[Oldcarsnbikes]

Hell all,
I have a '64 Bonneville in need of doors,decklid,hood,steering column,bench seat.Are the Hood/doors/decklid a one year only item,or will they fit from a maybe '63 also? I've seen that '62 and '65 are different.Will a steering column and the bench seat (with a pontiac seat cover) from a '64 Impala fit?Is the decklid/trunklid from a 4dr/2dr the same?
I ask because I might have more chances to find what I need and know what to look for.
Would be nice if the Impala steering and bench seat could be made to work(maybe with other covers)because now and then there are '64 Impala parts for sale over here (more common car)
Thank you

Arno

[stevep]

I believe that the hood and decklid are 1964 only. The 63 column and doors may be the same. The Impala floorpan is different so the seat may not be a direct bolt in, but you may just have to swap the track. The Impala column is definitely different.

[Oldcarsnbikes]

Thank you-not so good news then...
Arno

[stevep]

I wish that you were closer as I could help you.

[Oldcarsnbikes]

Yes,thats what I wish sometimes too-
wonder whats the problem with me-why cant I just collect BMW or VW,it would be soooo easy...
Arno

[Heybuck]

Arno, I understand the difficulties you are going to face in getting your car back to have you would like it. If you don't mind me putting my thoughts down, I think you need to think carefully how to go about this otherwise the expenses will destroy you.

My thoughts are:
1st, you need to make a careful list of ALL the parts you need.
2nd, start talking to people who can help you with what you want. Right here on this thread, Steve Peluso has said he can help you with your parts. And there will be plenty of others.
3rd, find a shipping guy in Germany - preferably near where you live - who imports goods from America. Ideally, you want a company specialising in car parts, etc as they will understand how to handle the parts. These guys will receive your goods, hold them in storage and when you are happy all gods have arrived. they will then ship the lot to you. The BIG advantage of this is you will save a heap on freight and import charges if you only have one entry of goods into Germany.
4th, you need to find someone in the US who will collect the parts and transport them to the shippers US storage facility. This is not really as hard as it sounds. Ask the German transport company who they can recommend.

Perhaps you can talk to other German guys who can advise you on who to use for the above?

I often buy an English magazine called "Classic American". This mag lists lots of companies who offer services for what you need. I'm sure you could find a German mag offering the same or even use one of the English guys. You could leave home early in the morning, go to England and collect your stuff and be back in Germany for dinner.... maybe?

Let us know how you get on. Good luck with it

Ian

[Deadhead]

Might be cheaper to buy a parts car that had what all you need on it to save on shipping?

[Heybuck]

Originally Posted by Deadhead

Might be cheaper to buy a parts car that had what all you need on it to save on shipping?

Bruce, in an ideal world that would be the best choice of course but remember he is living in Germany. I can't think that the yards would be overflowing with 64 parts cars there.

In fact, I'm not wanting to appear rude but I think if his car was in another place, many people might consider his car as only suitable as a donor car for another project. But that's not possible where he is. I don't envy the problems which he has to confront t5o get this car back from the brink.

Ian

[Oldcarsnbikes]

Heybuck,youre absolutely right.If I want a good Bonneville over here ,I have to wait for years untill one comes up for sale,and pay more than 25000 Euros for it.This thing came to me by accident.I could not resist buying when I saw it for sale.No,it was not smart to buy it,but it made me happy(sort of).If I can not get the parts I need,I can still cut it up.make a desk from the front,a couch from the rear and use the top as a spare for my '63 Impala convertible.Even the rear bench might fit.Sell the engine/trans to a Ford guy,keep the paperwork/vin/trim plate for whatever.It will not kill me by now.The hardest part is the shipping of items.I wish I had a dependable person out there in the USA to work with.I have more than one classic american car-all could use parts.
But its no problem-its only my hobby-I do not make a living from my cars.I go to work,have a family,and if there is time to play,I play cars...
Arno

[Deadhead]

I meant buy one here or elsewhere and have it shipped there. That way he would only have to look for the right car once and could then pick parts needed off that car.