I set three goals for this project: 1) to end up with a brand new 1965 Corvair, 2) to keep it original (color scheme, interior, etc) but, 3) to increase its performance. I also planned to keep the car after it was finished. Since I wasn't going to sell it, I didn't set a price on the project, but I did try to estimate the highest dollar amount the project would cost me. I ended up being off by 50%, but I understand that is typical for restoration projects. I wanted to start with the best car I could find and I ended up purchasing a car from California and having it shipped across the country to me in New Jersey.

Doing it right!

Once the car arrived I wanted to do the dirty work first, so I completely stripped it, then sandblasted the underside, primed it, and painted it the original Glacier Grey. My father then sandblasted and painted all the suspension pieces. He underwent heart bypass surgery during the course of the restoration and told me working on the car was good therapy for him (both physically and mentally) during his recovery. Since his recovery, he purchased and fixed up a '66 Monza, but that is another story.

After the dirty work on my car was done, I then tackled the engine. I wanted a bulletproof (or near so) engine, so I used the best parts inside (forged pistons, tri-metal bearings, stainless steel valves, copper head gaskets, etc). I installed an OTTO TB-20 camshaft, roller rocker arms, a hi-torque mini starter, and a lightened flywheel. I had the heads de-flashed, CC'd, ported, a three angle valve job done, larger exhaust valves and 140 exhaust tubes installed.