Howard Cohen Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Here are the 2 Corvair resin bodies that Steve Martin was talking about. They are from Time Machine Resin.
MrObsessive Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Those look good Howard! I've got a built up '64 Spyder in the stash, but that wagon looks mighty tempting! My Uncle had one of those many years ago (a Lakewood?), and it would be neat someday to make a model of it.
vintagercr Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Bill, they are nice. I don't have a photo sharing site, so Howard was kind enough to upload them for me. I wish Time Resin had a website. You have to buy through eBay. I own a real '64 Monza.
bbowser Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Those look very nice! Would the AMT (I think) '65 be the donor?
MrObsessive Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Yeah, that's the downside Steve as when he intro's something new, the price can go sky high witness his recently intro'd '56 Studebaker Commander. Now that the kit's been out for awhile, prices are more reasonable as whoever wanted one, now has one.His casting are very good..........about right up there with The Modelhaus as far as quality IMO. I've got from him so far, his '71 Riviera (little too flat in the roof area though), and the '71 Olds Delta 88. VERY good quality with no pinholes that I can see. The only downside is that none of his parts are chromed, and some don't have glass-----you'll have to either make your own, or get one from another kit.Most of his kits though are meant to be a sort of trans kit for something else, so they can be easily worked with.
MrObsessive Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Those look very nice! Would the AMT (I think) '65 be the donor?Good question Bruce! I'm not a Corvair expert, but it seems that the '69 could be a donor, although I think there were chassis differences between the first and second generations. I'd like to build a good '66 some day (the same Uncle had one of those too---a Monza coupe), but I absolutely hate the molded in front suspension, and I'd want to come up with something that's close to replicating it without it being too inaccurate.
vintagercr Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Bruce, they come as a complete kit (curbside). They are from an original kit. I'm not sure is you could use a modern kit.
vintagercr Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 I forgot to mention they don't come with glass.
MrObsessive Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 I forgot to mention they don't come with glass.I wanted to mention that I also have his '59 Chevy Impala "flattop". Although I didn't get that one directly from him, it does give you the rear window. You'd need to use the Revell '59 (looks like the convertible windshield) for the front glass, as well as the rest of the kit to complete it.
High octane Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Good question Bruce! I'm not a Corvair expert, but it seems that the '69 could be a donor, although I think there were chassis differences between the first and second generations. I'd like to build a good '66 some day (the same Uncle had one of those too---a Monza coupe), but I absolutely hate the molded in front suspension, and I'd want to come up with something that's close to replicating it without it being too inaccurate.There were considerable differences between the first and second generation Corvairs, not only in the chassis but also in many other areas of the car itself.
bbowser Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 If I'm not mistaken suspension upgrades came with the 1964 model year, new body style followed in '65.
MrObsessive Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 There were considerable differences between the first and second generation Corvairs, not only in the chassis but also in many other areas of the car itself. Nick, I've always wondered were the floorpans essentially the same? I know that Chevy went to a four link rear suspension in '65 getting rid of the swing axles from '64. I think the front suspension was changed a bit too. I wish my Uncle were still alive------the man literally lived and breathed Corvairs when I was growing up and still had his '66 Monza when he passed away in '09. I don't know where he got the parts, but anything that went wrong with 'em he could fix. I think he owned just about every Corvair model that Chevrolet made at some point.........four doors, two doors, wagons, the Greenbriar van (remember those?). Corvairs were so embedded in my mind as a kid that I could close my eyes and could tell if one was starting up. Their starters had a very distinctive sound when turning over. If I'm not mistaken suspension upgrades came with the 1964 model year, new body style followed in '65. Yup! All new styling for '65 as well as a much needed suspension upgrade. '64's still had the swing axles in the rear but Chevy IIRC added a sway bar to help the twitchy handling. That '65 bodystyle would be the only major change for Corvairs till they ceased production in early '69.
High octane Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 I bought one brand new and "made to order" in 1965. It had the 140 h.p. engine with four carbs, a 4 speed trans, and a posi rear end. Ralph Nader had said that they were "unsafe at any speed," however I had mine doin' 110 mph in the pouring rain without a quiver, back in the fall of '67 as I was on my way to New York for the Grand Prix of the United States. I drag raced my Corvair on the street/strip, did a Gymkana, and also had it custom painted and had it in a major Chicago auto show in '68 I believe.
MrObsessive Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Wow! That was a beautiful car Nick! After I made my last post, I did some digging particularly on eBay Motors, and came across a beautiful yellow '65 convertible that had a TON of chassis shots. I saved most of them and yes, I can see the differences in the floor stampings between the '60-'64's and the '65's through '69's. Not a super major change, but different enough that some scratch-building would be needed on my part being the purist that I am. I don't remember my Uncle complaining about the handling with any of his Corvairs, and he had owned a lot of 'em from both gens. Of course, he was VERY possessive about them as I wanted to drive his '66 years ago, and he said..........."NOBODY drives my Corvairs except me!"
High octane Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Wow! That was a beautiful car Nick! After I made my last post, I did some digging particularly on eBay Motors, and came across a beautiful yellow '65 convertible that had a TON of chassis shots. I saved most of them and yes, I can see the differences in the floor stampings between the '60-'64's and the '65's through '69's. Not a super major change, but different enough that some scratch-building would be needed on my part being the purist that I am. I don't remember my Uncle complaining about the handling with any of his Corvairs, and he had owned a lot of 'em from both gens. Of course, he was VERY possessive about them as I wanted to drive his '66 years ago, and he said..........."NOBODY drives my Corvairs except me!" Thanks Bill as I enjoyed the car very much while I had it as it was lots of fun in many ways. I even rebuilt and modified the four carbs at one time, and I was able to synchronize them as well. In the fall of '69 the car and I were caught in the middle of a three car accident. I then bought a '69 Super Bee.
Howard Cohen Posted February 11, 2017 Author Posted February 11, 2017 I had a 65 Corvair when I was in college, baby blue, 110HP, dash shifter It looked just like my model
vintagercr Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 Howard I had one in high school. It was a '66 silver with red interior. I bought it from friends of the family for $75
unclescott58 Posted February 12, 2017 Posted February 12, 2017 Within the last year I built two Modelhaus Corvairs. One a 1966 Corsa convertible. The other, a 1967 Monza sport sedan (4-door hardtop). Both turned out very nice. Glad I ordered them when I did. Scott
ChrisBcritter Posted February 12, 2017 Posted February 12, 2017 (edited) Are there any other Corvair-powered kits, like dune buggies or customs, that would have the early rear suspension setup? I seem to recall one Ross or Barris kit that does. I have a '64 Craftsman that might tempt me to needlessly complicate things... Edited February 12, 2017 by ChrisBcritter
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