[Curnane]

Originally Posted by ron cozzo

Not originally a tripower car. Code on block is 78X (4bbl MT). Date on block is D14, pretty close to the build date, probably original. I'll take a closer look at the carbs when I get them home. The intake was the correct 9775088, and the carbs had the correct tags on them, but that's as far as I checked. This is my first tripower, so there's a lot to learn there.

Regarding this being a good, not great start. Yes, I understand. There were just too many nice parts there to walk away from it. Rust free hood and trunk lid, nice fenders, nice doors, two front bumpers, etc. Unfortunately the custom sport steering wheel and console are MIA. The upper body seems sounds, dash, firewall, rockers, rear tail panel, window channels all look workable. Looks like quarters, wheelhouses, floors and a frame swap will do the body. We'll see.

Ron my block has the same date D 14 what are the chances of seeing that
my build date on my body is 4 15 what is the date for your body?

[ron cozzo]

Originally Posted by Curnane

Ron my block has the same date D 14 what are the chances of seeing that
my build date on my body is 4 15 what is the date for your body?

My trim tag shows 4th week of April. Where did you get a specific day for your body?

[ron cozzo]

Pulled the '64 out of its resting place this morning. Started looking pretty good with a few more parts back on it.

[ron cozzo]

These are the three club members that helped me put it together enough to get it home. The woman in the background is the previous owner.

[ron cozzo]

I brought an old set of redlines I had so we could get it rolling again.

[ron cozzo]

Earlier in this post we discussed whether the rear frame was shot or not. Turns out, it's fine. Just didn't have any springs in it before. I popped in an extra set of '67 springs I had laying around temporarily.

[ron cozzo]

We dropped the motor back in to make it easier to get home. I couldn't resist dropping the tripower back on it at that point.

[ron cozzo]

Starting to look like a car again. I thought the previous owner was 'gonna cry when she starting seeing it all back together. She hasn't seen it like this since '84.

[ron cozzo]

My poor little trailer was packed with all the stuff that had been accumulated over the years.

[ron cozzo]

A big thanks for the club members that helped me get it out today. From left to right, Kevin, Jeff, me, Doug. All this stuff will probably stay in the trailer for awhile. I need to get my '67 ready for the nationals, then work on organizing my shop a little before I start unloading.

[Andre]

What was the story on this car that it sat like that for 20 years? It definitely looks like a lot of work.

[ron cozzo]

I wanted to hear the story of the car too, so I asked the seller to right it down for me. Here's what she wrote (I abbreviated the actual names):

"June 1982

I graduated high school at the same time D.M. bought the GTO from his cousin in Ironton Ohio. He said his cousin had gotten the car from a man in Kentucky that had it in a field for years.

October 1982

After babysitting 4 kids for 2 weeks and $600, I finally got to buy the GTO. I drove it one time before the ex-boyfriend decided to tear it down for complete restoration. He made the promise it would be put back together by end of summer the next year.

Spring 1983

A friend ran the numbers on the car and told us it came with a muncie 4-speed and a tri-power. Since it had a 4 barrel, I bought a tri-power for $75 from a guy in Beavercreek.

The car sat after the boyfriend got a '64 GTO convertible and he took the 4 barrel since his tri-power would catch fire.

November 1985

The boyfriend and I broke up and the car sat garaged at my house in Springfield. Guys would want to buy the car but I refused at any cost.

March 1995

I sold the house in Springfield and moved to Bellefontaine. I got six guys I mig welded with from the plant to help move it. We had a flat bed and 5 truck loads. We all drove 25 miles an hour up St. Rt. 68 until we made it.

From that point on, I thought about selling it but never advertised. Word got out and I got calls from people I knew and didn't know. Many people came over just because they wanted to see it not necessarily buy it.

The more serious I got about selling it the more the men who wanted it tried to play down the rarity of the car. One guy wanted to turn it back into a LeMans, one wanted to tub it out. One I knew wanted to part it out for the money so at any price it wasn't for sale

2007

Being new in my department, I talked muscle cars with people and when they found out I had the GTO, the chase to buy it started all over. I didn't take any interest very seriously because I figured the manipulation would start again to get it for nothing or just a chance to see the car.

That's when you decided to buy it."

And she gave me the contact info for the ex-boyfriend who supposedly still has the original 4bbl, intake, and console. I don't think I'll follow that lead too far.

[Andre]

That is quite a while to drag around a car. I think if she had sold it 10 years ago, it may have gotten parted. That is a good story for sure.

[ron cozzo]

Yep, good story. And really all she wants is that the car survives and is restored. I hope I can live up to that. If/when the restoration takes off, I plan to send her progress pics, at her request. I eventually hope to take her for a ride in the goat she wanted. Sounds silly, I know, but that's what should happen.

[Cardo]

Cool Ron..... good way to get another project.... the old car in a box trick!

[ron cozzo]

Originally Posted by Cardo

Cool Ron..... good way to get another project.... the old car in a box trick!

Thanks Cardo. Ummm, about that trailer. Will you be needing it for the Nationals?

[Cardo]

Naahhh. I wouldn't ask anyone to unload that mess for that. If the weather is good, I'll probably just drive the car up for the meet. I'm not coming until friday morning anyway, but thanks anyway!

[baron_]

nice!

i didn't even notice this thread until jegstek told me about it


it must be '64 month in Central Ohio

i just bought a '64 GTO ragtop tripower car in Michigan...going to get it tomorrow
it's in 1300 pieces (at least), but looks all there

i'll start another thread so i don't hijack this, but i'll plan on meeting you sometime, if you don't mind, and taking a look at your car (or jegstek's)
I don't know how these go together, but i'm going to have to learn


the '64 bodystyle is growing on me

[ron cozzo]

Clay, yes, it's strange we haven't met yet given our proximity. Kevin told me he had met you before when we where discussing your stolen car. Glad you decided not to let that stop you from getting another. Good Luck tomorrow. We'll be learning alot about '64's together I guess. From what I've seen so far, not much is different mechanically from our '66 and '67 experiences. Send me a PM when you get a post up on your find so I don't miss it. We'll have to get together some time and compare notes/plans.

[Ron Landis]

we need more pix. It's time!!! lol Da uver Ron.