Hi, Chris. Thanks for sharing your experience with your Skyhawk. Back in October of 1978 I purchased the same model Cessna, a 1956 C172 from an owner at the Johnny Cake Airfield in Connecticut. (N6965A) I paid $6,950 for it...got it out of the yellow newsprint publication known then as the "Trade-a-plane." I lived in Jersey then and tied down at the Ramapo Valley Airport just over the New York State border in a town called Spring Valley. Had a 2200 foot runway and there were many accidents on landings, mine being one of them on February 6, 1979. Sadly I totaled the plane and just rented Skyhawks once in a while after that. It was great to see your first flight in this bird. You're a great pilot. Your enthusiasm reminded me of when I performed my first solo flight which I was privileged to do in my own plane, this wonderful straight tail Skyhawk.
@oscarmorales18062 ай бұрын
Can you work on my 1981 fiat
@Peter-ic7vj4 ай бұрын
Location?
@Peter-ic7vj4 ай бұрын
Keep mouse traps inside plame and many in the hanger.peanut butter works well on traps. Kep her shiny!!!!!!
@jimmarcellus7594 ай бұрын
I had one. Same color. Same year. Super fuel economy and a kick to drive.
@surthrivingalaska25114 ай бұрын
Too basic for entertainment purposes. Let’s get some bush landins or something.
@stephenhall35154 ай бұрын
I recall these on British roads now and then and right hand drive was 'natural' because the Swedes drove on the left until 1967 but. obviously, the rt hand drive remained for years. The 'roadster' classification was mainly a European phenomenon but interest by US customers in British sports cars for the sheer fun of them was a big market in phases and the Sonett was Saab's attempt to make dollars. Curiously, Saab and Volvo sold well in Canada but did not appeal to US tastes of the time. The Sonett, to everyone's surprise, was quite a hit and most were RHD fitted and they were hard to acquire in Sweden. The 2-stroke engine was a rarity in the USA but less so in Europe as the shattered continent rebuilt after WW2. The first post-war exported German autos were the "bubble cars" by Messerschmidt, Heinkel and, most memorably, the first time we saw the BMW badge not in a military machine. The Isetta by BMW was a great success for its stability. In Britain the Bond company and Reliant utility vehicles had made great progress with glass fibre bodies and Saab's Sonett followed that trend, especially as steel was in demand for big things but the British and Swedish companies kept full chassis designs for everything except the body shell. Unibody light steel and surplus aluminium panels also became common but whereas the US industry developed sub-frame construction in mild steel, the Europeans put least strain on lightweight materials. As the Sonett fell foul of US emissions standards in its second iteration there was a pause then Saab had talks with Bond of Equipe fame using Triumph engines and Reliant, whose stock in trade had been 3 wheelers, produced the Scimitar large "shooting brake" (2-door estate coupe) Scimitar. This was expensive and powerful, with a Ford, Germany V6 engine and overdrive by Laycock. It was a sports touring estate coupe which inspired the MGBT and others, Saab responded with the final Sonett using a Ford Taunus engine, longer body and pop up headlights, aimed at the US market and it was a moderate success with enthusiasts. Many exist today because Saab had high build standards and their aircraft pedigree showed in all of their designs except the ones just before they ceased production to concentrate on a need for advanced jet planes for Nordic military use short/medium haul airliners with Dutch Fokker. They still to this day make very specialized planes for emergency services in scores of countries. SO, you are driving a masterpiece of craft, design and art.
@vernonbennettiii36465 ай бұрын
Just discovered your video, 3/28/2024 -- man, does this take me back!. I bought a '72 Saab Sonett III in 1976, while I was in college and working at a meat packing plant during the summer, when my new-found wealth was burning a hole in my pocket. Paid $1,100 for it plus $600 for a replacement "free-wheeling" 4-speed manual transmission, to get it running and back on the road. It was a "repo" acquired by a small town bank in Paw Paw, Michigan, and it was stored in a winery warehouse. The car stunk of old wine -- took me almost 2 years to get that smell out of it! I restored it to a pretty decent level, but the ignition never worked with a key. The wiring harness later caught fire and Insurance covered the cost to repair, but it took a year -- the replacement wiring harness and gages (VDO's!) from Sweden sat on the dock in New York for 7 months. Anyway, after I got it back on the road I had a blast with it, but I had to sell it in 1979 while I was working as a CPA, to fund my upcoming law school tuition. I have since owned several (and still do own 2) Jaguar sports cars/GTs, a BMW and a '97 Mazda Miata M Edition (which I got into a Head-on collision with against a Chevy Lumina back in 2000) -- after which I swore off driving little cars in the 21st century -- and I have driven various Porsches, several Aston Martins, various Mercedes SLs/AMGs, etc., but I recall really enjoying driving that little fiberglass-bodied TOTALLY UNSAFE 1972 Saab Sonett III back in the '70's. I had read that guys used to "ice race" these things, but I never, EVER drove mine in the winter (living in Michigan), despite it having front-wheel drive. There was no crash protection in the doors, or anywhere else for that matter. The only "safety" thing I could see (besides seat belts) was the "roll bar" behind the seats, which wrapped around the gas tank that sat directly behind the front passenger compartment. My guess is if that if that thing ever got rear-ended it would blow up like a Ford Pinto! Hope you're still enjoying your Saab Sonett III. Mine was the "Saab Safety Orange" and it had the "Soccer Ball" style Wheels.
