My son works at a shop in MN and a long-time customer was moving and had this car to sell and we bought it as a father/son project. It's currently red but the numbers say it was originally Ivory - the person we purchased it from was the 3rd or 4th owner - Mr. Vic Skirmants owned it at one time and the person he sold it to may have raced it as it was painted red and had a hole in the hood with a racing style fuel cap - someone along the way patched the hole.
Car sat in under a cover for a number of years and we're doing lots of maintenance to get her on the road.
So far:
We have new split axle boots purchased from Stoddard's and transaxle seals - understand we're to position in the 10 and 2 o'clock position - existing boots are split and someone put small nuts and bolts where seam is - not sure this is necessary or is it?
Previous owner installed an electronic ignition - I'd like to go back to points but will start out with existing setup.
Seats have covers on them and plan to get them removed and the seats rebuilt - would like to do this here in MN and currently considering buying a kit and rebuilding innards before recovering - may farm it out - not sure yet.
Tires are completely shot - dropping wheels to sandblaster this week and plan to rattle can in the Napa Silver DE 1615 and then clear coat.
I'd like to get the Michelin XZX 165SR15's but doesn't look like they're available but did see a website Coker Tire - read some good reviews on the Vredesteins but they don't come in the size I need unless the 155SR15's are comparable.
Lots to do but the car is all there - engine cranks and pops - once fuel system is ready to go we'll get serious about starting her - seller says transmission was overhauled by Vic Skirmants and is geared more for racing but I guess we'll find out - he reports the cars shifts smoothly and the engine had good compression - I've got his readings - from August 1982 - I know that's a long time ago! Cylinder 1: 135 2: 135. 3: 130. 4:130
Engine has some engraving on it and serial number is 88589 - owners notes say chassis and engine are same as hem and it was the 168th car off the line in 1961.
Looking forward to sharing our project as we progress . . . Hope to have her running and driving by April 23rd.