1969 Corvette
 

I'm looking at a couple...wanna buy one to restore.

Hints, tips, tricks, shit to look out for?

I know to check for a rusty birdcage (no, that's not a sex act), and bad calipers...

I seem to recall something about those being hard on rear shocks

Buy stock in fiberglass resin and sandpaper...my uncle's took like a gallon or more per panel if its been dried out. It will wick the resin in and not even look like you touched the surface. Wiring and interior are a bitch too.

never played with that version. my dad's '60 we did a ton to, seemed easy enough but i was early teen so i'm sure i didn't know all that was going on.

my friend had a later one an '81 "buggy spring" was bad in rear

just to restate the obvious, check numbers. people love to swap the motors then sell them.

post lots of pics when you get one.

Helped do bodywork on one a few years back, we would just mix up the resin and pour it on, roll it on with a roller and it would be dry because it all soaked in

Well, I was looking at two different cars.

One guy is too retarded in communications skills, and after 6 days, two emails, one 40 minute drive to no avail, and a number of messages to his voicemail (finally, after five days, I got a fucking number for the idiot), I STILL haven't heard from the moron, so fuck him. What the fuck is the matter with some people? You'd swear they're not interested in selling shit...why the fuck post it for sale??

The other one I went to see the other night, and I've now effectively closed the deal on.

It's a 1969 coupe, the body has been all redone by a body shop, and is currently in Urethane primer, ready to go. The frame needs a little attention here and there, but is also in relatively good nick...it just needs one cross member straightened a little (there's a spare, besides, in case I prefer to replace it), and it needs a little POR 15 for the surface rust.

The hood is a legit Big Block hood (replacing the original flat hood w/stinger), but the car was born with, and is set up for a small block. It comes with the 454 out of a later model Chevy SS 454 pickup, and big block sidepipes. The guy was going to get a harness from wiring specialties, and adapt it, but I think I'm gonna put a regular small block in it, and sell the pipes.

The big block may go in something else, or I may sell that too.

The car comes with the all the pickings from a stripped 1970 parts car, so I have doubles of almost everything.

That's the good news.

The bad?

It's in about 3500 pieces, and *I* didn't take it apart.

This is gonna be fun. Thank goodness for all the online Vette step-by-step instructionals. I'll need them for sure...

I need to get pix of the old mans, he has a '69 that's show worthy

That sounds like a plan for failure

Only, I've built a number of cars before...and most were Chevys.

I'm hoping it goes fairly easily. Like I said, thankfully there's a ton of resources.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Yikes. Putting something like that together when you weren't the one to take it apart... Brave man.

guess you wont need a trunk lock then

http://www.discountbodyparts.com/cat...3011trlo69chco

one purpose, the transportation of golf clubs from one green to another?

There's no fucking trunk in a C3.

http://www.exoticarshare.com/images/...vette_Rear.jpg

Glove box didn't appear until YEARS later. Just a map pocket.

Golf is for faggots.

you can always make it into a station wagon

http://cache-03.gawkerassets.com/ass...gon_01_700.jpg

What the hell is back there if there's no trunk?

Gas tank, spare (below) and muffler cans.

I have a '77 ( with a map pocket on the passenger side dash :dthumb: ) directly beihind the driver's seat in it's compartment is the battery. There are two compartments next to them, a small center and behind the passenger seat, a battery sized one.