@vernonbennettiii36465 ай бұрын
THANKS for the Ride-A-Long, man! Just discovered your video, 3/28/2024 -- wow, does this take me back!. I bought a '72 Saab Sonett III in 1976, while I was in college and working at a meat packing plant during the summer, when my new-found wealth was burning a hole in my pocket. Paid $1,100 for it plus $600 for a replacement "free-wheeling" 4-speed manual transmission, to get it running and back on the road. It was a "repo" acquired by a small town bank in Paw Paw, Michigan, and it was stored in a winery warehouse. The car stunk of old wine -- took me almost 2 years to get that smell out of it! I restored it to a pretty decent level, but the ignition never worked with a key. The wiring harness later caught fire and Insurance covered the cost to repair, but it took a year -- the replacement wiring harness and gages (English VDO's!) from Sweden sat on the dock in New York for 7 months. Anyway, after I got it back on the road I had a blast with it, but I had to sell it in 1979 while I was working as a CPA, to fund my upcoming law school tuition. I have since owned several (and still do own 2) Jaguar sports cars/GTs, a BMW and a '97 Mazda Miata M Edition (which I got into a Head-on collision with against a Chevy Lumina back in 2000 -- after which I swore off driving little cars in the 21st century -- and I have driven various Porsches, several Aston Martins, various Mercedes SLs/AMGs, etc., but I recall really enjoying driving that little fiberglass-bodied TOTALLY UNSAFE 1972 Saab Sonett III back in the '70's. I had read that guys used to "ice race" these things, but I never, EVER drove mine in the winter, despite it having front-wheel drive. There was no crash protection in the doors, or anywhere else for that matter. The only "safety" thing I could see (besides seat belts) was the "roll bar" behind the seats, which wrapped around the gas tank that sat directly behind the front passenger compartment. My guess is if that if that thing ever got rear-ended it would blow up like a Ford Pinto! Hope you're still enjoying your Saab Sonett III. Mine was also the "Saab Safety Orange" and it had the "Soccer Ball" style Wheels.
@markschool96485 ай бұрын
If the brakes are dragging,it the brake hoses. They become one way valves after the inner hose collapse.
@andresbecker32765 ай бұрын
Don’t forget the Starter!!!…I KNOW you know what PITA they are to change if needed
@sinistersilverado9655 ай бұрын
nice
@thewilder-side29906 ай бұрын
I love it. My dad bought me a green 1971 fiat 124 1600cc just like yours.
@user-ct4zz8di3r6 ай бұрын
How much for that luggage rack.
@akiatoji50887 ай бұрын
I had a '74, then a '78, then finally an '80 124. Spent a lot of time under the hood on them, brings back lots of fond memories. Good luck and keep up the good work!
@vernonboley10357 ай бұрын
Clean the slober box (block breather) while your there S/B done every 30K.... might be full of slober
@MichaelAmster7 ай бұрын
Those cylinder walls look remarkably good given the age and time out of commission. You lucked out.
@FlashDriveFilms7 ай бұрын
Excellent. Now get some ziplock bags & sort and label all the fasteners as you take them off. Yes, you remember perfectly where they all go...for Now. Any interruption, and you have to return in even a few weeks, and it will be hard to remember where all those nuts and bolts, and clips and brackets, went. Also cover or block with rags any open areas, like the dipstick tube and fuel pump block, to avoid moisture from getting inside. And I can almost guarantee that the heater core will be corroded from the inside , just by seeing that head gasket.
@whizzo557 ай бұрын
You are going to be an expert on these things. Our family had a dealership back then these along with 850's is what I worked on. Good memories. Keep it up Chris!
@juliorosell79617 ай бұрын
Good Luck!!
@mhtent7 ай бұрын
That was a great deal if you got it for $25,000. I used to own a 1956, N5879A.
@theeforestdweller9797 ай бұрын
Hi, I just got one of these hard tops used, how does the top secure in the back? I'm new to the platform
@carlosburciaga90477 ай бұрын
great job my friend
@Curtis-gv1mw8 ай бұрын
Hury up
@TheDan01318 ай бұрын
How did you perform a compression test without the cams installed? How do you know if the valves were sealing the chamber on cyl 3?
