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Classic/Antique Car Repair/62 Wagon Bolts/Hardware

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Expert: Paul Wilczynski - 3/19/2010


Question
Paul,

I recently bought a 62 Impala Wagon that was in mid-restoration state. Most of the parts aside from the drivetrain are in boxes and have no bolts or hardware. How would you suggest finding out bolt sizes for everything? For example, the wheel wells are out of it, blasted and ready for paint, but no clue what size bolts to use to reinstall. I haven't been able to find a parts manual for this car anywhere... I am new to this type of thing, and I could really use one if you know where to find it. Thanks! -Josh

Answer
I'd try these guys:

http://www.lategreatchevy.com

Have a look around this web site. What you want is, not only a store to sell you what you need (ad you're going to need something), but also a group of knowledgeable enthusiasts who've cut their teeth on this sort of thing.

You can buy parts manuals and reprints of same from:

http://www.helminc.com

Good luck!

--Paul

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Paul Wilczynski

Expertise

Most questions involving vintage car restoration, mechanical and body, paint and upholstery. Parts sourcing. Extensive experience in wood-bodied station wagons, British and French cars of the '40s through '70s. Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger, Citroen Maserati, VW Beetle, 1955-65 Chevrolet (especially Nomad station wagons), Corvair.

Experience

Wide-ranging and long-term. I owned a restoration shop in the 1970s, continue to dabble in vintage exotics. At one time, had a seven-car collection of contemporary exotics which I had restored and maintained myself. When I was 18 years old, I designed a woodie kit for the VW Beetle, which I developed into a product which was featured on television and in over 100 magazines and 25 books at last count. I still own and drive one of my creations. I owned a design and fabrication consultancy from 1982-2002, specializing in show car fabrication for manufacturers including Ford, Mazda, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, etc. Since 2003, I have been a department manager in Industrial Design, and a full-time instructor in automotive design and fabrication at the university level. My students go on to design automobiles as staff designers for major auto manufacturers worldwide.

Organizations
Western Automotive Journalists, Industrial Design Society of America.

Publications
Long list of magazines and books, including Playboy, VW Trends, VW Greats, Hot VWs, and European automotive magazines.

Education/Credentials
I teach design and fabrication at university level. My education is in Industrial Design, University of Illinois (1966-1970).

Awards and Honors
Many awards for restorations in local concours and shows.

Past/Present Clients
Mazda, Ford, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Mercedes, Porsche.

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