Under the rear deck is your "luggage" space or a spot big enough for two T tops ( but not both luggage and T tops :lol: )

~~~~~~

Avatard
I suggest corvette forum as your "how to" resourse. There ar planty of knowledgable people over there. I would suggest getting an assembly manual too. You can probably find one in the C3 for sale/wanted section.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...lr_quarter.jpg

my "far from original" '77 350 4 speed
Jeff

Thats a load of BS, we can give him all the instruction on how to fix it here

http://image.kitcarmag.com/f/editori...tte-summer.jpg

I do read the Vette forums. Just thought there might be someone here with firsthand experience, and I'm not really looking forward to having to sign up at another forum, if I can avoid it...

I will be on the lookout for an assembly manual.

I know about the two storage bins, I have a '94. One has the batt, and the other the radio brain. I suppose the C3 has a more conventional 1pc. radio in the dash, and so bin #2 is free. The '94 also has no glovebox or trunk, but at least has hidden door compartments.

I think the C5 and C6 grew such modern niceties as a trunk and glovebox, right?

:gofurslf: :wtfru:

That's exactly why I suggest CF. I would have to track him down and beat him with a stick if he wanted to do that to a chrome bumper car.

If you look at the horrible abomination of fiberglass, you'll see a "bubble" back window. That makes that a '78-'82 corvette ( at least in a previous life )

You can probably get all the info you need just by searching threads. I can't see you finding a problem that somebody else hasn't found.

Are you going restored or just " nice driver" ? I highly suggest nice driver so you don't have to worry about bolts,washer and all the "correct" bullshit for NCRS judging.

I remember that movie. Annie Pots shows her cute little tits.

:rockwoot:

That car, however is a fucking crime.

No chance I would do ANYTHING to a nice chrome bumper car, Triple...other than paint it the original red.

I actually sought this car out because its body is unmolested. Like I said, I'm even going to try and track down the original stock GM stinger hood for it.

The big block hood is nice, but I'm putting in a mouse.

Just a nice driver.

Recently my mom gave me a picture I must have drawn when I was 7 or 8.

C3 Corvette. I remember the Mako Shark. I had the Hot Wheels.

I guess this is the car I've always wanted. Don't think I'll ever sell it.

so when will pics begin surfacing of this future hot rod? I have to admit I've done a lot of work on cars but trying one that I didn't take apart is not something I would "want" to do. most of GM's stuff all "fits" the same way it's the weird little corvette nuances you have to watch for.

take your time (I know you know that already) and watch for the little stupid things that people forget to mention until you have to take it back apart and they go "oh yeah I had that problem to"

but mostly, congrats on the almost done deal purchase and get us some pics!!

I had a 72 Vert and a 78 but I never actually had to take them apart or put them together so not much help here.

I also had a 95 and still have my 02 Z06...with a truck and glove box. :lol:

The fucking crackhead I've been chasing for over a week called me today. Asked if I wanted to look at his car. I told him I'd all but closed another deal, but offered to look at it. He calls his buddy where it's stored, and it turns out he's in Florida.

This guy is a fucking ACE at selling cars, I gotta tell ya.

I might still check it out, if the guy who's storing its son can open the garage, though, because this one is a roller, and has matching #s. I'm only not nuts about this one because someone has put flares on it, and that means I would have to do bodywork. I'd rather build an entire car and engine than do bodywork.

Pics as I get 'em.

Sure you wouldn't rather have a clean as fuck 240z? It'd make a lot more out of that mouse

Well, I do have my kid's wrecked 5.0, and that drivetrain fits the Miata w/a kit.

If making the most of power were all I want, I'd be building that one first...only this is a car I've wanted since I was 7 or 8.

The insane big motor in the tiny car is a future project. My kid still pines for her 5.0, even though I got her a little Celica drop top. If she doesn't resurrect the 5.0, and fix it, that will be the future monster project...although I LOVE the 240Z.

Mostly because it looks a little like the Vette!

(love the old Opel GT too, for the same reason)

I want an old Vette... maybe one day...

Save your pennies, they're getting hard to find as a rebuildable, and the restored examples are simply stratospheric in price.

I'm going to have to probably sell my '94 Vette in order to do this project, and when I'm done, I'll have a Vette that's 35 MPH slower, handles worse, and has a quarter of a century older design.

And I will love it about 3000 times more than my current soul-less C4.

I'm actually trading a true Supercar for an antique...but it's the one I've ALWAYS wanted.

