[60SharkAttack]

I'm new here. I'll be looking for help and advise on my new project.

My wife calls them thing one and thing two but as long as she is OK with my crazy car-ness she can call them what ever she wants.

I frequent the v8Buick.com site where I have posted my 64 Skylark build. I posted my latest on that site and the guys suggested I post my "Sharks" here for advise and the like.

Thing one, (or Shark One) coranado red, 80,000 miles. Last registered in 1974. Said to be Tri-power and 8 lug wheels. Way Cool!

Thing two, (or Shark Two) grey, 70,000 miles. Totaled but saved from the crusher in 1974.

Both tired but 100% origianal. Prior owner started to restore over 30 years ago. Did body work on the front fender and the heater unit? Covered and pretty much forgotten.

[Greg Reid]

Welcome to the boards...Love those '60s! Have you ordered the PHS docs yet? That would be awesome to verify the Trips and 8-lugs.

[Poncho60]

Welcome. Love 60s as well (who would have guessed LOL). Unfortunately no PHS available on 60 and earlier from what I remember.

[aljan]

Nice projects!

[Chris65LeMans]

Welcome! I, too, love those '60's. They always draw a crowd at the shows.

There's a local guy who has a full-size record player mounted on the floor between the passenger and driver.

[60man]

Originally Posted by Poncho60

Welcome. Love 60s as well (who would have guessed LOL). Unfortunately no PHS available on 60 and earlier from what I remember.

You are correct about the PHS.

[60man]

They are both Ventura's.! I like 60's too. Who would have think??lol
Good luck on build.
I'll follow your thread.

[cuz68]

Welcome to PY, Looks like you have enough parts to make one good one, I like the 60 also.

[The Champ]

My very first car was a '60 Bonneville - so I'm partial to that vintage also.

[pugslyx234]

Welcome and now your cars triggered my need to have one of those venturas, thanks for sharing. Woody

[Simple Man]

Nice rides!

[Bazooka]

id love to have one of these big beauties for a cruiser and set up like a early/mid sixties custom.

[60SharkAttack]

Thank you welcoming party!

I have always loved the thin pillar bubble top GMs. I have seen these two cars for sale for a year or more but the timing was not there for me. I finished my custom 64 Skylark Convert and then started wondering about these again so I did some searching on some old listings and bingo, I found the guys number. He said he had them sold about a year ago to a guy that planned to do a full rotisserie build on the red one. The guy put down a deposit, purchased a set of tires but later called to say he messed up his back and had to pass.

Both cars are complete with very good trim, it would be a shame to part out and scrap the grey one. I would love to see someone restore it (I know it can be done because I've done a couple very similar in damage years ago). As for red, I may just throw rit together and drive it to a few shows while I decide to do a full body off or just a very nice paint and engine bay. Either way the interior will be saved to be as much of the original as possible.

That is too bad that PHS does not go back to 60. It would be great to have the history on the red one. Is there a build sheet tucked away anywhere on these cars?

[61-63]

Don't let someone talk you out of those 8 lug rims cheap. They have a lip around the inner edge and are correct for '60-mid '61 cars and all of the later rims do not have that lip and are therefore not correct. The ones you have are worth $300> each. Just thought I'd let you know in case you weren't aware.

[60SharkAttack]

Originally Posted by 61-63

Don't let someone talk you out of those 8 lug rims cheap. They have a lip around the inner edge and are correct for '60-mid '61 cars and all of the later rims do not have that lip and are therefore not correct. The ones you have are worth $300> each. Just thought I'd let you know in case you weren't aware.

Thank you. I had heard they are correct for 60 and something about the inner lip but I didn't know specifically. I will start looking more closely so that I can see it for myself. I did notice that they still have left handed lug nuts on two of the wheels.

Anyone know the last year of the left hand lug nuts?

[Poncho60]

1963 was the last year for LH threads on the drivers side.

[2002Z4CSS]

Welcome! Looks like one car could be made from those two.

[60SharkAttack]

WOW. I can't believe how time has flown by. I pretty much forgot about this site so I think it's time for an update.

I moved into a new home shortly after purchasing these two cars so they both went into storage. I inspected the gray car very closely and found that it had a U bend throughout the belly of the car and rear package tray area that left the car beyond rebuilding within cost per value. Sadly the gray car has since been cut up for any salvageable parts. I have sorted through all the parts in order to us the best stuff for the red car. I will be selling what I don't need.

Just to catch everyone up on my research into the red car.

I found the matching vin number on the front lower corner of the block so I decided I had to save the original engine. I also found the A1 stamp that indicates this engine is a 389 with 10.25-1 compression, 2 barrel, automatic.

The 6 pack intake and carbs markings indicate that they are late 1959. I'm told that this was a popular set up with the high compression engine and tri-power swaps and could have been done anytime after the car was purchased.

As for the wheels. I found the date stamps on the inside of the rims and they match the date codes of the car so they may or may not be factory installed but they are correct dates.

I started a YouTube channel and I have been documenting the red cars reassembly. He's the first couple of video / slide shows. (if it works or is allowed)

https://youtu.be/dsgFfQ3ZNE0

https://youtu.be/1Wh1ERIpizE

[Stuart]

One thing you need to remember is "6 pack" is a Mopar term, some Pontiac people get riled up when they hear that. Interestingly, 10.25:1 was actually the standard compression ratio for most engine options with automatic transmissions in 1960. You could get 8.6:1 engines with manual transmissions or as an economy version with an automatic. Factory tripower and 425A Trophy cars had 10.75:1 compression. As you said, it wasn't uncommon for a tripower manifold to be added later.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Forged "rubber" rods in there so beware.