Hi, I just purchased a 1962 Buick Special convertible. I bought it with the hopes of restoring it with my father. It currently isn’t running and has been sitting covered for about five years, but I was able to turn the engine so I am hopeful that I can get it running. I am very new to this sort of thing and admit I don’t know much (I am still in high school) but my dad knows some basic stuff and I think we can figure it out – so I will likely ask a lot of what are probably very basic questions. My apologies in advance. I will probably ask on some other forums as well, so you may see me in several places online J I have attached a picture of the car and I will post some more of the interior later – it only had a front seat and some rotten carpet, both of which I removed. It is currently an empty shell with what seems to be some minor surface rust on the floorboards, almost no rust on the body and the frame seems to be in good shape. It lacks most everything! It doesn’t have door locks, trunk locks or latch, hood latch, side mirror, etc. It needs a lot of work! But I am excited to get it running. My current plan (aside from engine work) is to 1) see if I can find a full set of matching locks for the ignition, doors and trunk plus the trunk latch and hood latch 2) remove rust from interior floorboards (maybe using brass wire brushes?) and then either get a shop to paint the floorboards professionally or do it myself (my dad has an air compressor and spray gun) 3) reupholster the front seats 4) clean up the convertible mechanism (its manual and seems to work) 5) buy new convertible top 6) find latches for the top (the ones that attach to the window and lock down the top) 7) get new wheels/tires. I am going to keep it original except I would like to put a little bit bigger wheels on it so I can add some sportier looking tires – and figure out an appropriate size that I can go up to that fits as is and doesn’t look ridiculous. If anyone happens to know anything about where to find some of the above parts or tips about how to do it I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much, Jacob
Good looking car and it's great to see a new generation of Buick owners! Congrats. If you let us know where you are, that helps too...
The 61-63 Y body cars are really in a class of their own. Unfortunately you won't find much specialized help like your needing here. I would suggest joining our 61-63 Buick Skylark group on Facebook, I think you will find that group much more helpful for you. Keith
Thanks a lot, I appreciate it, obviously it is still a work in progress. As for my location, I am currently working on it in Columbia, South Carolina
Thanks a lot, I appreciate the help. I'll have to try to find that Facebook group, I'm not currently on Facebook but it seems like it would be beneficial to join.