True. I suppose ill consider keeping it if I don't get any more interest soon. Maybe throw the nsx out there as a teaser and see what's involved in an rb swap. Big stupid turbo power in a 2000 lb car that's emissions exempt sounds pretty good

Keep it!
 

See, that's what key. You need an old car. That little piece of paper (your title) is your ticket to a big, powerful, EPA insulting motor, that goes like stink.

You just have to pick a rebuildable that has great aftermarket access to parts.

Chevelles, Camaros, Mustangs, and Vettes all have an aftermarket that lets you essentially build an entirely new car...you just need that all-important piece of paper.

If you already have a Cherry 240, save it! ...And use that wonderful old title as a ticket to get you a nice mouse motor shoehorned into it. It's a good fit, from what I understand.

Well that was the original plan, problem was when I got it home and had a chance to really go through it the thing was so cherry id feel bad putting a wrench to it. Id almost rather flip it and find some cheap and expendable shell to mess with.

Aftermarket for those isn't that good, but if you sold the drivetrain to someone else restoring one, it might very well help to pay for a new mouse, trans, and rear.

With some careful shopping, and doing most of the work yourself, you could build that Z into a V8 monster for under 10.

there you go!!! it's already on it's way to Corvette Summer heroism.

i couldn't resist.

agree about bodywork like that, especially considering the winner who put them on probably didn't do it right in some way. amazing what you can find when you have to undo someone elses work.


completely agree with this car being slower but oh so much better then your newer vette.

Tbh I hate the idea of a mouse in it. Rb25det looks and sounds tits though. And I have a lot of the extras needed for turbos

I dunno...I know it ain't stock, and it's a hack, but it's a fair hack, IMHO.

Why? Because you'd have to make that other motor pretty hysterical in order to achieve the same power you could make with a 100% stock mouse, that would be 100% more reliable.

It all depends if you want a daily driver or not.

A properly restored 240Z would largely be just a ornament.

Besides, sticking hair dryers all over it doesn't exactly warm the hearts of a restorer, and isn't really being faithful to anything...unless than if you save the stock drivetrain for later re-use, if you want to return it to authentic (something harder to do if you were to convert it to V8).

You should google the rb family of engines. What I'm talking about has nothing in common with the stock l24 other than layout. You love the car because it reminds you of a vette, I love it because it reminds me of the 2000gt and therefore nothing but an i6 would be right to me

As for the hairdryer bit, you're aware there was a turbo version of the 280z right? The heads didn't change between the L's of those years. Would be very reverseable if that were what I was interested in

I just remembered another important thing. Before you start putting the engine compartment or interior in, replace the heater core.

Better yet, pressure check the NEW heater core and then put it in. It's a major league pain in the ass with an assembled car but not too bad when you have some room.

( I'm rebuilding the engine in my '77 towards spring and this was part of my " to do " list )

Ugh, I finally got to see the other Vette. The guy isn't as much of a crackhead as I imagined, he's actually a super nice dude, but his secretary is handling his listings, and he's just the busiest man I ever met.

Here's the quandary: One is a runner, needs an interior, paint, a new windshield, and tuning of the motor (freshen Holley, ignition). Matching numbers car. Has a small block in it. Problem is, it has no air (I'd have to get a vintage air kit), and someone flared the car (I'd have to put 4 new fenders on it)...that's two grand right there, on just those two details. It also doesn't have power brakes.

The other is a basket case, but the body is near perfect (urethane primer, needs a fresh prime, block sand, and top coat). It's a fully optioned car. It is set up for a small block, and comes with a rat motor along with the deal. It's also another $500 more, but comes with almost an entire car's worth of spares.

Decisions, decisions...

How is the powertrain on the basket case? What will it need to get it running?

Off the top of my head from your description, the small block runner seems like the obvious choice.

But depending on how much work the other car needs to get it up to speed, it sounds like it might be worth it.

Well, I think only the rear is in it (the basket case). I'd have to put in the trans and motor (and I probably wouldn't use the included rat motor, but instead build a nice mouse).

The real issues I have with the runner is no air, and "corvette summer" flares. The body on the basket case is two days away from paint, and it's a fully optioned car. It's just in a thousand pcs.

