1967 Corvair - Project Sanity

[Ducs]

Time to post few pics of my current project - 1967 Corvair. I call it Project Sanity.

Here is some background: You may ask why Corvair ? I always liked the lines and the size of the 'late model', 65-69, Corvair, but wasn't too thrilled by the powertrain. I've been looking for a project car for a while, I've seen few G body Malibus - I really like these, but what I've seen was more than disappointing, at least during the time when I was looking around. When I came across this Corvair in April of last year, 2015, I pulled a trigger on it and got it home. On the same day, I also picked up a 87 G body frame. I already had a plan on what's really going to happen to a Corvair if I get my hands on a good candidate. That's how my project was born.

The essentials of Project Sanity - 1967 Corvair: Front engine - RWD drive by means of a G body frame swap, LS1, T56, 18" rims, corner carver.

Few pics of what it looked like back in April of 2015:

G body frame:

I began slow, cleaned my garage to make sure I have a clean and organized work area. I am working in a single car garage so my work space is very minimal. I also picked up a LS1, T56, rear end, brakes etc. out of a 2000 Z28 being parted out.

I began by working on the frame, I stripped it from all components, mocked up the engine and transmission to get a good idea where it will be. I decided to mount the engine and transmission with the center line lining up with the center line of the frame instead of the stock G body offset to the passenger side. I fabricated my own engine mounts and notched the front cross member. This allowed me to use the stock F-body oil pan and A/C compressor along with the alternator.

Right after I sent the frame out to get it sandblasted and while it was out, I began stripping the Corvair. I knew I had to engineer a way to get the body up in the air to allow me to work under the body fitting the frame and at the same time keeping structural integrity of the body. I welded up a frame inside the body that was strong and rigid enough to allow me to lift the body up by it. Once the body was up in the air, the wrenches and plasma cutter came out. The flat air cooled six and a two speed Powegrlide along with rear and front suspension, brakes, etc. came out. I ended up with just the shell, minus the floor.

I knew I had to modify few things to make it all work together. Countless measurements and mock up sessions took place. Most of the modifications were done to the frame in order to make it fit the body. Along the way I notched and rearranged the rear frame rails, added few reinforcements here and there and when I was finally done working on the frame, I primed everything in black epoxy. I am going with UMI suspension components, I got the front adjustable upper and lower arms along with S10 spindles. I statically aligned the front suspension at ride height for 0.5 degrees of negative camber and 6.5 degrees of caster. This will get my wheels where they need to be so when the body and frame are married everything will be where is should.

So this is where I am at. I am planning to marry the body to the frame later on this week, pictures from the wedding are coming !!