Old Unrestored Muscle Cars

[OldZ28Owner]

Whenever I see an old unrestored muscle car or any other for that matter, one that is "a 1966 with only 6600 miles" for example, some are listed as completely original. I always have wondered how the rubber components - tires, hoses, belts, weatherstrippiong - could possibly have survived the years. I realize some have been stored in a climate controlled garage, and that the tires might not be safe to drive on. But wouldn't the rubber have deteriorated too badly to look acceptable and functional? I remember seeing the LS6 Chevelle sometime back that had been immediately stored, after purchase, and wondered. I will probably never see one of these jewels so someone help me!

Thanks

Supraman

[firstgenaddict]

The weatherstripping was not rubber per se it was foam with a latex covering which deteriorates as well.
Most of the cars you are talking about would probably not be safe to drive around in with out replacing the wear parts you listed.

But then if you are buying a 6000 original mile car ...you are probably going to set it in a display and not drive it.

[ORIGLS6]

Jim,

My car still retains the original radiator and heater hoses, as well as the rubber hoses for the AIR system. All are in remarkable shape for being 35 years old. The weatherstripping is also holding up well, although I admit it received pretty good care all along; treated with ArmorAll and garaged since 1975 (not 'climate controlled' or even heated). The only pieces showing some deterioration are the rubber strips on the front of the rear quarter windows. They are beginning to crack, especially on the driver's side. The car has 32K miles on it and was a daily driver for the first three years of it's life, sitting out in all kinds of weather. The belts have been replaced a number of times, (they tend to depart around 6K RPM) and the bypass hose from the intake to the water pump has also been replaced, but all the others have held up....... so far! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

As for the tires................ Well,................ http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif!
They're still around but I SERIOUSLY doubt if they'd hold air!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif
Dennis

[Mr70]

Those tires are Crap.You won't need them..give them to me.
Dennis Cumby is a Rare breed. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[LastOne]

I have parted out some low mileage original "granny" cars that have suffered from the northern rust and have been amazed at the condition of some of the original hoses & door rubber. With the current price of NOS door weatherstrips I wish I had found a way to remove some of them for re-use! The passenger side always seems to be in better condition.

[OldZ28Owner]

Thanks for the info. One of those curious things in life, I guess.

Supraman

[skierkaj]

Armour All isn't a very good thing to use. It moistens the surface for a while, but then dries it out even more than before. Just a little tip I got from a very reputable paint and body man. He suggested Meguires, or some other product. I can't remember exactly what was in the Armour All that did this, but I could try to find out.

[budnate]

Armol all is bad stuff.. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif the stuff I was turned onto years ago but stopped using mainly cuzz it was spendy ....it is used in the Avation industry and is called "303 protectant" it is what they whip there stuff down with and UV's dont break it down..It had a nice satin look to it..I had a case but used it up years ago....I should probably look online bet we can find it reasonable now...

[Mr70]

I use it on My Hot Tub cover.
http://www.rhtubs.com/store/303protectant.htm

[GMC_Typhoon]

I've never used anything on my plastic but a damp cloth.Seems to work pretty good. Armor All=BAD

[budnate]

[ QUOTE ]
I use it on My Hot Tub cover.
http://www.rhtubs.com/store/303protectant.htm

[/ QUOTE ]

hey thats the stuff..I see its still gold plated..no bs its really good..

[Keith Tedford]

I've heard all the bad things about Armor All. In fact, the manufacturer of the tonneau conver on our truck specifically mentions Armor All as a product not to be used. On the other hand Dennis has been using the stuff for 30 years and his car is still good. I had a vinyl top car and the top looked much better than the car and it was always treated with Armor All. Curious. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Charley Lillard]

Bill Porterfield used Armor All on the tires on the Berger ZL1 for years. The outside where he used it had no cracks but the inside where none was used they were dried and cracked.

[Bill Pritchard]

I just bought some of that 303 Aerospace Protectant over the winter and treated all my 36 yr. old original weatherstripping and convertible top to a coat of it. Seems to be good stuff. About $1/ fl. oz. at a local Body Shop - doesn't seem too pricey to me.

Re: Armor All - I had a 73 Z28 that I bought new and drove sparingly until I sold it 5 yrs ago. It received regular treatment with Armor All over the years and I saw absolutely no detrimental effects from it.

[Xplantdad]

The key with armor all is that you have to continue to use it...if you stop using it, everything turns brown and dries out...that's my experience...

[budnate]

[ QUOTE ]
The key with armor all is that you have to continue to use it...if you stop using it, everything turns brown and dries out...that's my experience...

[/ QUOTE ]

I noticed that to Bruce and if its in the garage all the time it will work fine...its the UV's and armol that dont mix...

[68l30]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif To the 303 Aerospace products. I've been using them for a while now and nothing can compare.The key is to go back and wipe it all off after a few minutes.It has a nice shine and it is DRY.No Armor All slip and slide and not a chance for a layer of mold to develop.I really like it on a V-top.......


Steve

[JoeG]

We were told to use Armor All on our car seats in our H.S. sex education classes......

[Bill Pritchard]

[ QUOTE ]
We were told to use Armor All on our car seats in our H.S. sex education classes......

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmmmm....when I was in H.S., Armor All was unheard of, maybe not even invented yet. We were told to use Lemon Pledge http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif Different product, same effect http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[JoeG]

I got left back a lot....

[Belair62]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Bill Porterfield used Armor All on the tires on the Berger ZL1 for years.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tires are the only thing* I've ever used Armor All on. Radial T/A's shine up especially well with AA. My Coker redlines don't respond to AA so I use Westley's Bleche-White on those. (Thanks to Supercarkid for that tip.) Oh, and spray it on a rag away from the car and then wipe the AA'd rag over the tire. A painter told me years ago to keep Armor All away from the car's paint.

*Okay, I admit it. I used Armor All on my first '67 Camaro's interior once when I was a high school kid, c1979. The AA caused me to slide all over those (Deluxe) seats and then on a hot day the Armor All would evaporate from the seats and onto the inside of the windows. Tires only, fellas.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[JoeG]

Didn't mind the ARMOR ALL on the car seats back then, kinda made for a few laughs with the girl you were with,---but I don't use it on the seats any longer, my wife won't go parkin and neckin anymore and "now" at my age "if" I parked by myself and just slid from left to right in the front seat eventually I would either dislocate something or be arrested http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.........But in all fairness I did use it on my '69 Chevelle dash top religiously and still have the original dash just as is like new--- no problems--...

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
if I parked by myself and just slid from left to right in the front seat eventually I would either dislocate something or be arrested

[/ QUOTE ]

JOE! That's a little too much information buddy!

[JoeG]

Had to fix that last BLOOPER...... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[propertylogic]

I am a first time user and I do not know if I am even in the right place, but I am trying to get some information about a 1960 Corvette I just purchased. Would like any information that can be provided for VIN 008675107623. Block #107623 Casting #3756519 Intake #3739653. There is one other number which is F0209 LT. Any and all information welcome. Thanks

[olredalert]

Propertylogic,

-----------Go to the NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) website and ask away, as those guys know everything there is to know about Vettes. The older the better, as most of them are really ancient. Even older than me!!!!!!........Bill S

[68l30]

Sorry,back to the Armor All....I had to share this after the interior stories...

My friend is a car cuy as well as a Cop.He likes to Armor All the crap out of the rear of his cruiser.Seats and rubber floor.....Just imagine a pain in the a$$ guest,hand cuffs,and a faster than normal ride with an abrupt stop.Talk about putting someone in their place..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif


Steve http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif