I've been a lurker for a while now and have found a wealth of information while getting my '62 roadworthy. I bought it 9 years ago, in decent shape. Since then I've repainted the top, rebuilt the transmission, redone the brakes and rebuilt the carb. I had some overheating issues that were resolved with a recored radiator and a fan shroud (so far, at least). It's been a great car - super reliable overall and extremely pleasant to drive. It's got the original matching 401/445 and is the correct color scheme per the build tag. As far as I can tell, the only non-stock part are the wheels. Some questions: 1. The car is on 14x7 reverse 100 spoke chrome wheels (lowrider style). I like the look, but want to shift toward more of a "Lowrod" look instead. I have some 5x5 15x8 Chevy truck rallies with plans to paint them (red, pearl white or black, I can't decide) and add wide whitewalls and bullet center caps. Will I have clearance issues with a 2" drop? Has anyone done this look on a 62 that you guys know of? I'd love to see a pic before I start. I bought some factory hubcaps and they fit the Chevy wheels, so this setup would allow me to switch the look to stock if I ever wanted to. 2. I plan to lower it 2" and would love it to handle a bit better. I've heard of people switching out the front end parts for 90's Corvette or Mustang II parts. How hard is this to do? What are the advantages over stock? 3. My interior is in great shape except that the plastic piece of the center console lid is broken. Any thoughts on where I could buy a replacement? 4. My clock doesn't work. Should I try to replace it or can it be repaired? Thanks in advance for all of your insights!
The plastic "nose" extension on the '62 Invicta console was a bad design as they virtually all have broken. Look at cars for sale and at shows and most all of them are broken or missing. I gave up after searching for years to try to find one intact and had an interior shop redo the original cover, extending it forward all the way to the edge of the "box." I got correct NROS vinyl from SMS to do it. The only people who can tell it isn't correct are people who also own the same car. The match of the vinyl is perfect and the interior shop seamed it precisely as the original one was seamed. I also think the design simply looks better. I posted a so-so photo of it with the rest of my pictures. Take a look.
Welcome to V8Buick! :beer Fitting 15x8's are going to be tricky because the factory drums limit the amount of backspacing you can run. I'm running 15x7's with 3 1/2in of backspacing and a 5/16in spacer to clear the drums, with 245/60's in the front and 255/60's in the rear, and I can't go any wider. I already have minor rubbing in the front at full lock, and can barely fit my fingers between the inside of the rear quarter and front face of the rear tires. Providing the wheels fit properly, a 2in drop shouldn't cause any clearance issues. In regards to swapping front end components, those are both pretty major swaps. Your best bet is going to be requesting stiffer springs when you order your drop springs. Adding a rear sway bar, which is available from Addco, also reduces body roll quite a bit. Addco also offers a larger front sway bar, which would be a good compliment to the addition of a rear sway bar. In my experience, adding wider low profile tires made the largest handling improvement, followed by adding a rear sway bar. A '62 with a center console is VERY rare. I've only seen two or three in the last 10 or 15 years. I'd suggest keeping an eye on eBay, or perhaps posting in the Parts Wanted section, but I wouldn't hold your breath. Clocks come up on eBay pretty often, so that's one option. I'm sure yours could also be repaired/rebuilt, but I'm not sure of a source to recommend.
Thanks - I agree that it's not a great design. I'm thinking of trying to get one 3D printed (for kicks as much as anything else) but if that doesn't work I'll go the full upholstery route. I may also be able to move my upholstered piece forward, leaving the open spot toward the back of the console instead - I'll check out that option tonight. ---------- Post added at 01:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:43 PM ---------- Thanks. I'm glad I found this out before buying tires! My 14x7's rub the rear fenders when I have people in the back, so I'm familiar with clearence issues, I thought it was just because they were reverse wheels.
I don't have much to add, but that is one fine looking Buick! I would put the stock 15" rally wheels on it and be done with it. No clearance issues and they look great, but it's your car. I would not make any changes to that car that can't easily be restored to stock unless I was going to go all-out. That is too nice a car to mess up.
Clocks usually quit due to congealed lube...clean and re-lube generally does it...who does it depends on your skill/comfort levels... IMO '62 full-size were among Buick's best/most reliable.