Also, the runner is 10 minutes from my house (could probably drive it home late at night), the basket case is 2 hrs away, but they'd deliver the whole shebang.

The money that you would spend to get the one running might be much more than an AC and brake kit. Are the flares bad? Why not leave them?

Plus the other one has matching numbers, its almost a no brainer

Does the basket case have the original motor or is it "gone with the wind"?

Chrome bumper corvettes are worth more with numbers matching. The extra options tilt towards the basket case but so many pieces to put together.

Gone.

I just don't know what would be worth more in the end. I know the basket case is ultimately the one I want...it just wouldn't be worth as much as the matching #s car.

Matching numbers would be worth much more

We don't put stuff together to sell ( usually ) so it sounds like the basket case is more towards what YOU want as a finished project.

Your money, the final decision is yours.

Ya think? Even though it's only a small block, and I'd be adding power brakes and air?

(because I ain't doing without that shit...I want a classic, but I want basic comfort)

[Vinny Barberino]I'm so confused...[/Barberino]

Yeh small blocks are still worth money, matching numbers are getting harder to find. Plus if you really want a big block you can always replace the engine, put it on a stand in the corner and when it comes time to sell the car either replace the original engine or sell it with the car.

If you want to do the work get teh basket case, but if you want to drive it get the runner

I think ultimately, I'm an old fart and I wanna drive...but someone else brought up a good point; if the basket case is ultimately the car you want, you've been waiting for it since you were 7 years old...what's another year, putting it together, if you finally get what you've been waiting for?

Fuck! Decisions, decisions....

Buy them both and have the best of both worlds

I wish. I'm not rich...by far. That's why I have to even buy one that's "barely there", like these, and not fully done. This is probably the only chance I'll ever have to even afford this car.

:shrug:

I'm gonna sell my C4 to send my kid to school...

Well, I thought long and hard about this one.

I'm off to close the deal on the runner. Pics later tonight.

Sweet

After having completely restored 3 different vehicles myself (1 basketcase), I think you made a smart choice.

Good luck.

Fuck that, thats what student loans are for

Army bonuses

Yeah: you loan out the student for hard labor :lol

Done deal. Shit's in my garage. Here's some pics from the Ad, for however long it's up...

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/2154544733.html

Boxes of parts (and the stock flat hood) arrive tomorrow morning, which I will have to find disposition for in my already crowded world...

I own a C3! The car I've wanted since I was 7 years old, and first saw show car pictures of the Mako Shark.

Now my garage smells "right". Old Chevys all smell the same...

Power brakes is literally bolt on ( maybe two holes to drill in firewall depending on booster )

I've never added air but I'm sure you could scrounge the correct parts easily enough.

I hope it has a nice personality.

JC

a numbers matching motor enhances value


Rephrased
One does not purchase a vehicle in a million parts to make money on. The idea is to put it together as you ( the owner ) wants it to be.

Do the car as you like since it's your money you're spending.

Better?

Congrats :cheers:

1969 corvette - $XXXX (lakewood nj)

69 corvette all matching numbers
-DOES RUN AND DRIVE-
-small block chevy
-body work on car is 90%
-frame underneath is 90%
-needs some interior to be redone
-needs front windsheild
-needs paint job
-new or rebuild carb on motor
-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...7ee213110e.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...de4312143e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...aada131417.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...7e93581e6e.jpg

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You did pretty good for the money

looks good man! Manual I trust?

Hells yeh, thats an awesome deal on that car, its easily worth a few grand more

Send your kid to the army, better yet, the air force

Sure. If he's gay :lol

Exactly

http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&

http://www.vintageair.com/cat2007/39.pdf

It has no computer in it. That already makes it more personable, as far as I'm concerned...

Thanks!

Of course. What homo would want a Vette w/a slush box?

Luck held, zee vette, she is mine (greedily rubbing hands together).

Thanks, I should be driving this before March, with any luck. That to me is pretty fucking awesome. I was nowhere this excited when I got my C4, and that came painted, and complete!

[dreamy voice]It's what I've always wanted...[/voice]

Just got off the phone with by bro, discussing my good fortune, and now I must help him achieve the same (score his dream car to restore). He wants a 68 Charger.

