belts.. blech.... putting in a factory NOS clock, after sending it in to get that diode put in, so it doesnt burn up.... and finally.. A factory AC system put in from a '66.. although with a newer compressor that wont drag the engine so much, plus keeping it R12... so it's REALLY ICY COLD AIR... ..... Also adding power doorlocks operated from a keyfob...... and then.. a custom retro stereo.. that can bluetooth to my Galaxy S3.. with high tech speakers mounted under the dash, and under the the front seats for the back, maybe even small tweeters on the front window pillars.. Last but not least, Old style Cragar SS 16/17 inch rims with lower profile tires

SO.. there we are.. I told a slot tech at work what I was doing.. He said.. damn, you could buy a new car for what you're spending... MY reply was.. Well.. IT WILL BE A BRAND NEW CAR...... albeit, it's a 1965 classic, which will be even better than when it rolled off the assembly line in 1965.. LOL.. Great moment...

PS: Luckily for me I have no bills, no wife, no ex, no kids to support, along with a very good job. So my case is not the norm usually... As apprehensive as I've been the last 3 years debating her restoration costs, Now if some problem arises.. like the body shop bill that jumped 2k because I want her absolutely "Perfect".. or the need for the new $500 steering box.. I just tell Marty... DO IT !!!! and write him another check...

Even unrestored, she's a 10 footer.. and I get CRAZY attention everytime I take her out.. Honks, Thumbs up, people surrounding me at stores, guys saying they havent seen one in 30 years.. women that go gaga over her color combo, saying she's absolutely gorgeous, kids running over when they see me putting bags into the "engine compartment" lol... Even had a 40's couple in a brand new Tahoe with custom rims honking and yelling at me driving down Flamingo road near the strip... saying they'd trade me straight across for my car..... Uhmmmm Nah !!!! GOD.. I can't wait til she's DONE !!!! And For Sure, I think she'll be a HELLA LOT MORE FUN, than the New Camaro SS Vert, I'd debated selling her to buy !!!! Agree? =) Basically she'll be like a Brand new car, custom ordered to my specifications.... =) And since only 3% of ALL Corvairs had factory AC.. BONUS POINTS at car shows... which will be FUN... Hope I can win a prize...

Originally wasnt going for a Concours Resto, as in, I didn't want a trailer/garage queen, again, I didnt want a car I had to worry about getting waterspots on a shock absorber, or could turn over, and eat my dinner from, lol... but visiting Marty's shop, he put it up on one his lifts, and said.. "come here, and just look at this"... Quote.. "This IS one of THEE cleanest and rust free Vairs I've seen in years"... for just a little more money, lets make her Concours..... OK Marty, again.. just DO IT.. lol... SO.. she WILL be Concours.. BUT... I'm drivin her... TAKE THAT SHOW JUDGES.. lolol... Sure as hell not parking her in my garage til the next show... so.. a little dirt.. oh well.. take off a point or 3.. THERE !!!!!

[Scott H]

That is one of my favorite color combos that these cars came in. I am very jealous!

[new mexico vair]

Hey Dennis. She sher is a beut! I like those colors also. I am glad you get to do what you want to do. Can you go up a hill in July-say to kingman or something with the air on without it overheating. i used to pull a big hill outside of Tucson with my 64' 110 and the light would come on but I would stop for about fifteen minutes and i was good for the rest of the trip to TorC! .....desert talk.....

[California Dreaming]

That is one of my favorite color combos that these cars came in. I am very jealous!

Glad you like her Scott... But SHE'S MINE !!!!!!!

[California Dreaming]

Hey Dennis. She sher is a beut! I like those colors also. I am glad you get to do what you want to do. Can you go up a hill in July-say to kingman or something with the air on without it overheating. i used to pull a big hill outside of Tucson with my 64' 110 and the light would come on but I would stop for about fifteen minutes and i was good for the rest of the trip to TorC! .....desert talk.....

Well, she NOW has Aluminum Finned valve covers, plus a bigger aluminum finned oil pan that holds more oil to compensate...... So, Yes.. she's fit for that now.....

