A Dream Car Revisited

Don Delak, MN

Growing up in the 50s, I can vividly remember the "finned" cars that I always wanted to own someday. I always went to the car dealerships to look at the model unveilings and pick out my favorites. As time went by, the cars of the 50s were forgotten and I was bitten by the street rod bug and again vowed to have one of my own.

Many years later in 2005, after building two different street rods, I began a renewed interest in the big cars of the early 60's; especially the bubbletop Chevys. I searched eBay and many classic car websites looking for a suitable car. I finally found what I was looking for in this ’60 sport coupe at a classic cars dealer in Georgia. The car had everything I wanted: multiple carbs, 4-speed, hardtop and of course it was red. I sold my current streetrod and made my purchase. I bought the car in early November and anxiously awaited its delivery. I was only able to drive it two times for short distances before our Minnesota winter set in. During those short excursions, I found some serious issues that I would need to resolve before the 2006 driving season.
 
Over the winter, I discovered that my car needed some mechanical work. I had the necessary skills, tools and equipment to make the needed repairs to the induction, electrical, brake, suspension, drive train and charging systems. Any physical changes that I would make on the car would be those that someone in 1960 would make to their car; adding a tachometer, extra gauges and individual air cleaners. The only deviation to my plan was to put in a modern radio/CD player because a guy has to have his favorite tunes ready. Any stock parts removed from the car have been carefully stored away and can be put back on the car if it is sold at some time in the future.
 
The car drives and handles like a dream. Its large size enables me to take friends out for an evening drive and the extra large trunk provides ample space for luggage or swap meet finds. The car gets plenty of attention when I go to car shows or out for a short run to the grocery store. I like to hear stories from people that remember going to the drive-in movie and smuggling friends in the trunk of a car like mine or hear from a fellow that a guy in his neighborhood had a similar car and used to race it.
 
I plan to keep enjoying my classic ‘60.