1964 Stingray

[terrywalker]

I must confess, I wasn't always into Mopars. In 1964, my first set of wheels was a Sting-Ray. It is blue just like my 71 Challenger I bought in 1972, my 74 Charger I bought in 1987 and my 2015 Challenger R/T I bought in 2015. Its number is D438274 with a manufacture date of April 14, 1964. My parents bought it for me when I was in 6th grade. My first new set of wheels. I changed the rear wheel to a slick and the driver's seat from white to blue in 1966. I changed the steering grips to blue from white. See the photo of it I took posted below. I'm considering restoring it back to a white seat, original style tires and white steering grips for a cost of about $1000. What is the opinion of the people on this site? Yes or no? I included a photo with the other 3 blue vehicles also.
Terry W.

 

[moparlee]

I say go for it, it's a Schwinn! Awesome that you have kept it thru all the years.

 

[Mopar Nut]

I would restore it if I was you, I had one just like it, but it was red with a semi short sissy bar in the back.
I rode it everywhere from 9 AM to 9 PM.
Thinking about it I think mine had a smaller diameter tire upfront.

 

[DetMatt1]

I don’t see where you really have a choice!

 

[Xcudame]

I vote for ride it like it is and enjoy it!

 

[terrywalker]

I went out and put air in the tires and they still hold air after 55 years. I rode it for a short distance. I took some more photos and noticed Ohio mud underthe seat from when I last rode it in the late 1960s. I think I'll leave the mud there. I'm excited to get this bike back on the road. No restoration. Probably new tubes. The tires are not craked as the bike was hanging off the floor indoors all these years. A couple more photos.
Terry W.

 

[moparlee]

I went out and put air in the tires and they still hold air after 55 years. I rode it for a short distance. I took some more photos and noticed Ohio mud underthe seat from when I last rode it in the late 1960s. I think I'll leave the mud there. I'm excited to get this bike back on the road. No restoration. Probably new tubes. The tires are not craked as the bike was hanging off the floor indoors all these years. A couple more photos.
Terry W.

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Good choice. Like a car it's only original once. That rear slick is the coolest thing!

 

[hdwrench]

looks good as she sits ….get on and ride !!!

 

[terrywalker]

So, I have spent the last few weeks working on the Stingray. Over on a bike site, members suggested getting the original seat, grips, sissy bar but do not restore the bike. As said, it's only original once. I spent this morning putting the bike back together with the original style parts. It looks just like it was new (except for the paint scratches and chip and some rust pits) when I got it in 1964. I'll put the later mods I made back on it ( Slik tire and blue seat and grips), but I had to relive 1964 all over. Probably the most difficult part was not restoring it and using new screws and nuts. Yep, I put the old slot head screws and nuts in vinegar and wire brushed them. There's probably one new screw and a couple of new nuts on it now. Here's a few photos.

 

[Challenger RTA]

I rode it everywhere from 9 AM to 9 PM.

Funny how that worked. Mined your parents wishes or you wouldn't see the lights go out and come back on! You knew better!

 

[Challenger RTA]