[Darrin]

Lucky to have Marty around...I used to go over and see him and Larry in Lawndale. When they split up the shop, I would go to Marty when I needed something. Great guy...happy he is retired and doing Vair stuff. Just wish he was in my neighborhood.

Darrin Hartzler

[new mexico vair]

Man i think of all that oil cooling stuff the extra oil pan wors huh? I even thought about an external oil cooler but.....
anyway on my Harley especially the older ones I would take my shirt off and get it wet and put it on the primary case and the bottom end of the engine on long hot desert rides. Then came synthetic oil and let me tell ya i think that stuff is worth its wieght in gold for that very reason it stands up in heat where conventional oils didn't used to. i sound like a castrol commercial....

[California Dreaming]

Lucky to have Marty around...I used to go over and see him and Larry in Lawndale. When they split up the shop, I would go to Marty when I needed something. Great guy...happy he is retired and doing Vair stuff. Just wish he was in my neighborhood.

Darrin Hartzler

YES.. The fact that Marty Katz retired to Vegas, got my car running after she was delivered, and can oversee my restoration is Truly a Godsend.... Words cannot even express that fact... WHAT a great guy.... Love him like an older brother.... TRULY... Marty IS Corvair......

[California Dreaming]

New brakes/suspension, ball joints, steering box installed, front springs cut one coil.... Car is finally in the body shop for 3 months of work, being totally dismantled/gutted.. vent window assemblies being rechromed, dash pulled, all window regulators rebuilt, power door locks installed, new drivers door window, new windshield etc... Here's a couple pics of the completed Engine on Martys bench

Bigger pistons, HP cam, Elec ignition, Finned Aluminum Oil pan, Valve covers off here... AC pulley added, plus the side mount adapter for the oil filter for the AC install...

Marty has a room in his house with all my new interior parts / new top, etc.. He calls it the Dennis room, lol... Can't wait til she's done !!!!

[California Dreaming]

UPDATE.. No longer going with Cragar SS Wheels... Now going for 18 inch low profile wheels in a different design
The original steering wheel is getting restored, I like the horn ring and colors... still debating on a wood wheel
AC upgrade "May" be on hold for awhile, Since I decided to make the car Concours, the price has risen dramatically

YES, in my younger years, when I loved to actually "work" on cars, I'd do a lot myself, Now... Let someone else...
Putting a waterpump in my 1983 Toyota Celica totally killed my passion for working on cars... lol.. true story....

[Matt]

Great project, can't wait to see progress pics and the final result.

[California Dreaming]

Lucky to have Marty around...I used to go over and see him and Larry in Lawndale. When they split up the shop, I would go to Marty when I needed something. Great guy...happy he is retired and doing Vair stuff. Just wish he was in my neighborhood.

Darrin Hartzler

YES !!!!.... EXTREMELY LUCKY to have Marty Retired in Vegas now.... It's a true godsend.... He's like my big stepbrother now... Totally overseeing my cars Revival.... So "Can't Wait".... til my car is done

[California Dreaming]

Marty made a visit to the bodyshop last Wednesday.... The car Has NOW been completely taken down to metal, and primered... The doors are off, windshield, etc.. A specialist is going to replace ALL of the door guts, and rebuild the backseat window regulators too.... Marty mentioned that the project is now running late... They replied that "It is now our slow season, so we will now begin to concentrate on the Corvair Project.... =) Hope to have her back by at least March.... She first entered her restoration Jan 27th 2013, So... Am I angry? NO !!!.... Am I Happy?? HELL "YES".... SHE WILL BE MY PERFECT SHINING STAR !!!!! =)

[Scott H]

Marty is a great guy. I'm glad to hear the restoration is back up and in progress again.

[tbird55]

just bought a 46k original 4dr with this color and white interior, nice to see another one with this combo. love that two tone steering wheel. mine had a crappy old leather wrap on it and was i pleasantly surprised when i yanked it off. looking forward to seeing more of yours, keep up the good work!

[Jerry Whitt]

Marty and Larry are well known in the Los Angeles area. Marty really has helped me and my 4 sons with Corvairs. Saw him at the Fan Belt Toss in Palm Springs and met his
wife.

Nice folks. Please say hello when you see him again.