1961 Bubbletop

[1968C30]

Done CLR and been buffing on rt side. Don't have it running yet it does crank over. Looks to only have 33000 miles. Hope to get it running and brakes and enjoy it this summer. Was last run in 1980....

[cAlvis165]

Wow! Looks nice. That will be a great summer cruiser!

[1968C30]

Originally Posted by cAlvis165

Wow! Looks nice. That will be a great summer cruiser!

Thanks, I was planning on changing it to a automatic on the column,wife says it is her car and leave it 3 on the tree.....

[6BT 56]

That is a nice find for sure. Full marks on cleaning up the paint. Dont go any further tho. Sweet as is . Needs 8 ich steel weels and tiny hupcaps!

[Jonboy]

Great find. That's one of my favorites. I had a few of them when I was in high school/ college. It looks to be pretty solid from the pics.

[72BlckButy]

Love this car!!!
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[1968C30]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Love this car!!!
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Thanks, just got home from the autofair.. Found a few needed parts. Hope to get the other side cleaned up and get the car running soon It is a pretty solid car,It will need lower 1/4's but that can wait. plan to drive it like it is....

[Luther Grimace]

That is a beautiful car!
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[hopped up]

Great car!!! Just put somw steelies and caps and call it done!!
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[1968C30]

Originally Posted by hopped up

Great car!!! Just put somw steelies and caps and call it done!!
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I have the orginal 14" steel wheels but it had full wheel covers. Also I got ir running today they had the firing order off on the dist cap!!!! Sounds really good and blowed about five pounds of debris out the tailpipe. Now on to the brakes and cooling hoses...

[68jewel]

You lucky dog, you. I would kill for a 61 bubble top. Congrats!! Please give it due justice and fix it up nice.

[1968C30]

Got the 283 running the other day. It sounds great and does not smoke. About 5 pounds of acorns,rabbit pellets and debris came out the exhaust. Also scored this set of 15" Cragars at the salvage yard, They have rust but I think a better match compared to the 80's Camaro wheels....

[hopped up]

That's great news!! I'm very jealous! The cravats are cool and era correct . Id still go with a steelie and poverty cap
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[1968C30]

Originally Posted by hopped up

That's great news!! I'm very jealous! The cravats are cool and era correct . Id still go with a steelie and poverty cap
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I agree on the steelies and poverty caps. I will have to find some 15" steelies as I plan to install disk brakes on the front....

[Luther Grimace]

Can you share how you buffed the old paint?
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[tommys72]

Awesome car
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[6BT 56]

Those wheels look just fine. I like steelies and poverty caps too but you cant beat a junkyadr find . Please loose the whitewalls tho. I grew up around them . Make the hair on my neck stand up now. Thanks dad. Lol...... How did you come across this car ? Good story by chance ?

[1968C30]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Those wheels look just fine. I like steelies and poverty caps too but you cant beat a junkyadr find . Please loose the whitewalls tho. I grew up around them . Make the hair on my neck stand up now. Thanks dad. Lol...... How did you come across this car ? Good story by chance ?

Thanks, I was thinking the same thing with the white walls! I saw the car listed on Ebay and realized who had it. It did not meet reserve, a couple of months after the auction ended I was at the owners shop and asked him if he had sold the bubbletop and now here it sets. The car was a one family owner, the original passed and his sister ended up with the car. She then sold it to the nephew. The car was garage kept until the garage started falling in. It then sat out for four years with a cover over it and one year without a cover. Car only has 33000 miles. Was last inspected and on road in 1980. It has lots of paper work with it. Still have the receipt where the original owner traded in the Rambler and paid $1275 difference. The car still had the original Delco plug wires and distributor cap. It also has the original shocks and exhaust!!! Just a neat old car no one has fooled with. It has a little rust but not bad for a 51yr old WV car. Thanks Daniel

[1968C30]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

Can you share how you buffed the old paint?
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I am by no means a expert at this but I figured I would give it a try. It looks a lot better but when you get up close it still has the cracks in the paint. I actually like the patina look I know some don't(namely the wife) she has laid claim to the car! Here is what I did. Purchased CLR cleaner at Lowe's CLR stands for Calcium Lime Rust. Poured some of cleaner in a bucket and took scotch bright pads dipped in the CLR and scuffed the rust and paint on the car. I did this outside and used a water hose to keep the car rinsed and wet. After I was done with that I took 800 grit wet sand paper and wet sanded the car. After I finished with the 800 grit I took 2000 grit and wet sanded the car again. Then I took a buffer and buffing compound and buff the car. I then used swirl remover compound and the buffer. Then I finished up by waxing the car. Now all I have to do is the other side.Thanks Daniel

[6BT 56]

That sure is a nice find. A friend of my dads has a 61 bubble . 348 tri power 4 spd. red with the white insert. Nice car. It's in the shed at his farm. I dont think he will ever restore it but it's not being neglected either. It gets driven a few miles a year. He bought it in the early 80's when they were cheap .

[CAL 58 GMC]

Got to love those bubble tops! Nice ride!