I’ve heard too many stories like this over the years. They NEVER have a scrap of documentation to back them up. I’m also aware of several “Jetfire” convertibles. Not one was factory built.

You aren’t going to find anything that will bolt in. These cars aren’t popular enough for a company like Ididit to market one. You will need to have one custom built or modify one yourself. Ididit sells column shift versions, but you will need to fabricate a linkage to match. The only bolt-in columns are the 1961-63 F-85 and Skylark columns.…[Read more]

You DO realize this site is for the 62-63 Jetfires (and related F-85s) and not G-body car, right? You might have better luck at a site like gbodyforum.com

The orientation of which end of the dual M/C feeds which end of the car depends on the source of the M/C. GM typically (but not always) fed the front brakes from the front of the dual M/C. so GM disk/drum M/Cs tend to have the larger reservoir in the front. Ford and Chrysler typically fed the front brakes from the back of the M/C, so the Fairmont…[Read more]

In fact, there have been cars built with a single circuit M/C and disk/drum brakes. Personally, I prefer a dual system just for the added safety, but there is nothing that mandates it for disks. GM did not offer disk brakes until the 1967 model year, and the Feds required the dual circuit brake system at that same time, so no GM cars came with…[Read more]

Rare Parts makes the idler assembly now? That’s great to know, Jim. Thanks. I’ve been limping along with the crappy Chinesium idler repair kits that Kanter sells. They seem to go bad after a few years.

The reality is that you can use a drum brake MC for front discs so long as 1) it has the correct bore for the application, 2) you remove the residual pressure valve that is in the outlet port to the front brakes, and 3) you understand that the smaller reservoir for the front brakes will require more frequent checking of the fluid level.

There is…[Read more]

You can trade M/C bore and/or pedal ratio for stroke, at the expense of pedal force. The M/C for a mid-70s AMC Hornet has RH ports and is about the same overall size as the Fairmont M/C. These are available in both 1″ and 1 1/16″ bore. This will reduce travel, but increase required pedal force.

Didn’t sell at $22K so relisted with $38K starting and $45K BIN.

Good luck with that…

$439 is a bunch of money unless you care about a stock-appearing engine. I think I spent $35 for the bracket and $45 for the alternator. If you adapt the generator brackets as described, it’s even less. Your call on the value of looking like a generator. I avoid one-wire GM alternators like the plague. It should tell you something that GM…[Read more]

The 1963 215s came with an alternator. The bracket for these cars bolts up and accepts either a 12SI alternator or a CS130 with with the correct mounting ears. I used the 63 bracket and a CS130 from a 1989 Olds Custom Cruiser. I swapped the pulley from the generator onto the CS130 so the width was correct. Installation and wiring is extremely…[Read more]

Of course, it’s not a 63.

The Jetfire was officially introduced at the New York Auto Show on April 20, 1962. Corvair fans point out that the Corvair Spyder was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in Feb 1962. The problem is that was not the production Corvair turbo, it was a non-production show car called the Corvair Super Spyder.

That’s great info, thanks.

The problem isn’t the springs, it’s the wear on the plate itself. Look at the wear to the right of the spring at 12:00. That sheet metal cover is badly worn. Several of the others (at 4:00, 6:00, and 8:00) are also worn. You might be able to weld these up, but don’t weld the inner plate to the outer – that will defeat the operation of the…[Read more]

The 63 Jetfire is nearly all original, including the paint. The engine hasn’t been apart. The turbo was rebuilt 20-30 years ago. It was bought new by the current owner’s father.

The 63 Jetfire is nearly all original, including the paint. The engine hasn’t been apart. The turbo was rebuilt 20-30 years ago.

Right in my avatar photo, Jim. I actually had my car parked in the swap meet area. It isn’t exactly show material. 😉

What, no mention of the wagons, Ken?

Besides my 62, there was a very nice 63 wagon in the car corral.