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Greetings to all from Colorado! I've recently purchased a '62 Starfire hardtop in pieces. The previous owner's husband passed away before being able to complete the reassembly so I am receiving a wonderfully restored car that needs to be put back together. It's like being a kid who gets a model of his favorite car and just needs to put it together! He was copious in noting and photographing each disassembly step as well as creating multiple drawings of how things should be done to correctly reassemble the car. Parts are "bagged and tagged" which will help alot It has full receipts and duplicate parts. I will probably be reaching out for information if I hit a snag as well as offering duplicate parts that I am not going to use. I've recently completed a full restoration of a '64 Pontiac Bonneville, so this cousin shouldn't provide too many surprises! Pictures will be forthcoming!
As you get into it, you’ll find that car will have many things in common with other big (and to a lesser degree little - A bodies) Olds of the day. When you hit a snag, do a search on 60-64 88’s, 98’s and Starfires and you’ll probably get close to an answer. Lots of stuff changed in ‘65 and there was much less in common with the early 60’s stuff.
You’re in for a lot of fun. Even more if you have friends who can and are interested to help.
Oh — in case no one’s said it, start with Chassis Service Manual for 1962 Oldsmobiles. If you can find an original, great. If not, reprints may do the job. There may also be a Fisher Body Manual which accompanies the Chassis Service Manual (CSM) for 1962. These are the books the factory sent to dealership mechanics to help them diagnose and repair the car.
If you dig around here under my username, you’ll find a bunch of weird restoration tips that aren’t motors, brakes and so on - more like electrical systems and option stuff since I have a little fear of working on safety stuff.
Humble suggestion to get brakes and suspension stuff sorted first. If they fail, your safety is threatened, plus any passengers. Stranded by the side of the road is nothing compared to an A-Arm giving way.
Thanks Charlie! A wise investment. I had one for my '64 Bonneville. Had I not, it would still be in pieces! I think the previous owner may have already purchased this as the restoration is quite far along and he would have wanted it also. If it's not there, I'll definitely pick one up!
April 3rd, 2022, 03:08 PM