@ChrisClarkeFly8 ай бұрын
With the cams removed, all valves will be completely closed and sealed at all times. So, just spin the pistons and each cylinder should create compression. Yes, it could have been leaky valves on cyl 3 but I figured it was unlikely since I could visually verify the valves were seated correctly and the other cylinders held some compression. And since number 3 piston was so badly damaged, I decided I was worth just replacing anyway.
@Joe-nq9qv8 ай бұрын
Please make it a series, I have a 72 I’m trying to install duel carbs
@user-ql1qe9ns3y8 ай бұрын
A familiar face from the Sporty's Pilot Training that I am taking. Love the vintage 172. I am investigating plane ownership myself....I would LOVE to find a 172 in that price range. Any suggestions? How long were you looking for that gem?
@ChrisClarkeFly8 ай бұрын
Here's the full story. I had given up looking for a airplane in my price range and this just fell in my lap. airfactsjournal.com/2023/08/straight-tale-owning-first-airplane/
@user-ql1qe9ns3y8 ай бұрын
Thank you for the reply and congratulations on that beautiful 172.@@ChrisClarkeFly
@TheDan01318 ай бұрын
I wonder if the end-gap on the rings was too tight. When it got hot, the rings butted which is usually enough to cause catastrophic failure
@TheDan01318 ай бұрын
Sorry man, that really sucks. Just finished a rebuild myself on a '79. Hoping the same fate doesn't await me.
@beekangkang71508 ай бұрын
Welcome to General Aviation,
@niveklor14568 ай бұрын
You took a man's project car,Shame on you.
@farmgene8 ай бұрын
I own a 172B. (Half of it.)
@davewsh84348 ай бұрын
aux means Auxillary lights
@Jonsson4749 ай бұрын
You Americans have truly ruined the looks of many cars by putting those huge ugly bumpers on.
@FlashDriveFilms9 ай бұрын
What a great project car! Just take your time and replace all fluids and any rubber parts. (belts/hoses, fuel lines). I would just replace all the brake calipers on general principles. Also: DO NOT put those Champion sparkplugs in. In my experience the plating interacts with the alloy head and you have a bear of a time getting them back out after they've been in for awhile.
@1975Loeven9 ай бұрын
I'm swedish but only heard of the Sonett, never seen one in real life. Not that i'm a true car geek, but these are quite cool after all. My dad had a couple of 99's back in the 80's and the second gen 900 (later aka 93) in the early 00's.
@gmonte129 ай бұрын
I had one in the early 70s. It was way way ahead of its time with features but being in RI rust was a problem. I keep up with it anyway and did any repairs it needed. Being a mechanic is wasnt a big deal. I loved that thing! Good Luck!
@mkrp49 ай бұрын
Same color as my new toy 91 Miata, parked outside for 10 years
@chrisminchopoulos28119 ай бұрын
Did you get a chance to check the undercarriage yet, although your floors look good from the top, I'm curious how your substructure looks. The early flat hood Fiat's look very nice, its certainly a project car with good bones. Hopefully the rusted sills are not rusted through all layers. I certainly will keep watching your channel for updates and Good Luck.
@whizzo559 ай бұрын
I think you got a good one there. Brings back a lot of good memories. The cable window regulators are a trip! Replaced a ton of them along with the heater fan switch, door handles, head light switch, and many other items when I worked at my family's Dealership here in Tulsa. I owned a '72 and 2 '74 Spiders back then. A blast to drive! Thanks!
@JorisJoop9 ай бұрын
schitterend auto met 1 dubbele weber in plaats van 2 dubbele weber carburateur 16 00 cc in deze uitvoering redelijk zeldzaam bezit dezelfde auto met heel veel plezier. heel veel succes met de restauratie mvg Joris uit Holland
@johngeoffrey18639 ай бұрын
Reverse lockout pulls UP to get into reverse. IDK why they did that in 71, but they did. It's opposite from your other Spider
@jackrosen17409 ай бұрын
That’s awesome! That thing looks to be in fantastic shape for the time it spent sitting! My ‘73 sat in a barn for 25+ years and cleaned right up. Can’t wait to see yours on the road!
@johngeoffrey18639 ай бұрын
Great find! Looking forward to your new restoration journey. In addition to my 79, the last one I resto-modded was a 71 that sat in a field for 12 years. I sold it last year and have a few parts left over, but not much. Great cars!
@stevel99149 ай бұрын
supply them regularly to US customers
@turtlemotonation9 ай бұрын
That’s an awesome gift man, hell yeah!
@ericbrammer22459 ай бұрын
AH, LOCKHEED BRAKES! Made for Airplanes, put on Great Cars...