Now to find an affordable car to start with for his build...it's gonna be a muscle car summer at my house this year, I tell ya.

Nah, she's too much of slacker...no armed force would have her.

:lmao:

Man I've always loved that one. The coke bottle body, round taillamps, and bad guy attitude.

Fuck, I gotta watch bullit now :lol:

Perfect.

F'in awesome.... love it!

:lol: Well then good for you...congrats man !!

here is the old mans collection, all numbers matching goodness

Nice score avatard. Looks like a sweet start.

Thanks, man. I'm so psyched. I'm sitting here doin' that man thing; you all know it.

You get a cup of Joe, go into the garage, sit and just stare at it, and grin.

http://poopnugget.com/files/IMG_2450.JPG

Red one's tight.

Mmmmmmmmm beautiful! :D

I want! I love my '94, but there's just something to be said for the C3....*drool*

nice patina :)

if i saw a mustang on the road looking like that in south jersey id think it ran 9's

Yep. Usually in a tilted back chair with my feet on the work bench

:cool: Looks like "old school" aluminum mags, hooker headers/sidepipes and an aftermarket hood. ( looks familar but can't remember manufacturer )

On the hood, does that hood go up against the windshield or is your wiper door there?

If you are going to rebuild the brakes yourself, if they have stainless steel sleeves you're good to go. If they're original (no S/S sleeves ) I would trade ( core ) them for sleeved calipers. Flush the system and use DOT 5 brake fluid.

The hood goes all the way to the windscreen. I have two cowls, and the stock hood coming with the parts tomorrow.

love the look of that beauty.
yep done the "man thing" a time or two. by the time the cup of coffee is gone the car is totally done..........in your mind anyway. looks like a pretty good start.

Shit. I couldn't house half the cars I've "built" while driving around bored at work :lol:

What kind of toolbox is the tall one? Looks just like mine, only wider... I got it from my old man who bought it new in 1975 or '76.

Matco. Got it about 8 years ago from a neighbor who was a mechanic at the local Chrysler dealer, who was stepping up to something newer. Paid only 2-3 hundred for it. Still need to clean it real good, and move my tools into it proper.

I still have most of my shit in the small box next to it, and right now a lot of my "pegboard" shit from my old house is actually what's occupying my big box (just the fastest way to move out of my old house). I'm still not fully "unpacked" years after moving in, but I'm finally getting close.

AMJ helped me a lot this past year, he was a real friend (Jesus is one hell of a carpenter, after all) My shit was in such disarray just a year ago, I wouldn't have even contemplated such a build. Now my garage is actually sneaking up on functional.

Update: Getting parts and assembly manuals together, and...
 

The plot thickens on the 'Vette. My brother is buying the other one, helping me out.

We're putting the numbers-matching one back to a good roller status in the original Daytona Yellow with a fresh interior, and the stock hood back on it...and we're flipping it.

The other one I can build out the way I want to with the proceeds, and not feel guilty for putting an "East Coast Customs" touch on it, because I want a heavily breathed on mouse motor, and I want to modernize it a bit further inside, but it already has air and all options (I will keep it totally stock outside).

The second car will come with a zillion extra parts, and help both builds.

I wanna put a later dash with a glovebox in my keeper. I'm gonna fill it with dynamat, and put a serious amp and some quality speakers in. Some modern race seats, harnesses, and sink an iPad into a custom console for Nav/Music/Web/Skype all in one. Just throw a MiFi hotspot in the glovebox, and go. With less than a dozen wires, the car is literally wired for everything! The less tech, the better...but of course an Alpine alarm will at least give me key fob control over the door locks, and help secure it.

Gonna put a sick red candy/flake/pearl on the 100% stock body, subtle rake achieved just with the tires will be the only external "mod", save a polished aluminum Lemans-style fliptop gas fill on the rear deck.

The later model 454 BB that comes with the second Vette will go in my 71 Chevelle, which will be made into an SS454 tribute, since it already has ladders, a brute posi, scattershield, shaft hoop, etc., and would make better use of that Rat.

I'm thinking something very close to this:

http://www.scottlewisonline.com/imag...c_4speed_2.jpg

I'm just glad you are getting rid of that hood. I think the producers from "Corvette Summer" are still looking for it.:lol:

Sounds cool man

If that's what you're gonna do I demand a build thread :D

Oh, for sure...I've documented a few of my old builds, these should be fun.

I think it's an Ecklers aftermarket hood, believe it or not. Hideous. No accounting for taste...

Glad to see your double standards aren't limited to your political beliefs. :lol:

Looking forward to the build thread. :dthumb: